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Is Penny Tile Expensive?

Is Penny Tile Expensive?

Whether you are renovating your new house or simply want to amp up your bathroom, kitchen, or pool by getting penny tiles, one thing is for sure, you are in for a classic yet contemporary style that will never get out of date!

While getting penny tiles can be the best decor decision you may make for your home, there is one question that may keep you hesitant- are they expensive?

Well, the answer to this question depends on the type of penny tile you wish to go for.

Penny tiles are generally are not too expensive and therefore, you can easily include penny tiles in your dream decor plan and not break the bank. Porcelain penny tiles are the cheapest and usually are anywhere from $5-$7 per square foot.

Let us take a closer look at these tiles and their impact on your plan budget.

How Much Does Penny Tile Cost?

As mentioned above, penny tiles’ cost depends upon the type of penny tile you wish to choose. There are mainly three types available. 

  • Cork
  • Porcelain
  • Metal

Not only does the type play a role in determining the price, but so does the location.

You may have to contact your local installer for exact quotations. However,  generally, the prices are as follows:

  • Cork penny, best known and sought after for its water-resistant feature, costs about $15 per square foot.
  • Porcelain on the other hand is the least expensive out of the three options. They come in the form of sheets and their price ranges from either $5-$7 for each square foot.
  • Metal sheets on the other hand cost approximately 13 times the porcelain penny tile sheets and are the most expensive option.

You can source them from any home improvement store. 

Installing Tiles

How Much Is It To Install Penny Tiles?

Now that you have a general idea of how much they cost, you may be wondering how expensive it is to install.

Penny tiles require a lot of time to install as each penny needs to be cut individually.

So they do end up being way more costly in terms of installation rather than their actual price (when it comes to porcelain tiles).

Typically homeowners spend between $825 and $2,520 dollars on porcelain or ceramic penny tiling, with installation costs averaging between $10 and $15 for each square foot.

Nevertheless, tilers often bill between $45 and $150 per hour. In terms of square meter rate, they bill $120 per square meter to as low as $35 per meter.

To sum up, the average cost to install bathroom tiles is $60 per square meter.

However, you can save up a lot of bucks by simply installing it yourself.

While it may seem a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be if you have the dedication, tools, and a little bit of extra time and strength.

Is Penny Tile More Expensive Than Other Tile?

The answer is both yes and no. It all again depends on what type you choose.

But certain alternatives are way cheaper than penny tiles in general. A list of these alternatives, both cheap and expensive, is as follows:

  • Ceramic tile is just one of the many alternatives. They can cost as low as $1 per square foot and are very versatile in terms of colors, textures and designs.
  • Subway tiles are a great cheap alternative to penny tiles. Although more expensive than ceramic tiles, they cost $3 per square foot only. That is cheaper than porcelain penny tiles. And what’s even better is that they are also in style.
  • Natural stones like Ceramic mosaics are a great cheaper option. Their price range starts at just $7 per square meter.
  • Lantern tiles, which mimic vines and flowers, range from $9 to $60 per square foot.
  • Because of the consistency they provide to a backsplash, oval tiles are somewhat similar to penny tiles, however, are generally more on the expensive side. They cost $24 per square foot on average.
  • Copper tiles – which are best known for their antibacterial, durability, and water-resistant features – are mostly the ultimate choice for a backsplash. They have the same cost as cork penny tiles and therefore cost on average $15 per square foot.

Final Word on the Cost of Penny Tiles

All in all, while there may be some cheaper options available for penny tiles, one can simply not skip the old-school charm of these timeless tiles.

But the good news is, that the different types of penny tiles available in the market allow one to easily make room for them in one’s budget so that you don’t have to compromise on your dream decor!

Lindsay Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of ProjectPerfectHome.com! I created this website to be a resource for everyone who wants to make the best home possible.