Retiling Your Bathroom

Retiling your bathroom is an easy way to breathe new life into your home. However, it is also a labor intensive and time-consuming project.

Kleiner prefers to choose larger tile sizes that create a crisp look and minimize grout lines. But he also likes to incorporate mosaic tiles for a playful touch.

Tiles

Tile is the perfect choice for bathrooms, offering durability, water resistance and a multitude of design possibilities. It comes in a variety of colors, shapes and textures and is easy to maintain, even when exposed to steam and humidity.

For the floor, consider a white, oversized subway tile that can create a fresh, clean look in any bathroom. For a more unique flooring, try Moroccan zellige tile, which is handmade and one-of-a-kind. Its natural-looking surface may not lay as flat as manufactured tiles but it adds visual interest to the space.

When laying bathroom floor tiles, always start in the corner and work out from there to ensure straight lines. Use a chinagraph pencil to mark up the area and make sure it is square with the wall. It’s best to “dry fit” the tiles before you apply mortar, so you can adjust as needed. This will prevent your tiles from becoming warped or cracked as the mortar sets.

Substrate

Retiling is a major bathroom remodeling project that can breathe life into a room and save money on future water damages. When retiling, you can add a different material to your walls or replace tiles that have become damaged or worn.

The type of tile you choose will have a significant impact on the overall cost of your project. Inexpensive travertine tile may cost $3-$5 per square foot, while hand-painted ceramic costs $15 per square foot.

You’ll also need a thin-set or mortar to adhere the new tiles to your wall. Depending on the complexity of your design, this could raise your retiling costs.

If you’re planning a complex design, hiring a professional contractor is the best way to go. They will have the equipment and know-how to cut and fit tiles into difficult spaces, which will help reduce the time the job takes and potentially your costs. A pro will also be able to source your materials from one retailer or manufacturer, which can reduce the amount you’ll spend in total on the project.

Tile Adhesives

Tile adhesives bond tiles to the substrate, ensuring they stay firmly in place on walls and floors. Some types are premixed and some are powders you mix yourself. Both have advantages and disadvantages depending on your project and the tile material.

The type of tile you choose will also influence the adhesive you use, with man-made ceramic and porcelain requiring different glue than travertine and marble. There are also specialty adhesives for situations like applying tile over an existing surface or installing tile in wet areas.

The most common types of tile adhesives are thinset mortars and mastic. Thinset is a classic choice because it works with most materials, is quick to dry and allows you to re-position tiles easily. Mastic has a sticky, gummy consistency that operates more like traditional glue and is ideal for vertical surfaces such as backsplashes. Its not recommended for floors, however, as it doesn’t have the strength of thinset and may fail to hold up to moisture.

Grout

Grout is an essential part of the tile-laying process. It adds color, fills the gaps between tiles and gives the floor a finished look. Grout is available in many colors that can either match the tile or offer contrasting color options.

There are several types of grout that differ in their mixture ratios and additives. Cementitious sanded and unsanded grout are popular choices for residential use. Both are formulated for gaps of up to 1/8-inch in size. Sanded grout contains sand that prevents the cement from shrinking, making it more durable. Cement grouts used to stain and are brittle, but polymers have been added to newer grouts to make them more flexible.

Epoxy grout is a more recent introduction that can be used for areas that are prone to acids and grease. This product is two parts, requires professional application and has a very short working window before it sets. Furan grout is similar to epoxy, but it contains a wax that protects against grease.

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