Tricks for Installing Bathroom Wall Tiles

Tiles
  • 1-3 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 30-70
What You'll Need
Masking tape
Tile cutter
Cement wallboard
Carbide blade
Thinset mortar
Galzanized screws
What You'll Need
Masking tape
Tile cutter
Cement wallboard
Carbide blade
Thinset mortar
Galzanized screws

Installing bathroom wall tiles yourself is a fun project, but if you are not careful, it can be costly. The process itself is fairly simple, but masters of the craft have several tricks that they employ to make it easier on themselves. The following article shares several of those tricks that you can use to hopefully achieve the same professional results.

Tile Surface Preparation

Bathroom wall tiles can be installed on almost any surface, as long as it's properly prepared and flat. The surface also needs to support the weight of the tiles. First install cement wallboard. The cement wallboard can support the weight of the bathroom wall tiles. The wallboard will also withstand water.

Installing the wallboard is easy. Cut it with a carbide blade so that it fits in the area, then use thinset and galvanized screws to anchor it. Finish the preparation by using fiberglass tape along the seams, edges, and joints.

Tile Layout and Design

When laying out your bathroom wall tiles in a design or pattern, ensure that it is square. It is crucial to the layout of the tiles. When you are doing more than just solid colors, always start with the outline, working from the outside in. If you are doing solid colored tiles, work from inside to the outside.

Many professionals design the layout on paper to scale the space. Some will even create quadrants or sections, laying the tile on a table in the completed design. Putting it together is as simple as moving tiles from the table to the wall.

Tile Cutting

Installing bathroom wall tiles is simple until you have to cut tiles. The tiles come in standard sizes. The bathroom wall will not necessarily match the dimensions of the tiles, so you will need to cut tiles to fit along the edge of shower stall and tub. You will also need to cut tiles to fit around faucets, handrails, soap dishes .and other hardware.

Always measure twice prior to cutting any tiles, and make sure you have more tiles on hand in case you make a mistake. A great trick is to always cut tile from the back.

Mark the location of the cut on the front of the tile and place a piece of masking tape centered over the mark. Wrap the tape around to the back. Place the tile on the tile cutter face down and cut through the tape. Doing so prevents the tile from cracking, splintering, and causing enamel or paint to chip. Always cut the tile as you need it and not prior to installation, as measurements can change.