Talking Tile - Communication & Creativity in a Shower Tile Renovation

What are you supposed to do when your only bathroom desperately needs a remodel, but you can’t go without using the bathroom while the work gets done? This was the case for a shower tile project I completed recently. The client, Lora & Giles, wanted to update their shower as the fiberglass enclosure had started to show signs of wear and tear, leaving their bathroom at risk for water intrusion.

Because this is a one-bathroom home, taking the space out of commission was going to be difficult.Fortunately, they were planning a vacation, & Lora reached out well in advance of their travel date to get a bid. We scheduled the tile shower remodel to happen exactly while they were out of town on vacation.

The Before: Catching Wear and Tear Early

Addressing a failing fiberglass enclosure early is an important part of property maintenance. If you leave a worn-out enclosure alone, you are usually looking at water intrusion behind the walls. Once water gets in, the project can turn into expensive water mitigation and structural repair before you can even begin installing new materials.

The failing fiberglass enclosure

We discussed several different options. After visiting a few different big box home improvement stores, as well as a local tile store, to look at different shower tile ideas, they eventually landed on a large format shower wall tile and color-matching grout.

Removing the old shower enclosure

During the Build: The Shower Tile Dry Layout

They wanted to create a tiled recess where they could place shampoo and soap, and ensuring it was at the correct height for them was important. With larger format shower tiles, I find that they are far less forgiving than smaller tiles in these kinds of projects. They can also be a bit more time consuming as the need for a consistent, flat plane increases in proportion to the size of the tile. It did mean less grout though, which was nice!

Creating a perfectly flat surface for the tiles

An important step in how to tile a shower properly is taking time to do a 'dry' layout before you start installing. This ensures that the top and bottom courses will not be 'slivers', that your side cuts are similar in size, and also that the bullnose tile which framed out the recess would not be problematic. It's a balancing act of considering aesthetics, not wanting to have a lot of material waste, and also needing to 'get on with install' because the clock is ticking!

Creating the ‘dry’ layout for the tile

Lora was my main point of contact, and I was texting her updates daily.  She was always prompt with her responses, and very helpful with answers to any questions, like the exact placement of the recess. Her communication played a huge part in keeping this project on schedule, which was incredibly important on such a tight timeline.

The After: On Time and On Budget

In the end, Lora & Giles got to return home to a beautiful, enduring tile shower that was safe from any sort of water intrusion. 

The completed shower tile renovation

We managed to balance all of their needs with their chosen aesthetics, all while keeping it on time and on budget. This project really illustrates what can be achieved when good communication is put towards a goal.

A note on continued shower tile care: any time you use grout, it’s important to clean it regularly without harsh chemicals or abrasives that could break it down and allow water to seep through. Depending on the type of shower tile grout you use, you might need to apply a waterproof sealant once a year. Make sure to read the care instructions for whatever product you use!

Practical Solutions for Tight Timelines

With good planning and communication on the front end and a strong commitment to delivering, it can be done. If your shower is starting to show signs of wear and tear, or you need to figure out how to fit a necessary upgrade into a tight schedule, please reach out. We can look at your options and find a practical solution that fits your timeline and your budget.

If you have some shower tile ideas for your home, a required repair, or a project that calls for a careful and experienced approach, please contact Politzki Services today to discuss how we can work together.