Tiles
Cheap wall tiles and floor tiles: where to save and where not
You can save wisely on wall and floor tiles: choose standard sizes instead of large formats, tile only where water splashes, opt for simple tiles without decorations, and buy everything in one go. However, it’s not worth skimping on waterproofing, adhesive, substrate preparation, and labour – cheap solutions usually end up costing more. When choosing a cheaper tile, check the quality, batch, and parameters.
Illustrative image: simple light grey bathroom with wall tiles 30 × 60 cm and floor tiles 60 × 60 cm
When renovating a bathroom, tiles and floor tiles are one of the items where savings are easiest to find. The price per square metre is just part of the costs – tiling also includes adhesive, grout, waterproofing, trims, and mainly labour. A cheap tile that is poorly laid or cracks will ultimately cost more than a standard quality tile. We describe what contributes to the cost of a bathroom in the article How much does a bathroom renovation cost.
Where savings can be made
| Savings | Why it works | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| standard size 30 × 60 or 60 × 60 cm | cheaper tiles and laying, less waste | large formats require a level substrate and more work |
| tiles only in wet zones | fewer square metres of tiles and labour | the rest of the walls can be painted washable bathroom paint |
| tiles without decorations and trims | decorations and listels can be expensive per piece | an accent can also be created with colour or a different format |
| ceramic wall tiles | the wall is not stressed like the floor | floor tiles and tiles for the shower |
| clearance and last pieces | lower price for the same product | buy the entire quantity with a reserve at once |
| second quality | minor defects at a lower price | only where defects don’t matter, for example behind the cabinet |
| format according to the dimensions of the room | less cutting and waste | plan the layout of the tiles in advance |
Where paint suffices instead of tiles is explained in the article Paint for bathroom walls. If the original tiles are solid and level, new ones can sometimes be glued directly onto them – conditions are described in the article Bathroom renovation without demolition.
Where not to save
- Waterproofing in the shower and around the bath. Water leaks behind it into the wall and to neighbours – repairs mean demolishing the new tiles. The process is described in the article Waterproofing the shower enclosure.
- Adhesive according to the tiles and substrate. For porcelain stoneware tiles, large formats, and underfloor heating, use the adhesive specified by the manufacturer, which is usually flexible. Cheap adhesive can cause tiles to come loose or crack.
- Substrate preparation – an uneven wall or floor cannot be hidden under the tiles. For floor tiles, flatness is even more important than for wall tiles.
- Tiler – a good tiler saves material because they cut less and can plan the tiling layout. How to choose one is described in the article How to choose a tiler.
- Slip resistance of the tiles on the floor and in the shower – cheap glossy tiles can be dangerous.
- Grout in the shower – more durable grout gets less dirty and doesn’t need replacing.
How to recognise a cheap tile that lasts
A cheap tile doesn’t have to be bad. However, before purchasing, check the box and the technical sheet for:
- quality – first quality or second, with minor defects,
- batch and shade – all boxes must be from the same batch, otherwise shades will differ,
- calibre – with non-rectified tiles, the actual size may slightly vary between batches,
- water absorption, PEI and slip resistance in floor tiles – what they mean is explained in the article Tile parameters,
- country of manufacture and manufacturer – where the wall tiles come from, is described in the article Where wall tiles are from.
Cheaper alternatives to new wall tiles
If the original wall tiles are solid and you mainly don't mind their colour, you don't have to change them right away. Wall tiles outside the shower can be painted with special tile paint – when it makes sense and when it doesn't, we describe in the article Tile paint. For walls outside of splashing water, you can use washable bathroom paint. PVC panels and self-adhesive tiles are the cheapest and can be applied quickly, but they have their limitations – a comparison can be found in the article PVC panels and self-adhesive tiles. In the shower and around the bathtub, wall tiles with waterproofing underneath are always required. If you are only changing the floor tiles or just one wall, choose new wall tiles that match what remains – bring a sample to the store.
Cheap floor tiles: where they are sufficient and where they are not
For the WC, basement, utility room, or behind cabinets, simple floor tiles of standard quality are sufficient. For the entrance to the house, kitchen, and hallway, where shoes are worn, choose floor tiles with an appropriate abrasion resistance class – otherwise, the surface will wear out quickly. In the shower, slip resistance matters, not price.
What makes up the cost of tiling
- wall tiles and floor tiles including a reserve for cutting,
- adhesive, grout, primer and waterproofing,
- profiles, corners and silicone,
- tiler's labour and substrate preparation,
- demolition and disposal of the old wall tiles.
The amount of wall tiles including a reserve is calculated by the calculator in the article How much wall tiles and floor tiles to buy, adhesive and grout consumption adhesive consumption calculator. Therefore, when comparing offers, do not look only at the price of wall tiles per square metre, but at the total of all items.
Steps to save wisely
- Measure the bathroom and decide which walls really need wall tiles.
- Select a standard format that fits the dimensions of the room.
- Calculate the amount including a reserve of around 10 %.
- Compare the total price including adhesive, grout and labour.
- Buy everything at once from the same batch and keep a reserve at home for repairs.
You can see wall tiles and floor tiles of various price levels live in the studio in Senec at Bratislavská 71 – we will advise you on where you can save without risk. On the e-shop vkupelni.sk you will find wall tiles and floor tiles.
Common mistakes
- Cheap wall tiles, expensive repair – savings on waterproofing or adhesive will come back to haunt you when leaking occurs.
- Sale without reserve – the same wall tiles cannot be purchased later.
- Boxes from different batches – shades differ and it shows on the wall.
- Large-format tiles at a promotional price – cheap floor tiles, but more expensive labour and substrate leveling.
- Comparison of only the price per m² – without adhesive, grout and labour you do not see the real price.
Sources: our articles How much does a bathroom renovation cost, Tile parameters, Shower waterproofing, Adhesive, grout and profiles and Bathroom renovation without demolition. The type of adhesive, waterproofing and grout width is always determined by the material manufacturer. We do not provide prices, as they change according to availability.
Terms in the dictionary: Grout · Waterproofing · Large-format tiles · Gres (porcelain stoneware tiles) · Underfloor heating · Slip resistance R9 to R13
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you save on tiles?
With common formats, tiling only in wet zones, simple tiling without decors, and buying in sales if you purchase the entire quantity at once.
Where is it not worth saving when tiling?
On waterproofing, adhesive, substrate preparation, tiler's work, and slip resistance of tiles in the shower and on the floor.
Is it worth buying second quality tiles?
Where minor defects do not matter, for example behind a cabinet or in a utility room. For visible walls, choose first quality.
Why buy tiles from the same batch?
The shade and sometimes even the size can slightly differ between batches. The difference would be noticeable on the wall.
Must the tiles be in the whole bathroom?
No. Tiles belong in the shower, around the bath and behind the sink, the rest of the walls can be painted with washable bathroom paint.
How much extra tile should be purchased?
Usually around 10% for cutting and reserve. For complex layouts or diagonal laying, more.
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