The content of the article
One of the most important interior elements in the renovation process is the tiles on the walls in the bathroom. Unlike the flooring in a given room, it is the first thing that catches your eye and takes up the most space. Therefore, it is important not only to choose the right one in appearance, but also to install it efficiently.
The tiles on the walls are the first thing that catches your eye.
Where to begin?
Planning
The first step is to decide on the color of the tile, its design and the required quantity. After obtaining the area of the walls, it is divided by the area of one tile.
[note]Always purchase 10-15% more of the received number, which is necessary in case of undercuts or damage to the material, etc. [/note]
Tile calculations are carried out with a margin of 10 percent
Then you need to decide on the arrangement of all the furniture and plumbing. After all, knowing where the bathroom will be installed, you can save money by laying less attractive and cheaper tiles underneath it. To make bathroom wall tiles look attractive and neat, you must first choose the installation method. After all this, you can begin finishing the room, which will require the following tools:
- straight and notched spatulas;
- level;
- plumb line;
- plastic crosses;
- Ruler and pencil;
- square;
- tile cutting tool.
Preparation
Wall tiles for the bathroom require serious attention to surface preparation. After all, the quality of the work performed will directly affect the final result. The surface must be carefully leveled.
[note]Moisture-resistant drywall has recently been used for leveling. The use of this material not only allows you to obtain a perfectly flat surface, but also significantly speeds up the work. [/note]
Drywall is an excellent base for tiles
Then you need to prime the walls. This is necessary to improve the adhesion of the glue to the wall. By preparing the work surface in this way, the tiles for the bathroom walls will last longer, which will ensure the durability of the renovation. After this, you can begin installation, which has its own nuances.
Laying features
Arrangement of horizontal rows
If tiles were laid on the floor before finishing the walls, you need to start tiling the walls from the floor. This is an option that will allow you to get perfectly even rows. In this case, the first row is laid with a gap that is equal to the width of the seams, for which you can use interval plastic crosses.
But it is not always possible to implement this option. If the floor is uneven, tiling the walls in the bathroom begins with the 2nd row from the bottom, leaving a distance of 1-2 cm less than the height of the tiles for the first row. The bottom row is cut taking into account the curvature of the floor. This is also necessary when there are communication lines below that require bypassing.
[note]It is best to start making calculations from the ceiling, taking into account the width of the expected seam gaps. This way, it will be possible to determine the height from which it is necessary to start laying the second row, so that there are no small strips of tiles under the ceiling.[/note]
After determining the position of the supporting row of tiles, draw an even border along the entire wall using a level. Some craftsmen use a metal profile used for frame installation of drywall to support the first row. Unlike wooden slats, it has a flat surface, is easily attached to the wall and can be dismantled in the same way.
The first row can be aligned with a wooden or metal profile
Vertical arrangement of rows
A special feature of this process is the need for a creative approach. The tiles for the bathroom ceiling and the vertical rows are calculated separately. In this case, you must follow the following rules:
- The number of whole tiles that can fit on the wall surface, taking into account the seams, is determined.
- Often one row has to be cut, and if the insert turns out to be too narrow, then you can trim the tiles in the outer rows to the same width. This ensures the attractiveness of the entire finish due to symmetry.
- You can also place the cut row in a place where it will be less noticeable. They do this in a corner that is not obvious, or hide it under the shower stall.
- After determining the vertical rows, lines are drawn to indicate the boundary of laying whole tiles. If you follow the resulting rectangle when laying, the rows will look attractive and will not move in any direction.
- After applying clear markings, you can begin installation.
[note]In this case, ceiling tiles in the bathroom should be installed before finishing the walls, so as not to stain or damage the finished surfaces. [/note]
Laying tiles on walls
Specialists carry out installation in accordance with all the requirements of modern construction technologies. Due to this, it is possible to ensure high quality finishing work. As a result, the apartment owner receives an attractive and reliable bathroom that can withstand any operating conditions. But for a high-quality result, you must follow the step-by-step instructions:
- The support row, which may be the second row, is laid on a pre-mounted support. All tiles are glued this way, except those that will be cut. If the horizontality of the row is ensured by the bar, then the verticality is controlled by the person himself using a plumb line or a manual level. It doesn’t matter whether PVC tiles are laid for bathroom walls or ceramic tiles, the test is carried out by gluing every 3-4 elements. This will allow any discrepancies to be eliminated in a timely manner. It is important to use seam crosses when laying - they will ensure the verticality of the row. Upon completion of laying the entire tiles, it is necessary to correctly mark and cut the last piece, which is laid in the resulting space.
- The next row is laid. You can start from any convenient side of the drawn vertical line. The adhesive is applied to the wall from the supporting row so that its area covers the height of the tile. Experts recommend applying the solution to the wall and finishing material in perpendicular strips. This way, ceramic wall tiles for the bathroom will be laid more securely.
- After the bathroom walls have been prepared for tiles and entire elements have been laid, the cut pieces are laid, which need to be cut taking into account the width of the seams. If you do not take this into account, the tiles will either not fit or will completely ruin the appearance of the wall.
Options for placing trimmed pieces
- The last step is to lay the first row under the support. To do this, the horizontal strip is removed and the tile is cut if necessary. Some experts, to avoid mistakes, number the elements on the reverse side. Thus, tile and vinyl tiles for bathroom walls will be laid evenly, taking into account all the nuances of the wall and floor.
Sometimes it is necessary to cut tiles to accommodate built-in communication lines and pipelines. For this, special drills and other tile cutting tools are used, which will allow you to get a beautiful hole. This should be done before applying the glue, which will make fitting easier.
[note]Don't forget to clean the seams and tiles from the adhesive before it hardens. In the future, this will make grouting easier and will not affect the attractiveness of the interior. [/note]
Excess glue and grout must be carefully removed
What does tiling give?
Therefore, finishing bathroom walls with tiles is a process that requires care and precision, which any apartment owner who has these qualities and knows how to hold a construction tool in his hands can handle. Due to the use of such durable material as tiles, the room will be highly resistant to any operating conditions. With proper care, tile can last for decades and still retain its attractiveness. The main thing is to comply with the manufacturer’s requirements regarding installation and subsequent maintenance.
