Cost of tiling small bathroom
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom: floor, walls, and shower
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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Tile makes a bathroom beautiful, as well as protecting its surfaces from splashes. But if you’re remodeling yours, you’ll likely be wondering how much it costs to tile a bathroom.
What you might expect to pay will vary depending on the size of the area to be tiled, but what’s also crucial is the type of tile selected for the floor, walls or shower. Ceramic, porcelain and natural stones bring very different costs that will influence the budget markedly.
To help you realize your bathroom tile ideas, we’ve put together a guide to tile install costs including details of what you might pay regionally.
Cost to tile a bathroom
There’s an array of tile materials, colors, and patterns you can consider as part of your bathroom remodel ideas, but it’s important to be in the know about the costs involved when different types are used to tile a bathroom.
The cost to tile a bathroom is made up of a number of different elements: the tile, labor (if you aren’t DIYing), and additional materials (think mortar and grout).
As for overall costs? ‘The average cost of installing new bathroom tiles is about $2,000, or $12.50 per square foot, including labor, but costs can range from $450 to $10,000 depending on labor, bathroom size and tile choice,’ says Bailey Carson, home care expert at Angi .
What do bathroom tiles cost?
The first factor in the cost to tile a bathroom is that of the tile itself, and this varies widely depending on the material. ‘The type of tiles you choose can make or break your remodeling budget,’ says Bailey. ‘They can range from $0.50 to $15 per square foot, depending on the material.’ Take a look at these costs examples from Bailey:
- Ceramic: $0.50 to $15 per square foot
- Travertine: $3 to $15 per square foot
- Slate: $4 to $15 per square foot
- Granite: $5 to $15 per square foot
- Limestone: $5 per square foot
- Porcelain: $3 to $10 per square foot
- Glass mosaic: $5 to $15 per square foot
- Marble: $8 per square foot
When drawing up the budget, bear in mind that you will need to purchase more tiles than are sufficient for the bathroom’s square footage.
‘Increase square footage estimate by 10 to 15 per cent as a rule of thumb,’ says real estate investor Mark Severino of Best Texas House Buyers . ‘This overage is to ensure you get the correct amount of tile since you need to account for breakage, custom cutting, mis-sizing, variance in tile appearance, variance in tile dimension, imperfections etc. ’
What does labor to tile a bathroom cost?
You may opt to tile some or all of a bathroom yourself if you have DIY skills. But if you’re calling someone in to do the work, this element will need to be included when drawing up the budget.
‘Depending on your location and the specific pro you choose, you can expect between $600 and $800 of the total cost to be for labor,’ says Bailey.
Does it cost the same to tile the walls, floor, and shower?
It’s important to choose tile suitable for the specific area of the bathroom in which it will be used, and this can influence your costs.
‘When tiling the shower or floor, you may want to prioritize non-slip, durable options, like travertine or slate, over more unique looks like granite, for enhanced safety,’ says Bailey. While the latter is the more expensive tile in this selection, both travertine and slate can prove more costly than ceramic, increasing the total for the project.
The tile selected for the shower is also crucial to the success of your project. ‘When it comes to tiling your shower, you also need to be more thoughtful about waterproofing,’ says Bailey. ‘Shower tiles that aren’t fully waterproof can lead to funky smells, mold and even major water damage.’ The shower tile selected could, therefore, add to costs.
As for labor, if you’re calling in a pro, labor costs for floors, as a rule, start a little lower than those for walls and showers.
Factor in, too, the look you’re after. ‘The pattern of the tile can play a huge part in the cost, herringbone pattern being one of them,’ says Lena Plumlee of SKD Studios , an interior design studio specializing in kitchen and bath design. ‘Installers usually charge more for that intricate design. Subway pattern and soldier stacked are simple patterns that wouldn’t run up the bill.’
