Bathroom Tile Installation Costs
Resistance to water damage and safety considerations makes tile a solid choice for a bathroom. Some types of tile have a rough surface that prevents slipping and falling. Many factors, including costs of materials, tools, equipment and labor, go into pricing a bathroom tile installation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Considerations
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Tile prices range from less than $1 per square foot to $20 per square foot or more for specialty tile. If you have a budget, keep in mind that the cost of the tile is only a small part of the project.
Professional tile installation costs can vary widely depending on the area in which you live. Tools necessary to install tile will cost roughly $50-400 depending on if you already own a drill and saw or if you have to purchase them. Materials will add about $4 to $10 per square foot to the cost of the tile job. Once you consult with a professional and factor in your tool and material costs, determine if it is more economical for you to do the job or hire a professional.
Underlayment
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When applying tile to shower areas, use concrete backer board, which usually comes in 3 x 5 foot sheets and costs about 50 to 75 cents per square foot, depending on thickness. Concrete backer requires specialized saw blades for cutting, costing from $2-$5 each depending on size. Plywood can be used under floor and counter-top tiles. It is approximately 25 to 30 cents per square foot depending on thickness.
Saw blades for wood cost around $8 to $10 each, but these last for many more cuts than a concrete backer saw blade. If the bathroom floor thickness is not even with adjacent rooms, you may use reducer molding, which costs about $20 to $30.
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Adhesive
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Adhesive used to attach the tile it runs from about 20 to 30 cents per square foot for regular mortar, to which you add water. Vertical tiles must stay in place long enough for the adhesive to set and require additives to help it dry more quickly. This mortar costs approximately 50 to 75 cents per square foot. Premixed mortar is more expensive at $2 to $4 per square foot. If you have a small job, it may be more economical to buy the premixed, as it comes in far smaller packages.
Tools
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A tile job is dependent on the first row set. If it moves the entire job will be off kilter. Spacers are about 2 to 5 cents each and allow you to keep the same amount of space between each tile. For most projects, you will need to purchase or rent a tile cutter or saw. Tile cutters are about $20 to $60 depending on tile size. Wet (tile) saws can run anywhere from $50 to $300 or more. Many tool rental places have tile saws for about $20-30 per day. A notched trowel is necessary to lay the adhesive evenly. Purchase these for as little as $3. If you are doing a large job, invest in a high-quality $20 notched trowel.
Mixing
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A large bucket is needed to mix both adhesive and grout. If you don't have a five-gallon container laying around, most hardware stores have them for about $3. A $10 beater mixes material thoroughly and ensures a more smooth tile bed. You need a power drill to use the beater. If you do not have a drill, rent or purchase one depending on the size of your project. A good quality drill, adequate for the average do it yourself household, will cost approximately $50-$100.
Finishing
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Grout comes in sanded and nonsanded powders, as well as in premixed with liquid form. Grout comes in many, many colors and types and can cost anywhere from 20 cents to $2 per square foot. To get the grout into the gutters, you will need a molded rubber float that can be purchased for about $6. For about $2, you can get cheesecloth to clean the haze from your tile.
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