When ordering new tiles, it's tempting to order exactly the square footage of the room. However, this is one of the most common mistakes made during renovation. You always have to deal with cutting loss.
On this page, we explain what cutting loss is, why you need it, and what percentage you should calculate for your project.
What does cutting loss mean?
Cutting loss is the portion of the tiles that you cannot use because you have to cut or saw them to size. Think of room edges, corners, or cutouts for pipes and drains. The cut-off piece of a tile often cannot be used in another corner, which effectively means you use more material than the exact surface area of your floor tiles or wall tiles.
Why should you always order extra?
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Corners and edges: No room is perfectly straight. You will need to trim tiles to cover the entire floor.
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Breakage during processing: A tile can always break incorrectly during cutting or fall during installation.
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Future repairs: Manufacturers work with batches (shade numbers). If you need to replace a tile in three years due to leakage, there's a good chance the current batch will no longer be available. A few spare tiles in the attic are then worth their weight in gold.
How much cutting loss do I need?
We recommend at least 10% cutting loss when laying tiles. This percentage can vary depending on the room, the laying pattern, and the tile size. In some cases, the cutting loss may be higher or lower.
Large tiles vs small tiles
The tile size also plays a role. For large floor tiles (for example, 90x90 cm or 120x120 cm), the cutting loss is often relatively larger. If you only need to cut a small corner from a large tile, the rest of the tile is often unusable for another spot. Therefore, for XL formats, it's better to order a bit more generously.
Calculation example
Suppose you have a room of 20 m². Then you calculate the amount of tiles as follows:
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Determine the total number of tiles needed without cutting loss: 20 m²
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You add 10% cutting loss: 20 m² × 1.10 = 22 m²
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For 20% cutting loss, it is 20 m² x 1.20 = 24 m²
With 10% cutting loss, you would then take 22 m² to have enough for your space.
Our advice
Nothing is more annoying than discovering you're one box short while laying your last row of tiles. A redelivery costs extra shipping fees, and you run the risk of a color difference (different batch). Therefore, always order according to the advice above.
Do you need help calculating your area? Our experts are happy to assist you in the showroom or via customer service!
