Tiling Bathrooms..

jerome8283 · 09-15-2006, 09:29 AM

Has anyone tiled a bathroom themselves? If yes, how did it come out? How long did it take you? I'm pretty handy and considering the quote I got from a contractor, I'm considering tackling this myself.

KUIPORNG · 09-15-2006, 09:57 AM

I tile kitchen wall before, Don't think there is much different than tiling bathroom wall...

in my case, my output is better than my neighbour who hire contractor to do the job...

why...

- contractor gives them a fix price... quite low... but they did a quite nossy job : use cheap tiles.. grout got holes... some grout got fell out...

- mine use beatiful good tiles... with some expensive inserts (art tiles)... solid grouting... solid layout... no cutting corner... tile behind the stove...etc...

I end up cost a little bit less than my neighbour but a much better result... the cost is just a little bit because I use very good materials, not cheap stuff...

so if you are going to pay for contractor to do it... contract price cannot tell the full picture... see above example you know...

If you are going to do it yourself, you have to read a good tiling book... there are some important techinque likey tile layout... you don't know those by common sense...

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 09-15-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUI****G

If you are going to do it yourself, you have to read a good tiling book... there are some important techinque likey tile layout... you don't know those by common sense...

Good advice

jerome8283 · 09-15-2006, 10:04 AM

Thanks guys. I did think about purchasing a book just last night and will do so.

billinak · 09-15-2006, 02:56 PM

I did mine last year; basic white running bond with 4x4 tiles with green glass tile accents running around the whole room. I tiled the entire shower, then brought it out as 'wainscoting' about 4 feet up the walls in the rest of the bathroom. It turned out great and I've had a lot of compliments on it. I chose the running bond because it's easier to hide some of the imperfections because the walls weren't straight. I also started with complete or full half tiles in the corner that is most easily seen, so the cut tiles are in the corner that is less obvious, behind the shower curtain. Good luck!

jerome8283 · 09-15-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billinak

I did mine last year; basic white running bond with 4x4 tiles with green glass tile accents running around the whole room. I tiled the entire shower, then brought it out as 'wainscoting' about 4 feet up the walls in the rest of the bathroom. It turned out great and I've had a lot of compliments on it. I chose the running bond because it's easier to hide some of the imperfections because the walls weren't straight. I also started with complete or full half tiles in the corner that is most easily seen, so the cut tiles are in the corner that is less obvious, behind the shower curtain. Good luck!

Do you have pics you can share?

ththomps · 09-15-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUI****G

... there are some important techinque likey tile layout... you don't know those by common sense...

I would strongly agree with Kui****g on the techniques. You will also have to take into consideration, what the tools are going to cost you, Figure a diamond saw (wet), you can get these for about $100.00 now in one of the major hardware vendors. You will also want to have nippers, spacers, buckets, trowel, etc. You can buy pretty decent "Kits" now at the hardware store, and one of those saws will easily last you multiple projects before you have to replace a blade.

If the size of your bathroom is small and you don't plan on another tile project, it may be worth it to let a contractor just do the work for you.

One thing that will help cut down on cost would be if you could get a rate from someone who would do the tiling work for you after you have done the teardown (Remove the current Floor Items such as sink, toilet, etc) remove the current wall items if you are doing walls, etc. If you are going to do Concrete backer board you could remove the old wall, flooring and have those items in place for a handy man to come in and do the actual layout and tiling. Often a heafty piece of the cost is the tear down and the disposal.

Tom

billinak · 09-15-2006, 06:04 PM

I'll see if I can post some pics this weekend. After the bathroom turned out so well, I'm thinking of tiling the wall behind the stove in our kitchen.

jerome8283 · 09-15-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ththomps

I would strongly agree with Kui****g on the techniques. You will also have to take into consideration, what the tools are going to cost you, Figure a diamond saw (wet), you can get these for about $100.00 now in one of the major hardware vendors. You will also want to have nippers, spacers, buckets, trowel, etc. You can buy pretty decent "Kits" now at the hardware store, and one of those saws will easily last you multiple projects before you have to replace a blade.

If the size of your bathroom is small and you don't plan on another tile project, it may be worth it to let a contractor just do the work for you.

One thing that will help cut down on cost would be if you could get a rate from someone who would do the tiling work for you after you have done the teardown (Remove the current Floor Items such as sink, toilet, etc) remove the current wall items if you are doing walls, etc. If you are going to do Concrete backer board you could remove the old wall, flooring and have those items in place for a handy man to come in and do the actual layout and tiling. Often a heafty piece of the cost is the tear down and the disposal.

Tom

Good ideas Tom! The quote I received was $2,200, not including material. The bathroom is small, approx, 42SF with two doors and this does not include tiling the tub since it is a tub/shower combo. I was considering renting the tools but that may prove more costly if I have them long enough.

billinak · 09-16-2006, 02:34 PM

Here's a few pictures of our bathroom. I wish I had some before/after pics, so I could show you the carpet on the floor and the wallpaper on the ceiling!

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...k/P9150161.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...k/P9150159.jpg

jerome8283 · 09-16-2006, 09:55 PM

Very Nice!

Not Sure · 09-17-2006, 07:24 AM

[quote=billinak;18350]Here's a few pictures of our bathroom.

Wow! Very nice tile job! Attractive bathroom!

KUIPORNG · 09-18-2006, 09:01 AM

if $2,200 US is only for labour tiling, not include putting up the drywalls, I would go for DIY myself, for DIY, if you are not using marbles, you can buy small duty hand cutter and do everything the cost for equipments should be less than $100... so in theory, you save youself $2100 US for labours...

jerome8283 · 09-18-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUI****G

if $2,200 US is only for labour tiling, not include putting up the drywalls, I would go for DIY myself, for DIY, if you are not using marbles, you can buy small duty hand cutter and do everything the cost for equipments should be less than $100... so in theory, you save youself $2100 US for labours...

Drywall exists already. Also, there is an existing tile floor that will come up.

KUIPORNG · 09-18-2006, 10:24 AM

Well if there is existing tiles you need to pull out, that prbably means damaging the drywalls and that probably means reinstalling drywalls... that is labour works making the 2200 more justifly... although I never done tearing down things... don't know if it will damage existing drywalls... but wouldn't surprise it will do so as the cement is really strong...

anyhow... I will still DIY... consider the knowledge you will gain after doing this project... book reading is still a key to success rather than just jump right into it...