How to retile tile your bathroom wall

Retiling your bathroom tiles can help breathe vibrancy and vitality into your old bathroom. Tiles can help create a unique environment and are much more water resistant than traditional bathroom walls. Today, we will walk you through how to retile your bathroom so you can easily undertake this project for yourself. So why would you need to retile your bathroom walls?

Here are 3 common reasons why you would consider this project: 

1. Minor Updates to your current bathroom design

Changing the aesthetics of your bathroom can greatly impact it’s look and feel. Retiling your bathroom wall can add a different material and alter your bathroom’s look to match new fixtures or vanities. It can also be a great opportunity to install a higher quality material to avoid future headaches. 

2. Fixing or replacing cracked old tiles

Tiles will eventually crack and degrade over time with use, so it’s important to fix or replace your tiles to prevent damages and other dangers. Similarly, you can also replace the grout or just reseal your bathroom to prevent water damages.

3. Full remodel of bathroom

The last reason is just a full remodel of your bathroom. A full remodel allows you to change any aspect of your bathroom and start from scratch. Installing newer, high quality tile can also save you from future headaches as your install is the same and can be quite time consuming.  

To begin retiling your bathroom wall, you will need the following items: 

• Hammer
• Thick gloves
• Eye protection/goggles
• Hole saw 
• Tile Spacers 
• Masking Tape
• Grout mix 
• Sheeting 
• Drywall
• Trowel 
• Drill
• Leveler 
• Water Resistant Silicone caulk  
• Tiles
• Tile surface guard 

How to retile your bathroom wall. 

Now, with all your equipment gathered, you can begin to remove the tile from your bathroom wall and retile it. 

1. Prep the area

The first stage of installing new tile is to prep the area you need to install. This step involves cleaning the area and removing any existing tile or pre-existing wall panels that may exist. To remove your existing tile, you will need to remove the existing grout on your wall. This can be accomplished with either a chisel and hammer or a rotary saw. Ensure that you have proper protection if you decide to use an electrical saw to remove the tile. You will need to remove all existing tile and ensure that your wall surface is smooth and clean to allow for proper adhesion between your new tile. 

2. Prep your new tile design

Before you begin laying out your tiles, you need to prep your new design. This requires you to lay out and plan how you want to set up your tile so you can avoid any overlaps and uneven surfaces. Having a proper layout also allows you to avoid narrow rows of cut tiles which is aesthetically much nicer. Using your measuring tape, mark out the designated area of your installation and place appropriate spacers to prep the area you are installing over. 

3. Mark and Measure the tile with chalk

Similar to the step previous, you will need to mark and measure your tile with chalk. Be sure to measure your tile exactly to ensure that you have even spacing on your wall. If it does not fit, you will need to cut your tile to an appropriate size to ensure an even distribution. Even tile distribution also ensures that there are no gaps for moisture to get trapped and creates a smooth surface for installation. 

4. Make your thinset

After you have planned out your tile layout, it is now time to prepare your thinset. Not to be confused with grout, thinset is required to bond and stick to the backboard of your wall. Composed of an adhesive of cement, fine sand, water and some latex and polymer additives, thinset can support a large range of tile installation.  However, before you choose a thinset for your bathroom, you need to determine what kind of material your tile is and what kind of material you are installation over.

If you are unsure of which type of thinset to use, consult a professional to ensure that your thinset has maximum bonding strength to the tile of your choice. Afterwards, you will need to mix your thinset according to manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to mix your thinset in stages within a large bucket. Never mix a whole bag and keep mixing until you reach the proper consistency. 

5. Add your thinset to the wall with your trowel

With your thinset picked out, you can now begin applying your thinset to the wall. Using your trowel, apply a generous amount over the wall surface, making sure to smooth out the thinset as much as possible. Remember never to use more thinset than you can work with as thinset dries very quickly as it’s trowled out. Tile requires a minimum of 80% and 95% coverage in exteriors and wet environments so it is crucial that your tile is properly covered. Start by keying the thinset into the substrate with the flat side of the trowel, then hold the flat side of your trowel at a 45 degree angle to the substrate and pull away from your body, making sure to change direction with each pull. Do your best to comb the mortar in straight lines.  

