How To Calculate The Weight Of Marble Tile
Things Needed
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Calculator
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Measuring tape
Tip
When installing marble tile, allow some extra for trim pieces and breakage. Add about ten to twenty percent to the area you plan to cover in order to determine how much marble tile to buy.
To make things easier, use any of several free online calculators to figure the weight of marble tiles and other building materials (see link below for an example).
For thousands of years, humans have prized marble for decoration and as a building material because of its beauty and durability. Today, marble tile is extremely popular for countertops, wall decor, and flooring. A form of metamorphic rock, marble has an extremely high density. Calculate the weight of marble tile before installation to make sure an existing or proposed structure has enough strength to support the weight of the marble.
Step 1
Find the number of square feet of marble tile you need. Measure the floor, countertop or other area where you plan to install marble tile. Multiply the length by the width. For example, a ten-by-fifteen-foot floor area contains one hundred fifty square feet.
Step 2
Determine the thickness of the tiles you will use. The majority of marble tile comes in thicknesses of one-eighth to three-eights of an inch. Choose thin tile for a lighter, cheaper option. For areas that must withstand heavy, spring for thicker tiles.
Step 3
Calculate the weight of one square foot of the tile you plan to use. Marble tile weighs 13.34 pounds per square foot for each inch of thickness; multiply the thickness in inches by 13.34 to find the weight of a single square foot of tile. To determine the weight of quarter-inch-thick marble tile, multiply 0.25 inches by 13.34, or 3.34 lbs. per square foot.
Step 4
Multiply the number of square feet of tile you need by the weight of one square foot of tile (from Step 3) to determine the total weight of marble tile you need. Using the quarter-inch tile example from Step 3, and assuming a 150-square-foot floor, multiply 3.34 lbs. by 150, or a total weight of marble tile of 501 lbs.