Plan a tile assembly, measure each surface, reconcile whole-carton orders and follow product-specific preparation, setting and grout instructions.
Record whether each surface is a floor or wall, its substrate, exposure to water and the intended tile. Select a compatible assembly covering substrate preparation, underlayment, waterproofing where required, setting material, grout and movement joints. Save the exact product instructions and applicable local requirements. Have uncertain structure, persistent moisture or shower details resolved before work starts.
Draw each tiled face, openings, edges, fixtures and transitions. Measure non-overlapping rectangles and separately record untiled deductions. Keep different tile products in separate takeoffs. Dry-plan with actual tile dimensions and the reviewed joint width; check edge cuts, door clearance, orientation and pattern restrictions. Mark reference lines and a practical exit route. Review cut reuse explicitly for irregular shapes and patterned layouts.
Use the Tile Calculator for one product across up to six measured rectangular faces. Enter the actual carton coverage and piece count. Choose preliminary coverage or a reviewed source-tile takeoff, then enter any additional loss allowance, reserve tiles, usable matching stock and quoted price basis. Review whole packages and purchased pieces before ordering. Estimate adhesive, grout, membrane and preparation products separately from their own coverage data and installation conditions.
Check soundness, cleanliness, moisture and flatness against the chosen assembly. Record the measurement method and acceptance criteria instead of treating level and flat as interchangeable. Correct defects with compatible preparation materials within their stated thickness and curing limits. Install the specified underlayment and waterproof details, including seams, penetrations and transitions. Complete required inspections or water testing at the specified stage before covering the work.
Confirm the dry layout and movement-joint locations. Mix and apply the selected setting material according to its instructions for water, mixing, rest time, trowel and usable time. Work in manageable sections, bed the tiles and periodically lift a newly set tile to check mortar transfer against the required coverage. Correct inadequate contact or skinned material while the work is fresh. Keep the intended joints and transitions clear and check alignment, cuts and surface variation as you go.
Wait until the setting material permits grouting. Make a small compatibility and appearance sample, then follow the selected grout’s preparation, working and cleaning sequence. Use the specified flexible treatment at movement joints. Protect the surface until the separate requirements for traffic, water exposure and any sealing are met. Inspect the finished joints and edges, retain labelled spare tiles and save product names, lot details, photographs and care instructions.
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Illustrative inputs only: one product, 120 ft² net area, 10 ft² and 10 tiles per carton. A chosen 10% additional allowance is not a pattern recommendation.
| Stage | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage-equivalent pieces | 120 ÷ 10 × 10 | 120 pieces |
| After additional allowance | ceil(120 × 1.10) | 132 pieces |
| Need after reserve and stock | 132 + 5 − 10 | 127 pieces |
| Whole cartons | ceil(127 ÷ 10) | 13 cartons |
| Purchased pieces | 13 × 10 | 130 pieces |
| Carton remainder | 130 − 127 | 3 pieces |
Copy these headings into the project notes. Retrieve the instructions for the exact product and assembly; generic coverage tables cannot replace them.
| Record | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Tile and layout | Actual dimensions, pattern limits, lot, cuts and joint plan |
| Substrate | Structure, moisture, flatness criteria and preparation product |
| Waterproofing | Applicable assembly, seams, penetrations, transitions and required testing |
| Setting material | Compatibility, mixing, trowel, open time and required contact |
| Grout and flexible joints | Product suitability, sample, cleaning sequence and joint locations |
| Handover | Traffic/water readiness, any sealing, care instructions and retained spares |
Schluter’s DITRA handbook describes compatible assemblies, waterproof connections, movement joints and checking mortar contact. Its mortar guidance includes named Schluter modified products, so “unmodified only” is not a universal rule. CUSTOM’s Prism SCG data sheet illustrates a premixed grout with its own cleaning, exposure and sealing instructions. Use these documents for their specified products, not as instructions for every tile installation.
A box total can be arithmetically correct while the planned cuts still need more source tiles. Reconcile the cut schedule before confirming an order.
Check tile, grout and any proposed treatment together. Keep the agreed sample and product names with the job record.
Choose reserve quantity for the project and label retained pieces with product, size, lot and installation location.