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| Typical costs: | - Glazed ceramic tiles run $1-$20 a square foot, giving a materials-only cost of $100-$2,000 for a 10x10-foot room. Depending on size, unglazed quarry tiles average $2 a square foot, or $200 for 10x10 feet. Porcelain tiles can mimic the look of real stone for $2-$4 a square foot, or $200-$400 for 10x10 feet of materials, Custom-made art tiles are $25 and more a square foot, giving a starting cost of $2,500 for 10x10-feet; exotic tiles of glass, metal or leather can cost many times more than porcelain, so it's best to use these as accent pieces or in borders.
- Terracotta tiles are $1-$2.50 a square foot, or $100-$250 for 10x10 feet; European terracotta may cost more.
- Natural stone tiles of marble, granite, slate or more start at $2 a square foot, or $200 for 10x10-feet, but costs climb rapidly for custom designs or special orders.
- Mosaics are any tile less than two inches square (although they can be round or hexagonal), usually mounted on a 12x12-inch mesh sheet. These come in porcelain, glass, stone and metal, or a combination of those, and run $3-$25 a square foot (or $300-$2,500 for 10x10-feet). Mosaics cost quite a bit more for custom designs and special orders.
- Installation charges start around $5-10 a square foot ($500-$1,000 for 10x10-feet) and rise sharply for custom work. Odd room layouts cost more. There's usually a fee for moving furniture or tearing out the old floor. Some tile prices include installation.
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| What should be included: | - Tiles can be laid over an existing floor if it's smooth, level, clean and tightly attached to the subfloor; otherwise it must be removed. The tile should be laid out dry and all pieces cut to fit before it's glued down and mortar spread between the tiles. There's often some breakage when cutting, so it's usual to order 10 to 20 percent extra; this means you'll have some available for future repairs. Do-it-yourself instructions, including videos, are provided at Ceramic-Tile-Floor.info.
- If using manufactured tiles of any sort, make sure they're all from the same lot and shade numbers (made in the same batch). Ceramic can expand by as much as a quarter inch, so ask for consistently sized tiles with no more than 1/8th-inch variation.
- While there are no official industry standards, most ceramic tile is rated by the Porcelain Enamel Institute abrasion tests; PEI 0 is wall tile only, no foot traffic, while PEI 5 is designed for abusive, extra-heavy foot traffic.
- Grout comes in a range of colors, and should be selected to go with your tile.
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| Additional costs: | - A under-tile warming system costs $1,100 or more for a 10x10-foot bathroom; for details, visit Ceramic-Tile-Floor.info.
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| Shopping for tile flooring: | - FloorBiz.com lists retailers, distributors and manufacturers.
- Read care-and-maintenance instructions and product warranties before you buy.
- Even, straight installation is crucial for tile floors. Ask installers about experience and training, and for pictures of previous projects. If inspecting a finished floor, look for uneven areas and listen as you walk across; a hollow echo could mean the tile bed wasn't prepared properly.
- For referrals, visit FloorBiz.com. Get written estimates from several contractors; listing the exact materials you want used. Request and contact references, and check companies with the Better Business Bureau.
- The written contract should include how the old floor will be removed and the subfloor prepped, whether furniture moving is included, specific products to be installed, all labor and materials costs, and dates within which the project will be completed.
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Article updated November 2006 |
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