You can get a beautiful, long-lasting, and sturdy construction by tiling your bathroom. It’s a great way to make your home more valuable. Although this is a more expensive and time-consuming procedure than other floor coverings, the final effect is well worth it. So, you might want to ask how long does it take to to tile a bathroom?
It may take 6-8 hours to tile a full bathroom by a skilled contractor. You need to keep 10-16 hours in your hand if it’s a DIY project. On the other hand, a professional tiler will take 4–8 hours to tile a standard shower, whereas the typical homeowner would need 8–12 hours.
This article also covers all the factors that influence the time frame of tiling a bathroom. So, stick with this article for more information.
How Long Does It Take To Tile A Bathroom Floor?
Depending on the bathroom size, the answer can vary. The bigger your bathroom or shower, the longer it will take to finish your tiling.
Take a quick look at the table if you’re in rush.
| Bathroom Size | Dimensions | Time It Takes To Tile |
| Small | 35 to 40 Square Feet | 4 to 6 hours |
| Average | 41 to 100 Square Feet | 6 to 8 hours |
| Large | 110 to 210 Square Feet | 8 t o12 hours |
Small Bathroom
A tiny bathroom is typically between 35 and 40 square feet in size. It takes roughly 4 to 6 hours to tile a bathroom of this size, not counting curing time.
Average-Sized Bathroom
The typical or typical size of a bathroom is somewhere in the range of 41 to 100 square feet. If you consider the drying period, the actual process of tiling should take between six and eight hours.
Large Bathroom
The space available in the larger bathrooms typically ranges between 110 and 210 square feet. The tiling of a bathroom of this size might take anywhere from eight to twelve hours to complete.
Factors That Influence The Time It Takes To Tile A Bathroom
How long it takes to tile a bathroom floor depends on several variables that we’ll examine. Everything from the dimensions of your bathroom to the scale of your tiles will be considered.
Professional Tiler VS DIY
Hiring a professional is the quickest and most straightforward (but most expensive) approach to finishing your bathroom tiling project.
Your bathroom may be tiled in as short as 4 to 8 hours if you hire a professional. The price of hiring an expert will increase your budget. Your tiling work recently became a lot more costly, between $10 and $20 per square foot.
Although it could be faster to hire a professional, you can save time and money by doing the work on your own. You need not be an expert to make specific changes around the house.
With little know-how and some inexpensive instruments, you may save yourself more than fifty percent compared to paying a professional to complete the task over a week. The time needed to do the task ranges from 10 to 16 hours.
Preparation
In the long run, you’ll save time if you take the time to properly prepare the project so that it can endure the effects of time, traffic, and moisture.
Tiling requires a clean surface as the first step in preparation. Dust and debris may weaken adhesives and cause tiles to shift or break, so make sure the area is tiled and the surrounding area are clean.
Size Of The Bathroom Tiles
The size of the tiles you want to employ is something to consider.
Because larger tiles cover a greater surface area, fewer individual tiles will need to be installed during the project. The installation time may be reduced by using larger tiles.
Tiles should be measured about the floor for optimal placement. If you can locate tiles that fit adequately, you won’t have to trim tiles for more difficult areas. Tiling an irregularly shaped space will take much more time.
The arrangement of the tiles is another factor to consider. Although diagonal tiling looks great and is now in style, it will hold up your project significantly. The time needed to lay and finish the tiling process will increase.
Preparation And Curing
If the bathroom floor isn’t quite level, tiles will crack and not stick properly. To smooth out the floor and hide any uneven nail or seam heights, a backer board may be necessary. You should wait at least 24 hours after tiling to walk on it. Be sure to include this in your installation time estimate.
Grouting And Cleaning
After the tiles have been set; the grout is placed to secure them. Depending on the size and form of your tiles, this might be a lengthy operation. Applying a sealer 48-72 hours after applying grout will ensure that it has dried fully.
The grout may be cleaned off with soapy water afterward. As it usually takes a lot of washing to get rid of all the leftover grout, this may be a time-consuming process.
Don’t walk on the grout for at least three days so it can fully cure. By doing so, you aid in the curing process of the tile glue. Not having to replace tiles accidentally knocked loose or moved saves time and money.
Can You Tile And Grout The Same Day?
It’s better to wait 24 hours. Thin-set mortar should be applied to tiles and allowed to dry for a full day before applying grout. Inadequate curing time for thin-set might result in tile shifting.
