Considering a Tile Replacement? Here’s How and Why You Should

From wall tiles to floor tiles, tiles are present in every home whether they’re functional or decorative. However, tiles can become damaged or outdated over time. So, when is the best time for a tile replacement? And is replacing tiles a project you can take on yourself, or should you hire a professional? This guide will help outline your options and walk you through the tile replacement process so you can decide what’s best for you.

Reasons to Replace Wall Tiles and Floor Tiles

Most tiles are a fairly long-lasting, but there does come a time when both floor tiles and wall tiles need to be replaced. Here are the most common signs it’s time for a tile replacement:

Updating the Aesthetic

While functional, tiles also add a decorative finish. Consider a tile replacement if you want to update the style of your home.

Fixing Damaged Tiles

Replacing a cracked tile or tiles that are chipped, loose, rotting or broken helps to maintain an attractive overall appearance, and it also helps prevent damage to neighbouring tiles.

Increasing Resale Value

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, replacing your existing tile will create a fresh look to help increase the resale value of your home.

Factors to Consider When Shopping for New Tiles

Now that you’ve decided to go for a complete tile replacement, you can start shopping for your new tiles. Be sure to consider these factors to find tiles that meet your needs.

Floor Tiles Versus Wall Tiles

The most important thing to consider is the intended use and placement of the tiles. Will they be wall tiles or floor tiles? There is a difference. Floor tiles are designed to handle the stress of repeated foot traffic and pressure from heavy furniture. Wall tiles are thinner, lighter and too delicate to use for flooring. However, floor tiles can be used for countertops and backsplashes since they are more durable.

Where Will the Tile Be Installed?

It’s also important to consider the room when selecting tiles. For example, floor tiles in an entryway should be made from a thick material like porcelain, ceramic, stone or concrete to withstand frequent foot traffic. Bathroom or backsplash wall tiles need to withstand moisture, so it’s best to choose tiles with a protective finish.

Style and Décor

There are a number of textures, finishes, shapes and colours available to complement your décor or improve the aesthetics of a room. For example, reflective glass tiles used for mosaic backsplashes add brightness and colour, while stone floor tiles offer a natural look.

Why Size Matters

The size of the tile can affect the ambiance of a room. Smaller tiles create a busy pattern which can be great for an intricate backsplash, but less than ideal for a large floor area.

Budget

Always ensure you have a budget. Tiles vary in price depending on the material and the amount you need, which means your tile replacement cost can expand rapidly depending on the type of tile you choose.

The Tile Replacement Process – Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?

Whether you’re replacing bathroom tile or replacing a kitchen backsplash, you can choose to go the DIY route or hire a professional. To help guide your decision, we’ve outlined the benefits of each option below.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional

• Helps save time on the completion of the project as a whole
• Requires less manual labour on your end
• Is ideal for more intricate projects where experience and expertise is a big plus
  

Benefits of Doing It Yourself

• Help save money on labour costs and supplies
  
• Give you full control over the entire project
• Help you to learn a new skill or improve your existing tiling skills

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Ready to DIY? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you plan on taking on a tile replacement project yourself, here are the top factors to remember to ensure the process is as trouble-free as possible.

Why Surface Prep is So Important

Whether you’re replacing floor tiles or wall tiles, it is imperative to prep the surface (or substrate) first. In order for tiles to lay flat, the surface needs to be completely smooth, sturdy and strong.

The best materials for wall and floor substrate are:

• Concrete
• Cement board
• Plywood
• Drywall

When replacing bathroom tile, it’s important to ensure the substrate is covered with moisture-resistant gypsum board as well.

Tools You’ll Need

You will need the following tools for your tile replacement project:

• Grout and grout float
• Tile cutter or tile saw
• Tile spacer
• Rubber mallet
• Cement glue or adhesive
• Tape measure
• Level

If you’re working with delicate glass tiles, make sure you have the appropriate drill bit to avoid cracking or breaking your supply. You’ll also want to use white cement instead of grey, otherwise the trowel marks could show through the glass.

Important Tips to Remember

If you’re laying tile for the first time, there can definitely be a learning curve. Follow these tips to avoid some common mistakes:

Measure the Space: In order to avoid having too many or too few tiles, measure the space and plan a layout before beginning the process.

Trim Tiles: Not all of your tiles are going to fit perfectly, especially if you’re tiling around fixtures and appliances. Be sure to trim and cut your tiles to fit them neatly around fixtures and appliances.

Allow for Mistakes: It’s easy to accidentally drop or break a tile during the tile replacement process. Always allow for an extra 5 percent when calculating tile quantity to have enough coverage.

Dry Time: It’s important to strictly follow recommended drying times through each step of the process. Otherwise, you may have to deal with lifted or shifting tiles.

Now that you have a starting knowledge of the steps involved in tile replacement, you can decide if it’s time to update your floor tiles or re-do your tile backsplash. Shop our selection of tiles and backsplashes to get inspired or to get started. Happy tiling!