I am thinking about tiling 2 bathrooms in a rental property and planning to use 12x12 tiles costing $1 each. I want to use the same tiles for bathtub surrounds as well as floor. I am looking for some advice about the size of tiles that may be appropriate.Thanks
If the tiles fit the area then 12x12 are fine. I used 12 tiles for my bathroom remodel and it turned out fine. You need to figure out how much cutting is involved. Get graph paper and see how it looks. Mine fit fine since it was divisable by 12.
I built my entire shower, floor, wall, and even ceiling with 12x12 looks great, but you have to be patient on the walls, and ceiling. I have put many 12x12's on the walls of tubs. Make sure you use something for the spacers for the wall or they will slide down. A thin strip of 3/8 plywood works great. If you ever put them on a ceiling you have to use screws with large washer, and glue. You can take the screws out once the glue is cured. To grout a ceiling you have to use silicone caulk and then dust the grout let dry and then seal. Makes for one cool looking bathroom.
As answer 1 states and you already have priced, 12x12 is fine. Even in a small room the larger tile creates an illusion of larger space. The issue for the floor will be cutting, also as answer 1 states, but divisible is not as much the issue as how you square the room and where you set the center, allowing the most number of full pieces visible as possible. That's not only for aesthetics, but determining cuts and where the cut pieces will be least visible. If you have cove base molding you can assume 1/4 inch from the molding as the final grout line and throughout 1/4 inch is usual. What that does however, in your measuring is to add/subtract 1 inch for every 4 pieces of 12 x 12 tile. IE: If you think to tile in a 4 ft. wide area you will have to cut the tile at least on one side of that, allowing for the grout lines. Addressing wall tile size. I tiled my shower walls in a 16x 16 terra cotta but I don't advise it. The usual would be 4x4 or 6x6, in that size range. It's not impossible to use large tile but is more a challenge.You should use a rapid set mortar/mastic, still use spacers, even at 1/8 inch and set the lower course first, allow to dry/set 24 hours, then build your way up the wall. In my case with the size and weight I had to brace each tile to hold it in place. Given that these are rentals, I'd make the job as easy as possible, probably with smaller wall tiles, even mesh backed. In any case a poly blend mortar/quick set and the same in a sanded grout DOC
