Renovating the coverings of your bathroom or kitchen? Opting for tiling proves to be an ideal renovation solution. Tiling is a reliable choice due to its easy maintenance, durability, and aesthetic appeal. It's also a versatile option available in various materials, formats, patterns, and colors. It perfectly brightens up the interior of homes as cladding, adding an authentic charm to the rooms. However, the price of tiling installation varies depending on various parameters, including the material used, installation technique, or surface area to be tiled.
Factors Influencing the Price of Tiling Installation
Tiling installation is a service whose price may vary from one renovation project to another. Indeed, the final cost may depend on :
- The chosen material,
- The surface area to be covered,
- The type of installation,
- The tile format,
- The condition of the substrate,
- The pattern or laying direction,
- The finishes.
The configuration of the accommodation can also impact the budget for the installation works. It's worth noting that tiling a living room in an apartment with numerous angles may require the craftsman to make various cuts. Conversely, the installation will be much easier in a single-story house. You should also consider that tiling prices are typically decreasing. This is one of the reasons why tiling multiple rooms at once can be advantageous. Naturally, the cost of the operation also varies depending on the tiler you entrust with your project and any other necessary works.
The Cost of the Selected Material
The type of tiling to be installed has a significant influence on the price of the operation. You can enhance your home with porcelain stoneware, earthenware, natural stone, cement tiles, or terracotta tiles. Each type of material has its own specificities.
Porcelain Stoneware
Porcelain stoneware is one of the most commonly used tiling materials. It stands out for its good quality/price ratio, durability, and easy maintenance. To clean it, water mixed with dish soap is generally sufficient. This product is available in a wide range of colors. It also has the advantage of imitating other types of materials, such as concrete, natural stone, and wood. Moreover, you can find it in various variants, each with its own characteristics.
Polished porcelain stoneware has a surface that has been polished with a diamond disk, giving it a glossy appearance. However, it requires specific treatment to resist humidity since this product remains relatively fragile. Glazed porcelain stoneware is also a fragile material and features a decorative enamel layer. However, it offers a wide range of patterns and colors. Regardless of the porcelain stoneware you choose for your room layout, the price per square meter (excluding installation) varies between 20 euros and 120 euros.
Earthenware
Earthenware is exclusively intended for wall installation. It comes in various colors and shapes, providing a glossy appearance to your coverings. Although sensitive to shocks and stains, this type of tiling is easy to maintain as it can be cleaned with soapy water. The price per square meter of this material (excluding installation) varies between 20 euros and 15 euros.
Natural Stone
Natural stone used as tiling is appreciated for its noble appearance, authenticity, and durability. However, due to its significant weight, it is mainly used on the ground floor. Its price is estimated between 30 €/m2 and over 200 €/m2. The amount varies mainly depending on the type and quality of the stone used.
For example, you can opt for limestone tiling, available in several natural colors (gray, beige, pink, etc.). Although this type of stone is sensitive to stains, it remains easy to maintain. Excluding installation, its price per square meter is around 40 euros to 100 euros.
On the other hand, travertine stands out for its rustic and natural appearance. However, being quite fragile, this stone must undergo treatment against stains and humidity. Then, it requires regular maintenance with soapy water. As for its price excluding installation, it is estimated between 30 €/m2 and 60 €/m2.
Granite, meanwhile, is easy to maintain (non-abrasive detergent or soapy water), sturdy, and available in various highly aesthetic shades. Its purchase requires an investment excluding installation ranging from 60 €/m2 to 200 €/m2.
Cement Tiles
Cement tiles are among the most sought-after materials when it comes to tiling. They are appreciated for their resistance and aesthetic appearance. Available in different patterns, they adapt well to both humid and dry rooms. Cement tiles also need to undergo annual treatment with a varnish, wax, or resin-based solution. You should budget between 35 €/m2 and 150 €/m2 for the acquisition of this material.
Terracotta
Terracotta is an interesting choice if you're looking for an authentic and sturdy covering. It's also chosen for its wide range of colors, ranging from purple to beige to pink. This type of tiling also has the advantage of coming in various shapes (hexagons, squares, rectangles, etc.). However, it remains sensitive to stains and humidity, hence the importance of regular maintenance with linseed oil. This treatment helps it maintain its properties and appearance. Excluding installation, the price of terracotta tiling varies between €30/m2 and €100/m2.
