Refreshing Tile Suggestions for Shower Surround Walls
Is your dated shower surround screaming for a makeover? Do you cringe at the sight of worn-out caulking, chipped tile, or just an overall dull and uninspiring space? Updating a tired shower to a rejuvenated oasis is easier than you think with some tile inspiration for your shower surround walls.
Benefits of Tiling Your Shower Surround
Taking your shower surround up to the ceiling with new tile offers both aesthetic and functional benefits for your bathroom remodel. Here are some top reasons to consider tiling around your shower walls:
- Modernizes an outdated surround - New tile provides a clean, contemporary look and feel
- Protects walls from moisture damage - Waterproof tile prevents leaks leading to mold and mildew
- Easy to clean and maintain - Tile resists soap scum buildup and won't chip or peel
- Variety of sizes, textures, colors - Mix and match to create a custom look
- Matches other bathroom decor - Coordinate with floors, countertops, and fixtures
Whether you're preparing your home for resale or just want an upgraded oasis, tiling your shower walls from top to bottom maximizes visual appeal and functionality.
Aesthetic Appeal
Taking tile all the way up to the ceiling draws the eyes up and makes any bathroom feel more spacious and inviting. The sleek, uniform look also makes small or awkward shower spaces appear larger than they are. Crisp white subway tile is a popular choice, but don't be afraid to add an accent wall with glass, marble, or even metallic tiles. Their luminosity and shine bounce light around the room for an airy, spa-like atmosphere.
Preventing Water Damage
Unlike drywall, tile is impervious to moisture. By tiling above the shower enclosure up to the ceiling, you eliminate vulnerabilities where leaks can penetrate behind walls and cause destruction. Waterproof grout and caulk will direct any stray water right into the shower pan or base beneath.
Taking precautions protects your walls and ceiling from moisture damage like peeling paint, swollen drywall, mold, and potential structural issues. Tile surrounds also contain messes inside the shower instead of leaking onto bathroom floors and beyond.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Standard drywall or moisture-resistant greenboard around plumbing fixtures require diligent caulking and paint touch-ups when wear and tear occurs. On the other hand, tile surrounds are ultra-durable and designed to withstand daily exposure to humidity and cleaning products.
Grout may need occasional sealing, but won't chip or peel. Dirt and soap scum wipe right off the impervious tile surface with minimal effort. Your beautiful tile surround will withstand the test of time and frequent use for decades before needing any repairs.
Prepping for a Successful Installation
Achieving a flawless tile installation requires careful planning and preparation. Don't shortcut critical steps that prevent setbacks after setting your tile. Planning ahead streamlines the installation process from start to spectacular finish.
Remove Existing Materials
Eliminate old tile, fiberglass surrounds, or drywall before installation. Taking surfaces down to the studs allows inspection for hidden moisture damage or mold that should be remediated before enclosing with tile. Address any structural, ventilation, or plumbing issues during this demolition phase.
Clean and Prep the Wall Surface
Once stripped down, thoroughly clean walls and allow to dry completely. Apply waterproofing paint or membrane to sheetrock or cement backerboard walls according to manufacturer guidelines.level and plumb.
Use shims if necessary to remedy uneven spots for a flat tiling substrate. On highly uneven walls, consider installing new cement backerboard rated for wet areas before tiling. Take time to properly prepare shower walls now to prevent cracked grout, loose tiles, or water intrusion issues down the road.
Map Your Tile Layout
Determine the best starting point for your tile arrangement based on focal areas or plumbing fixture placement. Account for any niche or shelving recesses in your layout. Border tiles may need trimming along the ceiling or corners to fit.
Mark stud locations for setting any ledger boards that support heavy wall tile. Having a plan for tile placement ensures you don't end up a few tiles short or with awkward slivers that disrupt the pattern.
Gather Supplies
Collect all the tile, tools, mortar, spacers, and grout you need before mixing any materials. Tiling is messy, so spread drop cloths and work efficiently once installation begins. Nothing slows progress like running out for a missing item mid-project.
Consider renting specialized equipment like a tile wet saw. For extensive cutting, the investment yields more accurate results than frustrating manual tile nippers. Have everything ready to go before the tiling commences for maximum productivity.
Choosing Complementary Tiles
The tile itself acts as the focal point and sets the aesthetic tone of your shower surround. Fortunately, today's styles offer textures, patterns, shapes, and colors to complement any design vision or budget.
Types of Tiles
Ranging from classic to contemporary, numerous tile varieties bring unique characteristics to bathrooms.
- Porcelain - Dense, impervious clay tile in matte or polished finish
- Ceramic - Traditional clay tile for floors or walls, glazed or unglazed
- Glass - Shiny, water-resistant glass mosaic sheets or tiles
- Natural Stone - Marble, travertine, slate, or granite tile
Consider factors like pricing, longevity, style, traction, and maintenance when selecting materials. While natural stone boasts beauty and luxury, the sky's the limit for innovative porcelain or ceramic collections mimicking stones, woods, metals, and concretes at more accessible price points.
Size, Texture, Pattern
Standard 3x6, 4x4, or subway tile formats keep installations simple, especially for DIY. For faster coverage, larger 12x24 tiles enable fewer grout lines. Combine varied sizes like mosaics and 4x4s with 12x24s to add interest.
Smooth, glossy tiles promote high reflectivity, while textured tiles offer grip and visual depth through contrast. Rustic styles like subway bricks, Moroccan fish scales, or encaustic cement tiles turn up the flair.
Use patterns strategically rather than matching floor motifs. Limiting patterns to one wall prevents overwhelming small spaces but creates a focal point. echo neighboring finishes like countertops but also make your tilework stand out.
Complement Other Features
Earth tones in slate or travertine soften contemporary spaces with their organic vibe. Clean white or neutral tiles keep the focus on statement vanities and fixtures. Use large format tiles with linear patterns like stacked bonds to exaggerate the height of low ceilings.
Mosaics introduce movement and reflectivity for a glam effect. Consider a design style cohesive with the rest of your home rather than treating the bathroom as an outlier.
Grout Considerations
Grout holds tile in place and seals the installation from moisture intrusion. Epoxy grouts offer an impervious waterproof barrier recommended for shower walls. Regular cement-based grout works for floor tile areas.
Choose unsanded grout for narrow joints under 1/8 inch wide. Grout matches the tile color or neutrals like white or gray to blend in. Accent tiles can incorporate darker or colored grout lines as part of the design.
Make sure to apply grout release or sealer to polished marble, travertine, or natural stones whose delicate finishes are prone to etching or discoloration during grouting.