Here are our fully tiled bathroom walls guide with pros and cons, cost, and differences between full and halfway tiled bathroom walls to help you choose the best design for your home.
Tiled bathrooms are considered classic, and it’s not a surprise because it makes them look cleaner and lighter. There are different kinds of tiles you can try out, as well as various designs.
It can be stressful to start with zero knowledge of tiled bathrooms. This is the chance to learn more about a full tile wall design.
Quicklist: Pros and Cons of Fully-Tiled Walls
Pros
- Durable
- Cost-Effective
- Flexible
- Water Resistant
- Easy Maintenance
- Unique Designs
- Creates Spacious Spaces
Cons
- Not a Good Insulator
- Can Be Slippery
- Heavy
- Needs a Professional to Install
- Removal or Renovation Can be Expensive
Tile Entire Bathroom Pros and Cons
Are you planning to get your bathroom walls tiled but don’t know if it’s right? One thing that can help you make a decision is by weighing its pros and cons.
By knowing the benefits you can get and the possible problems you may encounter, you will better grasp what you need and can handle.
Here are the pros and cons you can expect from choosing to tile your bathroom walls fully.
Pros of Fully Tiled Bathroom Walls
These bathroom walls have several advantages you can benefit from. Here are some of these benefits:
Durable
Tiles are durable, and when you use a good quality one with excellent installation and good maintenance, your porcelain tiled walls can last up to 20 years.
Cost-effective
Tiling is an affordable option for your bathroom wall since it is cheaper than hardwood flooring. There are also cheaper materials available, and you can save money on other costs like skimming and painting.
Water Resistant
Tiles are water-resistant, which makes them perfect to be used on your bathroom walls.
Flexible and Unique Designs
There are abundant tile designs available for your picking, and tiles with different shapes, textures, and colors! Check our gallery of modern bathroom design ideas.
Makes the Room Look Spacious
Bathrooms are smaller than other rooms in the home, so installing something that will make it feel bigger is always a good option. Read more about small bathroom ideas here.
Easy Maintenance
Tiles are easy to clean and maintain, so if you have fully tiled walls, you won’t have to spend too much or exert effort on them. A vacuum, wet cloth and a broom will do.
Cons of Fully Tiled Bathroom Walls
Once you choose to have fully tiled walls, there are some disadvantages you should expect.
Cold
Tiles do not hold heat well, so winter can be quite cold. This won’t be a problem if you choose fully tiled bathroom floors rather than tiled flooring.
Imbalance
When not properly installed, the tiling job can be easily imbalanced in certain areas, especially if you’re doing a backsplash wall. I
It’s important to ensure the tiles are balanced in all four corners. Before installing the tiles, the surface must be tested for flatness. If issues are encountered, these must be addressed first before installing the said tiles. [Source: CTEF]
Hard and Slippery
Tiles are naturally hard. It can be slippery when standing on tiled flooring. This won’t be much of a problem with fully tiled bathroom walls.
Heavy
If your toilet is on the upper floors, ensure the structure can handle the weight of the tiles you’re about to install. Tiles are heavy, and so can put extra stress on the structure.
Expensive Overhaul
Renovating will require removing and replacing everything, which can be very expensive.
Why Tile Bathroom Walls
After learning more about the pros and cons you can get from choosing fully tiled bathroom walls, have you decided on what to do? If you’re still unsure about tile bathroom walls, here are the reasons you can also consider.
- Tiles allow light to bounce, which will make your bathroom look brighter and wider
- Choosing tiled walls means cutting material costs if you choose other wall options
- Partially tiled bathroom walls normally have mold problems, which you won’t have to experience with fully tiled walls. And this can be annoying since bathrooms are almost always wet and moist.
Fully Tiled Bathroom Designs
Tiles are a timeless choice for bathroom designs because they are much more water-resistant than drywall or plaster. Furthermore, tiling your vanity makes a dramatic statement. Deciding whether a bathroom should be fully tiled is a personal style preference.
A fully tiled bathroom is a contemporary trend found mostly in luxury homes, and homeowners love the cohesive look of fully tiled walls.
Some of the key benefits of having fully tiled bathroom walls are that tiles have water-resistant qualities, creating a waterproof barrier and protecting the drywall from moisture.
The surface of glass tiles is easy to clean and maintain in wet environments such as the bathroom, where mold and mildew can grow easily.
Tiles conduct heat much better and retain heat more than other materials making them a perfect match for radiant heating. Ceramic and stone tiles are ideal for radiant heating since it keeps cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
If maintained properly, ceramic tiles can last for 75 years or more, while stone tiles can last for over a hundred years because tiles are exceptionally durable and extremely hard material.
