Can you tile over existing tiles on bathtub wall surround?

Shari
by Shari
The tiles that surround our bathtub need to be replaced. Instead of taking them down, can they be tiled over instead?
  18 answers
  • Following....Great question, I was curious if you could paint over them.
  • Lee Cunningham Green Lee Cunningham Green on Mar 08, 2015
    I Have never heard of anyone tiling over tile, because of their natrually smooth surface I would think it would be problematic. There are however false tiles that are self adhesive, and you could put them over your exsisting tile, Home Depot has a more expensive variety glass tiles that are peel and stick, but at the dollar store you can find plastic ones that look just like the glass tile but are lightweight. they cost between 5 and 8 dollars per sheet. They are used for backsplashes. There is also a full sheet formica idea, to literally cover the tile walls with formica, corian, etc. you would in essence be making a smaller shower but if you did it in full sheets you could get a very different look. Then there is the paint option. While you can paint tiles even ones that are subject to water I am not strong in the belief that it would last very long. No matter what way you choose to go, remember before you do that make sure that your walls are clean dry and sealed. If you don't have shut off valves to your shower be sure and put them in place so that in the future you can access the actual plumbing in the future . So seal it all up, make sure you have no wetness or leaks , and then you can recreate your bathroom without removing tile. BATH FITTERS for example recovers tubs and showers they don't remove the original surface, they just cover it with a complete seal.
  • Christine Christine on Mar 08, 2015
    No you can't tile over existing tile. But you can paint them.
  • D & K D & K on Mar 08, 2015
    Yes, can you install tile over tile but the chemical process often used by many is extremely hazardous and I wouldn't recommend it. If you can sand through or roughen enough of the existing glaze of the tile you can install new tile over the top. You'll need some very heavy silicon carbide sandpaper, a good electric sander and a lot of time. I've used this method on a floor and on a load bearing bathroom wall constructed from cement block. Removal of the tile was destroying the block underneath so the only reasonable option available was to try and skim over it with another layer. You'll need to use a tile mastic adhesive instead of thin set mortar and will need to give it several days to cure before grouting. You can paint tile but the prep process isn't much different. It still requires a lot of sanding and a lot of cleaning and to make it last any amount of time you'll need to use an epoxy paint. Many retailers sell this as garage floor paint but not all garage floor paint is epoxy so find out which it is before reaching for your wallet. If you use anything other than epoxy you'll be wasting your time, And, if you do decide to paint, get rid of the Comet or Ajax cleansers.
  • MsPat MsPat on Mar 09, 2015
    Why paint/cover old dirt and possible mold.... a little time and get a better project.
  • Kaye Watkins Kaye Watkins on Mar 09, 2015
    NOT a good idea, you'll be sorry if you do that
  • Melly Melly on Mar 09, 2015
    Do not even try this. Not a good idea. Better to have the existing tile painted if it can't be removed in favor of something you like.
  • Lisa Kaplan Gordon Lisa Kaplan Gordon on Mar 09, 2015
    You can tile over tile -- it's done on floors all the time. But you must make sure you have enough space between the surround and tub. You don't want to have unsupported, over-hanging tile. By the way, here's a story I found on HouseLogic about groutless tile. www.houselogic.com/home-advice/maintenance-repair/groutless-tile/?eo_sm_sa_lkg
  • Shari Shari on Mar 09, 2015
    Thanks everyone for your input!
  • Tammylrichard Tammylrichard on Mar 09, 2015
    We are redoing our bathroom & it was a big job taking the tiles off the floor. We have decided to tile over the tiles over tub area. We have sanded & cleaned tiles. We have special adhesive from tile store. We have been told that people often do this. Will let you know how our project goes. It should be done by the weekend.
    • Shari Shari on Mar 18, 2015
      @Tammylrichard How did your tile project turn out?
  • Shari Shari on Mar 09, 2015
    I look forward to hearing how it turns out and seeing pictures too if feel comfortable sharing!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Mar 10, 2015
    Am really interested in this topic. Have a full bath in my basement that has the most hideous pink tiles with the ugliest flowers imprinted in them. Dont' have to use the bathroom, and when I do go in to check on the toilet, etc., it literally makes my heave..
  • P.A. Anderson P.A. Anderson on Mar 11, 2015
    You really do NOT want to do that. (put new tile over old) Just think that if the first layer of tile should fail (start to get loose, ready to fall...) then down goes the new tile! It is not going to strengthen the first layer. It is so easy to take off old tile, maybe a bit messy, but certainly not hard. Then water proofing the walls, cement board and up go the new tiles! And you know you have done it right! When I started doing projects around the house, I spent a good deal of time talking to the pros that work either at Home Depot/Lowes or at the hardware store. Learning from others saves a lot of effort
    • Tammylrichard Tammylrichard on Mar 20, 2015
      @P.A. Anderson The old tile is only 10 years old & was really in good shape. We just didn't like the style for us. We sanded & cleaned the old tile & then we use a special product to put tile on. It turned out great.
  • Tammylrichard Tammylrichard on Mar 20, 2015
    Our tile project turned out great. My bathroom is almost done. Painted old mirror instead of buying a new one & have to put that up. Need to buy a towel rod to put up. Then I need to find some pictures to decorate. I may just paint my own.
    • Shari Shari on Mar 20, 2015
      @Tammylrichard I would love to see any before and after pictures if you have any of the tile job!
  • Shari Shari on Mar 20, 2015
    Did you take any pictures of the walls before and after? I would love to see them!
  • Julie Harper Julie Harper on Jul 29, 2015
    Bought a brand new home and got gray tile instead of ivory. The builder retiled over the gray. Didn't seem to hurt anything, but it still bugged me.
  • Tracy C Tracy C on Nov 25, 2015
    My son bought a co-op in NY and wants to re-tile the bathroom. The building is 60+ years old so there's the original plumbing behind the walls and 3 out of 3 contractors have given him astronomical quotes to gut this bathroom and put up new cement board and drywall. So that still leaves the floor. It is in great shape and I was thinking that one way to save some money is to remove the vanity & toilet (new ones were bought anyway) and pour a leveling floor over it then start tile over that. Is this a bad idea? I know it raises the height of the floor so will it be an issue when installing the new toilet?
  • Tracy C Tracy C on Nov 25, 2015
    oops, sorry - should have put this question elsewhere, lol NEED MORE COFFEE!