Cost to tile a bathroom in different regions
We asked the experts to give us some examples of costs to install tile in a bathroom in their states. ‘Most tile contractors charge for the labor and rough material (mortar, grout) and have the homeowner purchase the tiles on their own,’ explains Judah Strausberg, senior PM at Peak Builders & Roofers of San Diego . This is because the tile type varies so widely in cost.
‘In California, the cost to install tiles not including the tiles themselves: wall $10 to $15 per square foot; floor $8 to $12 per square foot; shower (depending on the detailing) $10 to $15 per square foot,’ says Judah. But he adds, ‘It is common to change even more than this for small jobs (around 100 square foot or less) simply because a job needs to be worthwhile for a contractor.’
Meanwhile, for the Dallas, Texas area, Mark Severino estimates labor costs of $7 to $10 per square foot.
Reed Johnson of Jackson Tile Installation , MS, estimates a cost of $10 to $50 per square foot, depending on the tile material used, design or layout of the bathroom, size of the bathroom, etc.
How does bathroom size influence tile install costs?
The size of the space and scale of your bathroom remodel, as you’d expect, has a big influence on the cost to tile it. ‘Tiles are usually purchased by the square foot, so you only have to pay for the materials that you need,’ says Bailey Carson. Be mindful that this should include an allowance for breakages and so on, as detailed above.
‘Smaller bathrooms can also usually be completed faster, meaning lower labor costs than for larger bathrooms,’ says Bailey. ‘The exception to this rule is around accessibility – if the size or layout of the bathroom creates obstacles for the pros, it may take them longer to complete the job.’
However, it could be the case that while you’ll need to pay more for the tiles for a large job, it might bring lower labor charges from the pros. Judah Strausberg compares the costs you might expect to pay for tile installation in California of $10 to $15 per square foot for walls; $8 to $12 per square foot for floors; and $10 to $15 per square foot for showers with potential costs for larger jobs. ‘A homeowner that is doing a large tile installation project can expect to pay as low as $8 per square foot for wall tile and $6 square foot for floor tile,’ he says.
How can you save on bathroom tile?
There are ways to save on tiling a bathroom. The first, as we’ve seen, is to choose lower-cost materials. ‘Choosing an inexpensive tile can make a huge difference in the overall cost of your project,’ says Bailey. ‘If you want to save money, start by selecting the right tile. For example, granite is a beautiful stone, and it can come at many different price points. Go with a more affordable tile to get the bathroom of your dreams without breaking the bank.’
The second way to save is to DIY some of the work. ‘If you have the time, tools and talent to complete the project yourself, it can be a great way to save money,’ says Bailey.
Choosing simple laying patterns can also save compared to going for more intricate versions. It's all about being a little more hands-on with your budget bathroom ideas.
Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes – long enough to see fridges become smart, decorating fashions embrace both minimalism and maximalism, and interiors that blur the indoor/outdoor link become a must-have. She loves testing the latest home appliances, revealing the trends in furnishings and fittings for every room, and investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. It's no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house revamper. For Realhomes.com, Sarah reviews coffee machines and vacuum cleaners, taking them through their paces at home to give us an honest, real life review and comparison of every model.
Bathroom Tile Installation & Retiling Costs
It typically costs between $450 and $10,000 to retile a bathroom, with an average of $2,000 including labor
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Few things are more striking in a home than a newly retiled bathroom. Replacing worn and cracked tile with a sleek, modern new look can really add a "wow" factor to your home's interior—and it could be part of a bathroom remodel that raises your home’s value.
If you think that you’re way past the point of repairing your bathroom tile and you're ready for a complete retiling, it's time to come up with a budget and a plan. To do that, you'll need to understand how much it costs to do the job. This guide breaks down the costs and all the factors that affect it.
How Much Does It Cost to Retile a Bathroom by Square Foot?
It costs on average $12.50 per square foot to retile a bathroom. However, other factors can go into the price, such as the quality of tile you choose or how much you're paying for labor. Also, if you have to do extensive rerouting of the plumbing supply and waste lines, it can boost the price significantly.
