How Long Does It Take to Tile a Shower? [6 Steps]

Do you ask yourself – how long does it take to tile a shower? For a regular shower, it should take about two days. In theory, it can be done in one day, but it’s better if you give it enough time so that the mortar can cure properly.

Your shower room is one of the most used rooms inside your home. Having a pleasant and clean shower room makes it more comfortable to use.

Now, if you’re planning to upgrade your shower room, this article is for you!

If you want to learn more, below are the steps that we reviewed that might help you understand the necessary measurements in tiling your shower room.

Now, let’s proceed!

How Long Does A Shower Tile Installation Take?

Installing a new tile in your shower room can add up a wow factor to your home. The question is, how long does it take you to install a shower tile?

With these easy steps that might guide you along with your tile installation, you will be able to enjoy your bathroom in time!

The common factors in determining how long it will take for tile installation are the size and layout. But in general, we can say that tiling your shower should take about two days.

Knowing this factor may help you plan the best way to upgrade your shower room properly.

Steps To Tile The Shower

Below are the necessary steps to tile your shower room:

1. Prepare The Surface

The first step is ensuring that your shower room is already clean, smooth, and dry. You need to be aware that it might take you some time to repair, patch, and level uneven areas on your bathroom surface.

Also, you need to double-check the surface to make sure that your room is free from wax, soap scum, and greases.

Hence, you must remove any molding, trim, or appliance that may distract your working process.

2. Start Your Layout

If you want to have an efficient layout, you can make a center point of each wall in the room to be your guide.

Next, make a chalk line between the center points of the opposite walls that pinpoint the shower room center.

You can also adjust the point if needed.

Next, in the center point, you can now lay rows of loose tiles along the centerline in both directions – by using tile spacers to achieve even rows.

Once you’re done, you may proceed to cut the tiles to fit the corner correctly.

If you need to cut a smaller size than half of your tile, you can adjust the centerline by snapping a new streak closer to the wall.

3. Start Applying The Adhesive

Generally, you need to be aware that you should only mix enough adhesive and use it within 30 minutes.

It is recommended that you need to use a flat side of the trowel to spread a 1/4 coating on the surface of your wall.

After that, you can hold the trowel at 45 degrees in angle and use a notched side to comb the cement into standing ridges.

Removing the excess adhesive will give a uniform ridge setting bed in your tile. Also, putting the right amount of cement in the wall area takes 15 minutes to set.

4. Cut The Tile If Needed

Before cutting the tile, carefully measure how many cuts you need. You may use a tile cutter to achieve an exact amount.

If you need to cut curve edges, it would be best to use a rod saw to achieve perfect curve cuts after, then smooth out its sharp edges of your tile with a carborundum stone to a smooth finish.

5. Set Your Tiles

Now that your area is set, you can now create your layout in setting your tiles properly.

You can start installing the tiles one grid at a time. Always make sure that you finish each grid before moving on to the next.

It would be best if you moved your arm in a slight twisting motion in setting a tile to avoid sliding them into place.

Also, you need to save small space in each tile, leaving it with a 1/4th inch gap between your tiles and the wall.

Once you have already installed the grid, tap all the tiles using a rubber hammer and a wood block to make sure that it already has a solid bond and level plane.

Then, start removing excess adhesive from the joints with a putty knife with a damp sponge to prevent uneven wall appearance.

After doing these steps, allow your hard word to set for 24 hours before using it.

6. Filling Grouting Joints

When your tiles are already set, you can continue filling the joints in between your tiles.

After taking out the grout on its package, you need to fill the tiles within 30 minutes. It is because grout can quickly harden.

Now, if you’re done removing the tile spacers and spreading the grout evenly in the space, use a rubber grout float to enforce it down generously.

To remove the excess grout easily in this step, tilt the float and immediately snap the excess grout.

Once you’re done, you can set the grout around 15 to 20 minutes; use a damp sponge to clean any remaining grout.

If you notice that your grout is already dried and has haze forms, you can now start polishing your tiles with a soft cloth and rinse it with clean water.