Fixing this will be an investment of both time and money. It’s important to wait the recommended time between laying tiles and applying grout.
How to Reduce Tile Installation Time
There are some simple tricks and basic things you can do to reduce tile installation time significantly.
Use the Right Tools and Materials
Starting out on the right foot and with all the necessary equipment and supplies is crucial. You won’t have to waste time driving to the hardware shop to pick up the missing tool or component.
Get 10 percent more tiles than you think you’ll need to avoid running out. The time required to cut tiles may be decreased by using a saw with a diamond blade. For cutting tile into precise angles and smaller pieces, tile nippers might be useful. Among the essentials for installing bathroom tiles are:
- Tile
- Thin-set mortar
- Tile spacers
- Wet tile saw
- Tile cutters
- Sealant
- Grout
- Chalk Line
- Measuring Tape
- Bucket
- Notched Trowel
- Grout float
- Sponge
These other things could come in handy if you’re tiling a wall:
- Circular saw
- Jigsaw
- Drill
- Backer board
- Backer board screws
Prepare the Surface
Failure to properly prepare the surface before installing tile is a frequent rookie error. It will take less time to install if the surface is dry and clear of debris.
The curing time will increase if the surface is damp. Even worse, a lack of adhesion due to an unprepared surface means that your tiles won’t adhere to the wall and you’ll have to start again.
Partially Tiling Your Bathroom
Tiling just the areas that will be used may greatly reduce the amount of time spent on the actual installation.
If you just want to tile the area around your bathtub and not the whole bathroom, that’s perfectly OK.
Your other option is to tile just the area above your shower and leave the remainder of the bathroom untiled. This is a cost-effective and time-efficient method of tiling a bathroom.
Remove As Much Moisture As You Can
The longest aspect of the process is the waiting time after the tile has been laid. Reducing humidity in the restroom is one way to cut down on waiting time.
There are a few options for doing so. On a hot, dry day, you may get some fresh air into your bathroom by opening the window and turning on a standard ceiling fan.
A dehumidifier may also be used. While running the bathroom exhaust fan may assist, doing so for more than an hour might cause the motor to overheat and break.
Alternatives To Tiling A Bathroom
If you think that tiling is not the way you want to go, there are alternative ways to reinvent your bathroom.
Wall Panels
There are several advantages to using wall panels in the bathroom instead of tile. The fact that they can be set up in less time and with less effort is a plus.
To install a wall panel, just apply the adhesive or mount the hardware to the wall and press the panel into place. There is no need for grouting or sealing.
So if you want to avoid the hassle of tiling a room, I suggest looking at wall panels instead.
Waterproof Paint
Painting your bathroom could seem like a simple option.
You can’t just use old paint to make anything waterproof; you need a primer and sealer specifically designed for that purpose. Painting, although requiring extra steps like waiting for paint to dry before moving on, is nevertheless more cost-effective and faster than tiling.
Beadboard
Intriguingly, you can use beadboard. Beadboard installation is simple and quick since it simply calls for construction adhesive and nails.
The limitation of the beadboard is that it only covers one side of the wall, which may be OK for certain applications but not others. The beadboard is beautiful, but it has no place in a bathroom.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take To Remove Tiles From A Bathroom?
Just a few days on average. If you get the space and the necessary equipment prepared, you may save time. Nothing particularly challenging about the task, but there is potential for boredom. Think about the money you’ll save by doing the task yourself, and you’ll be motivated to get the job done quickly.
Can You Tile A Bathroom In One Day?
Typically, tile needs 24 hours of curing time. While tiling a bathroom may be done in a single day, you won’t be able to use it until the next day.
How Long After Tiling A Shower Can You Use It?
When applying grout, sealer, or glue, it is essential to wait the appropriate amount of time as specified by the manufacturer. However, in most circumstances, you will need to wait 24 hours after tiling a shower before you can use it.
Conclusion
After all, this is said and done, it should be clear to you by now the question of how long does it take to tile a bathroom.
Installing tile in a bathroom may take an expert 6 to 8 hours, but a DIYer takes 10 to 16 hours. Tiling the shower takes an expert 4 to 8 hours, whereas the ordinary DIYer needs 8 to 12 hours.
We hope this article helped you to know all the necessary information about the duration of tiling a bathroom. Good luck with your new project!
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.