If you are bored with your bathroom or feel like it is looking outdated, you can easily redecorate the space using bathroom tiles.
Instead of paying for a complete renovation, changing the bathroom’s appearance using tiles can make such a difference to this space and is something you can do yourself.
In this guide, we are going to share the easiest way to renovate your bathroom.
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How Much Do Bathroom Tiles Cost?
The average cost of tiling a bathroom is between $886 and $2,868, including labor charges.
The price that you have to pay can vary based on the contractor costs, as well as the kind of tile you are using, how big your bathroom is, and, therefore, how many tiles you need. The two more common kinds of bathroom tiles are ceramic and porcelain, with the latter being the most popular but also the most expensive.
Where Should I Tile?
You need to make sure your bathroom walls and floors are even to prevent loose tiles.
If you find that any surface in the bathroom is sloped, even by a small degree, you should install a baseboard before tiling. This will make sure that you have a solid base for tiling and will help the tiles stick, preventing them from becoming loose in the future.
A bubble level can be useful when doing this task to ensure everything is straight.
- Flooring: Bathroom tiles should be laid on either a plywood or concrete base to keep them secure and protect the subfloor
- Walls: Wall tiles should be applied to drywall, cement, or a backboard of some sort for a smooth and accurate fitting. A backboard can protect your walls when tiling
Basic Tile Installation Guide
Once you have found the right tiles for your bathroom based on your style and budget, it is time to start preparing to tile. Figure out where to lay the tiles in the bathroom and have your toolbox handy.
You should remember that tiling is not an easy job, but it is one you can do yourself with some care and consideration.
Doing the tiles yourself means the job will not be perfect, and it is likely that some of the tiles will crack before you get to lay them. This is why we recommend getting around 15% more tiles for your bathroom than you need, so you are prepared for everything.
What You Need
Before you can start tiling the bathroom, there are some tools you need.
- Wet saw
- Notch trowel
- Narrow margin trowel
- Chalk line
- Tile mortar
- Tile membrane
- Bubble level
- Tile spacers
- Rubber grout float
- Safety goggles and gloves
Where To Start
Before you can add new tiles to the bathroom, you need to get rid of your current décor.
Take some time to remove all old tiles, wallpaper, decorations, and other materials that will get in the way. Strip the bathroom to the bare bones, so you have a blank canvas to work on.
If you are only working on one part of the bathroom, such as retiling the walls but not the floor, make sure to cover anything that is left behind for protection.
Tiling The Bathroom Floor
- Spread the tile mortar over the floor using the notch trowel
- Lay down your tile membrane in sections until the towel mortar is covered
- Use the chalk to create a reference line across the tile membrane so you can keep the tiles straight
- Put down the tile by spreading another layer of tile mortar over your desired membrane and placing the tile on the chalk line. Use the spacers to keep the tiles consistent
- Tile the perimeter of the bathroom using half an inch of the tiles and going around the floor with them first before moving into the center
- Clean the tile mortar from the tiles as you work to prevent this from sticking
- Start grouting 24 hours after the tiles have been laid and use the rubber grout float in diagonal motions
- Apply a silicone sealant after 72 hours to keep the tiles in place
Tiling The Bathroom Walls
- Measure the walls to determine how many tiles you need and find a stopping point if you are not covering the whole wall
- Use the bubble level to make a line at the top of the wall you are working on so you have a stopping point
- Determine how many rows of tiles you will have as you want to make sure there will be a full row going down the wall. If this is not going to work, you can use the work saw to cut any tiles that need to be altered before installing them, making sure everything is even
- Make a grid using the chalk and the dimensions you have taken so you know where the tiles should go on the walls
- Install a wooden plank halfway up the wall that you can use as a batten. Make sure to use the bubble level to keep it even, as this will help make sure every row of tiles is straight
- Spread the tile mortar on the walls or baseboard of the walls, creating an even covering
- Start at the wooden plank you have installed and apply tiles to the walls, working your way up first
- Continue tiling until you have covered the wall