All in all, the average price for a bathroom retiling is $2,000 including labor, but the range typically falls anywhere between $450 and $10,000.
Of course, if you pick the trendiest bathroom tiles available for your project, the cost may go up. The cost for individual types of tile breaks down as follows:
Type of Tile | Cost |
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Ceramic | $0. 50 – $15 per sq. ft. |
Travertine tile | $3 – $15 per sq. ft. |
Slate | $4 – $15 per sq. ft. |
Granite tile | $5 – $15 per sq. ft. |
Limestone tile | $5 per sq. ft. |
Marble tile | $8 per sq. ft. |
Another $600 to $800 will go toward labor costs for the typical bathroom unless you can do the job yourself. So if you wanted to retile a 100-square-foot master bath with marble tile, it would cost you $800 for the tile and $600 to $800 for the labor for a total of $1,400 to $1,600.
What Kind of Bathroom Retiling Job Can I Get on My Budget?
You probably know how much you have available to spend. The question is, what will that get you? Here’s a quick range of prices and what each will buy, generally speaking:
$120
You could get the job done for this price for a standard 40-square-foot bathroom if you found some inexpensive tile at $3 per square foot and did all the work yourself (and already had the tools on hand).
“Most tile stores have two great things for the budget-conscious homeowner: remnant tile and free design advice,” says Bob Tschudi, Expert Review Board member and Raleigh, NC-based general contractor. “We have found some incredible finds, especially for smaller spaces, just by asking.”
$450
Although theoretically you could achieve the price above, this is most likely the low end of what you can expect to pay even if you get inexpensive tile and do much of the labor yourself. This is a more realistic price tag because you’ll probably need to hire some help, and you’ll likely run into random issues that will add extra expense, such as having to order more tile than you thought. Also, expect to do some regrouting.
$2,000
This is the average price tag for a retiling job. Chances are, you'll need to hire professionals to do this job right, especially if you want to have a diagonal or herringbone pattern. With $2,000 set aside, you can be reasonably confident you'll be happy with the result.
$4,500
If you've got a big master bathroom, say 200 square feet or more, you might be able to get it done for this price if the grout is in good condition. Even with the most expensive ceramic tile, it would only cost you $3,000 for the materials, and then you could set aside another $1,500 for the extra labor to do a job of this size.
$10,000
This would be your price tag if you had a huge master bathroom of more than 200 square feet, got the most expensive ceramic tile available, had to do significant plumbing and framing work, and spent a premium on labor to get the job done.
“The best places to get the most value for your remodeling budget are the kitchen and bathrooms,” says Tschudi. “If you keep the water supply and waste lines in the same place, you can revitalize these spaces for a great price.”
How Much Does It Cost to Retile a Bathroom Yourself?
If you're confident in your skills and believe you could retile the bathroom yourself, you can significantly reduce the cost of this project. All you'd really have to pay for is the materials, so you could potentially get a retiling done for a couple hundred bucks if you really cut corners.
However, this is generally not a good idea. Tiling sounds easy, but it's not. You have to have the skill to cut and fit the tiles into difficult spaces. You don't want to put all that work and money into retiling your bathroom only to find out later that you'll have to pull it up and pay for someone to do it all over again.
You also have to consider how long you’ll be without the bathroom if you do it yourself. You could go weeks without access to the bathroom if you try to do the bathroom yourself, whereas a pro could wrap up the job much quicker.
Photo: grandriver / iStock / Getty Images Plus
What Factors Influence the Cost to Retile a Bathroom?
As you can see, the range of costs when it comes to bathroom retiling is huge. You might spend only a few hundred bucks or up to five figures on your tile installation cost.
Here are some of the key factors that affect the price you pay:
Photo: popovaphoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
Size
Obviously, you can expect to pay much more to retile a huge 200-square-foot master bathroom compared to a little guest bathroom under the staircase. Since you're paying for material by the square foot, you'd multiply those costs based on size.
