Best Cement Grade for Building in Ghana (2026 Complete Guide)
March 28, 2026
How to Measure and Order Tiles
for Your Projects in Ghana
A step-by-step guide for homeowners and professional tilers — avoid costly mistakes, cut waste, and get it right the first time.
Whether you’re tiling a bedroom floor, a bathroom wall, a kitchen backsplash, or an entire compound in Accra — one of the most common (and costly) mistakes people make is ordering the wrong quantity of tiles. Order too few and you’ll be hunting for matching tiles weeks later. Order too many and you’ve wasted money.
This guide walks you through exactly how to measure your space and calculate what you need — with real examples relevant to Ghanaian homes and projects.
Always buy tiles from a single batch. Tile shading varies between manufacturing batches. Confirm batch numbers with your supplier before paying.
Step 1 — Understand Your Space
Before you pick up a tape measure, get a clear picture of what you’re tiling. Ask yourself:
- Is this a floor, wall, or both?
- Are there obstacles like pillars, built-in furniture, or alcoves?
- Is the room a regular shape (rectangle) or irregular?
- Will you be tiling inside a bathroom shower, a compound, or an open-plan living area?
For walls, measure each wall separately — don’t assume opposite walls are the same size. For floors with L-shapes or cut-outs, divide the space into rectangles and measure each section individually.
Step 2 — Measure Your Area Accurately
For Rectangular Rooms
This is the most common scenario. Simply measure the length and width:
Example: A bedroom that is 4.5m long × 3.8m wide = 17.1 m²
For Irregular or L-Shaped Rooms
Split the room into two or more rectangles. Calculate the area of each section, then add them together.
For Walls
Measure each wall’s height and width:
Tip: Deduct openings like windows and doors. Measure the opening and subtract that area from your total. However, always keep the deducted area as “waste allowance” — cuts around openings generate a lot of off-cuts.
Many Ghanaian rooms — especially older builds — have walls that are slightly out of square. Always measure at multiple points along each wall and use the longest measurement to be safe.
Step 3 — Calculate How Many Tiles You Need
Once you know your area, the calculation depends on the tile size. Below are the standard tile sizes from popular Ghanaian manufacturers such as Twyford, Micasso, Sentuo, and Goodwill, with their exact carton coverage and piece counts:
🧱 Wall Tiles (Locally Produced)
| Tile Size | Pieces per Carton | m² per Carton | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25cm × 40cm | 15 pieces | 1.50 m² | Bathroom walls, kitchen walls |
| 30cm × 60cm | 8 pieces | 1.44 m² | Bathroom walls, feature walls |
🏠 Floor Tiles (Locally Produced)
| Tile Size | Pieces per Carton | m² per Carton | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30cm × 30cm | 17 pieces | 1.53 m² | Bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms |
| 40cm × 40cm | 12 pieces | 1.92 m² | Bedrooms, living rooms |
| 60cm × 60cm | 4 pieces | 1.44 m² | Living rooms, offices, open floors |
| 60cm × 120cm | 2 pieces | 1.44 m² | Modern large-format spaces |
Divide your total area (m²) by the m² per carton figure to get the number of cartons needed — then add your wastage allowance on top. This is the most practical way to order tiles in Ghana since suppliers sell by the carton.
Example: You have 17.1 m² to tile with 60×60cm tiles (1.44 m² per carton):
17.1 ÷ 1.44 = 11.88 → round up to 12 cartons
With 10% wastage: 12 × 1.10 = 13.2 → order 14 cartons to be safe.
Always confirm these figures with your specific supplier, as carton coverage can vary slightly between tile collections even within the same brand.
Step 4 — Add Your Wastage Allowance
You will always cut some tiles during installation — around edges, doors, corners, and outlets. Never order the exact calculated amount. Use these wastage guidelines:
| Project Type | Recommended Wastage % |
|---|---|
| Simple rectangular room, straight lay | +10% |
| Diagonal / herringbone pattern | +15–20% |
| Complex room with many cuts (bathroom) | +15% |
| Large irregular outdoor area | +15–20% |
| Experienced tiler with minimal waste | +8–10% |
Example continued: 48 tiles × 1.10 (10% wastage) = 52.8 → order 53 tiles (or round up to next full box)
Keep 5–10 spare tiles after the job is done. Store them safely. If a tile cracks or chips years later, you’ll have an exact match for repair — especially important since tile batches change frequently.
