Buying tiles in Pakistan: types, sizes, grades and real cost
How to buy floor and wall tiles in Pakistan: ceramic vs porcelain, sizes, A grade vs commercial, per-box coverage, wastage, batches and laying costs.
Published 4 min read
The short answer
Tile prices in Pakistan depend on the type (ceramic or porcelain), size, finish, grade and brand, and are quoted per square foot, per box or per piece. To compare fairly, convert to the price per square foot for the same size and grade, add 5–10% for wastage, buy the whole job from one batch, and include adhesive, grout and laying labour in the real cost.
Key takeaways
- Porcelain is denser and tougher than ceramic; ceramic is cheaper and fine for walls.
- Convert per-box prices to per square foot using the coverage printed on the box.
- A grade (first choice) has fewer defects than commercial or second grade.
- Buy everything from one batch — shades differ between batches — plus a spare box.
- The real cost includes wastage, adhesive, grout, skirting and laying labour.
On this page
Types of tiles
| Type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | Clay tile with a glazed surface; more porous | Walls, light-traffic floors, budget projects |
| Porcelain (glazed) | Denser clay fired hotter; printed glaze on top | Most floors, kitchens, bathrooms |
| Full-body porcelain | Colour runs through the tile | High-traffic floors; chips show less |
| Matt or rustic finish | Textured, less slippery | Bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor areas |
| Polished or glossy | Shiny, reflective | Living areas; can be slippery when wet |
Many homes also use marble or terrazzo for floors; compare those per square foot, laid, against tiles.
Try asking DAAM“24x24 porcelain tiles price per sq ft”Sizes and prices
Common sizes include 12×12, 12×24, 24×24 and 24×48 inches (or their metric equivalents such as 60×60 cm). Larger tiles usually cost more per square foot, need a flatter floor and more careful laying — and labour for them is often charged at a higher rate.
Prices are quoted in three ways:
- Per square foot — the easiest to compare.
- Per box — divide the box price by the coverage printed on the box.
- Per piece — divide by the area of one tile.
Grades: first choice vs commercial
Tiles are sorted after firing. A grade or first choice has the fewest defects. Commercial or second grade may have small chips, pinholes, colour variation or slight warping — cheaper, and fine for some uses like storerooms, but not for a living room floor. Make sure the grade is written on the quotation and the boxes.
Checks before you buy
- Batch and shade: boxes carry batch or shade codes. Buy the whole job from one batch — tiles from different batches can differ visibly in colour.
- Flatness: place two tiles face to face; they should sit flat without rocking.
- Size consistency: tiles should match in size, especially for thin grout lines.
- Surface: look for pinholes, chips and glaze defects under good light.
- Slip resistance: choose matt or textured finishes for bathrooms and entrances.
Free · no sign-up needed
Check tile prices before the showroom
Ask DAAM for the type, size and grade you want. See the verified price per square foot and the cheapest verified offer.
Opens DAAM with: “Porcelain floor tiles price per sq ft in Lahore”
How much to buy
Measure each room’s floor or wall area, then add wastage for cutting and breakage:
- Straight layouts: add about 5–10%.
- Diagonal or patterned layouts: add more — often 10–15%.
Buy one spare box and keep it: finding the same shade years later for a repair is nearly impossible.
The real cost of tiling
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tiles | Including wastage |
| Adhesive or cement mortar | Adhesive costs more but suits large tiles and walls |
| Grout | Standard or epoxy; white cement is sometimes used |
| Skirting | Often cut from the same tiles |
| Labour | Per sq ft; higher for large tiles and complex patterns |
| Floor levelling | If the base isn’t flat |
Compare the laid cost, not just the tile price. See home renovation on a budget.
Local or imported?
Pakistan has local tile makers, and imported tiles — many from China and Spain — are widely sold. Price and quality overlap: an imported tile isn’t automatically better. Judge each tile with the checks above and compare the price for the same type, size and grade.
Comparing prices fairly
In DAAM, a tile price is tied to its type, size, grade, brand and unit. Ask like “Master 24x24 porcelain tile price per sq ft Lahore”. You’ll see the verified range and cheapest verified offer for that tile, not a mix of sizes and grades. Photograph a showroom quotation to check every line at once — see checking a shop’s quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, ceramic or porcelain tiles?
Porcelain is denser, absorbs less water and is tougher, so it suits most floors, kitchens and bathrooms. Ceramic is cheaper and works well on walls and light-traffic floors.
How do I calculate tile price per square foot?
Divide the box price by the coverage printed on the box, or divide the piece price by the area of one tile. Compare the per-square-foot price for the same size and grade.
How much extra tile should I buy?
About 5–10% extra for straight layouts and more — often 10–15% — for diagonal or patterned layouts. Keep a spare box for future repairs.
Why should tiles come from the same batch?
Colour and shade can vary between production batches. Tiles from one batch match; mixing batches can leave visible patches on a floor or wall.
Free · no sign-up needed
Check tile prices before the showroom
Ask DAAM for the type, size and grade you want. See the verified price per square foot and the cheapest verified offer.
Opens DAAM with: “Porcelain floor tiles price per sq ft in Lahore”
Written by
Hamza writes DAAM’s price guides for shoppers in Pakistan: where to buy, what to check before paying and how to use verified prices to avoid being overcharged.
