Replacing bathroom tile floors and walls can be costly and time-consuming. Plus, tile delivery can take several weeks if the design and materials you want are not in stock. Not surprisingly, with the economy today, many homeowners in Farmington, Plainville, and surrounding communities east of the Connecticut River are looking for budget-friendly ideas for updating their bathrooms. So, can you paint the bathroom tiles? In short, yes, you can. Read on to learn how you can save money painting bathroom tiles with professional-looking results.
Tile Surfaces Most Suitable for Painting
The correct type of paint (which we will discuss later) will adhere to ceramic, stone, porcelain, and other materials. Most bathroom tile surfaces, like floors, walls, backsplashes, and countertops, are suitable for painting.
The only exception is shower walls. The constant exposure to heat and water may cause the paint to crack, peel, and fade prematurely, requiring repainting or touching up.
Best Paint for Bathroom Tiles
You can use most indoor acrylic paints for tile surfaces. However, since bathrooms are humid environments, you want to ensure the paint you apply will hold up to the environment. For example, Benjamin Moore’s Aura Bath and Spa line is available in many colors, allowing you to easily redecorate your bathroom that matches your taste. It is a 100% acrylic resin low-VOC paint explicitly manufactured for high-humid rooms like the bathroom. The mildew-resistant paint dries with a matte finish that also resists fading. You can also clean the tile surface without damaging the painted finish.
How to Paint Bathroom Tiles
Repair damaged tiles:Since you’re not removing the old tiles, take the time to use caulk and a putty knife to repair cracked and chipped tiles for a professional appearance.
Clean the tile: After making tile repairs, the next most important step is to clean the bathroom tiles. Before painting, remove dirt, stains, and any soap scum from the surface. Paint adheres best on clean and dry surfaces.
Sand glazed tile: Many tiles have a shiny or matte surface covered with a liquid glass or enamel glaze applied during manufacturing. It protects the porcelain, ceramic, and other materials from moisture. You will need to carefully sand your bathroom tiles to remove the glazed coating without damaging the underlying surface.
Prime the tiles: Applying a primer covers your tiles with a white surface, giving you a blank canvas to paint your bathroom tiles in the colors and patterns you choose.
Use the right paint: For painting bathroom tiles, use epoxy or acrylic tile paint designed for humid areas. You can paint the surface with a brush if you are stenciling a design pattern or a roller when covering the entire surface. Use painter’s tape to cover portions of the tile when painting surfaces in multiple colors. You can paint the grout too to avoid re-grouting. Allow up to 48 hours for the paint to dry completely.
Are you ready for a bathroom makeover?
Franklin Painting’s skilled professional painters can give you the bathroom design you desire without the time and expense of tile replacement.
Call 877.646.7774 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for a free estimate today!
Frank Campanelli, the esteemed founder of Franklin Painting LLC, has been leading the company since 1986. He takes immense pride in the stellar reputation his dedicated team has built by consistently delivering top-notch service to each customer.
