Buying tile can be an expensive endeavor, but with some savvy shopping, you can find great deals on beautiful, high-quality tile for your home. Shopping for tile online opens up a world of options at lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Follow this guide to get the best prices on tile and make your remodeling project or new construction more budget-friendly.
Research Tile Types and Styles
The first step is deciding what type of tile you want. Ceramic and porcelain are the most common and affordable options. Natural stone tiles like marble, granite, slate, and travertine add beauty but cost more. Mosaics use small tile pieces to create patterns and come in ceramic, porcelain, or glass.
Consider the tile’s style. Subway tiles are rectangular with a classic look. Hexagons create visual interest with their six-sided shape. Large format tiles have dimensions 12″x24″ or larger for a seamless look. Tiles with decorative patterns, colors, or textures fit specific design aesthetics like vintage, rustic, or modern.
Research options online and bookmark styles you like. This gives you an idea of price ranges for different types of tile so you can budget accordingly.
Calculate the Tile Square Footage You Need
Measure the surface area you plan to tile and calculate the square footage. Multiply length times width to get the area for rectangular spaces. Use an online calculator for more complex layouts.
Order about 10% extra to account for tile cuts, wasted pieces, and future repairs. For projects over 100 square feet, add an additional 5-10%.
Knowing the square footage helps you estimate tile costs and order the right quantity. Buying too little risks running out mid-project while over-ordering tiles you don’t end up using is wasted money.
Find Online Retailers Offering Affordable Prices
Searching online opens up many more affordable options compared to local showrooms. Check out these online sellers known for discount prices:
- Tile Outlets of America: Specializes in overstock, discontinued, and recycled customer returns for up to 75% off retail prices. They have a wide selection of ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone tile.
- Wayfair: Carries major brand tiles at discounted prices with frequent sales and coupons. Sort by price to find the most budget-friendly options.
- Lowe’s: The home improvement giant offers name brand and house brand tiles at low prices. You can order online and pick up in store.
- The Tile Shop: Features an online clearance section with tiles discounted up to 75% off due to overstocks or damage.
- Amazon: Search Amazon for cheap tiles from lesser-known brands. Read reviews carefully when considering unknown manufacturers.
- Ebay: Individual sellers liquidate surplus tiles at hugely discounted prices. Ensure tiles are new rather than salvaged from a renovation.
Check company websites for current promotions, coupon codes, discounts for new email subscribers, and other ways to save money.
Look for Per-Tile Pricing
Online retailers frequently list tile prices as price per square foot, which requires calculating your total cost.
For the best deal, look for companies that provide per-tile pricing. This allows you to multiply by exactly how many tiles you need without rounding square footage up to full boxes.
Some sites have a box price but share how many tiles are included. You can divide to find the per-tile cost and order the specific quantity you want.
Buy In-Stock vs Special Order
In-stock tiles ship quickly, often within a few days. Tile purchased through special order can take weeks or months to arrive.
In-stock tiles generally offer the best value since special order requires paying for custom shipping. Browse in-stock sections for the most affordable options.
If you have your heart set on a special order tile, email the company to request a shipping estimate and compare to in-stock pricing. Avoid long lead times that will slow down your project.
Stick to Neutral Colors
Plain white and basic cream, brown, gray, and beige tiles tend to be more readily available and affordable. Vibrant colors and unique designs often come at a higher cost.
To save money, stick to classic and neutral-colored tiles for large areas. Use special patterned or colored tiles sparingly on accents like backsplashes, showers, and floor inlays. This creates visual interest while controlling costs.
Shop End of Season Sales
Like most home improvement materials, tiles may go on sale near the end of peak construction season in the fall and winter.
Retailers are clearing out excess inventory and you can grab tiles for next year’s projects at lower prices. Search for promotions like free shipping, discounted pricing, or dollars off entire purchases.
Avoid Rush Shipping Fees
Online tile retailers generally charge standard shipping fees ranging from $50-$100 on smaller orders. Expedited shipping for faster delivery can double those costs.
Plan ahead and allow sufficient time for tile delivery to avoid expensive rush orders. Check the product page for estimated shipping timeframe so you can schedule appropriately around your project timeline.
Check Return and Exchange Policies
With tile, you may end up with some damaged or defective pieces that need replacement. Online purchases make returns and exchanges trickier than buying locally.
Before ordering, understand the company’s policies around refunding, replacing, or exchanging tiles. Ensure you can get replacements for any unusable tiles you receive.
Buy Samples Before Committing
The color and texture of tile can look different in person. Before purchasing a large quantity, order a few samples to confirm you like them.
Many retailers offer small samples at reasonable prices – usually $1-$5 per tile. Compare samples side by side and view them in your actual installation space at different times of day.
