Bathroom tile stickers

Stick on bathroom tiles: what is in this collection

Self-adhesive bathroom tile stickers have the glue already spread on the back: no building adhesive, filler or tiler’s tools are needed. Some models are applied as an adhesive film over the bathroom tiles you already have. The models fall into four groups:

• stickers to apply over existing tiles: 3D art designs, beige, 3D marble effect (set of 25 pieces), stone mosaic effect (2 sets of 10) and matt 3D ones of 30 × 30 cm;
• hexagonal self-adhesive mosaics in aluminium, metal effect, also gold coloured, and a 3D fish-scale mosaic of 31 × 31 cm;
• marble effect PVC stickers of 30 × 30 cm and matt PVC stickers in several sizes, for walls and floor;
• for the floor, self-adhesive vinyl tiles in packs of 6 pieces, a vinyl roll 40 cm wide and thicker marble effect PVC tiles.

Tile stickers for bathroom tiles: sizes and finishes

Many bathrooms have tiles of 20 × 20 or 20 × 25 cm. If you want one sticker for each tile, check the sizes on the product page of the two models in several formats (3D art and matt PVC). If you would rather hide the old grout lines too, butt together the 30 × 30 cm pieces or the 30.6 × 30.8 and 31 × 31 cm mosaics and use them as faux self-adhesive tiles.

Then choose the finish: matt shows fewer drops and water rings, 3D and mosaic add movement to the wall, the metal effect reflects the light. There are no self-adhesive border tiles for bathroom tiles here: for a decorative strip, a row of 3D art or mosaic stickers halfway up the wall is enough. For a stone relief effect see the 3D self-adhesive stone effect tiles.

PVC and vinyl tiles for the bathroom floor

On the floor use only the five models indicated for this use: the two vinyl ones and the three PVC ones listed above. The other stickers and the mosaics go on the walls.

Adhesive PVC tiles for the bathroom floor have limits too. If there are chipped tiles or deep grout lines underneath, they show on the surface over time; sharp objects and stools without felt pads can mark them; in front of the washbasin and the toilet they wear sooner than in the rest of the room.

Peel and stick bathroom tiles for the shower and shower screen

The shower is the hardest area: hot water, steam and soap every day. Adhesive PVC tiles for the shower can be cleaned with water, but the weak point is the glue: if water gets under the edges, the piece comes loose over time. An adhesive film for shower tiles therefore lasts longer where only splashes reach than under the direct jet.

If you want to use self-adhesive tiles in the shower cubicle, fit them over degreased, dry tiles, do not wet them straight after fitting and run a bead of clear silicone around the perimeter. For a whole wall also consider the PVC bathroom wall panels; for the window glass there is the adhesive window film for glass and windows.

How to fit bathroom wall tile stickers

You need a tape measure, a spirit level, a pencil, a craft knife with a new blade and a clean cloth. The same method works for the floor:

• clean and degrease tiles and grout lines, remove limescale and let everything dry: the glue only grips well on smooth, dry surfaces;
• draw a horizontal line with the level and start at the bottom, from a corner; on the floor start at the wall opposite the door;
• peel off the protective film little by little and press from the centre to the edges to push out the air;
• around sanitaryware, pipes and sockets draw the outline on the back and cut before removing the film;
• at the end go over the edges with a dry cloth or a small roller.

Cleaning, lifespan and reviews of bathroom tile stickers

Reviews of bathroom tile stickers almost always depend on the fitting. They stick better on a smooth, clean surface; on damp walls, crumbling plaster or cracked tiles the edges lift soon. How long they last changes from one home to another, so no number of years is given: wear shows sooner where you walk or where water hits.

To clean them, a soft cloth with warm water and mild soap is enough. Avoid alcohol, bleach, harsh limescale removers and abrasive sponges: they damage the surface and the edges. If a corner lifts, warm it with a hairdryer on low heat and press it down with your palm.

How much it costs to renovate a bathroom with tile stickers

The price depends on the model, the format and the number of pieces in the pack. To compare them, work out the cost per square metre: divide the price of the pack by the area it covers. You pay no demolition, rubble removal or labour, and the bathroom stays usable. Without a builder you can also renew the rest: peel and stick wallpaper on the walls away from the water and vinyl wrap for the cabinet under the washbasin.

With the 30 × 30 cm formats each piece covers 0.09 m². Work out the area (width times height), divide it by 0.09 and add 10% for cuts. Behind the washbasin, a strip of 1.5 × 1.2 m is 1.8 m²: 20 pieces, 22 with the extra allowance. A floor of 2 × 1.8 m is 3.6 m²: 40 pieces, 44 with the extra allowance. Then divide by the number of pieces in the pack stated on the product page.