Tile the bathroom correctly: half-height or room-height?

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There is no question that bathrooms are tiled. However, there are different views as to the height of the wall tiles. There are many reasons for one or the other possibility.

The height of the wall tiles

The alleged risk of mold in only partially tiled bathrooms is often cited as the reason for tiling the entire walls. In fact, there isn't much of a difference between fully tiled bathrooms and partially tiled bathrooms. Tiles themselves usually don't go moldy, but the joints do, which can look very ugly over time.

Note: There is always good ventilation, regardless of the height of the tiles in the bathroom

necessary.

a matter of taste

Since there are hardly any objective reasons for one or the other variant, the height of the wall tiles can be chosen entirely according to personal preferences. Depending on the type of tile, a fully tiled room can quickly appear very cold and sterile, similar to a slaughter room. On the other hand, tiles in warm tones can exude a cozy atmosphere. A half-height tiled bathroom allows more design freedom. Not just in terms of the upper part of the walls. Subsequent changes, including tiling, are also possible.

Note: Tile stickers also bring variety to bare-looking walls.

Question of cost

Usually is

it is more expensive to tile a room all the way up to the ceiling than to only install half-height tiles. But that depends a lot on the choice of tiles or the price of a corresponding alternative.

Advantage of complete tiling

Bathroom tiled floor to ceiling

The most important, if not the only sensible argument in favor of tiles to the ceiling is ease of cleaning. They are only wiped off damp with an all-purpose cleaner and dried if necessary. However, it should always be borne in mind that this advantage can quickly be reversed if the joints between the tiles are moldy or otherwise dirty. Because these are much more difficult to clean thoroughly. Especially when it concerns the joints in the upper part of the walls. They may even need to be replaced, and that requires quite a bit of effort.

Where room-high makes sense

Regardless of your own taste, there is high tiling everywhere

useful where splashing water on the walls is unavoidable.
  • shower
  • bathtub
  • Toilet
  • Vanity
  • heated towel dryer

However, the height of the tiles also depends on the height of the room and the height of the bathroom fittings. Half-height tiling may be sufficient for a toilet, while a shower is always tiled room-high. Unless a full shower cubicle is installed.

Disadvantages of tiles

If a bathroom is completely tiled, the effort is very great if it is to be renovated. A simple color change is only possible with a special adhesive film or tile varnish. Both variants are more work than simply painting a plastered wall. The only other alternative would be to knock the tiles off the wall completely and replace them with others.

Note: When a bathroom is re-tiled, it is always a good idea to keep some replacement tile in case the tiles become damaged over time.