Type of Tile
The type of tile you choose may be just as important in terms of material costs as the size of the bathroom. You could get some inexpensive travertine tile at $3 per square foot, or get an expensive hand-painted ceramic tile on the market at $15 per square foot.
Shape and Size of Tile
Believe it or not, the shape and size of your tile can have a big impact on the price. If you have large square tiles and a perfectly square bathroom, that’s a much easier job than a bathroom with lots of edges and lots of small irregularly shaped tiles to lay.
DIY vs.
Hire a ProfessionalSince labor costs are about $600 to $800 for a standard bathroom and much more for larger spaces, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by doing the job yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have experience with retiling, have at it, but in general jobs like these should be left up to a professional. A pro has the right tools (wet tile saw, cutoff tool, utility knife, hammer, sander, grout trowel, plastic sheeting, and many other miscellaneous items) and the experience to cut and fit tiles into difficult spaces. They’ll also know the exact amount of material to order, so you don’t run out midway through the job, or order too much. As a result, you should consider hiring a tile contractor and resist the DIY temptation.
Unfortunately, retiled bathrooms don't always get a lot of mileage. Because these tiles are constantly being walked on, they can wear out more quickly. However, a well-done tile job can last many decades, and with proper care and regular resealing, they can last 10 years or more before needing a retiling.
If you’re doing a project like this, it’s a great time to invest in bathroom renovation costs. Consider replacing a dated or cracked vanity. Redesign your shower and update your showerhead to something more modern. Reglaze your bathtub if it is looking worn. Take this opportunity to turn your bathroom into the escape it should be.
Laying tiles in the bathroom St. Petersburg
PRICES | OUR WORKS |
Bathroom tiling in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region
Price from 1000 rubles per m2 We cover everything: from a standard bathroom to a hammam and a pool |
Laying tiles in the bathroom requires special skill from the tiler. Only if all technological standards are observed, the finished coating will last a long time. But no less important is its beauty and individual design. Our specialists are able to perform even the most complex options for laying tiles and mosaics in rooms with high humidity. nine0007
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PROFESSIONAL TILE LAYER
| CUSTOMER FOCUS We strive to optimize your costs, we provide all checks and calculations. We work on the days and hours that are convenient for you. nine0007 | WARRANTY 2 YEARS We are confident in the quality of our work, so we provide a guarantee for laying tiles in the bathroom under the contract. | ASSISTANCE IN PURCHASING MATERIALS During the first visit, the master will advise on the materials - where is cheaper, what is better. If necessary, he will buy everything himself. | NO ADVANCE Yes, we do not take advance payment for order fulfillment. Actual payment. nine0042 |
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In order for each client to get the maximum result, we have a rule: the order "from" and "to" is performed by one master. |
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Give us a call and we'll find a tiler who can do the job in the best possible way.
Stepan - more than 13 years of experience
Andrey - work experience over 10 years Yuri - work experience over 11 years Alexander - work experience over 13 years
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First meeting with a client - consulting. The specialist looks at the scope of work, makes calculations and makes an estimate *. This does not oblige you to order.
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The master tells what materials and in what quantity are needed. Don't have time to shop on your own? And this can be entrusted to us, we guarantee a full report on checks. nine0007
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We conclude a written contract with fixed terms and cost. The contract is your and our legal insurance.
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The specialist brings all the necessary tools with him. If large-format tiles need to be cut, this is done in production.
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Step-by-step execution of the order in accordance with the technology, including preparatory work.
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A tiler puts garbage in bags. Please note that we do not collect rubbish. nine0007
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The client takes a ready-made bath / bathroom / hammam / pool and pays after the fact.
*The estimate contains approximate estimates. An increase in cost is possible in several cases: if the customer asks to perform additional work; during dismantling, nuances were revealed that require additional investments. For example, walls in old houses require more leveling compound, etc.
