Installing bathroom wall tiles can be a great idea, when you want to renovate your house, or you just want to change the look of your bathroom. It is an easy job that you can do without hiring a contractor or a professional.
Tiling Your Bathroom Wall
The materials and tools you will require to tile your bathroom wall are given below: Tile Grout Tiles 4 ft level Measurement Tape Sponge Notched Trowel Tile Adhesive Tile Spacers Rubber Float Selecting the Tiles
There is a wide variety of bathroom wall tiles available. Choose the tiles such that they complement the bathroom interior like bathtub and sink. Before we move on to the procedure of how to tile a bathroom wall, you need to first understand the various options of tiles available to tile a bathroom. Following is a list of different types of bathroom tiles, select the type of tile that will satisfy your needs and fit your budget.
Ceramic Tiles: These are the most popular bathroom wall tiles. They come in various patterns and colors and hence are the most favored bathroom tiles.
Mosaic Tiles: Using a mosaic tile can give your bathroom an innovative look. They have wide applications in interior designing.
Glass Tiles: These tiles are a very good option when you want a design on the bathroom wall. However, working with glass tiles requires skills and is challenging. They come in various shapes, sizes and colors.
Stone Tiles: These tiles are naturally resistant to water and give your bathroom a beautiful natural look. They are expensive and heavy and so installation is different as also difficult. Marble tiles, granite tiles and travertine tiles are various types of popular stone tiles.
The method that we are discussing here, pertains to the installation of ceramic tiles, as these tiles are the most popularly used.
Preparation
Measure the wall area that is to be covered with tiles. Consult a nearby interior decoration store, so that they can guide you with the number of tiles and the size of the backer board you will require. Check for any holes in the wall and patch them up. It is recommended that you use a cement backer board. They are half inch thick and come in sizes of 5X8 feet length and width. Choose the appropriate backer board and install them using drilling machine and screws.
Working on the Layout
Find out the center of the wall with the help of the measurements taken before. Installation should always begin at the center of the wall and end at the edges because bathroom walls are never perfectly square. Starting from the midpoint of the wall, chalk the outlines of the tiles to form a layout of all the tiles to be installed. Ensure symmetry, leveling and proper right angled squares while drawing the layout on the backer board. Mark the areas for any plumbing fixtures and modify the layout accordingly.
Installation of Tiles
Start from the center line and apply coat of adhesive with the help of the smooth side of a notched trowel. Use the notched side of the trowel to spread the adhesive. Work in sections while applying the adhesive to the backer board. Fix the first tile at the center of the layout in a twisted motion to ensure that it has adhered properly. Similarly place remaining tiles on the backer board. Place the tile spacers after installing each tile so that the width of the grout line between the tiles will be consistent. At the ends of the walls, you may have to cut the tiles so that they fit into the layout. Use a tile cutter for the same and use a higher grit sandpaper to smoothen the edges. Leave the adhesive for an overnight to dry.
Grouting
Once you are done with installation of bathroom tiles, start with the grouting. Choose a grout that is suitable for the grout width of the tiles. For grout width more than 1/8 inches sanded grout is used, else unsanded grout is used. Prepare the grout according to the manufacturer's direction and take out all the tile spacers. Ensure that the grout you are using is waterproof. With the help of a rubber float, apply the grout between the tiles using a diagonal motion to the grout lines. See that you apply grout thoroughly and the grout has reached the base of the spaces. Rub out the extra grout with the help of a wet sponge. Leave the grout to dry and clean the surface with a wet cloth gently, to remove any grout remains on the tile. The grout should be left for one more day and check out for any grout marks.
You can also apply a grout sealer if you want to, after a week of installation. Now that you know how to tile bathroom wall, you can re-tile your bathroom and improve its decor. Accuracy and proper layout are the two basic needs when installing bathroom wall tiles.
