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busysand · Jul 13, 2013, 08:43 AM

We need to remodel our bathroom currently tiled wall in shower area and half way up the other walls. We want to consider resale value as well since we plan to sell in 5 years. We don't know if we should retile all the walls or we have estimates for the bath fitter - rebath solution. I decided I am not going to cover up the existing but go done to the studs. I like the look of the tile like acrylic walls for maintenance reasons but is ceramic tile the best way to go?

joypulv · Jul 13, 2013, 09:08 AM

I'm going through this same question.
I'm not in favor of bath fitters if you can DIY.
I'm not a fan of tile half way up all the walls, and I think they are out of favor now anyway.
Resale first: does the rest of the house justify a certain expense? Does the neighborhood justify it? Many times the answer is no, but I think for any tub surround, tile that isn't over about $5/ft is worth it.
Second tile vs acrylic: I have a bath that's maybe 6 years old with a single acrylic tub and surround, all one piece, and I like the ease of cleaning and no mildew/mold. I have a bath that's 30 years old that's also one piece, but a really ugly color that has to go. So I priced surrounds and find that one piece is hard to find, AND expensive, so I am going to get white/grey marble 12" tiles. Not expensive at all at Home Depot. You just have to do the backer board and vapor barrier right and know how to tile and grout.
I think in any house and any neighborhood, that bit of effort is worth maybe 2 extra hours.

busysand · Jul 13, 2013, 10:05 AM

Thanks for your input. Bath Fitter and Re Bath estimates are coming in at about $8000 for just the shower/tub area. If I wainscot the existing tile outside the shower that adds another $4000. I think ceramic tile is probably the way to go but concerned about resale, whether I should do a nice coordinating tile part way up the other walls for easy maintenance or just paint it. The tile I looked at is about $4.00 per sq. ft.

joypulv · Jul 13, 2013, 10:41 AM

Are you going to pay someone or DIY?

ma0641 · Jul 13, 2013, 11:21 AM

$4 per square foot is pretty pricy unless it is installed. HD and Lowe's have nice neutral floor tile at $1 or less, floor tile is perfect for shower and bath walls as it is much harder and more resistant. Tile if you are in an upscale house, 3 piece wall otherwise, tile accent. I wouldn't tile all the walls, cold and feels like a cave. Use a wainscoted wall at the vanity level.

busysand · Jul 13, 2013, 05:14 PM

I am paying someone to do the work-my husband and I are in our early 60's and DIY is not an option for us. Too big of a project for us and we are not that skilled. Thinking of tile on all the walls with an accent just above vanity level. Using a green/blue/gray/while accent glass small tiles for a accent. Planning to paint the top part a nice blue/green for a pop of color and warm costal feel! The 4 per sq. ft is for the tile. Everyone says stay away from the cheaper tile at Lowe's etc. and buy from a tile store.

ma0641 · Jul 15, 2013, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by busysand

I am paying someone to do the work-my husband and I are in our early 60's and DIY is not an option for us. Too big of a project for us and we are not that skilled. Thinking of tile on all the walls with an accent just above vanity level. Using a green/blue/gray/while accent glass small tiles for a accent. Planning to paint the top part a nice blue/green for a pop of color and warm costal feel! The 4 per sq. ft is for the tile. Everyone says stay away from the cheaper tile at Lowe's etc. and buy from a tile store.

"everyone?" Look at the name of the tile, believe me they don't make special "cheap" tile for HD or Lowe's.