Ceramic Tile Shower Cost

Ceramic tiles are flexible and decorative plywood for walls and floors, with the help of which the shower can be personalized to your taste. The color, shape, and dimensions of the tiles, as well as the mounting pattern, have a decisive impact on the appearance of the bathroom.

How much does ceramic tile shower installation cost?

The ceramic tile shower can be installed in a few days and its costs are influenced by some factors such as the complexity of the pattern you choose, the type of the tile, whether the right materials are in place or not (like cement backer board), and the size of the shower.

In the table below you will find the average costs of ceramic tile shower installation for 10 square feet to 100 square feet of tiling space.

Item Cost
Tiles $0.75 to $100 per square foot
Base $120 to $1,200
Materials $500
Labor – Includes setting and grouting $12 to $30 per square foot
Removal and disposal of old tiles $450 to 600
Total $1,250 to $10,000

Cost considerations

Shower Tile ExampleIn case you choose unglazed tile, you will also need to purchase sealant to be used at the end of the installation. Expect to pay anywhere between $120 and $250 on this.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a walk-in shower, Onyx Collection shower, or shower valve replacement.

In order not to have unpleasant surprises when installing ceramic tiles, when calculating the quantity to be purchased, you should also take into account the material that will be unusable after cutting. It is advisable to buy a few extra boards, to be prepared in the event that later you may need the same type of boards.

When installing ceramic tiles, the rows do not always come out perfectly. In addition, cutouts for fittings or holes for pipes or other similar objects must be made. Due to the high surface tension, the ceramic tiles cannot simply be cut with a saw or drilled, there is a risk of breakage. It would be a good idea to add 10% more tile to allow for mistakes or breakage that may appear during installation.

The costs could increase by around 20% if you choose an intricate pattern for ceramic tile shower installation.

The labor costs do not include the removal of untenable materials such as cement backer boards. In general, carpenters charge around $75 per hour for their services.

Also, when you remove the old materials, it would be a good idea to hire a plumber for upgrading the plumbing in the tub and shower area.

The costs will also be influenced by the shower and tub combinations, these decreasing as they will require fewer tiles to get the job done, along with fewer labor hours.

Ceramic tiles types

Glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles

A glaze ennobles the surface of the ceramic tile, giving it a unique look, as well as chemical and mechanical resistance, water resistance for example.

But there are also unglazed ceramic tiles. They highlight the natural shade of the tiles more but are much more sensitive to stains and moisture.

Polished ceramic tiles

By polishing with silicon carbide abrasive stones, ceramic tiles receive a noble, shiny surface. There are polished ceramic tiles in bulk porcelain ceramics and polished ceramic tiles in natural stone (composite quartz). Please note that polished tiles must first be impregnated with the right chemicals for ceramic tiles!

DIY considerations

Ceramic tile showers can be installed by an individual alone as long as they are not a first-time installer or a novice.

You need to consider the costs of renting the necessary tools for this type of work and keep in mind that you will need these for around three to four days.

Cutting the tile to make them fit into the pattern is a difficult job even for experienced tiling professionals. It would take you some time and there are high chances to make mistakes.

Important things to consider

For some types of ceramic tiles, their size is indicated in approximate dimensions. In the firing process, ceramic tiles are subjected to a natural process of shrinkage due to high temperatures. This is why the dimensions can have small deviations of 1-2 mm. Therefore, due to these production conditions, it is possible to deviate from the nominal dimensions indicated on the packaging cartons, respectively from those indicated in the online store.

For this reason, high-quality ceramic tiles are calibrated or ground. Their dimensions are indicated with millimeter precision.

The unit dimensions of calibrated and ground ceramic tiles not only have a positive impact on the joints but also reduce maintenance efforts. Because the surface on which the ceramic tiles are mounted is particularly flat, bacteria, dirt, and fungi cannot grow as quickly.

Sometimes you need to replace certain ceramic tiles. That’s why it’s not at all a bad idea to keep a few spare tiles, so that you can later replace the tiles with some of the same shade, even after a few years.

Alec Pow
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