How to tile a bathtub – for a stylish, practical finish

Tiling a bathtub has numerous advantages, especially if you have splash-happy children. Often, the bath is in good condition, but the tile is dated, stained, and worn, or you’re ready for a change.

The latest bathroom tile ideas are eye-catching and will demonstrate what can be achieved with time and effort. Refreshing tile around the bathtub is an easy way to revamp your bathing space without the cost of new sanitaryware or rerouting plumbing, and the latest bathroom tile ideas are seriously eye-catching. They will demonstrate just what can be achieved with a bit of time and effort.

‘Because it’s not always a large area, you can be creative with interesting tile layouts and bold designs,’ says Martin Winterburn, manager at Total Tiles (opens in new tab).

Our step-by-step guide includes tile professionals’ advice to help you achieve perfect results when tiling a bathtub.

TILES FOR A BATHTUB

Whether installing new or refinishing old tiles, tiling around a bathtub is a doable project that can be completed at the weekend. When tiling a wall, you’ll need a shopping list, which will grow longer if you remove wall tiles first.

You will require:

mixing stick and bucket.
sponge
A trowel with a notch
slick trowel
level of spirit.
The tile cutter
Floating grout
Smoothing tool for grout
Caulking gun
Drill with a diamond-bit hole saw

SET UP THE SURFACE

As with any tiling project, ensure the substrate (the surface you’re tiling on) is clean, flat, and stable. Because the tile will be in a high-splash zone, apply a thin layer of waterproof sealer to the walls with a roller, first taping any edges or joints.

‘This is because grout is not waterproof, and you need to ensure that no water gets behind the tiles,’ explains Mike Head, director at Atlas Ceramics (opens in new tab). ‘If water gets behind the tiles, it can cause various problems, including shadowing.’ If you have a shower in this setting, we strongly advise you to tank the desired area before tiling fully.’

Before you begin tiling around a new bathtub, ensure the joint between the bath and the wall is sealed with silicone. If you’re keeping the tub, pull out and refresh the old silicone.

NOTE THE START POSITION

It is best to begin tiling a bathtub in the centre (lengthwise) and work outwards in either direction. Calculate how many tiles, including grout lines, will be required to reach the corners using a tape measure. You may need to adjust the centre line if you are left with only a sliver of the tile where the corners meet. If possible, finish with a half tile at the corner, then continue with a half tile on the adjacent wall.

Tiling height is entirely subjective unless you have an overhead shower; the tile should extend all the way to the ceiling. When marking out your tiles, leave at least a 1/16-inch gap between the bath rim and the first row of tiles to allow for caulking to fill the space,’ says George Chester, Senior Director of Installation Materials Floor and Decor

APPLY THE ADHESIVE

Begin trowelling on a thin layer of adhesive at your starting point, being careful not to cover your guidelines completely. Check the adhesive packaging to see how long you have before it sets, usually around 20 minutes. Make adhesive in small batches to avoid racing against the clock.

Create lines in the adhesive with a notched trowel to remove excess product and ensure an even surface across the tiles. If possible, avoid overlapping the ridge lines.

BEGIN LAYING TILES

Place your first tile on the starting point line and wiggle it tight against the wall. Use a spirit level to ensure it is straight before proceeding to the corners, down to the bathtub, and up to the ceiling. To ensure even gaps, use tile spacers or look for self-spacing tiles, which are ideal for inexperienced tilers.

Fit all the whole tiles before beginning the more difficult task of cutting tiles. Hold a full tile and use a tile pen to mark where it overlaps the last full tile on the wall to measure tiles for cutting—score and cut along this line with a tile cutter. To hide flaws, always place cut tiles with the raw edge tight into the corner or ceiling.

DRILL OUT ANY PIPES HOLES (OPTIONAL)

Drill the tile if you want to connect wall-mounted bath taps or showerheads. Plan ahead of time, aiming for a full tile where the plumbing protrudes.

If you don’t have a diamond-bit hole saw for your drill, you could place the pipe between two tiles and use tile nippers to ‘bite’ out a crescent shape in each, resulting in a circular hole when joined.

SEAL AND GROUT

Grouting tile around a bathtub is similar to any other tiling project; simply fill the void with a grout float and then smooth with a smoother to achieve a neat finish. Because this is a high-splash zone, it’s more important than ever to ensure that the grout has no air gaps or pin holes. To prevent water rivulets from lingering in the gaps, ensure the grout is flush with the tile. After the grout has dried, clean the tile with a damp sponge.

The final step is to seal the gap between the bath and the tile, which should only be done once the tile and grout are completely dry. To get a smooth line, use a caulk gun; practice first because it takes some trial and error to get the perfect amount when caulking a bathtub.

‘Because silicone is a flexible product, unlike grout, it will retain some flexibility after curing and will not crack if the bath flexes,’ explains Harriet Goodacre, Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles (opens in new tab). ‘Look for a sealant that includes mould protection in the formula.’ You can also get coloured sealants to match the colour of your grout, which is a nice touch.’

Fill the bath halfway before sealing to ensure a watertight seal while in use. Allow at least 24 hours after sealing before using the bath to allow it to cure.

HOW HIGH SHOULD A BATHTUB BE TILED?

You don’t have to tile up to the ceiling when tiling a bathtub, unlike when tiling a shower, unless there’s a shower attachment over the bath; in fact, your tile layout patterns and ideas may dictate not only how high but also in what configuration you tile.

‘Traditionally, you would tile from floor to ceiling above a bath – but this is up to you and your personal style,’ says Harriet Goodacre, Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles. ‘Another option is to finish your laying pattern three-quarters of the way up the wall, then paint the rest of the wall and ceiling the same colour.’ This can make even a small bathroom feel tall and airy while also protecting your walls from water damage where necessary.’

If your bath does not have a wall-mounted shower attachment, you can get away with a much lower tiled bathroom backsplash, but consider how you will finish the edges because they will be much more visible. A narrow shelf can be used to hide raw tile edges. Consider tile trim or border tiles as well.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TILE A BATHTUB?

Many inset baths with flat, stable front bath panels are suitable for tiling, as are the walls around them.

‘Tiling, the bath panel, can provide more creative design options by using different coloured or patterned tiles to add interest or using the same tiles above the bath for a seamless look,’ says Martin Winterburn, Manager at Total Tiles.

‘Remember to think about the access panel in case you need it – a magnetic access panel is a great option because it can be tiled over, or a bespoke timber frame can be made for future accessibility,’ Martin adds. ‘If there is little daylight in the bathroom, consider using the bath panel to brighten up the room by using lighter coloured, polished tiles to help make the room feel more spacious and bright.’