Deciding On A Bathroom Tile Budget

When it comes to renovating your home, the bathroom is usually the first room in the house you consider changing however budget can massively restrict how quickly you actually get around to the job!

Sometimes all that’s needed is a few square metres of tiles and a lick of paint but if you’re starting from scratch then this is the time to invest in the key parts of the project to ensure your bathroom stays perfect for years to come, in this blog we take you through the key steps of when to invest and what’s most important as well as a few style tips!

The answer to this is simple, how much can you spend and what condition is your bathroom in? The bare bones of your space are extremely important, especially in a bathroom. You need to ensure the room is properly watertight to avoid rot and other damage further down the line. If you’re bringing in a tradesman then opt for someone who has a plumbing background but is also an expert tiler, that way they’ll have a proper understanding of every part of the project. If you’re doing it yourself, research is the first vital step.

We’d recommend boarding up your space with a cement backer board like Hardibacker, they’re designed for walls and floors and create a smooth, water resistant substrate to work with. As it’s a bathroom it’s then a good idea to further waterproof the area, particular those areas that are going to be wet often, for example the shower area. We'd recommend waterproofing and tanking every surface. It’s a quick, fast curing liquid membrane that you just paint or roller on and it changes colour so you know when it’s dry, simple.

This is the best investment you can make for your bathroom to avoid any damage occurring in the future. So what else should you consider being the top priority for your budget? We’d say the floor tiles. Choosing a tile with a high slip resistance rating means you’re less likely to have a slip-related accident in your new space giving you and your family reassurance, it’s particularly essential if you want to create a wet room.

If you’re truly investing in the bathroom then it’s important to choose an overall bathroom design that suits you and your needs but also your personality, you’re going to be using it every day after all. So, it’s really important to choose bathroom tiles that you love. Having said that, there are a few things to consider when choosing tiles for a bathroom, some will save you money (and time!) but some will be less cost effective but beneficial in the long term.

1. Opt for porcelain where you can, this is particularly important for the floor. They’re harder wearing than ceramic tiles, usually they’re nano-sealed during manufacturing so you don’t have to worry about them staining but also, they’re more versatile with different underfloor heating


2. Avoid natural stone. Unless you’re willing to re-seal your walls and floors every six months then natural stone should be avoided in the bathroom. Not only is stone more expensive in the first place but it’s more susceptible to water absorption, staining and marking, not only is it costlier but you have the cost of the upkeep to consider too.


3. A big trend at the moment is marble and this can look stunning but real marble doesn’t like being wet, if not treated regularly, particularly white marble, it will begin to yellow and stain. So why not save some money by opting for a porcelain faux marble, it will look just as good whilst putting less strain on your budget.


4. Mosaics are a great way to add colour into a more neutral scheme, the average cost of mosaics can be high but when used in smaller areas, such as an alcove or a sink splashback they can brighten up a room for little expense.


5. For the walls, think about the laying pattern, a budget wall tile can look more expensive if you choose a more premium looking pattern like herringbone. Small tiles can also look more expensive when used in an alternative laying pattern like the white Subway tile.


6. Trims should also be a consideration point, investing a little extra in these edging pieces can make a space look more premium. Opt for a metal trim as it will wear much better than PVC and they also look a lot better too!

Style is completely subjective and down to taste but we’ve come up with three overarching themes to help guide your decision!

If you can spend a little extra on your bathroom then it’s well worth it and remember, it’s not all about the sanitaryware, your structure and base is much harder to change down the line so always invest in the foundation of your room above anything else.