Bathroom tiling – the most practical finish
Gallery of works
We work in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region in all districts We carry out all types of installation, from simple to designer |
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What kind of work we do
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Dismantling of old bathroom/shower/toilet covers.
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Surface preparation (filling with a level, making a screed, plastering walls on beacons, waterproofing, primer treatment, concrete contact). nine0007
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Laying tiles on walls and floors (porcelain stoneware, tile, mosaic, stone).
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Other related works: installation of underfloor heating, production of shower trays, wiring and installation of plumbing fixtures (installation of sinks and bathtubs), production of tile bath screens, creation of niches and boxes, installation of hidden hatches, installation of slatted ceilings, installation of lamps and fittings.
"Your tiler" is a small, close-knit team of craftsmen. nine0007 We do not pursue volumes and turnovers, we do not increase the price per m2. It is more important for us to do our job honestly and get excellent results. |
Prices for laying tiles in the bathroom in St. Petersburg:
Surface preparation work for bathroom tiles | |
Dismantling old tiles | from 200 rub/m2 |
nine0006 Wall plastering on lighthouses | from 500 rub/m2 |
Alignment of walls with glue | from 300 rub/m2 |
Floor leveling | from 200 rub/m2 |
Wall and floor waterproofing | from 350r/m2 |
Surface treatment with primer | nine0006 from 150r/m2 |
Surface treatment with concrete contact | from 170 rub/m2 |
Wall tiling | |
Direct tiling | from 1000r/m2 |
Matching tiles to the ceiling | from 180r/m rm. |
nine0006 45 degree tile cut | from 400r/m rm. |
Ceramic plinth | from 300 rub/m |
Grouting tiles | from 200 rub/m2 |
Box lining | from 1100r/m2 |
Laying a border (tile decor) | nine0006 from 250 r/m |
Installation of a ceramic corner on the bathtub | from 400r/m rm. |
Drilling holes for pipes/dowels | from 200r/pc. |
Mosaic installation | from 1100r/m2 |
Grouting (mosaic) | from 300 rub/m2 |
Stone laying | from 1100r/m2 |
Grout (stone) | from 400 rub/m2 |
Manufacture of boxes | Contractual price (calculated as per product, not per square meter or per linear meter) |
Installation of concealed hatches | Negotiated price |
Floor tiles | |
Tiling (straight laying) | from 1000r/m2 |
Diagonal tiling | from 1100r/m2 |
Grouting tiles | from 200 rub/m2 |
Mosaic installation | from 1100r/m2 |
Mosaic grouting | from 300 rub/m2 |
Installation of underfloor heating | from 350r/m2 |
*Prices on the site are not a public offer and are indicative.
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Tile is a good option for the bathroom. According to statistics, it is this ceramic material that is chosen for wall and floor cladding in 80% of projects. Many are interested in how to lay tiles in the bathroom, how you can do the work yourself, since the involvement of specialists will cost the same as the tile itself, and in some cases even more. At the same time, self-tiling in the bathroom saves money. You will be completely sure of the result if you read the advice of professionals before starting work. We will give step-by-step instructions with a photo on how to properly perform the cladding. You will learn how to start repairs, how to prepare the base, how to carry out the installation itself. We will tell you not only how to properly lay tiles in the bathroom, but also help you select and calculate the materials. nine0007
How to lay tiles in the bathroom: the basic nuances
Why do many people decide to tile in the bathroom? Why is this material good? The fact is that it is easy to clean, looks presentable, is immune to moisture, and is available in a variety of styles. We can say that this is a modern standard for finishing bathrooms that meets the requirements of aesthetics and hygiene.
