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Labour to use large tiles vs small tiles

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  • May 4th, 2020 12:37 pm
[OP]
Sr. Member
Aug 30, 2013
824 posts
998 upvotes

Labour to use large tiles vs small tiles

Is it less labor intensive and therefore not as costly to have larger tiles (ie. 2x2ft) installed in a bathroom, vs. installing the smaller typical subway tile in a bathroom?
12 replies
Member
Nov 26, 2009
396 posts
132 upvotes
About the same for 2x2 vs subway tile if we’re talking solely Labor. Personally, as an installer, I’d potentially even charge a little less. Easier to grout and easier to float less level and flat surfaces.
Sr. Member
Mar 10, 2004
884 posts
352 upvotes
kwasley wrote: About the same for 2x2 vs subway tile if we’re talking solely Labor. Personally, as an installer, I’d potentially even charge a little less. Easier to grout and easier to float less level and flat surfaces.
Yes i would agree. It should be cheaper for larger tiles. Are 2 x 2 the style now? That s friggin huge. And god forbid u break one.
Deal Addict
Jan 5, 2003
4998 posts
4907 upvotes
Toronto
While you might save a little bit on labour, 2x2 is much less common than the typical 1x2 and plain white subway tile, so you're restricting your choices when you go 2x2. You can get inexpensive 1x2 and subway tile at the big box hardware stores, Costco, etc. but you'll have to go to a tile store to get good choices for 2x2, and hope they have enough in stock, wait for it to be shipped, etc. Thus, you'll be paying more for materials, in addition to being more restrictive with cosmetic choices.

That's why 1x2 is pretty much the standard now. 2x2 is mostly for commercial floors, I think.
Sr. Member
Mar 10, 2004
884 posts
352 upvotes
jm1 wrote: While you might save a little bit on labour, 2x2 is much less common than the typical 1x2 and plain white subway tile, so you're restricting your choices when you go 2x2. You can get inexpensive 1x2 and subway tile at the big box hardware stores, Costco, etc. but you'll have to go to a tile store to get good choices for 2x2, and hope they have enough in stock, wait for it to be shipped, etc. Thus, you'll be paying more for materials, in addition to being more restrictive with cosmetic choices.

That's why 1x2 is pretty much the standard now. 2x2 is mostly for commercial floors, I think.
Good to know. I like different but within range.
Deal Addict
Nov 23, 2003
2215 posts
685 upvotes
2x2 square layout is the new trend.
Deal Guru
Jan 25, 2007
12641 posts
7787 upvotes
Paris
So the average bathroom has about 7 tiles?
Deal Fanatic
Dec 27, 2007
7501 posts
4927 upvotes
tempperm wrote: Yes i would agree. It should be cheaper for larger tiles. Are 2 x 2 the style now? That s friggin huge. And god forbid u break one.
I said the same thing when I was looking at tiles lol
Deal Addict
May 23, 2009
3632 posts
2315 upvotes
Mississauga
Yeah 2x2 is the new trend but can look out of place in a small room.
Deal Addict
Nov 9, 2011
1286 posts
1726 upvotes
Toronto
2x2 tiles are a lot harder to install than 1x2 or 1x1 in my opinion. I am using 2x2 in my ensuite and loving it. I even use it in the shower as well.
Sr. Member
Feb 26, 2019
626 posts
732 upvotes
Ottawa
I watched an episode of This Old House last year where they were installing 48" x 48" porcelain tiles. They weighed 85 pounds each: those sure looked hard to install.
Sr. Member
Mar 10, 2004
884 posts
352 upvotes
tonershop wrote: 2x2 tiles are a lot harder to install than 1x2 or 1x1 in my opinion. I am using 2x2 in my ensuite and loving it. I even use it in the shower as well.
So ur using a linear drain in shower?
Deal Addict
Nov 9, 2011
1286 posts
1726 upvotes
Toronto
tempperm wrote: So ur using a linear drain in shower?
No, I wish.. I actually did not use 2x2 in the shower base. Just the walls

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