Ace your backsplash from tape to tile
Knowing how to measure for a backsplash can help save you on cost and wasted materials. You’ll need to get measurements in square feet and add a bit extra in case of project adjustments. No more guessing games—this article guides you through four simple steps to accurately measure your kitchen or bathroom for backsplash tile.
Start by measuring the length of the area where the backsplash will be placed using measuring tape. Then, measure the height of the backsplash area, starting from the countertop.
If the backsplash area is uneven or does not have perfect right angles, you can break down the area into smaller, rectangular sections and measure each section separately. For example, your kitchen might have cabinets of different heights, so you can divide the area into rectangles that fit under each cabinet.
Write down these measurements and note any irregularities in the wall, such as bumps or recesses, which may impact the final measurements.
You’ll want to measure the areas of outlets, switches, or other obstacles. These measurements can be subtracted from the total area, as you’ll likely keep them in place during backsplash installation.
Most likely, your measurements are in inches. First, multiply the length by the height to get the total square inches. If you took measurements for multiple sections, add the square inches for each section together. Also, remember to subtract the area of outlets and obstacles measured.
Tile is sold by square foot, so convert the square inches measurements to square feet by dividing the total by 144.
For example, suppose you’ve measured a backsplash area with a height of 18 inches and a length of 36 inches. Here are the formulas you’d use:
18” x 36” = 648 square inches
648”/144 = 4.5 square feet of backsplash tile need
Adding a margin of extra tile material is smart to accommodate waste, cutting, and adjustments during installation. It’s also useful to have extra tile that matches the existing tile for repairs down the road. It’s common practice to add 10% overage for basic tile shapes. For more complex tiles, such as mosaic tile, it’s best to add 15% to 20% extra.
Accurate measurements are the cornerstone of ensuring you order sufficient material without having excess. It’s the Goldilocks principle: too much tile, and you end up overspending and wasting material—too little tile, and you won’t have enough to cover the entire backsplash area.
Inaccurate measurements can disrupt the planned tile layout and pattern, causing patterns to mismatch or tiles to be cut in a way that breaks from the intended design. Plus, if you need to order more tile after you’ve begun the backsplash, this extends the timeline of your project as you wait for new tile to ship—in some cases, that might even be a few weeks added to your timeline.
Once you’ve ordered the tile, consider hiring a tile installer near you to install the backsplash cleanly and ensure that your design goals are fulfilled.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsIt was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileFor several months I was looking for somebody to tile a wall in my master bath and move lighting fixtures, and could not find anybody who was responsive. I contacted Rowe through Home Advisor and within days they came by to assess the job and provide an estimate. The cost was very...
Rowe House DevelopmentIt went very well! The end product was amazing and we keep getting a lot of compliments from friends! M&E were very professional and they made sure we were happy with the product before leaving. They met with us in our home and at the tile shop to make sure we were okay with our tile and...
M&E RemodelingInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCVery pleased with the service and level of professionalism. Courteous and very unobtrusive in performing service. Unlike several other companies, Bradford Xteriors was willing to perform work on a three story home with a clay tile roof. <br />
Bradford XteriorsThis company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & RemodelingHe did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
Brian Miller Custom RemodelingI was very impressed with Miller Cantrell! I live in an old home in which the sewage line that runs from my home to the sewage system is a line of clay tile. These eventually collapse and need to be replaced - an expensive problem and sure to happen at the worst time. I told them that my...
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