Asked on Nov 06, 2018

Can you tile and grout mirrors?

Lisa
by Lisa

Can you tile mirrors in a shower/bathroom?

  14 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 06, 2018

    Lisa do you mean just to grout the mirrors or tile over the existing mirrors?

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Nov 06, 2018

    Mirror doesn't like moisture, turns the silvering black and starts to peel. Grout would scratch it. I think the picture you show is a type (very exspensive) glass tile.

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Nov 06, 2018

    Lisa,. You have a serious mold and mildew problem. Clean with straight bleach, or straight vinegar. Aloha!

  • Bijous Bijous on Nov 06, 2018

    Hi. The silver or mercury on the back will do pretty much as shown in the pix, but thick glass can be used much the same way as tile. The thinner mirror tiles you see sold at retail stores is not recommended. It will break easily. Good luck.

    • Keith Keith on May 08, 2020

      Hi - what if I just wanted to place a couple 2.5” strips of mirror between the idle niche and the one above and below? Is this possible? If so with what and how? I bought a regular “bathroom” mirror. I figured I could use wet saw to cut and then adhere, in some fashion, to tile which was set slightly deeper than usual so it all lines-up correctly. Now I wondering if this is feasible advisable? I really want something unique and as an off-set in this space.

  • Random Chance Random Chance on Nov 06, 2018

    Yes you can grout mirror panels. Use grout with latex added to make it more moisture resistant and flexible. Cover the edges of the mirrors with wide masking tape to protect from scratching by the grit in the grout.

  • Kathy Conley Kathy Conley on Nov 06, 2018

    I would think that grout used for glass tiles would work, it doesn’t have sand or whatever it is that make regular grout gritty. Is the picture a inspiration picture or your actual bath? I would recommend you have it professionally installed and have the right type of mirror for a shower. You would need the mirror to be shatterproof. And Kelli is correct in that the mirror in your picture is very expensive but totally gorgeous!

  • Alice Alice on Nov 07, 2018

    If you are installing the mirror tile near a water source such as a sink, shower or tub, then you have to use a grout that is waterproof.

  • Lisa Lisa on Nov 07, 2018

    I saw this photo on Pinterest and I thought I'd ask if anyone might know, excellent got loads of answers.

    Thanks so much for all the response.

  • Dave Denlinger Dave Denlinger on Nov 09, 2018

    No you can't tile over them. A sandless grout can be used. But by the looks of it you have water damage behind the mirrors. Might have to replace wall board behind them.

  • Twyla J Boyer Twyla J Boyer on Dec 18, 2018

    I am assuming the photo is of the current situation and that you are wanting tile rather than mirrors. If that's not the case, ignore my comment.


    You will need to remove the mirrors since no adhesive I know of will be sufficient to attach tile to mirror securely. To remove mirrors, cover them with inexpensive contact paper before chiseling out. The contact paper helps keep there from being so many shards. Wear protective gear including shoes and long pants (preferably jeans).


    After mirror removal, the wallboard will likely be damaged or have globs of mirror mastic on in. If damaged, you will need to remove it and replace it using cement board (drywall does not hold up in showers - cement board is designed for this purpose). You then attach the tiles to the cement board and grout the tiles.


    It's a lot more work than you were hoping to do, I know, but will be a lot safer and will last much longer.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jun 30, 2021

    that is gorgeous !!! leave it

  • Janice Janice on Nov 30, 2023

    Yes you can; however, you'd want to ensure that all the mirrors are well attached and there's no mold etc. before you do so.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 30, 2023

    Yes, if you use waterproof cement/grout.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 04, 2023

    If you are interested in applying tiles over the mirrored tiles, I would suggest removing the mirrored tiles, repair/replace the walls with the water resistant cement board, and then putting up new tiles (in other words, starting from scratch