Floor Preparation and Tiling: Which Tool When
An overview of the job from the subfloor to laid tiles. For each step there is a tool that calculates the quantity or layout and a guide that explains the decisions. The tools build on each other: the 2D planner passes the area, format and joint to the tile calculator and the room area to the self-levelling compound calculator, so you do not enter the data again.
1. Measure the room
The area is the starting point of every other calculation. For a rectangular room length × width is enough; split an irregular room into rectangles, triangles or other shapes in the area calculator. Do not include parts that are not covered, e.g. a built-in bathtub.
2. Check flatness and level the subfloor
Measure unevenness with a straightedge and spirit level on a grid of points. The self-levelling compound calculator uses one layer thickness per calculation, so enter the average thickness and calculate much deeper areas separately. Check the consumption per mm in the product’s data sheet.
3. Plan the layout
Before you buy, the 2D planner shows where the cuts are and how thin they are. Compare starting at a corner with the centred variants; the planner counts full and cut pieces and calculates the purchase from them. For several rooms with the same flooring use the “Multiple rooms” mode.
4. Calculate tiles, adhesive and grout
From the area and the allowance the tile calculator works out tiles, boxes (with the pack size from the label), adhesive and grout. You open it from the planner with the “Transfer to the tile calculator” button. Add the allowance in one place only.
5. Laying large formats
With large formats, leveling clips help keep neighbouring tiles in the same plane. The leveling system calculator works out clips and wedges from the tile format and the area.
Which tool for which question
All calculations can be saved to the same project and exported to PDF. Results are estimates based on the entered dimensions and the calculators’ assumptions; real consumption depends on the chosen products and the condition of the subfloor.
| Question | Tool | Result |
|---|---|---|
| How many m² is the room? | Area calculator | area in m² |
| How much levelling compound? | Self-levelling compound calculator | kg and 25 kg bags |
| Where will the cuts be and how thin? | 2D planner | drawing, full and cut pieces, purchase |
| How many boxes, how much adhesive and grout? | Tile calculator | tiles, boxes, kg of adhesive and grout |
| How many clips and wedges? | Leveling system calculator | pieces and packs |
More guides
- How to Calculate Stairs: Number of Steps, Riser Height and Tread Depth
- Self-Levelling Compound per m²: Calculation by Area and Layer Thickness
- Paint Consumption per m²: How Much Paint for Walls and Ceiling
- How to Calculate Facade Area, ETICS Materials and Quantities
- How Much Putty per m²: Skim Coat Consumption for Walls and Ceilings
- How to Lay Out Tiles Without Thin Cuts at the Wall
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