Buying affordable tile is worthless if you dislike the look once installed. Spend a few dollars upfront to avoid a costly mistake.
Calculate Per Tile Price with Shipping
Don’t just compare advertised tile prices. Be sure to factor in shipping costs.
Add up product cost and estimated shipping charges. Then divide by the tile quantity to get the full per-tile price for accurate comparisons between retailers.
Buy in Bulk for Volume Discounts
Purchasing large quantities of tile generally earns you discounted pricing. Buying a full box vs. single tiles saves money.
Before settling on a retailer, inquire about volume discounts. Some offer percentage price reductions or dollars off each box for bulk orders.
Buying in bulk makes sense for large projects or if you want extra tiles for future repairs and replacements. Just be sure you have room to store boxes of tiles.
Mix Tile Grades on Different Surfaces
Tile comes in different grade levels of quality based on the details and consistency of manufacture. Higher grades have stricter standards for minimal flaws, consistent color, and smooth finish.
Use top grade tiles on visible floor surfaces and walls, where imperfections will be obvious. On ceilings, backsplashes, or other secondary areas, you can save money by mixing in lower grade tiles with minor flaws acceptable in less visible locations.
Stack Discounts and Coupons
Online sellers regularly offer promotions like:
- % or $ off entire order
- Free shipping over $X amount
- Buy X quantity, get % or $ amount off
- Referral bonuses
When checking out, look for an option to enter coupon codes. You can often combine multiple offers from newsletters, site promotions, and referral links to maximize savings.
Avoid Impulse Purchases
It’s easy to get enticed by attractive sale prices and throw in extra tiles that catch your eye. Stick closely to the measurements of what you actually need to avoid overspending.
Having a few extra tiles allows for damages, but limit this cushion to 10-15% more at most. Leave very ornate or specialty tiles out of your order unless they are needed for a specific purpose in your design.
Impulse tile purchases risk turning into an expensive collection of unused leftovers.
Get Free Samples from Specialty Tile Stores
Tile superstores like Floor & Decor and Arizona Tile offer an extensive selection of unique, high-end, and specialty tiles for backsplashes, mosaics, accents, and murals.
Though pricier than basic tiles, a visit there allows you to browse beautiful options and take home free samples. You can often get samples shipped free as well.
With samples in hand, you can seek out cheaper lookalikes from budget online retailers. Or splurge on a few special pieces to incorporate without overspending on tile.
Liquidate Unused Tiles
End up with extra tiles after your project? You may be able to sell them to recoup some costs. List them on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay.
Unused, unopened boxes in desirable neutral colors or popular styles sell best. Make sure to charge prices lower than big box stores.
Though you won’t get full price back, liquidating surplus tiles at least puts some dollars back in your pocket so they don’t go totally to waste.
Conclusion
With smart shopping strategies, you can refresh your floors, walls, showers, and backsplashes on a budget. Take advantage of online sales and bulk pricing to get the most savings out of your tile purchase. Stick to classic styles in stock colors for the best value. Mix high- and lower-grade tiles in visible and hidden locations to balance quality and cost. Follow these tips to find great deals on tile and make your floors and walls look amazing without overspending.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Affordable Tile Online
What are the most affordable types of tile?
Plain white basic ceramic and porcelain tile tend to be most budget friendly. Avoid intricate designs, special shapes like hexagons, natural stone, and small mosaics which have higher price tags.
Where can I find the cheapest tile prices online?
Online specialty discount retailers like Tile Outlets of America, Wayfair, Lowe’s, The Tile Shop, and Amazon carry a wide selection of tiles at low prices. Check manufacturer websites for direct sales too.
Should I buy in-stock tile or special order?
In-stock tiles ship faster and are typically less expensive than special order since you avoid custom shipping fees. Browse retailers’ in-stock sections for the most cost-effective options that you can get quickly.
What are affordable alternatives to natural stone tile?
Porcelain tile can closely mimic the look of natural materials like marble, travertine and granite for much lower cost. Look for porcelain tiles with veining, patterns, and texture that resemble real stone.
Should I buy more tiles than I measured for my project?
Order about 10% extra to account for tile cuts and waste. For large projects over 100 square feet, buy up to 15% more. Avoid over-purchasing too many unused extras beyond this buffer.
How can I save money buying tiles online?
Take advantage of promos and coupons, bulk discounts, end of season sales, basic color and style tiles, buying direct from manufacturers, mixing high and low grade tiles, and liquidating unused tiles. Compare retailer shipping rates and per tile pricing.
What should I know before buying tiles online?
Carefully measure your space and calculate square footage needed. Read return policies and shipping details. Order a few samples before purchasing. Check out consumer reviews of unknown brands. Allow plenty of time for shipping to avoid rush fees.