If you have never tried to lay tiles in the bathroom with your own hands, you should limit yourself to simple layout methods. For example, you can limit yourself to simply mounting in even rows parallel to the floor. In this case, both square and rectangular tiles are suitable. If you choose masonry with an offset, you will need to do more trimming. Complicating the work is also the fact that you need to control the quality of the seams. The most difficult ways are diagonal and modular. In the first case, ceramic tiles are unfolded at an angle and laid out diagonally. In the second, a large tile and a small one are combined, from which decorative patterns are laid out. nine0007
If you are interested in laying tiles in the bathroom with your own hands, then you will calculate the material yourself. It is important to correctly calculate how many tiles you need. And it depends on the size of the wall, the dimensions of the tile, the scale of the room, as well as the location of the plumbing (bath, sink, shower, toilet). It is best to draw a layout, where to mark each module, taking into account the thickness of the seams. It is also worth considering that laying tiles in the bathroom is impossible without pruning. This means that at least 10% must be added to the resulting amount. nine0007
How to lay tiles in the bathroom with your own hands
Let's tell you how the tiles are laid in the bathroom, what will be the main stages of the work. We will also analyze the correct choice of tools and materials. We describe the entire installation technology.
Preparing the room
Before you lay the tiles in the bathroom, you need to properly prepare the room. First, everything must be taken out of the room. Secondly, you need to turn off hot and cold water. If you already have a sink, toilet or heated towel rail installed, then you need to remove them. Then the old coating is dismantled. nine0007
Choosing tools and materials
Before tiling your bathroom, you need to prepare everything. It is important to choose a tile that is suitable in design and size, and then draw its layout. The most difficult thing to mount is a mosaic, and the easiest is a material of a standard "medium" size. Larger modules are also difficult to install as they are difficult to hold and very fragile.
For a standard sized bathroom, it is best to use 40x70 cm tiles for the walls and 60x60 cm for the floor.
Also, when choosing, pay attention to the surface of the material. For the floor, it is better to choose a matte, rough porcelain stoneware, as it will not slip after the water hits the floor, that is, it will be safer to move on it. At the same time, matte surfaces go well with glossy ones, which means that you can choose them for walls. Just keep in mind that gloss reflects light much better, and this may not be appropriate in all projects. By the way, matte tiles are also less dirty. nine0007
Don't forget that ceramic tiles are available as backgrounds and decorations. Decorative inserts can be very different, including those that imitate leather, concrete, different types of stone or even embossed wood.
You will need not only tiles, but also materials for grouting. It is best to choose ready-made epoxy-based, two-component formulations. They resist moisture better than cement. Of the materials you will still need: glue for mounting ceramic tiles, a primer and waterproofing. nine0007
In terms of tools, tiling a bathroom will require the following tools: a level to check the level, a mixer to mix the mortar, a tile cutter or grinder so that you can cut the tiles, a notched trowel for applying glue, a rubber mallet for leveling the tiles, a square for control, a special rubber spatula for grouting. Do not forget about containers for mixing the mortar, about special mounting angles that allow you to control the thickness of the seams, as well as about rags with which you will clean the cladding after grouting. And prepare suitable work clothes. For applying glue, it is precisely a notched trowel or the so-called "comb" that is selected. Special grooves on this tool allow you to remove excess glue so that it does not “squeeze out” into the seams. nine0007
When it comes to cutting tiles, in most cases a manual tile cutter is sufficient. It allows you to make a simple linear cut - for example, if you need to reduce the size of a module that is laid against a wall. If you do not have this special device, you can get by with a grinder with a stone disc. But you need to remember that it forms a lot of dust, and is also quite traumatic: when carrying out work, you will definitely need to use gloves, goggles (so that fragments do not get into your eyes) and a respirator. If the number of tiles for trimming is not very large, you can even get by with tongs. But this method of "breaking off" pieces is completely inconvenient for large volumes. nine0007
Do-it-yourself bathroom tiles will hold firmly if you choose the right adhesive for installation. A good formulation should be ductile, with sufficient flow and high adhesion. In addition, it must maintain a fairly long "working" time, so that the fixed tile can be corrected already on the wall. The simplest compositions are made on a cement basis. They are relatively inexpensive and are offered dry (require mixing with water). Work can be simplified if you choose ready-made compositions. But they are significantly more expensive. In addition, cement-based adhesive is also suitable for leveling walls, that is, with small differences, it will replace plaster. nine0007
Dismantling of the old covering
Old tiles must be removed from the wall. It is best to do this with a perforator. An impact nozzle is placed on it, which is wound under the bottom of one of the stacked elements. Using a perforator, you can beat off not only old tiles, but also glue. on which he rested. You just need to take care of protection, wear gloves and goggles, as tiles can scatter into fragments.