Step 5 — Factor in Tile Grout Spacing
Grout joints affect how many tiles you need. Standard grout spacing in Ghana is typically 2mm–5mm for floor tiles and 1.5mm–3mm for wall tiles. Wider grout joints slightly reduce the number of tiles you need, but the difference is usually negligible at domestic scale — your wastage allowance covers it.
However, if you’re doing a very large project (e.g. a school, office, or compound housing), ask your supplier for precise net tile coverage figures per box.
Step 6 — Know What to Tell Your Tile Supplier
Total Area in Square Metres
Give your supplier the raw m² figure — they can help you calculate quantities if you’re unsure.
Tile Size Preference
Have a size in mind. Bigger tiles = fewer grout lines and a more modern look. Smaller tiles = more cuts needed but more flexibility in irregular spaces.
Surface Type: Floor or Wall?
Floor tiles must be rated for foot traffic (check the PEI rating — PEI 3 or above for residential floors). Wall tiles are not always suitable for floors.
Finish & Slip Resistance
For wet areas like bathrooms and outdoor spaces in Ghana, ask for matte or anti-slip finishes. Polished tiles can be dangerously slippery when wet.
Confirm the Batch Number
Always ask for the batch/lot number and confirm all boxes are from the same batch. Colour tone can vary between batches of the same tile design.
Request a Sample
Ask for a physical tile sample before committing to a large order. Tile photos can look very different from the real thing under natural Ghanaian light.
Step 7 — Budgeting and Pricing Tips in Ghana
Tile prices in Ghana vary widely depending on origin (locally produced vs. imported from China, Spain, or Italy), size, and finish. Here’s a rough guide to help you budget:
- Budget local tiles (30×30, 40×40) — Generally more affordable; suitable for utility areas.
- Mid-range imported tiles — Better finish and durability; ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
- Premium large-format tiles (60×120, 80×80) — Higher cost but transform the look of a space dramatically.
- Always buy slightly more than you need — Returning to buy extra tiles of the same batch later can be impossible.
Looking for quality tiles in Accra? Mafko Enterprise, located at Nungua Brigade, stocks a wide selection of floor tiles, wall tiles, and outdoor tiles at competitive prices. They serve both homeowners and tiling contractors. See the links below to connect with them directly.
Quick Reference: Full Calculation Example
Here is a worked example for a standard Ghanaian master bedroom:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Room dimensions | 4.2m × 3.6m |
| Calculated area | 15.12 m² |
| Tile size chosen | 60cm × 60cm (e.g. Twyford / Micasso) |
| m² per carton | 1.44 m² (4 pieces per carton) |
| Raw cartons needed | 15.12 ÷ 1.44 = 10.5 → round up to 11 cartons |
| Wastage allowance (10%) | 11 × 1.10 = 12.1 → round up to 13 cartons |
| Pieces in order | 13 cartons × 4 pieces = 52 tiles |
| Final order | 13 cartons (safe order with spare tiles for repairs) |
Ready to Order Your Tiles?
Visit Mafko Enterprise at Nungua Brigade, Accra, for a wide selection of quality floor and wall tiles. Available for homeowners and tiling professionals. Friendly staff ready to help you calculate your needs.
📍 Nungua Brigade, Accra, Ghana
Final Tips for a Successful Tiling Project
- Always dry-lay your tiles first — Lay tiles out on the floor without adhesive to check your layout and see where cuts will fall before mixing any cement.
- Start from the centre, not the corner — For professional results, find the centre of the room and work outward so cuts are even on both sides.
- Use a spirit level constantly — Uneven tiles will cause lippage (edges sticking up) which is both unsightly and a trip hazard.
- Let adhesive cure fully before grouting — In Ghana’s heat, cement-based adhesive typically cures in 24 hours. Don’t rush the grouting step.
- Seal your grout on outdoor and wet area tiles — Grout absorbs moisture and dirt. A grout sealer protects your finish and makes cleaning easier.
- Hire a skilled tiler for complex layouts — Diagonal, herringbone, or large-format tiles require experience. A botched tiling job costs more to fix than the labour saved.
JOBBHEY connects you with vetted, skilled tilers across Ghana. Post your job on JOBBHEY.com and get quotes from professionals near you today.
