How to calculate square footage for kitchen backsplash

Calculating the Square Footage of Your Project

To help determine the amount of tile for your needs, below is an easy to use tool for calculating the square footage of an area. To start, please provide the area measurements.

Measurements

Estimating Tile Quantities

When measuring for floor tile the rule is:

Length x Width + Waste = Amount Needed

Waste Factor will vary based upon tile size, layout, configuration of room, patterns, etc. Typical waste factor is about 10%. Add 15% for tile being installed diagonally or for a room with lots of jogs and corners. These installations will require more cuts and thus more waste.

Example:

Actual room size: 8 ft 7 in x 5 ft 2 in

Convert to inches, actual room size: 103 in x 62 in

103" x 62"= 6386 inches / 144 (1 sf) = 44.50 sf + waste factor (44.50 x 1.10) = 49 sf

The same method is used when measuring walls. Measure the area to be tiled on each wall. Add them together and figure the square footage. Add your waste factor and this is the amount needed.

Most vertical applications will require trim pieces which have finished edges, this requires a linear measurement. Trim pieces will be used:

1. 1. Where a tiled surface ends on an open wall leaving an exposed tile edge,
2. 2. Where a vertical surface meets a horizontal, like on the edge of a countertop,
3. 3. Where a vertical surface turns a corner, like on the outside corner of a wall.

Trim pieces and decoratives are typically sold by the piece. To figure the quantity you have to establish the length of the trim piece (i.e. 6" bullnose, 8" decorative liner), then the rule is: Linear Inches/Piece Length = Quantity

Example:

10 foot exposed edge that needs bullnose: 10 ft x 12 in = 120 inches.

If using 6 inch bullnose trim piece = 120 inches / 6 inches = 20 pieces of bullnose needed

If using 8 inch decorative liner = 120 inches / 8 inches = 15 pieces of liner needed

These formulas will help you estimate the quantities you'll need. We recommend you have a professional tile installer view the job to check for the suitability of your substrate and to measure and plan for any special conditions that may exist.

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Visit a Showroom and Let Us Help You Achieve Your Vision!

We see people in the store all the time with little or no idea as to how to calculate how much kitchen backsplash tile they will need to complete their project. Calculating the exact amount is vital for ensuring that you not only have enough, but also don’t spend more than you have to on tile. If you’re wondering how to calculate the amount of tile you will need for your new kitchen backsplash, the experts at Transworld Tile have you covered.

BACKSPLASH SQUARE FOOTAGE MADE EASY

THE BASIC MATH

Math: Everyone’s favorite word. While this may sound intimidating, all you will need to calculate is a pencil, measuring tape, and your phone’s calculator. To calculate the square footage of backsplash tile you are going to need, you’re essentially just figuring out the total area of the soon-to-be tiled space. Basically, all you need to do is divide the space up into squares and rectangles, multiply the width by height of each subsection, and add those sections together.

CABINETS ARE SQUARE

Luckily, unless you live on an angle somehow, your cabinets and countertop create a level, or “square” surface. This means that the imaginary “box” between your upper cabinet and countertop will form a square or rectangular space that can be easily measured for width and height. By doing this with each of your upper cabinets and countertop differences, you will have the subsections necessary to find the total square area of the space. If you are lucky enough to have a totally flat line on a wall of your upper cabinets, then you can get away with doing only one measurement for length and one for height.

THE FORMULA

To calculate the square area needed for your tile backsplash, simply measure your subsections (as many as there may be) and plug them into this simple formula:

(Subsection A width) x (Subsection A height) = Subsection A square area

(Subsection B width) x (Subsection B height) = Subsection B square area

Subsection A square area + Subsection b square area = Total square inches

Total square feet = (Total square inches) / 144 (number of inches in a foot)

Obviously, more subsections or areas that need to be covered will make a larger, longer final addition problem. For a practical example, these could be measurements for a single wall of cabinets with a heightened, over-sink cabinet included:

A width (20) x A height (18) = 360

B width (32) x B height (18) = 576

C width (20) x C height (45) = 900

360 + 576 + 900 = 1836 sq inches

1836 sq inches / 144 = 12.75 total square footage needed

ALLOW EXTRA

Obviously, with 12.75 square footage needed for the area, 13 square feet of kitchen backsplash tile would be enough to cover the area. When adding this wall to others, it may be wise to add a square foot of tile or two to allow for oddly cut pieces. Many designers recommend adding 10% to any purchase to be absolutely sure you have enough and to account for any extra space or uses you may choose that tile for in the future. Examples may include applying your backsplash tile to the side of a refrigerator or in a shower soap dish.

VISIT TRANSWORLD TILE

As your home for the best kitchen tiles in the Thousand Oaks area, Transworld Tile has the inventory and experienced staff necessary to get you the best possible tile. Visit us in person or check out some of our supply online today!

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