How to tile a bathroom

It's great to give the bathroom a makeover every now and then, but sometimes it can be intimidating to attempt such a project. You don't want to spend hours in a small bathroom, only to have something go wrong. But don't worry, if you follow these steps, you'll soon have your bathroom looking beautiful.
 
The secret is preparation. Your bathroom will look like a professional did the job if you take the time to make sure your surfaces are clean and even, and if you cover the floor with a hard-wearing plastic sheet.
 
Assess the project
Before beginning any tiling project, first, assess what kind of tile you want to use. Some tiles are better suited for bathrooms than others, so choose accordingly.
 
For a bathroom with low humidity and low traffic, ceramic tiles work great. They come in an endless variety of colours, designs and patterns, and they're easy to clean. Since they do not absorb water at all, they won't become slippery.
 
Tools needed for the project
Before you can begin tiling, you will need to gather up all the tools you need. The following items will be needed to complete the tiling project:

• A tape measure and pencil
• A carpenter's level
• Tile cutter and rubber float
• Thin-set adhesive (for use with ceramic tiles) and
• The tiles themselves should be as large as possible since you will have to cut them to fit inside the shower or in front of a tub.
• The grout that will match your tiles. If the tiles are a solid colour, there's no need to purchase special grout; you can use an all-purpose sanded grout from the home improvement centre.
• Grout spreader
• Sponge and bucket filled with water for cleaning your tiles during installation.

 
Where to start
You should start a bathroom tiling project by deciding how you want to run the tiles up the wall. Your first line of tiles should be placed adjacent to any bathtub or shower. This is because water incursion will make these areas more susceptible to mould and mildew growth.
 

1. You also need to consider ventilation when tiling a bathroom. The best way to do this is to run the tiles up a wall adjacent to an outside wall, or the wall containing a window.
2. Start your tiling at a corner of the project and work toward the centre. Make sure to stagger tile joints so that they don't line up with previously laid tiles.
3. It's handy to lay out all your tiles before you begin installing them in their final positions. When you're happy with the layout, use a pencil and a 4-foot level to mark reference lines on the wall for tile installation.
4. Lay your first row of tiles along the reference line at floor level. Use spacers between the tiles so there is room for grouting later.
5. Tile each wall one after the other. Make sure you wait until that wall is completely tiled before tiling the next section.
6. Fill in the tiled sections with tiles of smaller sizes as needed.
7. With tile nippers, you should cut away grout lines on small-tile sections so that they are consistent at a 1/8-inch gap between the tiles and grout lines.
8. Nail drywall to studs behind tub and shower areas. Fill in gaps with caulk, then tape and mud over the seams before painting.

 
How to prepare the bathroom floor

• Remove all fixtures and hardware from the bathroom floor including the tub, toilet and sink.
• Use a putty knife to remove any caulking or loose tiles around the tub or shower area. Repair any holes with caulk, let dry completely, then sand smooth before tiling over it.
• Measure the shower or tub area and purchase enough tile to cover it. If you're covering the entire floor, measure to determine how many tiles you need.

 
How to lay the tiles on the bathroom floor

• Spread mortar adhesive onto the subfloor with a notched trowel. We recommend using an unmodified trowel as it spreads the adhesive more evenly than one with grooves, which can leave spots without enough adhesive.
• Lay tile spacers around the edges of the area to be tiled. Place a spacer on each side of every row and at least every 5th tile within rows and about every third tile in between rows. The spacer should be squeezed into the adhesive about half an inch.
• Lay one end of the first full tile against the wall and use a level to ensure it's completely flat on the ground. If it isn't, add more adhesive under it so that all of its edges are resting on mortar.
• Lay the first row of tile, using spacers to ensure that all of the tiles are lined up straight.
• Follow the first row with the second row of tile, lining up one side with a spacer and laying it flat against the edge of the first row. Wiggle it into place so that it creates a snug fit between the tiles.
• Continue laying full tiles in each row until you reach the end, then fill the spaces between with cut pieces of tile. Ensure they are pressed tightly with one another to prevent water from seeping in and loosening the adhesive.
• You can also lay tiles up to a sink and around a mirror and bathtub.
• Let the tile adhesive dry for at least 24 hours.

 
Complete your project by grouting the tiles between steps (6) and (7), according to the adhesive manufacturer's instructions, then wipe away any excess with a damp cloth before it dries.
 
How to prepare the bathroom wall

• Remove wallpaper and any paint or varnish.
• Use a wire brush to clean off the plaster, cement mortar and old grout from the wall. If the surface is rough, cover it with fibreglass mesh tape before applying thin-set.
• Fill uneven or deep holes in floors with lightweight spackle or drywall joint compound.
• Prime bare areas on walls or floors that are not smooth, textured or porous with an oil-based primer before applying the thin-set.

 
Where to start tiling
Start with the tub and shower area. If you will be installing tile on the floor of the shower, make sure it is completely waterproof, install a cement-based substrate such as Schluter or Ditra.
 
Apply thin-set to the wall, spacing tiles at least 1/8" from the corner (this space allows for grout).
How to apply thin-set
Spread the adhesive on the wall with a notched trowel. Use an even sweeping motion, running it up and down (not side to side) along the surface of the tile. Apply enough adhesive that you can see its marks on the tiles, five or six dips into the bucket will do the trick.
 
How to apply tile and grout
Press each tile into place, making sure it is level. Slide a flat screwdriver underneath to pop up any which are not sitting flush. Once you've tiled the surface, allow 24 hours for it to dry completely before applying grout.
 
How much does tiling a bathroom cost?
The cost of tiling a bathroom depends on many factors, including the size of the room, whether you are tiling walls or floors, and if you are using any non-tile fixtures. The price will also vary depending on where you live as labour costs vary from one area to another. However, on average, the cost of tiling a bathroom is around £1000.
 
How long would it take to tile a bathroom?
It will take you around 15-20 hours to tile a bathroom measuring roughly 5m², with the drying time included. Allow around 2-3 days of work if your tiles need grouting too. Do remember that time is money and these prices are just estimated, so get quotes from several tradesmen to help you narrow down your decision.
 
What tiles should I use to tile a bathroom?
You can actually tile a bathroom with any type of tile, including porcelain, mosaic, ceramic or natural stone tiles. But if you are on a budget and your aim is to simply finish the job as soon as possible, using large format porcelain or ceramic floor tiles is the best and most cost-effective solution. Tiles that are 8" x 16" are ideal.
 
How to measure for tile installation
When measuring for tiles, it is important to take into account the expansion gap that you will need to begin with. There are two types of gaps - horizontal and vertical.
 
The horizontal gap is from one wall to another. You need a space equal to half a tile next to each wall. So if your tiles are 8" wide, then you need to leave a gap of 16" between the walls.
Vertical gaps are from the floor to the ceiling. You will need a full tile's worth, plus about 1/8"-1/4" for expansion.