How much tile do I need for a typical bathroom?

For a typical 5x8 foot bathroom, you'll need approximately 40-50 square feet of floor tile and 80-120 square feet of wall tile, depending on how high you tile the walls and your specific layout.

Floor tile calculations are straightforward - measure length times width of your bathroom floor. A standard 40 square foot bathroom floor requires about 44-48 square feet of tile when accounting for cuts and waste (always add 10-20% extra). If you have a separate shower area, subtract that space if it won't have the same flooring.

Wall tile requirements vary significantly based on your design choices. For a tub surround, you'll typically need 60-80 square feet of tile covering three walls up to about 6 feet high. A full shower enclosure requires 80-100 square feet. If you're doing a full wall treatment around the entire bathroom up to 4 feet (wainscoting style), expect 100-150 square feet depending on windows and doors.

Ottawa-specific considerations include accounting for our climate - many homeowners choose to tile higher on walls for better moisture protection, especially around tubs and showers. Local suppliers like Centura or Home Depot typically stock standard sizes, but specialty tiles may need to be ordered with longer lead times during busy renovation seasons.

Practical measuring tips: Measure each wall section separately, multiply height by width, then subtract for windows, doors, and fixtures. For complex layouts with niches or built-ins, sketch your bathroom and break it into rectangles. Always order 15-20% extra tile - you'll need it for cuts, future repairs, and potential breakage during installation.

For accurate measurements and professional installation with proper waterproofing, request a quote from Ottawa Bathrooms for your tile project.

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Ottawa Bathrooms connects you with vetted, licensed renovation contractors from the Ottawa Construction Network:

• Montgomery Construction ✓
• Davinci Tiling ✓
• Justyn Rook Contracting ✓