Mosaic
Mosaic is a material made from terracotta, travertine, glass paste, or small-scale stoneware. It's perfect for backsplashes and shower floors, and can also serve as a pattern in traditional tiling. The price per square meter of mosaic, excluding installation, ranges from €40/m2 to €200/m2.
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The price of tiling in relation to the surface area to be tiled
Generally, the area to cover has a significant impact on the budget required for tiling. The larger the area, the higher the price. Conversely, the cost of professional tiling installation is usually reduced in most cases. Therefore, you need to carefully analyze the characteristics of your project and consider the services of an expert in your calculations. Of course, you can consider tiling yourself depending on your skills and financial capability.
The cost of tile installation
One of the factors that can vary the price of tile installation is the technique chosen for implementation. The price will mainly vary depending on the complexity of execution. Clip-on installation is the easiest method to perform. Tiles are installed on the floor before being clipped together, eliminating the need for grout. However, note that clip-on tiles are more expensive than traditional tiles. You'll need to budget between €35/m2 and €40/m2 for quality cladding. Additionally, their longevity and impact resistance are lower than those of standard tiles installed using mortar or adhesive.
Glue-down installation is also easy to execute. Simply install the tiling on an existing base (wall or floor). This base can be a wooden floor, an existing tiling, or a raw cement screed. The surface of this base must be perfectly sound, clean, and level to allow the operation. Otherwise, leveling will be necessary to correct defects in the wall or floor. For glue-down installation, you should budget between €35/m2 and €60/m2.
The screed installation is the traditional method for installing tiling. This operation involves laying a mortar screed (a mixture of water, sand, and cement) on a dry cement screed. This method is recommended for wet rooms and uneven floors. It allows defects in the floor to be corrected. Screed installation is also only applicable to the floor. However, its implementation requires specific technical skills. This complexity of execution makes this operation the most expensive. You should expect to pay between €50/m2 and €80/m2.
The price of tiling based on tile size
The size of the tiles is also an important factor to consider when tiling your home. The larger the tiles, the more delicate their handling becomes. Additionally, if you are considering glue-down installation, the amount of adhesive needed for these tiles will be higher. Therefore, the average price of installing large-format tiles is generally higher compared to standard-sized tiles.
The cost of installation relative to the condition of the substrate to be covered
The condition of the space to be tiled plays a significant role in calculating the installation costs of your tiling. This operation generally requires a supporting surface that is clean, sound, and flat. If the area to be covered does not meet these characteristics, preparation work will be required before tiling installation. The nature of this intervention may vary from one project to another.
Leveling is usually necessary for floors with irregularities. Tilers must correct any defects observed to achieve a perfectly smoothed base. This operation costs between €15/m2 and €35/m2.
If the base to be covered is wet, drying is required. This will be accompanied by a waterproofing treatment. The price of this intervention generally varies between €10/m2 and €20/m2. Conversely, if the floor shows signs of mold, the application of a specific product is essential to treat them. This anti-mold treatment costs between €10/m2 and €20/m2.
It should be noted that tiling over existing tiles is a special operation. You must ensure that its surface is completely leveled. The tiles must also adhere perfectly to the support and be in good condition. Otherwise, removing the old tiles is necessary before installing the new ones. This removal generates additional costs ranging from €15/m2 to €25/m2.
The price of installation in relation to the pattern or direction of installation
Patterns and directions of installation are relatively numerous. Some of them are more expensive compared to the classic straight installation, also known as straight lay. This technique allows for the alignment of tiles of the same size along a wall. It is the least expensive and most common technique. You should budget between €30/m2 and €45/m2.
The "staggered joints" or offset installation is a variation of the classic installation. The difference with the latter is that each row of tiles is offset by a third or half a tile compared to the neighboring row. Being more complex, this technique requires a certain level of expertise and an investment ranging from €35/m2 to €55/m2.
The cost of finishes
Finishes and their quality can have a significant impact on the final cost of tiling installation. Therefore, you should check what is included in your work quote when considering comparing it with others.
The price per square meter to consider for tiling
Several factors determine the final cost of tiling installation. It is best to add up the different services to obtain the total amount of the operation. This includes the cost of labor and the cost of material supply. For example, the total price of a tiling installation can be defined by adding the price of the tiles, the removal of the old tiles, and the leveling. In addition to these, there is the rate for the installation by the tiler, the cost of skirting boards, and the price of their installation by the professional. Therefore, the quote is not the same for all tilers on each tiling renovation project.