If the walls in the bathroom are painted, the old layer of paint must also be scraped off. For this, a grinder and a special nozzle for it with sandpaper are suitable. nine0007
Walls and floors are cleaned of dust, dirt and stains with a stiff brush before starting work. It is also advisable to vacuum all surfaces.
Surface leveling
The answer to the question of how to properly tile in a bathroom begins with surface leveling. For these tasks, it is best to use plaster rather than drywall, as it is stronger and better resists high humidity. Surfaces are primed before plastering. Then they check the vertical and fix the guide beacons according to the level. nine0007
Surfaces should be leveled with a plaster mixture. Drywall should not be used in the bathroom, because it does not tolerate high humidity. First level the ceiling and walls. Surfaces are pretreated with a primer. Using a plumb line, determine the deviation from the vertical. Using the building level, guide beacons are fixed. Additionally, you can fix special corners that allow you to withstand 90-degree angles. The layer of leveling plaster should not be thicker than 20-30 mm. nine0007
For the floor, it is best to use a level or self-levelling compound. To determine the layer, markup by level is also preliminarily performed. The maximum deviation on this surface is 5 mm. This thickness can still be leveled with tile adhesive.
If the base is left uneven, then the differences in the finished cladding will be too conspicuous. This will be the more noticeable, the more complex the chosen layout scheme and the more decorative elements it contains.
Building a waterproofing layer
Before tiling the bathroom, it is necessary to carry out waterproofing work. Here it is better to use a special penetrating mixture such as Lakhta, Isotron or Penetron. A waterproofing mortar is prepared, and it is applied to all corners with a brush, and on flat surfaces with a roller.
Coating waterproofing can also be used, which is made using bituminous mastic. You can choose the same compositions that are suitable for pools. Such waterproofing is applied with a brush on the floor surface, and so that it also goes onto the walls by about 300 mm in height. The corners are reinforced with rolled waterproofing. It can be glued directly onto the mastic. Strips or sheets of rolled material are overlapped, and the joints are coated with a liquid waterproofing solution. nine0007
Where is the best place to start installation
Before laying the tiles in the bathroom, it is necessary to carry out the necessary marking work. Here it is best to use a laser level - with its help it is best to mark the line of the bottom row of tiles. Metal guide profiles are fixed along this line. They will help to fix the tile after laying so that it does not slip.
Where is the best place to start installation? The following options are possible here:
- from the center: this option is good if the bathroom is large; nine0146
- from the shower drain, if this element is present in the bathroom;
- from the corner furthest from the door;
- from the threshold, if there is already a bath or shower in the far corner.
Laying material
So, we lay the tiles in the bathroom with our own hands. Here is the sequence of actions:
- prime the base: this will ensure better adhesion of the adhesive to the plaster; also the primer can be used as an antiseptic, to prevent the appearance of mold and mildew in conditions of high humidity; 2-3 layers of soil are applied to the walls - each next after the previous one dries; nine0146
- , perform marking work according to the developed tile laying scheme, while taking into account that the work starts from the corners: the height of the first row is measured, a rail is installed that will hold the cladding, height differences across the floor are determined and plumb lines are fixed, which will make the row even, marked the position of each tile during the "rough" layout;
- prepare the adhesive for installation: first pour water into the container, and then add the dry mixture in small parts, mix until the finished solution resembles thick sour cream; such glue does not drain from the surface, but at the same time it is well distributed over it; nine0146
- a thin layer of adhesive is applied to the wall, for which a notched trowel is used;
- the tile is pressed against the wall and the adhesive is evenly distributed under pressure;
- the correctness of the fastening of the tiles is checked using a level;
- gaps between adjacent tiles are controlled by crosses;
- if you need to cut the elements to size, then use a grinder or a tile cutter for this: they try to keep the "cuts" in the least noticeable places; nine0146
- after the glue has hardened, the crosses are removed and the joints are grouted.
