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The bathroom is where tile earns its keep. It handles splashes, steam, wet feet, toilets that sweat in summer and the occasional overflow, all while being cleaned more often than any other room. A lot of Clinton Township homes still have their original bathrooms, from 1970s ceramic in harvest colors to the beige builder-grade tile of the 1990s and 2000s. Replacing that tile is one of the most popular home updates, and one of the most noticeable.
This guide covers bathroom floors, walls, tub surrounds and full bathroom tile projects. For walk-in and tiled showers specifically, see our detailed guide to shower tile installation.
Common Bathroom Tile Projects
Bathroom floors
A bathroom floor is usually a small area, often 35 to 80 square feet in a hall bath, but it has a lot of cuts: around the toilet flange, along the tub, under the vanity toe kick and at the door. The toilet is pulled, the old floor removed, and the subfloor inspected. Water damage around toilets is common in older homes, and any soft or delaminated plywood should be replaced. Then the floor is prepared, often with an uncoupling membrane, tiled, grouted and the toilet reset with a new wax ring or seal.
Tub surrounds
Retiling the walls around a bathtub is one of the most requested bathroom projects. The old tile and backer are removed down to the studs, because the existing wall behind old tile is often damaged even when the tile looks fine. New cement board or foam board goes up, the wall is waterproofed, and new tile is installed with the bottom joint at the tub caulked, not grouted. Some homeowners add a recessed niche for shampoo while the wall is open.
Bathroom walls and wainscoting
Tile wainscoting, tile that runs partway up the walls, is a classic look that protects walls behind toilets and sinks. Full-height wall tile is common in primary bathrooms and gives a high-end look. Outside the shower, walls typically do not need waterproofing, but the backer and tile should still be suitable for a humid room.
Vanity backsplashes
A tiled backsplash behind a vanity is a small, affordable upgrade that protects the wall from splashes and ties the room together.
Full bathroom tile updates
Many bathroom projects combine all of the above: a new floor, a new tub surround or shower, and wainscoting or accent walls. Doing the tile work all at once allows the installer to plan transitions, trim and layout so everything lines up.
Choosing Bathroom Tile
- Floor tile should be slip resistant. Look at the manufacturer's slip resistance rating for wet areas. Matte finishes and textured surfaces are safer than high-gloss tile. Smaller tiles with more grout lines also add grip.
- Porcelain is the go-to for floors. It is dense, hard and absorbs very little water.
- Ceramic is great for walls. It is lighter and easier to cut, and comes in endless colors and shapes, from subway tile to hexagons.
- Natural stone adds luxury but needs sealing and gentle cleaners. See natural stone and marble tile.
- Large-format tile gives a clean modern look with fewer grout lines, but needs a very flat floor. See large-format tile.
- Grout choice matters. Premium stain-resistant or epoxy grouts make bathroom floors much easier to keep clean.
Bathroom Tile Design Ideas
- Wood-look porcelain planks for a warm floor that handles water.
- Classic white subway tile with a darker grout for contrast.
- Hexagon or penny round mosaics for a vintage look on the floor.
- A single accent wall behind the vanity or in the shower.
- Matching floor tile running into a curbless shower for a seamless look.
- Large-format porcelain slabs on the walls with almost no grout lines.
Preparation Matters More in Bathrooms
Because bathrooms combine water and wood framing, preparation is critical:
- Subfloor condition. Old leaks around toilets and tubs are common. Replace any damaged areas.
- Floor stiffness. Bathrooms are often built over joists that were notched for plumbing. An installer should check for bounce, especially for stone or large tile.
- Flatness. Floors often slope toward old drains or sag over time.
- Backer board. Cement board or foam board behind tub and shower walls, never drywall.
- Waterproofing. Tub surround walls should get a waterproof membrane or a properly installed moisture barrier, sealed at seams and the tub flange.
- Ventilation. A working exhaust fan vented outside protects new grout and caulk from mold and mildew.
What Bathroom Tile Costs
Cost depends on the size of the room, how much tile is involved and how much prep is needed. National guides give these general ranges:
- HomeGuide lists bathroom walls at roughly $1,000 to $13,700 depending on the tiled area and materials.
- Angi's cost data puts a typical bathroom floor at roughly $300 to $1,300 for the tile installation.
- Removing old tile typically runs about $2 to $7 per square foot, per Angi.
Expect higher costs for natural stone, mosaics, patterns like herringbone, niches and benches, heated floors, and any subfloor or wall repairs. Plumbing work like moving a drain or replacing valves is usually a separate line item. These are general national estimates, not quotes. A local installer will give you a written estimate after seeing your bathroom.
How Long a Bathroom Tile Project Takes
A simple bathroom floor can often be done in two or three days including cure time. A tub surround usually takes three to five days because the backer, waterproofing, tile and grout each need time to cure. A full bathroom with a new shower may take one to two weeks or more, depending on plumbing, drywall, painting and fixture work. Ask your installer for a timeline, and plan for a second bathroom or a shower alternative while the work is underway.
Tips for Keeping Bathroom Tile Looking New
- Run the exhaust fan during and after showers.
- Use a squeegee on shower walls to keep grout and caulk dry.
- Clean with pH-neutral cleaners; avoid acidic cleaners on stone and harsh abrasives on glossy tile.
- Reseal cement grout and natural stone as recommended for the products used.
- Replace caulk at the tub and corners when it starts to pull away or discolor.
Get a Bathroom Tile Quote in Clinton Township
Tell us which bathroom, what you want to change and roughly how big the space is. Call or use the form on this page, and a local tile installer serving Clinton Township will contact you to set up an estimate.