Tiling and Tile paint question

foxy_pepper

We have recently bought a new bathroom (currently sitting in our spare room ready to be fitted). But are having a dilemma with what to do with the tiles. All 4 wall are tiled to around chest height so there are alot of them! Plus there is a built in shower enclosure which is tiled to the ceiling.
We don't want to be spending mega bucks and are reluctant to tale the tiles down as it is only plaster board underneath.
Do we:
Try tile paint, if we prepare the surface properly and take our time will the finish be good enough or look cheap? Just want the tiles to be white to match the new suite, they are currenntly a creamy/off white. Would be great to hear from people who have used tile paint.
or
Tile over the top of the existing tiles, bearing in mind it is a large area

All adive is warmly welcome!;)

startrekker

Depends.
In the long term if you are hoping to stay long term then its tiles off, a bit of skimming with plaster and new tiles on...short term....tile paint........ re-tiling over existing is ok , if done properly. Me personally.....take the tiles off, any plastering will be rough as the adhesive you put on should cover the discreptions in the plastering.................DIY save some money

Whistling_Gypsy

I've used tile paint in the past for bathroom (fully tiled) and kitchen (4 tiles deep above worktop) and had fairly good results. So long as the existing tiles are in good condition, and you do the recommended prep thoroughly, it can certainly improve the look of tired tiles or provide a much cheaper alternative to stripping them all off and re-tiling (though the products I looked into certainly weren't cheap!).
If you have any patterned/embossed tiles - they will show through (mine did after 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of tile paint) - you'll have to decide whether you can live with this! I didn't think the results looked cheap - but for me this certainly was a 'quick fix' to sell the house (and the fact that I could NOT live with a lime-green tiled bathroom even short term!!)
I do agree with startrekker though - I'd always go for the tiles off and skimming option! Gives you a warmer feeling room, and the option to re-paint the walls too!

PS Removing tiles with a big old power drill is ace!:T

Lizzy

If you are planning on living there yourself I would advise AGAINST painting the tiles. It will come off in bits and bobs over the next few months. Water is a very corrosive material. It makes sand out of mountains so a bit of tile paint is no trouble to it at all. It has been one of my biggest DIY mistakes !!!!!

Peartree

You can get a decent finish on tiles but it isn't long lived - probably best as a solution to ugly tiles only when you're trying to sell!

Tiling over an existing tile finish works well but if you don't want the 'public swimming pool' effect of loads of tiles, why not consider using tongue and groove over the tiles? It looks nice in a bathroom and would be considerably cheaper than tiles. I think you can get 'pretend' tongue and groove in larger sheets. You could then spend the saving on some really nice tiles for the shower enclosure.

I had hideous floor to ceiling orange patterned tiles at one end of my (large) bathroom when I moved in. I knew that the wall would come with them if they were taken off and did not want the uber-tiled look so covered them up with sheets of marine ply with beading at the edges. I've wallpapered over the ply and five years' on you'd never know they'd been there.

Peartree

never_enough

I've used tile paint on a flat that I was selling. I nearly killed myself with the fumes and it needed 2 coats but it looked great in the end. Current bathroom had the same treatment (3 fully tiled walls) by the previous owners & I cant wait to strip them off & retile. The paint has flaked off around the shower as water has got in behind it~looks horrid. It was white, now going grey. I don't know what paint they used, but I used International. I'd say you'll be happier to retile, the paint is only a short term fix.

sjrinteriors

Id never recommend painting tiles.. The look does'nt last and its a waste of time and money. I wouldnt recommend T&G either.. Although it can look nice, the look will eventually wear thin. Why spoil the look of your new bathroom..!!!!

I suggest tiling.....

If the current tiles are on plasterboard this shouldnt put you off stripping them off.. Buy a cheapo chisel and use a decent hammer and they will work a treat.. Just have some patience tho.. Do go mad or you will start removing your plasterboard.

or

Tiling over exisiting tiles is also an option. Tiles, adhesive and grout need not be expensive.. Plenty of deals out there if your willing to look. Just dont by a ready mixed all in one adhesive/grout.. that stuff is utter crap...

Any job like replacing a bathroom or kitchen needs thought. If your not confident enough to do it yourself and dont want to pay someone else to do it, I suggest leaving well alone or you could end up with a big mess..

emilyt

Lizzy wrote:

If you are planning on living there yourself I would advise AGAINST painting the tiles. It will come off in bits and bobs over the next few months. Water is a very corrosive material. It makes sand out of mountains so a bit of tile paint is no trouble to it at all. It has been one of my biggest DIY mistakes !!!!!

Couldn't agree more. We ended up taking all the tiles off and wish we had done that in the first place. Painting tiles is definately a no no.