First, the material is mounted on the walls, and then on the floor. Tiles on the floor begin to be laid in the direction from the far wall. To control the elements, a marking cord is pulled. The installation process is the same: the adhesive is applied to the floor, spread with a notched trowel, the tile is pressed and the evenness is checked with a level. Do not step on the tile until the glue has hardened.
Do I need to use crosses when styling?
Yes, of course. Proper installation of tiles in the bathroom involves the use of special mounting crosses. They are installed in the tile joints, so that they become the same. If such devices are not used, the lining will look messy, with different seams, since it is impossible to maintain the same distance between the tiles “by eye”. Crosses come in a variety of sizes. That is, they can be selected for both small mosaics and large-format porcelain tiles. nine0007
How and with what to grout
The process of grouting is also called jointing. It is performed after the adhesive on which the tile is held has completely hardened.
Dry or pre-mixed grouts can be used for grouting. Ready-made ones are easier to use, but they are more expensive. Cement dry are cheaper. The most popular options are those made on the basis of white cement. Pigments can still be added to them to make the grout the desired color. The shade of the grout material is chosen either to match the tile, or so that a contrast is created. Thanks to this, you can get different design effects. nine0007
The most popular manufacturers of such formulations are Kesto, Kerakoll, Litokol, Mapei and Kerakoll. Usually the grout is applied with a rubber flexible spatula. You can also apply grout with a sponge, but this is only if the seams are small and shallow.
It is important that the working grout hardens rather quickly, so the work must be carried out without delay. As soon as the composition dries, the tile can be wiped dry with microfiber. Wet sponges are not used for this, as they will "smear" the composition, and the tile will remain dirty. nine0007
What can go wrong? The main mistakes and how to fix them
There are some nuances in how to properly lay tiles in the bathroom. All of them are mandatory, as they appeared as a result of the analysis of common mistakes. Let's tell. what can go wrong:
- Tiles can lie in steps instead of flat. This happens because the flatness of the base is broken. With a displaced "horizontal", the tile joints will be located in "steps". This defect can be corrected only until the glue has completely cured. You need to find the place where the displacement begins, and then wedged the seam with matches or crosses of the desired thickness. nine0146
- If a tile has fallen out of a row. If a cross is not inserted into the seam, then the element may move. Also, a shift can occur if you initially take a tile with a beveled corner (this is a factory defect of the material). The defective element must be replaced. If this is not the problem, then you need to wedged the seam with a cross, and so that the tile does not slip, it is additionally fixed with adhesive tape.
- If the tile "sinks", that is, it is shifted inward relative to the entire row. In this case, we are talking about the fact that the solution was applied incorrectly - for example, only at the corners or pointwise, but not on the entire surface. The recessed element is removed, glue is evenly applied to the surface, after which it is fixed again in the allotted place. nine0146
- Dips in seams can occur when they are not "level" but too deep. This error occurs if the grout mixture is too liquid or if it is initially of poor quality. You can correct the situation if you completely clean the seams and apply a new grout.
- Cladding will look unaesthetic if elements of different lengths are laid. This can happen if you choose material from the same collection, but from different batches, since the manufacturing technology implies tolerances for overall dimensions. To avoid this mistake, it is best to check the dimensions of the elements in advance, even before fixing them with glue.