Don’t Come Up Short: Pro Tile Ordering Guidelines for Large Tiles
July 8th, 2025
When ordering tile, it's crucial to ensure you have the correct amount for your project, especially with the increasing size of tiles. Larger tiles (anything larger than 18”x18”) cover more area, and running short due to cuts or damage can be costly.
To help you with your order, here are some industry recommendations for waste (cuts & breakage) when ordering tile:
- Straight or Offset Pattern (More intricate patterns may require additional waste)
- 20-25% extra for large format tiles (larger than 18”x18”)
- 10-15% extra for small or medium tiles (12”x24” or smaller)
*More intricate patterns may require more waste
The increased allowance for larger tiles and more complicated patterns accounts for additional cuts and potential breakage.
Before placing your order, we highly recommend discussing the layout and tile size with your installer to ensure a seamless installation. Your installer can provide valuable guidance on the quantity to order.
While ordering extra tile may increase upfront costs, the expense of project delays due to a tile shortage can be far greater. It's always better to have a little more tile than to run short during installation.