Tile your bathroom
The Ultimate Guide to Bathroom Tiling Prices
Bathroom tiling is an extremely popular type of home tiling project. With most people choosing to have at least the walls and shower or bath area tiled, it’s a very common job. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s a simple process to figure out how much bathroom tiling is likely to cost. With a range of different options in terms of materials, as well as the different areas of the bathroom that may or may not be tiled, it can be a tricky process. Doing your research to figure out how much you’re likely to pay is vital, as having a good idea of the costs before you get started will make the whole project run far more smoothly.
So, in this guide, we’re going to cover the different types of bathroom tiling that people choose and give you some guidance on how much you could pay for your project. Of course, every bathroom is different, and variations in labour costs and materials will occur; but this ultimate guide to bathroom tiling prices should give you a good head start on your research.
The different types of bathroom tiling
The first thing to consider when it comes to your bathroom tiling project is the kind of tiling you’d like to install. Many people choose to tile their entire bathrooms, but there are a number of other areas that are frequently tiled.
Floors
Bathroom floors are tiled extremely often, with many people preferring tiles as they’re easier to clean and hygienic. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are often used on bathroom floors as they’re resistant to moisture and hard-wearing. This also makes them less slippery – an important safety consideration in a bathroom!
Walls
Many people choose to tile their bathroom walls, whether from floor-to-ceiling or just partially. Tiled walls can be decorative or plain, but whichever you choose they create a damp resistant, easy to clean surface that’s well suited to bathrooms.
Shower/bath splashbacks
The area around the shower or bath essentially requires tiling to protect the walls from water damage. These areas are nearly always tiled around bathrooms, especially if a shower is installed. There are still a range of kinds of tiles that can be used, and in some areas it may not be required to tile from floor to ceiling.
Sink / mirror / vanity splashbacks
Similarly, the area around the mirror, sink or vanity is also often tiled to protect the wall from any water damage. This can also be decorative, especially if done using mosaic or colourful tiles.
Tile materials
As well as the different areas of your bathroom that can be tiled, another aspect of tiling that you’ll need to consider is which material you’d like to use. Of course, this could be multiple materials – many people choose to use different floor tiles to shower or wall tiles, for example. The material you choose will have an effect on the overall price, as different materials are more expensive than others. Read on to find out more about the common types of tile used in bathroom tiling projects.
Ceramic
Ceramic tiles are affordable, as well as being durable and water resistant. They’re also available in a huge range of sizes, shapes and patterns. This makes them an extremely popular choice for all kinds of bathroom tiling projects.
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are more durable than ceramic options and also extremely water resistant, so these are very well suited to bathroom floors, walls and shower areas. They’re similarly available in a huge range of finishes and patterns, so you’re bound to find an option to suit your tastes.
Natural stone
As well as ceramic and porcelain, there are a wide range of natural stone tiles available on the market. These can vary hugely in price, with slate and marble typically on the cheaper end and limestone and granite on the more expensive side. Each type of material has its own distinctive appearance which can be extremely attractive depending on the style of your bathroom. However, some types of natural stone tiling can also be less durable than ceramic or porcelain, and some even require a specific maintenance routine. Make sure you speak to a reputable tiling company about the options when it comes to natural stone tiles.
Glass
Glass tiles aren’t well suited to bathroom floors, but they’re a popular choice for walls and sink/mirror splashbacks due to their distinctive appearance. Glass tiling can add a touch of class to a bathroom, but they can be challenging to install, so check with your tiling company if this is likely to add to the cost.
How much will my bathroom tiling project cost?
Now that you’ve got a good sense of the range of options for a bathroom tiling project, we’ll cover how each of these options are likely to affect the overall cost. Of course, every project is different, so you’ll need to think about how the choices you make will change how much your job is going to cost.
In the table to the right of this article, we’ve included a table which includes prices for a bathroom tiling project that account for the variations in materials and labour costs across the country. If you live in a more expensive area, the overall price you’ll pay for your job will be more than those lucky enough to live in cheaper ones. The prices quoted are for a medium sized bathroom tiling project, so if your bathroom is particularly small expect to pay less and if it’s larger, then you’ll pay more.
The primary thing that will affect the price of a bathroom tiling project is simply how much area will be tiled. If you’re getting your entire bathroom tiled and it’s a large space, then you could pay as much as £1200 or even more. However, for small bathrooms, it could be as little as £400-£500 to tile even the entire space. Of course, if you’re only getting the shower or sink area tiled, this will reduce the cost even further. Some tiling companies may be able to quote you based on the metres squared area you’d like to have tiled, so if you’re able to give a rough measurement, this can help you price your job quicker.
The other essential component of pricing a bathroom tiling project is the tile material you choose. The materials can be a massive part of the overall price, so it’s worth thinking carefully about the type of tiles you’re looking to have fitted. There can be deals to be had, so it’s worth shopping around, but in general ceramic tiles are the cheapest. Natural stones like slate, marble and limestone tend to be more expensive than ceramic, and are often comparable to porcelain options. At the more expensive end are some porcelain tiles, granite and glass.
The pattern you choose to have installed will also affect the cost of the tiling project, both in terms of the material cost and the labour taken to install them. Smaller tiles require more cutting and are therefore more expensive per m2, and installing smaller tiles is generally more challenging and therefore attracts a premium for the installation. This is particularly true for herringbone or mosaic patterns, as these require significantly more effort to install, while large tiles, fitted in a simple grid, will be the cheapest to have installed.
As well as these key factors in the cost of bathroom tiling, there are a few other things that could affect the price. As we’ve said, your location in the country will often make a difference to the overall cost of the project. Additionally, the condition of the bathroom could also make a difference. Generally, this would be a small component of the overall cost, but bathroom walls or floors in very poor condition that require a lot of preparatory work can add to the price. Accessibility is another factor that can sometimes add a small amount to the cost of your bathroom tiling project. If your bathroom is in a particularly hard to reach area of the home and access is an issue, this can add to the price as it’s more difficult to get materials and tools into the right place.
Before you start your bathroom tiling project, get quotes from a few reputable tiling companies and discuss every aspect of your project to get the best possible price.