Furthermore, take your newly tiled shower room to set for 72 hours before using it and give it at least three weeks before applying the sealers or polishes.

If you want to take a look how it looks like in reality, check out the following video:

Barriers To Avoid To Speed Up Tile Installation

If you want to have a beautiful and long-lasting tile installation, please follow the instructions correctly.

It would help if you considered buying the best quality tile foundation you can get in the market.

To have a long-lasting tile, settle for the best quality. It might be quite expensive, but you should focus on the benefits you can get in the future.

Can You Tile And Grout On The Same Day?

If you use a rapid thin-set which compensates your tile material, then tiling and grouting on the same day are possible.

Hence, this type of work is more effective for a smaller area. Before you decide to tile and grout your shower room on the same day, consider first its future outcome.

Should you tile the shower wall or floor first?

If you’re thinking of replacing your wall and floor tile, you should know which one will come first.

In starting your project, it is best to install tile in your wall first so that you can avoid future messes and damages.

After you’re done with your wall tile replacement, you can now proceed to your floor installation.

How Long Does It Take To Tile A Shower Wall?

It takes about 24 to 48 hours to set before you can apply grout in the tile. After using a grout, you need to wait at least one more day before you can apply a sealer.

To set your sealer, you need another 24 hours before your bathroom can be used heavily.

How Long Does It Take To Tile A Shower Floor?

If you plan to change the tile on your shower room floor, you need at least 3 to 7 hours to lay your tile.

Hence, if you are a meticulous person, you can put 4 to 8 hours of your time into changing your shower floor tiles.

Moreover, your time in upgrading or repairing your shower room will depend on its size and dimension.

If you have a big bathroom, it takes more time to finish than a smaller bathroom.

Hence, if you want to have a great result, you should set your floor for one day and let your mortar and grout set for two days.

How Long Does It Take To Grout A Shower?

If you notice the grout of your shower is about to break, fix it immediately.

Applying new grout and sealer needs two days to cure before you can use your shower. After you seal the tile, you need to wait another one day to make it stable.

Hence, some grout products have different formulas that have other drying times. Before buying any grout products, consult a professional installer, and follow the instruction very carefully.

How Long Does It Take Shower Tile Grout To Dry?

Even if your shower grout looks dried up, using it early without following its setting time might cause damage that can waste your effort.

Mostly, grout requires about two or three days to set before you can proceed to the next step.

You don’t need to rush things up. If you want to achieve a clean and well-set bathroom, you need to have lots of patience.

How Long Does It Take To Tile A Small Shower?

If you’re a professional installer, it might take you only 4 to 5 hours to finish the job.

For a newbie like you, either you have a bathroom that is big or small in size. I think you need more than 8 to tile a small shower.

How Long Does It Take To Subway Tile A Shower?

If you’re planning to replace your subway tile with new ones, this might be challenging for you if you’re a newbie.

It requires you to cut tiles’ edges that make you slow down your work process.

If you’re a newbie, cutting the tile alone can take you one day or maybe up to two days to finish it.

When you already start putting a waterproof membrane, you need to add another two days in the process because you need to let the thin-set to dry before you can continue.

How Much Does It Cost To Tile A Shower?

Your bathroom must be the most pleasant room of all in your home, but upgrading your shower also comes with a cost.

If you’re looking for a tile that will give you a long-lasting service, you can settle for high-quality ones but quite expensive.

One of the most used tiles for the shower is ceramic tiles. It is because this tile gives you an aesthetic atmosphere at the time it is easy to clean.

Moreover, your costing for upgrading your shower room will depend on what quality of tiles you’re going to buy.

Summary

In Summary, Upgrading your old bathroom can create a new atmosphere that gives you peace and a comfortable feeling when you’re using it.

Tiling your shower with new tiles is not a big deal. It takes about two days, and it will improve your bathroom tremendously.

Lastly, your bathroom is the mirror of yourself, so having a clean and modest bathroom can give you a great impression of your personality.

Resources

Image credits – Photo by Yunming Wang on Unsplash