A fully tiled bathroom offers a high cost-effectiveness since you pay less over time because tiles last longer and don’t need to be replaced often. Using natural ceramic and stone tiles doesn’t give off VOCs that can pollute the air and can be harmful to health.
Since tiles come in various colors and styles, the possibility of creating modern customized designs is limitless. The seamless finish that tiles bring adds an aesthetic appeal to the bathroom, and incorporating a unique blend of tiles is like having a work of art in your home.
For instance, mosaic tiles can bring a touch of Modernist style, whereas adding metal tiles as accents creates a luxurious vibe for the bathroom.
While full tiles offer an exquisite aesthetic to the bathroom, there are also some significant disadvantages.
The first factor is the cost implication of having a full-tiled bathroom; tile installation requires a lot of work preparations, the cost of tile product, and all other additional materials needed. Top that with having to match the right plumbing hardware with the tiles to create a particular aesthetic.
As mentioned, it’s easy to wipe down and clean the surface of the tiles; however, since the grout is porous, cleaning is tedious and requires extra maintenance.
Moisture, soap scum, and mineral deposits get trapped in the grout, and molds begin to grow, which eventually causes stains and damage. To avoid this, the grout must be sealed once or twice yearly, which costs more time and money.
Bathroom walls must be completely leveled before tiles can be installed; otherwise, it can be difficult to repair any breakage, and there is a possibility that you might have to replace an entire section. Also, remember that tiles are fragile and lightweight materials that easily break upon impact.
“When shopping for tile, keep in mind that tiles that are at least 6 inches x 6 inches are easier to install than small tiles, because they require less cutting and cover more surface area.” – Editors of Cool Springs Press, Chris Peterson, Black and Decker The Complete Guide to Bathrooms 6th Edition
On the other hand, decorating a half-tiled bathroom will be more economical since there are fewer tiles needed, and installation will take less time, which means less labor cost.
Also, since a half-tiled bathroom covers a smaller area, you can choose premium tiles that create a focal point. Half-tiled bathroom walls would mean having more upper wall space and hanging mirrors and other accessories, such as shelves and rails.
There will also be lesser grout to keep clean and maintain. The half-tiled bathroom is a timeless décor option that allows you to express creativity by incorporating other finishing options, such as creating pattern styles and combining tiles with paint colors, wallpaper, and other cladding materials.
Fully Tiled Bathroom Cost
Another element that should be discussed before you dive deep into fully tiled bathroom walls is cost.
Tiles can be affordable, but like all project materials, the cost is highly affected by the specific materials used. If you choose tiles with higher quality, expect higher costs.
If you choose lower-end tiles, expect lower costs. See the popular types of bathroom tiles here.
The good thing is that there’s always a middle ground. Find the material that fits your budget and your vision of what you want your bathroom walls to be.
To be specific with the cost, though, the average cost is $12.50 per square foot (including the materials and the labor). The entire project can range from $450 to $10,000.
This can change depending on how big your bathroom is, what tile you install, and how long it takes to complete the tiling.
The labor costs between $600 and $800, so if you know how to install the tiles, this can save you a lot of money.
Whatever you decide, ensure you have enough budget before starting the project. And don’t forget to shop for prices of the different tiles to help you budget your money!
A Fully Tiled Bathroom Wall vs Half Way Tiled
Before shopping for tiles, make sure your decision is final. It will be much harder if you’re already in the middle of the project and suddenly decide to go for halfway-tiled bathroom walls.
Here are the differences between a fully tiled bathroom wall and a halfway tile bathroom wall. Hopefully, this can help you make up your mind.
| Fully Tiled Bathroom Walls | Halfway Tiled Bathroom Walls |
| Easy Maintenance | Possible Mold Problem |
| Restricted to Choice of tiles | Flexible Decoration Options |
| Less Material Cost (Painting, skirting, etc.) | Skirting Boards Required |
| Expensive Overhaul | Affordable/Inexpensive Renovation |
| No Decorations are Needed except Tiling | Possible Imbalanced Design & Style |
| Difficult-to-Fit Shelves | Flexible to Accommodate Decor/Accessories |
| Increased Tiling Costs | Option to Choose Premium Tiles (Smaller Area Coverage |
| Creates Spacious Feel | Bathroom Size As Is |
In conclusion, whether you opt for a fully-tiled or half-tiled bathroom, tiles are the best finishing material due to their wide variety of colors and textures, making any design possible. Tiles are durable, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, moisture-resistant, and clean up easily.
Choosing whether to have fully-tiled or halfway-tiled bathroom walls depends on you. With this information, though, it won’t be as stressful as not knowing anything at all.
Make sure to weigh your options and consider all elements that can help you! For more ideas, you can also visit our guide to the best tile for shower walls.