So, you moved to a new home, but you dislike your bathroom tiles. If you are working on a budget and don’t want to retile the bathroom, there are easy ways to cover the bathroom wall tiles.
You can cover up your bathroom walls by installing beadboards over the tiles, painting the tiles, using 3d PVC wall panels, resurfacing the tiles with quick-set cement, and adhering vinyl tiles to the existing tiles. These methods are inexpensive and easy DIYs to give your bathroom new life.
If the thought of retiling your entire bathroom is something you dread, you have many other affordable and easy ways to cover the unsightly tiles in your bathroom. Some methods are a bit more labor intensive than others, but in the end, you will have a bathroom that looks new.
5 Easy Ways To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
Moving into a dated home or a home with bathroom walls that don’t match your taste can be discouraging, especially if you are working on a budget. There are many ways that you can cover outdated or unsightly bathroom tiles without retiling the bathroom.
Here are 5 easy ways to cover the bathroom wall tiles:
1. Installing Beadboard To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
If you are tired of your bathroom and looking for something different, you can use a beadboard in your bathroom. Beadboard is made from medium-density wood fibers mixed with resin and put in pressure molds to create sheets that look like real wood.
You can easily install these panels over the tiles by measuring the area you need to cover, cutting the sheet to the right size, adding some liquid nails(adhesive that works over tiles) to the tiles, and firmly pressing the sections to the tiles.
When the adhesive has cured, you can paint the beadboard the color of your choice. You can also use a few nails at the sides and in the middle for added support before you start painting the beadboard.
The Pros Of Using Beadboard To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
When you use any product, it’s important to know all the benefits you will have when you use it. Here are the pros of using beadboard to cover your bathroom wall tiles;
- Beadboard is easy to install,
- You can do it yourself to save on labor costs,
- The beadboard draws the eye as it creates dimension in the bathroom,
- It’s much more affordable to use beadboard than redo the bathroom walls,
- You can paint the beadboard any color of your choice to suit your style.
The Cons Of Using Beadboard To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
You must know all products have pros and cons, and it’s vital to know more before buying anything. Here are the cons when you use beadboard to cover the bathroom wall tiles;
- Traditional real wood beadboard is not easy to install, so it’s best to go with the newer ones that are lightweight,
- If you have a water leak behind the wall or faulty overhead plumbing can damage the beadboard as it still has wood fiber in the panels, and water can damage the wood.
2. Painting Over The Bathroom Tiles
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to cover your bathroom tiles is to paint them. You will need to prepare the tiled walls properly to ensure the paint adheres correctly and doesn’t flake over time.
You will need to sand the tiles to help the paint stick better and not lift, and you need to use a tile primer before painting them, glossy paint when painting, and a sealant to seal the paint to protect it from water and regular wear and tear that can damage the paint.
The Pros Of Painting Over The Bathroom Tiles
There are many advantages of painting your bathroom tiles to cover them up. Here are a few;
- It’s easy to do by yourself if you want to save on labor costs,
- You can easily customize your bathroom walls to match the colors you like,
- It saves you a lot of money on retiling your bathroom,
- When you use the right primer, paint, and sealant, the paint will last years before you need to redo them.
The Cons Of Painting Over The Bathroom Tiles
There are a few disadvantages of painting over the tile in your bathroom that you must consider. Here are a few of the cons when painting your bathroom wall tiles;
- If you want to ensure the tiles are prepped, primed, painted (at least 2-3 coats), and sealed may take over a week to finish.
- The paint will lift or chip f you did not prep the tiles properly or used the wrong primer, paint, or sealant.
3. Resurfacing The Bathroom Tile With Quick Cement
When you want a clean canvas in your bathroom without chipping off the old tile, you can resurface the bathroom wall tiles with quick cement. Quick-set cement is typically used in underwater construction as it sets within 10-15 minutes, but you can use it to resurface the bathroom walls.
This robust cement will dry quickly and not chip or peel with the moisture and humidity standard in any bathroom.
Pros Of Resurfacing Bathroom Tiles With Quick-Set Cement
There are a few pros to using quick-set cement to resurface your bathroom tiles; here are a few;
- You get a clean slate, and you can choose if you want to paint over the cement, use wood, vinyl, or stencils over the cement to give you the color and texture to suit your style,
- There is no skill needed to resurface the tiles with this concrete, so you can save money on labor costs and do it yourself,
- You won’t need to wait long for the cement to dry as it dries within 10-15 minutes after you apply it,
Cons Of Resurfacing Bathroom Tiles With Quick-Set Cement
While resurfacing the bathroom is a great way to get a clean slate so you can redo your bathroom without having to rip out the old tile, this method has some disadvantages. Here are some of the cons when resurfacing bathroom tiles with quick-set cement;
- It might be easy to do yourself, but it is hard work if you do it yourself,
- You will need to be accurate and work fast when you apply the concrete as it dries within 15 minutes after you apply it,
- Resurfacing the tiles only gives you a clean wall to work with; you will still need to repaint the wall or do something else to finish the walls.
4. Using 3D Wall Panels To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
If you want an easy, less permanent way to cover your bathroom wall tiles, you can use 3D wall panels. These panels are made from 100% PVC and are lightweight and waterproof. You can install them yourself as they have self-adhesive backing (like peel and stick tiles).
There are many colors and 3D designs to choose from, and if you want to add your own flare, you can buy matt white panels and paint them the color you want. These panels have a 3D design that adds texture and dimension to the bathroom.
Pros When Using 3D Panels To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
When you choose 3D panels as a way to cover the bathroom tiles, you might like to know the advantages;
- It’s easy to install; all you do is peel the backing off and stick it onto the tiles,
- You get many designs, patterns, and colors,
- You don’t need to worry about mold or rot, and 3D tiles are waterproof,
- They are lightweight and easily removable if you want to redo the bathroom or change the color,
- It’s a much more affordable way to update your bathroom walls,
Cons When Using 3D Panels To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles
When you use these 3D panels, there are some disadvantages you should be aware of, including;
- The glue might not be strong enough and crumble over time; you can use silicone sealer to help the panels adhere,
- The panels can get damaged if you bump them too hard as they are made from thin plastic,
5. Using Vinyl Tiles Over The Bathroom Wall Tiles
Another option similar to using 3D panels to cover the bathroom tiles is to use vinyl or linoleum tiles and adhere them to tiles using silicone or liquid nails. These tiles are different from the 3d panels as they come in planks or tiles, not panels, they are more robust, and they are 2D flat to give the look of real wood or marble in your bathroom.
Pros When Using Vinyl Tiles Over The Bathroom Wall Tiles
Some of the pros when using vinyl tiles over your bathroom wall tiles include;
- You get various styles, colors, and design options, from the look of wood look to faux marble,
- You can install the vinyl tiles yourself as they are easy to work with,
- They are mold, stain, rot resistant, and waterproof,
Cons When Using Vinyl Tiles Over The Bathroom Wall Tiles
Here are some of the cons when you use vinyl tiles over the bathroom wall tiles;
- These tiles can come undone if you don’t use the right adhesive or you use too little,
- If you want to replace a tile, you may find it difficult to find tiles that match,
- They can warp in extreme heat,
Conclusion
Redoing outdated tile walls of your bathroom is not difficult, and most of the methods are DIYs and inexpensive. Whether painting the tiled bathroom walls or resurfacing the tiles using quick-set cement, you can save on labor costs if you do it yourself.
