When planning a full bathroom renovation with tiling, the tiles you choose can have a bigger impact on your project than you might realise. Tile size affects the preparation required, the amount of adhesive and grout used, the time needed for installation and, ultimately, how long your bathroom renovation takes to complete.
Why does tile size matter?
Not all bathroom tiling is the same. While smaller tiles can create a beautiful, detailed finish, they generally take considerably longer to install than larger, more straightforward formats.
There are simply more individual tiles to handle, position, level and grout. Smaller tiles also create more joints, which means more grout is required, as well as additional adhesive to achieve a good, even finish.
We are seeing this first-hand on a bathroom renovation we are currently completing. Our client chose smaller tiles than we would normally recommend, and although we are happy to work with the customer’s choice, the installation has taken considerably longer than a standard bathroom tiling installation.
Small tiles can highlight uneven walls
One of the biggest considerations when choosing smaller tiles is the condition of the walls.
If your walls are not straight, flat and properly prepared, smaller tiles can make those imperfections much more noticeable. The more individual tiles there are, the more difficult it can be to achieve a neat, consistent finish across an uneven surface.
This is why, during a full bathroom renovation with tiling, we will sometimes recommend rebuilding or replastering walls, especially if a customer has chosen smaller tiles. We will also recommend this where removing previous tiles has compromised the integrity or watertightness of the walls.
On our current project, we have rebuilt one wall to provide the correct surface for the chosen tiles. The remaining walls have been worked with to keep the project within the customer’s budget, but the additional preparation and installation time still needs to be taken into consideration.
Smaller tiles mean more time and materials
The tile itself isn’t necessarily what makes a smaller-tile installation more expensive.
It is the additional labour and materials involved.
Smaller tiles generally require:
- More individual tiles to position and level
- More adhesive
- More grout
- More cutting and preparation
- More time for the tiler to achieve a consistent finish
On our current project, more than 10kg of grout has already been used just in the ensuite, and another 10kg bag has been purchased to continue through into the main bathroom.
That is a good example of why the choice of tile size needs to be considered as part of the overall bathroom renovation, rather than simply choosing the tile you like most in the showroom.
What size bathroom tiles do we recommend?
As a general guide, we recommend considering tiles of at least 250mm x 250mm for many bathroom projects. Our standard included labour charge covers tiles up to 250mm x 600mm. Outside of this size, the labour price is likely to increase, although this will depend on whether you are having full or part tiling completed as part of the project.
Larger tiles may not fit into a standard tile cutter, meaning each individual tile may need to be hand cut to size. This takes additional time and requires greater care to achieve a clean, accurate finish.
This isn’t a hard rule, as every bathroom is different, and there are occasions where smaller tiles are exactly the right choice. However, for many customers, choosing a sensible mid-range tile size can provide a good balance between appearance, installation time, material usage and overall cost.
But bigger tiles aren’t always easier
It can be tempting to think that larger tiles automatically mean a quicker installation. That isn’t necessarily the case either.
Large-format tiles, such as 600mm x 1200mm, can look fantastic in a bathroom and create a clean, contemporary finish. However, they require careful handling and accurate cutting.
Large tiles can be much more difficult to manoeuvre, particularly in smaller bathrooms, and cutting them requires considerably more care. They can also be expensive to replace if one is accidentally chipped or broken.
That replacement cost would normally be the customer’s responsibility, so this is another factor worth considering before choosing very large-format tiles.
Choosing your tiles
We work with established tile suppliers including Topps Tiles, giving our customers access to a wide choice of bathroom tiles, adhesives, grouts and other tiling products. As a trade customer, we can also access trade pricing, helping our customers get better value when selecting materials for their bathroom renovation.
If you are looking for inspiration, Topps Tiles has a wide range of tiles and tiling products to choose from.
Our advice is always to choose your tiles with the whole project in mind. The style and colour are important, but so are the size, the condition of your walls, the installation time and your overall budget.
Choose your tiles with the whole project in mind
When planning a full bathroom renovation with tiling, it is worth looking beyond the appearance of the tile itself.
Consider:
- The size and shape of your bathroom
- The condition and straightness of your walls
- How much preparation may be required
- If you want wall half or fully tiled
- if you want floor tiled
- The size of the tiles
- The amount of adhesive and grout needed
- The additional installation time
- Your overall renovation budget
The right tile isn’t necessarily the smallest or the largest one. It is the tile that works well with your bathroom, your walls, your chosen finish and your budget.
Our advice is always to discuss your tile choice with your installer before work begins. A tile that looks perfect in a showroom may require considerably more preparation and installation time than you expect.
Good planning at the beginning of a full bathroom renovation with tiling can help you achieve the finish you want while avoiding unnecessary surprises along the way.
Discuss your project with us
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation and would like to discuss your ideas, we’d be happy to hear from you. Get in touch and share some details about your project, including what you are looking to achieve, and we can discuss how we may be able to help.
If you’re looking to renovate more than just your bathroom, you may also want to take a look at our sister company, JW McDonald Building Services, who specialise in multi-room refurbishments and renovations.