Kitchen or Bath Remodel Ceramic Tile Options
Resurface or Paint or Gut and Swap Drywall with Cement Backerboard
Mar 10, 2009
Although wall and floor tile never goes out of style as a construction material, the color and design patterns do. How it's dealt with during a residential renovation depends on many factors but the two most often considered are the construction budget and the scope of the work.
During a minor face lift, there's no reason to go into any major demolition work. There are good methods for altering the look with methods that could be considered interior decorating rather than remodeling.
But on larger home updates, especially when replacing plumbing fixtures, it makes sense to take the room out of service for awhile, and partially gut it and then rebuild it with the latest construction materials.
Minor Ceramic Tile Updates
These two methods are the quickest to implement and will keep the bath or kitchen out of service for the least time possible.
Tile Tattoos – Tile tattoos are the quickest cosmetic repair available. Essentially, these are static cling stickers using no messy adhesives or glues. All that's needed is to clean the surface completely using TSP or some other cleaning agent.
Then the tats can be simply stuck on. They're available in both solid colors and in patterns. Get as creative as desired.
Painting Ceramic Tiles – This really falls into two categories:
Areas that stay reasonably dry, like the wall tile over the bathroom sink. For dry areas, clean thoroughly, apply a proper undercoat, and then a finish coat. Manufacturers such as Graham Paint provide specialty paints for this purpose.
Areas that get very wet on a regular basis, such as in a shower and tub surround. Regular oil or acrylic paint in these areas tend to chip. The best route here is to hire a ceramic tile refinishing contractor. They have the specialized material and equipment to make a permanent change. If they promise “reglazing”, send them packing. Glazing can only be done in a kiln.
Major Ceramic Tile Updates
Complete kitchen or bathroom remodels are a good investment. According to Remodeling Magazine's survey numbers, there are three residential renovation projects that are an the top of the heap for ROI (Return on Investment). Two of them are the bath and kitchen, and the third is a siding upgrade.
Doing a major upgrade takes home equity to the next level.
In this scenario, the old tile is completely removed along with any fixtures that are in the plan. If the material behind it is either drywall or greenboard, tear it out and go back with fiber cement backerboard.
It's always recommended, and is already required by local building code in some areas. Look for top brand names like Wonderboard or HardieBacker Cement Board with Moldblock. After that's done, install the new tile when that part of the job task sequence is reached.
Finally, grout the tile, let it cure and apply a grout sealer. Once that's done, the tile portion of the renovation is complete.
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