I know it seems like a pretty simple thing. You want to tile a bathroom floor so you go down to your local big box store and pick up what you need. What could go wrong? Well, sometimes more than you think.
Below are 5 tips for purchasing tile from Home Depot, Lowes, Costco, Floor & Decor, and the like.
The number one problem: Batch numbers
The biggest issue with big box store tile purchases is shading and sizing differences. This is great if the tile is supposed to be shaded and not a solid tone. But, that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about variations from batch to batch.
You know what’s not fun? Realizing that that the next box of tile doesn’t match the tile you just installed. Sometimes you can’t even notice the difference until you stand back and look. Nobody wants a different colored line or block of tiles in the middle of their floor.
On every box of tile there is a dye-lot number which is sometimes called a batch or shade number. Different batches of tile will have different numbers.
Batches can be different in both size and color from run to run. Consequently, you’ll need to check your boxes of tile to make sure that the numbers are all identical.
Flaws
I don’t have any concrete proof of this but my hunch is that the big box stores get the “seconds” to sell in their stores.
Therefore, it seems like I see greater numbers of mismatched sizes, chips, and factory flaws than tile that is purchased straight from the distributor. Again, I can’t prove this but I think this is the case.
I also see an inordinate amount of sizing differences between the tiles sold in these stores. Furthermore, tiles can vary by 1/8th inch or more from one to the next. This makes controlling the size of the grout joint very difficult.
5 Tips for purchasing tile from a big box store
1. Don’t purchase from different stores.
With as much tile as Home Depot and Lowes stock the batches will likely vary from store to store. That is to say, if you purchase all from one store then you are reducing the odds that you will be getting different dye lots.
If one store doesn’t have as much as you need then go to another store and buy everything in one purchase.
2. Buy new unopened cartons.
One of the great things about big box stores is that they typically have great return policies. You can return your extras rather than throw them away or store large quantities of them.
One of the bad things about big box stores is that you may purchase someones returned tiles. Do you think people return the good tiles or the bad tiles?
The person before you may be returning different batches of tile. I’ve seen cut, broken, and completely different tiles in boxes that have been returned.
3. Buy too much.
As was mentioned above the return policies are great. So, having too much let’s you be choosey in what you install. You can pick through the flawed tile and return what you don’t use.
Furthermore, I recommend getting 20-30% extra when buying through a big box store.
4. Always check the different components.
If all of your tile is one size this won’t be an issue. However, if you are installing more than one size or shape of tile then you’ll need to make sure the different sizes match -even if it’s from the same line.
Make sure that your 12×12’s and 6×6’s match. Take out a piece of bullnose trim and compare it to the rest. I can’t tell you how many times they are starkly different.
5. Know what you are purchasing.
Different kinds of tile can be easier or more difficult to install. This can lead to unexpectedly higher prices if you are hiring the project out or more headaches if you are doing it yourself.
Tiles that tend to rate higher on the difficulty scale include: natural stone tiles, large tiles (6×24’s, 18×18’s, etc); glass tiles.
Tiles that are simpler to install include: ceramic tiles, subway tiles, and porcelain tiles with a more rounded “shoulder” or edge.
Big box stores have great prices, great return policies, and are very convenient to shop. So, if you can find tile there then you can be sure that you are buying it at a great value.
As a result, this means no more regretting your tile purchases now that you know these 5 tips.
jessica says
We have a big project in my new shop and limited time, we need to start tile install this week so I’ll have to get my tile from a big box store, no time to order. My husband is a contractor so he will be doing the work. Our question is; the new shop is on a middle floor and the landlord is concerned about noise and asked that we put some sort of additional barrier under the tile for noise. We have no requirement as to how much and there is a good 1-2″ of concrete base we are putting the tile on, and of course he plans to use cement board. We have 1000 sq feet to tile and don’t want to spend a fortune or what we think will probably be a useless layer since the floor has plenty of protection against normal walking (which with less than 4 people typically in 1000sq feet at a time is all that will be happening). He thinks a nice thin material like roofing felt would provide the required “extra layer” without breaking the budget for a useless thing. Cork is crazy expensive for that large of a space. They have only had carpet and linoleum in there so they just are trying to take care of the people downstairs, which I get. Anyway, will the tile have a problem by using the thin roofing felt as an underlayer between the cement and concrete board? Putting down wood look 6×24″ tile. Thanks!!
