Bathroom tiling
Bathroom tiling in Glasgow & Renfrewshire
Bathroom tiling covers the walls, floor and shower area, and good tiling starts with a flat, waterproof base. Glasgow Bathroom Fitter tiles bathrooms across Glasgow and Renfrewshire, from full wall and floor tiling to retiling a shower area, plus regrouting and repairs. You can supply your own tiles or we can source them, and you get a fixed-price written quote after a free survey.
Your options
Which bathroom tiling job do you need?
The right job depends on the state of your tiles and what sits behind them. These are the four tiling jobs we do most.
| Job | What's involved | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full wall and floor tiling | Old tiles off, surfaces prepared, new tiles, grout and silicone | A full refresh or a new bathroom |
| Shower area retiling | Shower tiles removed, area waterproofed, then retiled | A leaking or tired shower area |
| Regrouting and resealing | Old grout raked out, new grout and fresh silicone | Stained or crumbling grout on sound tiles |
| Cracked tile repair | Damaged tiles cut out and replaced | Small areas, if matching tiles are available |
Tiling as part of a full bathroom renovation Wet room tiling and tanking
Waterproofing
Why does waterproofing come before tiling?
Tiles and grout are not waterproof on their own, so a shower area needs a waterproof layer underneath to protect the walls and floor.
Tanking shower areas
Before we tile a shower area, we waterproof it with a liquid membrane, paying extra attention to corners, joints and pipe openings. This stops water soaking through the grout into the wall or the floor below, which matters even more in flats.
Preparing walls and floors
Tiles need a flat, sound surface. We remove loose plaster and old tiles, board walls where needed, and give timber floors a rigid base so the tiles do not crack. In older flats our tenement bathroom specialists check the floor first.
Your tiles or ours
Should you supply your own bathroom tiles?
You can supply your own tiles or ask us to source them. Both work well, as long as there are enough tiles of the same batch.
Supplying your own tiles
If you buy your own tiles, order around 10% extra to allow for cuts and breakages, and more for large-format or patterned tiles. Keep the tiles from the same batch, because colours can vary slightly between batches. We tell you the area to cover at the survey.
Letting us source them
If you would rather not shop for tiles, we can source them for you once you have chosen the style you like. Either way, you get one fixed-price quote. For premium finishes, see our luxury bathroom installation service.
How it works
How a bathroom tiling job works
Every tiling job follows the same order, because the preparation decides how long the finish lasts.
- 1. Free survey: we measure the area and check the walls, floor and any signs of leaks.
- 2. Fixed-price quote: a written quote that shows exactly what is included.
- 3. Preparation: old tiles and loose plaster are removed and surfaces are boarded or levelled.
- 4. Waterproofing: shower areas are tanked with a liquid membrane.
- 5. Setting out and tiling: we plan the layout so cuts are balanced, then fix the tiles.
- 6. Grout and seal: the tiles are grouted and the joints are sealed with silicone.
Pricing
How much does bathroom tiling cost?
The cost of bathroom tiling depends on the area, the size and type of tile, and how much preparation the walls and floor need, so we give a competitive, fixed-price written quote after a free survey.
What changes the price
- Area: how many square metres of wall and floor are being tiled.
- Tile size and type: large-format, mosaic and patterned tiles take longer.
- Preparation: removing old tiles, boarding and levelling.
- Waterproofing: tanking shower areas before tiling.
- Layout: diagonal and feature patterns mean more cuts.
- Supply: whether you supply the tiles or we source them.
Why us
Why homeowners choose us for bathroom tiling
Homeowners choose us for bathroom tiling because we waterproof first and take our time over the preparation.
- Walls, floors and shower areas, plus regrouting and repairs
- Shower areas waterproofed before tiling
- Your tiles or ours, in one fixed-price quote
- Our own fitters, with electrics by a registered electrician
- 15 years of experience, founded by James McCallum
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 36 Google reviews, with a 2-year workmanship guarantee
Replacing more than the tiles? See our full bathroom renovation service.
Free survey
Book a free bathroom tiling survey
Tell us what you want tiled and whether you have your tiles already, and we'll visit for a free survey and send a fixed-price written quote.
- Free, no-obligation survey
- Shower areas waterproofed first
- Fixed-price written quote
Free · No obligation
Get your free bathroom quote
Tell us a little about your bathroom and we'll arrange your free, no-obligation survey.
No obligation. We never share your details.
Prefer to talk? Call 0141 280 9490 or WhatsApp us.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom?
It depends on the area being tiled, the size and type of tile, and how much preparation the walls and floor need. Removing old tiles, boarding walls and waterproofing a shower area all add time, while large-format and patterned tiles take longer to lay. We give you a competitive, fixed-price written quote after a free survey, so you know the full cost first.
How long does it take to tile a bathroom?
It depends on the size of the area, the tiles and the preparation. Waterproofing, adhesive and grout all need time to set before the next stage, so a tiling job is not rushed. Retiling a shower area is quicker than tiling a full bathroom. We give you a timescale with your written quote, so you know how long the room will be out of use.
Can you tile over existing tiles?
Sometimes, but it is often not the best choice. Tiling over old tiles adds weight, raises the surface and hides any damage, loose tiles or leaks underneath. In a shower area we would normally remove the old tiles so the wall can be checked and waterproofed properly. We look at your tiles at the free survey and tell you honestly which option suits.
Do I need to waterproof before tiling a shower?
Yes. Tiles and grout are not waterproof on their own, and water can soak through the grout into the wall or floor behind. Before we tile a shower area, we waterproof it with a liquid membrane, paying extra attention to corners, joints and pipe openings. This protects the structure behind the tiles and, in a flat, the home below, for years to come.
What is the 1/3 rule for tiles?
The 1/3 rule means that when you lay long tiles in a brick pattern, each row should be offset by no more than a third of the tile's length. Long tiles can have a slight bow along their length, and offsetting them by half can leave uneven edges where the tiles meet. Many tile makers recommend this rule, and we set out large tiles with it in mind.
How many extra tiles should I buy?
As a rule of thumb, order around 10% more than the area you are tiling, to allow for cuts and the odd breakage. For large-format, patterned or diagonally laid tiles, allow a little more, because there are more cuts. Buy all your tiles from the same batch, as colours can vary between batches, and keep a few spares for future repairs.
Can you regrout my shower without retiling it?
Yes, if the tiles are still firmly fixed and the wall behind them is sound. We rake out the old grout, regrout the joints and replace the silicone around the tray or bath. If tiles sound hollow, keep cracking or there are signs of a leak, the area may need retiling and waterproofing instead. We check this at the free survey.
Can you tile a timber floor in a tenement flat?
Yes. Timber floors flex slightly, which can crack tiles and grout, so we give the floor a rigid base before tiling. In older tenement flats we also check the joists and the floor level at the survey, because uneven floors are common. Any preparation the floor needs, such as boarding or levelling, is shown on your written quote before any work starts.