What to Know Before Buying Tile Online
Your questions = answered.
Choosing the right tile for your space doesn’t have to be daunting. To find what’s right for you, consider the install area, then follow this step-by-step guide.
1. Take Stock of Materials
A tile's material determines its look, feel, and level of durability. See four favorites.
Porcelain: Extra durable, waterproof, great for high-traffic areas and moisture-prone bathrooms and basements, can be made to look like natural wood or stone.
Ceramic: Durable, water resistant, great for high-traffic areas and bathrooms.
Natural Stone: Durable, great for high-traffic, has a natural, unique design, high-quality marble and granite can increase home value.
Glass: Waterproof, great for backsplashes, translucent, can brighten a room.
2. Determine Location
Some tiles are made especially for the walls, floors, or outdoors—here’s what to know.
For the floor: Designed to be thick and strong, floor tiles can withstand more weight.
For the wall: Tiles are lighter, thinner, and often smaller than durable floor options.
For the outdoors: Tile can withstand heat, frost, and direct sunlight with ease.
3. Measure Your Space
Find the square footage of the area to determine how much tile you’ll need:
- Find the length and width: For floor tile, measure along two adjacent walls for the length and width of the room. For wall tile, measure both vertically and horizontally.
- Find the square footage: Multiply length by width to determine square footage.
- Calculate tile needed: Use the on-site calculation tool and enter square footage for the boxes of tile needed.
- Account for overage: For installation options and future replacements, add 10%.
4. Read the Reviews and Request Samples
Visit our tile section and filter by customer rating to see our most popular styles. Then, read the reviews to narrow down your options. Once you’ve selected your favorites, order samples and see them in your space before purchasing.