DIYTileGuy says
Sound proofing isn’t a useless layer. They do work and they are a reasonable requirement. If the people above you remodeled you would appreciate a sound proofing layer installed up there.
First off- there’s two problems with what was mentioned in your comment: Cement board (over concrete) and roofing felt. Neither one of these products should be used for your situation and the roofing felt probably has 0 sound deadening ability and will only contribute to loose tiles down the road. Additionally the cement board shouldn’t be used over concrete. You already have a concrete surface. Why not stick to that?
At the big box stores you will find something that works. Home Depot has a product called EasyMat that helps to deaden sound. Lowes has a similar product but I don’t remember the name of it. Also both stores have Ditra which does have some sound deadening ability.
So take the money that you save by not buying cement board and roofing felt and put it towards a proper sound insulating product. You neighbors and landlord will like you. 🙂
MM says
It’s 2am. I can’t sleep. I have a partially installed tile floor in my living room, and I hate it. I had a shiny glazed grey/blue tile in my kitchen, but could not find that tile again for the living room. In a hurry, I bought at ton of 8×48″ distressed wood-look tile. Also in a hurry, I got a family friend’s new tile business to install it. The long tile amplifies any imperfections in the slab, so has uneven levels.
The guys installing made a lot of dust in my house, but that’s a different story. My advice: If you’re not sure, don’t just get something you won’t like. Take your time and buy a few samples and make SURE you will like it.
Janie says
Hello DIY tile guy. Could you guide me on the numbers on two different tile boxes purchased from a big box store? The shade number is the same but under the shade number, there are two other numbers that are different. There are also different numbers and letters in another place on the box. This is Daltile… Thanks
DIYTileGuy says
You probably have two different batches. Sometimes they put a caliber number on them with the shade number. Your best bet is to contact Daltile to decode the numbers.
Theresa says
We had water damage that ruined part of our wood floor. We had some old flooring in the garage that we told the company we went with that we wanted to use the same as before. The guy took a piece to match it. During installation I noticed a difference in coloring but didn’t say anything thinking it would all blend in. When the job was done I asked the installers where the extra wood was. They said they ran out and used what we had in the garage. The flooring in the garage is about 5 years old. What problems are we facing?
Thank you
DIYTileGuy says
Wood flooring isn’t an area that I know a lot about. It does have to be adapted to the climate prior to the install. Was the stuff from the garage? I don’t know. I also don’t know what the consequences would be if it wasn’t.
joel cole says
iif its real natural hardwood not engineered or laminate.You can have it refinished someone will come sand the wood down to clear then apply the colour of your choice take a bit of wood off of your floor,in a corner of a closet and keep it take it to your paint store and they can match it for you
Jane Conway says
put subway tile in shower, shortly thereafter noticed cracks and chipping, only about one month old! today noticed glass tile chipping too! bought from homedepot. any suggestions?
DIYTileGuy says
The cracks would have to be movement. So it could be the studs were too far apart maybe? Maybe the backer board is the wrong kind or thickness?
It’s hard to say without a lot more information. It’s unlikely the tile. Not in this case with both glass and ceramic cracking.
Angela Messinger says
I installed a natural stone backsplash only to discover after I completely finish the job that I had two different batches. Every time I walk into the kitchen I cringe. Any suggestions?
DIYTileGuy says
The only thing that I can think of is to remove some tiles and install different ones so that you can sort of blend the two batches rather than have distinct lines.
This would work better with mosaics than with larger tiles.
Also, you could experiment with enhancing sealers. Use the enhancer on the lighter to try to match the darker. Multiple coats will increase the darkening.
joel cole says
you never removing mosaic impossible cut yout the drywall and spend the 400 again if it bugs you that much
Gary says
Why is there a light switch in the shower?
