Floor tiles — bulk supply in Lahore

Floor tiles take daily foot traffic, furniture, washing and, in Lahore, a lot of dust. The right tile for a bedroom is not always right for a kitchen or a porch. This page explains how to read floor tile specifications, how much to order and what to check when a bulk delivery arrives.

Types and specifications

Source: Material Depot tile specifications guide.

What each is used for

• Bedrooms and lounges: floor-rated ceramic or porcelain, PEI III or above.
• Kitchens, corridors, entrances: PEI IV or porcelain, matt or textured near sinks.
• Bathrooms: anti-slip floor tiles, R10 minimum; R11 in the shower area.
• Shops and offices: higher PEI class or porcelain.

Quality checks on delivery

1. Count the boxes against the invoice.
2. Check the batch (shade) number on every box. All boxes for one room should share one batch.
3. Check grade and size printed on the box against your order.
4. Open a few boxes from different parts of the load. Look for chipped edges, cracks, warping and colour variation.
5. Lay a few tiles side by side on a flat floor to check shade and size consistency.
6. Note breakages on the delivery receipt before signing.

How much you need

Measure each room's length × width in feet to get square feet, then add wastage for cuts and breakage. Tile guidance commonly suggests ordering total area × 1.10, divided by box coverage, rounded up (Material Depot). Diagonal or herringbone patterns need more. Measure skirting separately in running feet if you are using tile skirting.

Example: a 12 ft × 14 ft room is 168 sq ft. 168 × 1.10 = about 185 sq ft. Divide by the coverage on the box and round up.

Keep a few spare boxes from the same batch for future repairs.

Bulk-buying tips

• Order per room or zone, and ask for one batch per zone.
• Delivery: confirm truck access to your street and whether unloading and carrying upstairs is included.
• Invoice: ask for an invoice with the supplier's NTN, the tile code, size, grade and batch.
• Payment staging: avoid paying the full amount before stock is shown. Agree an advance and the balance on delivery in writing.
• Storage: keep boxes flat, dry, and stacked to the height the supplier recommends, away from site traffic.
• Returns: agree in writing whether unopened boxes can be returned.

What affects the price

Floor tiles are priced per box or per square foot. Rates change with:

• Body (ceramic versus porcelain).
• Size and thickness.
• Grade (first quality or commercial).
• Finish and design.
• Local or imported.
• Quantity, payment terms and delivery.

Get written quotes for the same specification from several suppliers.

FAQs

What PEI class do I need for a home? Class III for most residential rooms; class IV for kitchens, corridors and entrances.

Can I use wall tiles on the floor? No. Wall tiles are often more porous and not rated for foot traffic.

Is glossy floor tile a bad idea? Not in dry rooms, but avoid it in bathrooms, kitchens and near entrances where floors get wet.

What should I do if shades vary in one delivery? Do not lay them. Ask the supplier to replace with a single batch.

How many spare tiles should I keep? A few from the same batch is useful for future repairs, since exact shades can be hard to find later.

Sources