6. Add your first tile to the wall with spacer

Using your spacers, you can place the tile over the thinset that you applied. Place spacers at each corner of the tile which you can then push the tiles together until the next tile hits the spacer. This will ensure that you have an even gap between where all the tiles meet. 

7. Measure, space and place your next tiles

After your first tile is installed, you can use your existing spacers to fill in the next tiles. Your spacers will ensure even space between all tiles for later grout additions, so you simply need to measure out the space for your remaining tiles. Simply repeat this process until all your tiles are filled.  

8. Add the grout

After your tiles have been placed, you can now add grout. Grout ensures that your wall will have a crisp finished appearance while keeping out dirt and debris that might get in between your tiles. The spacers have created an equal amount of space on the wall, allowing you to easily apply grout in the gaps created. This will also create a more rigid and stronger install for your tiles as they are both bonded to the wall and are adhered to each other as well. Using a trowel and another bucket of water, you will apply grout across all your tile, then use water to gently wipe away grout from the surface of your tile, making sure not to take any of the joint tile grout with it. 

9. Set the waterproof tile protecting agent for 24hrs

Lastly, we are applying a waterproof tile agent to the tile. This will come in either a spray or a paste. The type of waterproof agent you will buy will depend on the material of the tile you have chosen. Ensure that you have covered all the primary joints of your tile and allow the agent to set for at least 24 hours. 

10. Clean up

With most of your installation complete, you simply need to wait for everything to dry. Ensure that you allow your wall to dry for at least 24-48 hours before using.   

Popular Tile Choices for 2023

Here are some popular tile choices of 2023 to help you get started:

1. Porcelain Hexagon Mosiac-Hexagon and other geometric shapes are quite popular as they can be laid down to create a uniform look or you can mix and match different materials such as porcelain and ceramic to create a unique texture and add more depth to your walls. 

2. Ceramic Subway-Subway tile refers to a series of large rectangular tiles usually 3×6 inches that are laid horizontally to each either. They are generally made from ceramic or porcelain and are popular due to their affordability. Although they are typically horizontal but their placement is ultimately up to you, as you can do a herringbone or use a vertical offset. The addition of different colors will also bring vibrancy and character to the wall.  

3. Checkered-Alternating checker patterns have always been popular as they allow you to blend different colors into your wall. Consider using a different material for each color change to really compliment the rest of the space with more depth and character. Alternatively, black and white is a classic pairing that works well in both modern and classic spaces. 

4. Wood-look Tile-Natural colors will always be a popular part of the bathroom space, and tiles that emulate the look of wood are a popular choice. Normal wood will need to be treated and sealed to survive the humidity of the bathroom, but laminate and synthetic materials can emulate wood without any of these drawbacks. 

5. Terrazzo-Terrazo is gaining popularity as it is a stone composite material that contains trace elements of marble, quartz, granite or glass. The result is a material that emulates the look and feel of natural stone but is much more affordable and easier to install, giving your bathroom a luxurious look. 

6. Matte Porcelain-Matte porcelain retains all the benefits of porcelain but without the high shine that the material has. It’s matte qualities also makes it easier to pair with other bathroom elements compared to traditional porcelain. Popular color choices include white, greys and deep blues. Matte colors generally are also smoother to the touch when compared to their counterparts. 

7. Vinyl Planks-A popular addition to the home as they are inexpensive to install and replace. Vinyl planks can be installed the wall and can be made to emulate any color or material you want, giving you a great deal of flexibility when it comes to design. 

8. Matte Ceramic-Matte ceramic tiles generally have a more dull tone than traditional ceramic, making them more ideal for more relaxing spaces. Consider matte colors if you have darker fixtures such as black or grey, to make their features shine. 

9. Marble Mosiac-A classic style as marble is durable and provides a clean and high-quality aesthetic. A solid color can make your bathroom appear more spacious while alternating colors or patterns can provide your bathroom with more depth. 

10. Earth Tone-Earth tone tiles refer to any tile that has a warm color, similar to natural materials, and landscapes. These colors are always popular as they help to transform your bathroom into a more grounded and serene environment. Consider adding metallic elements such as brass or gold accents or even wood to amplify this visual. 

Should you hire a professional for retile?

