Tile guides
Practical, step-by-step guides for every stage of a tile job — measuring, layout, waterproofing, cutting, grouting and sealing — each paired with the calculator that does the math.
6 min read
How to Measure a Room for Tile (Step by Step)
Measure any room for floor or wall tile: handle closets and alcoves, convert inches to decimals, subtract fixtures, and add the right waste percentage.
Read the guide →5 min read
Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your Room
How tile size changes a room: when 12×24 beats 4×4, why small rooms can take large tile, grout line math, and the flatness rule for big formats.
Read the guide →5 min read
Sanded vs Unsanded vs Epoxy Grout: Which One Do You Need?
Grout types explained by joint width and location: when sand scratches tile, why epoxy wins in showers, and how much of each type a bag actually covers.
Read the guide →6 min read
Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: The 30-Second Answer (and the Long One)
Use modified (ANSI A118.4) thinset for porcelain on most substrates; unmodified (A118.1) under Kerdi and Ditra. Neither is waterproof — here's why.
Read the guide →7 min read
Waterproofing a Tiled Shower: The Layer Cake That Keeps Water Out
Why tile and grout are not waterproof, how sheet and liquid membranes work, where corners and niches fail, and the flood test you shouldn't skip.
Read the guide →5 min read
Avoiding Lippage on Large-Format Tile
What causes one tile edge to sit higher than the next, the 1/8-in-in-10-ft flatness rule, why 50% offsets are banned on plank tile, and how leveling clips help.
Read the guide →7 min read
How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash (Beginner-Friendly)
Start your backsplash on a level line off the counter, not the counter itself. Full beginner workflow: layout, outlets, mastic vs thinset, and grouting.
Read the guide →6 min read
How to Tile a Shower Floor: Slope, Mosaic and Drain Details
Why shower pans need small tile, how to follow the 1/4-in-per-foot slope, cutting around the drain, and sealing the pan before the first tile sticks.
Read the guide →6 min read
How to Cut Tile: Snap Cutter, Wet Saw, Grinder and Nippers
Match the cut to the tool: straight rips on a snap cutter, L-cuts and notches on a wet saw, curves with nippers, and when a $10 scoring wheel is all you need.
Read the guide →5 min read
How to Grout Tile: Timing, Technique and the Two-Sponge Method
Grout tile in four moves: mix small batches, pack joints diagonally, first wipe 10–20 min after packing, then buff haze. Plus when grout is cured.
Read the guide →5 min read
How to Seal Grout and Tile (and What Never Needs Sealing)
Seal cement grout 48–72 hours after grouting, then every 1–3 years. The water-drop test, penetrating vs topical sealers, and why porcelain needs none.
Read the guide →5 min read
Can You Tile Over Existing Tile? When It Works and When It Fails
The bond test that decides it, height and door-clearance math, prepping glossy tile for mortar, and the situations where removal is the only honest answer.
Read the guide →6 min read
How to Remove Tile: Demo Day Without Destroying the Subfloor
Hammer-and-chisel vs rotary hammer, protecting the subfloor, dealing with mastic vs mortar beds, dust control, and when a demo crew is worth the money.
Read the guide →6 min read
Heated Tile Floors: How Radiant Heat Under Tile Actually Works
Mat vs cable systems, the square footage you actually heat (not the whole room), wiring and thermostat basics, running costs, and thinset rules over mats.
Read the guide →6 min read
Leveling a Floor for Tile: Flat vs Level, and How to Fix Both
Why tile needs flat (not level), the straightedge test, self-leveling compound basics, primers, and depth math that decides your bag count.
Read the guide →5 min read
Tile Trim and Edging: Schluter, Bullnose, Pencil and Miter
Four ways to finish a tile edge — metal L-profiles, bullnose, pencil trim and mitered corners — with cost, where each wins, and the install order.
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· Reviewed by the Smart Tile Calculator editorial team