Overview
Don't let a tub and shower tile job psych you out. Follow these planning, measuring and installation tips
Preparation
1 of 2Mock up and measure
Mock up and
measure a
row of tile to determine
the layout.
2 of 2Draw level and plumb lines
Draw level and plumb
layout lines on the
wall to guide your installation.
Mock up and
measure a
row of tile to determine
the layout. If
you'll be using spacers to
create grout lines, add
them between the tiles
before you measure. Use
the measurement to determine
whether you should
shift the layout to get a
wider tile in the corner,
and to determine the layout
for the end walls of a
tub or shower.
Draw level and plumb
layout lines on the
wall to guide your installation.
Measure a row of tile to determine the
location of the plumb line on the back
wall. Subtract about 3/4 in. from the
height of the tile and use this measurement
to locate the height of the level
line above the tub or shower.
No skinny tile strips
1 of 2Avoid skinny tiles
Don't leave a skinny
strip of tile in
the corners.
2 of 2Wider corner tiles look better
Locate the starting plumb
line to leave the widest
possible same-sized tiles at each
corner.
Don't leave a skinny
strip of tile in
the corners. Plan for the widest possible
corner tile for the most attractive
tile job.
Locate the starting plumb
line to leave the widest
possible same-sized tiles at each
corner. Lay out the tile on the floor and
use the back wall measurement to determine
how wide the corner tiles will be. If
starting with the edge of a full tile in the
center of the back wall leaves a skinny strip
in the corner, shift the plumb line by half
the width of the tile. This will increase the
size of the corner tiles.
Start out level
1 of 3Start tile on a level board
Screw a straight
board to the
level line and stack tile on
the board.
2 of 3Don't start on the edge of the tub or shower
Don't start the
first row of
tile by resting it against the
tub or shower.
3 of 3Close-up of improper spacing
Screw a straight
board to the
level line and stack tile on
the board. When you've completed
tiling above the board
and the tiles are held firmly,
remove the board and cut the
first row of tile to fit. Leave a
1/8-in. space between the tub
and the tile to allow installation
of a flexible bead of caulk. This
tip also allows you to wrap tile
around tub corners as shown in
the photo below.
Don't start the
first row of
tile by resting it against the
tub or shower. It'll cause trouble
because most tubs and showers
aren't perfectly straight or level.
Your tile will wander from the
plumb line, and misaligned grout
lines will be your only solution.
Tile extends beyond tub
1 of 2Extend tile beyond tub edge
Plan the tile layout
so a column of tile
extends past the end of the
tub.
2 of 2Don't stop at the tub's edge
Don't stop
tile
even with the end of
the tub.
Plan the tile layout
so a column of tile
extends past the end of the
tub. Use the method shown in the
“Mock up and measure” photo above to determine how
wide the corner tile needs to be in
order to extend the tile beyond the
tub. Plan to extend the tile 2 or 3 in.
beyond the tub and to leave at least
a half tile along the wall if possible.
Don't stop tile
even with the end of
the tub. This leaves the
walls along the front of the
tub vulnerable to water
damage, and doesn't look
as finished as tile extending
to the floor.