DIYTileGuy says
That part is outside the shower
Steve says
Sadly I found this article before I made one of the mistakes you just wrote about. I bought a bunch of tile from Home Depot to remodel my kitchen. My contractor was laying the tile and everything looked great. However, he once he opened up a new box of tile and began laying it, we noticed it was two different dye colors. When I went to HD, I was told that the color of the majority of the tile we installed isn’t available and I would have to buy all new tile with a different dye color. In your experience, will HD pay for the labor it is going to cost me to take out the already placed tile and install the new one. The way I see it, it is their fault because they gave me boxes with two different dye colors.
DIYTileGuy says
As an installer, I can tell you that I wouldn’t expect them to pay for it. The burden is always on the installer to check the tile prior to installation.
But you can always try. They may make you a deal on new tile.
julie pettit says
I found the perfect tiles for my medium sized kitchen!
I need an experienced tiler to measure, advise & to hire, after I buy the correct
number of boxes!!
I have looked for some time and finally found the ONLY PATTERN THAT WORKS AT
WAYFAIR, BUT DONT KNOW HOW MANY BOXES ON SALE, TO BUY.
Where can I find such a person? I live in Falmouth, Ma
I am an older woman, who leaves alone and needs HELP.
DIYTileGuy says
If you are going to have the tiles professionally installed then you’ll want to find a contractor prior to purchasing the tiles.
The contractor can off advice and analysis of the particular selection and they can tell you exactly how much to purchase. I don’t think it’s a good idea to purchase the tile before consulting with the contractor that will do the job.
Aaron says
I bought tile from Lowe’s box says 6×6 then has true size 2 different boxes different styles but both true sizes are not what tile are. And the one to edges have been cut on a wet saw but tile is still bigger then what it says. And not to say I know anything but I’ve been doing tile since 1995 so I’ve cut a few tile in my day so I know what a wet saw edge looks like and also when a old blade or not enough water was used while cutting. As the paying customers my ? Is what can we do to take back right is right and wrong should be stopped. Someone should have to answer to us for wasting time money energy to drag stuff around only to have and reload it and take it back.
DIYTileGuy says
I agree but another option is to take your business elsewhere
jt says
I can tell you with 100% certainty that the big box players do not purchase close-outs today. I can´t speak to history. Vendors are held to pretty high standards and any shipments that have problems are promptly shipped back to the vendor, just as they would be in distribution. The big difference in big box vs your local store is that there is nobody there to tell you about the dye lot problems during the purchase process but it should be noted that this can happen at any store. The difference from tile to tile is the same at all stores, but may seem like it´s a bigger issue at big box because they carry more ceramic floor tile, which has a higher shrinkage rate. Also there is a big difference in ceramic body depending on where the tile is made (what Country). A dry press body is not as good as a atomized body. Dry press material comes from Peru.
Eileen says
The picture of two toned tiles in shower would have been avoided if the installer followed the basic instructions of any tile. Open ALL boxes and pull from each one as you go.
DIYTileGuy says
Not everyone wants two tones of tile on their wall even if they are mixed up.
Robert McKinney says
We are putting about 500 sq ft of porcelain tile in our Kitchen area. Our tile guy says Home Depot or Lowes is fine and he seems to have a lot of experience. We found tile at Floor and Decor which is the exact color we are looking for and seems pretty thick and solid. It is only $1.59 per and that concerns me a little. Some of the tiles have a slight wavy edge (which we don’t mind) and some are perfectly straight and flat. My question, is Floor and Decor as safe as HD or Lowes to buy porcelain tile. Thanks so much for any advice!
DIYTileGuy says
I’ve never used any tile from Floor & Decor but I have heard of complaints about tile purchased from there. I don’t know which lines to stay away from and which might be OK. You might try purchasing a few of the tiles and have your installer look them over.
In general, sizing, coloring, straight and square are what your are looking for.