A professional can bring a great deal of experience and understanding to any project. They are, however, very expensive and you must conform to their schedule. Also, although retiling your wall is a straightforward project, it is fairly time and labor-intensive. You will need to do your research to ensure that you understand what kind of material you are installing onto what backboard or substrate. In short: 

Pros:

• Understands the work-Professionals understand the work, reducing the chance for mistakes and potential damage to your home. They can also detect any potential problems with your project and ensure your home is adequate prepared for this remodel project and any future projects as well. 
• Can handle the labor portion-Retiling your bathroom wall is very labor intensive and professionals will handle this portion so you don’t have to. This also eliminates any potential injury you may incur doing this project yourself. 
• Understands the material you are working with-Professionals have immense experience with all types of tile material, meaning they know how to cut and install various types. If you do this project yourself, you will have to cut your own tile which is both labor and cost intensive, so leave it to the professionals. 
• Will save you a great deal of time-Most importantly, professionals have a large degree of manpower available to them. So rather than having just one individual install tile, they usually have 4-5 others to help install tile, cutting down on the time needed to complete the project. 

Cons:

• Can be expensive-Professionals aren’t cheap, so if you want to hire them, expect to pay between 3-4 times the cost of doing the project yourself. However, you should consider the extra cost as a means of eliminating the individual hassle of doing the project yourself. 
• Cannot complete project on your own time table-Professionals have a tight schedule so you simply need to follow their time table for completion on a project. There really isn’t negotiating their schedule, so you do not have a definite time for when your project will be completed. 
• Quality can vary-Depending on the contractors you hire, your quality can vary. Be sure to compare their references and do research before you hire them for the job to avoid any potential headaches. 

Benefits of DIY

Retiling your bathroom yourself can provide your home with a few benefits, mainly cost. 

Pros

Retile at your own pace/no set time table-Doing it yourself means you don’t have to conform to someone else’s schedule and you can finish the project at your own pace. 

No install costs-Install costs and hiring a professional can and will get very pricey with material and labor costs. Doing it yourself means you only pay for the material costs and nothing else, which will heavily reduce your project cost. 

Room to experiment/make mistakes-With a reduced project cost, you can invest in better materials and experiment with different patterns and designs to see what fits for your space.

Cons

Can be quite labor intensive-Doing it yourself will mean doing all tasks, including lifting and hauling materials from your home which can be quite taxing and exhausting over a long period of time. Although you don’t have to worry about paying someone to install your tile, you will have to replace and install all elements yourself.

Can cause damage-Depending on your experience, you could cause damage to your home if you aren’t careful with installing new materials or removing any existing ones. Refrain from handling any plumbing or electrical elements, please. 

Can be dangerous if you are inexperienced-Redocorating and remodeling will require you to handle many elements that can be toxic or dangerous if you have little experience with them. If you are unsure of something, consult a professional. 

Quality will vary depending on your experience-Retiling your bathroom will require you to ensure proper adhesion to the wall, otherwise, your tile won’t stick or hold. You must ensure that you properly install your tile the first time, or you will have gaps between your tile which can lead to mold, breaks in your grout, or damage to your home’s structure. 

Common Questions associated with retiling

1. Can I tile my bathroom wall by myself?

Yes, you can tile your bathroom by yourself. However, it will be incredibly labor and time-intensive. In many ways, hiring a professional for retiling and saving your DIY efforts for other projects is highly recommended.

2. What is the cheapest way to retile a bathroom?

• These are some ways to reduce your overall costs:
• You want to choose larger sized tiles whenever possible as the smaller the tile, the more expensive and time-consuming it will be to cut and install. 
• Opt for a basic pattern or design to reduce costs. 
• You can remove the old tile yourself before hiring a professional. 
• Use high-end material for accents or borders instead of your base material
• Consider reglazing your tile rather than replacing it. 

3. How long does it take to retile my bathroom?

Depending on the availability of material, you can expect to complete your bathroom walls within 24 hours. If your space is much larger, expect between 4-6 weeks for completion. This number will ultimately depend on the size of your space, the availability of materials, and your design requirements. 

Retiling your wall can easily breathe new life into your home. However, remember that it is a fairly labor and time intensive project. So do the proper research and understand the material you want and the material of your home before attempting this for yourself.

Eric Jensen

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.