Half-Tiled Bathroom V Fully Tiled Bathroom: Pros And Cons

January 16, 2024

If you are considering upgrading your bathroom, you may be wrestling with a common dilemma: to half-tile or fully tile? There are no right or wrong answers to this question; it’s often a case of personal preference or practicality. However, if you are having difficulty deciding, here’s a look at the pros and cons of each method.

Pros of a half-tiled bathroom

Cost effectiveness

As you will only be covering half the surface area with tiles, you will obviously need to buy fewer tiles. This is good news if you have a limited budget. If you can stand the expense, it’s a great opportunity to experiment with different tile designs or materials that might have previously been out of your price range, such as Italian polished porcelain tiles.

Less time consuming to install

If you are installing the tiles yourself, the process will be quicker and easier than if you were tiling the whole wall. There will be less measuring and cutting of the tiles to fit, so it’s a good opportunity to practise your DIY skills. 

More creative flexibility

You will have the opportunity to combine the tiling with paint or wallpaper on the untitled section of the wall, or even a more unconventional material such as wooden panelling. This gives you more freedom of choice over colour and pattern combinations, which can enhance the overall look of your bathroom.

Cons of a half-tiled bathroom

A less luxurious and spacious feel

A fully tiled bathroom can feel sophisticated and luxurious, while a half-tiled bathroom is a more commonplace option. However, this is really a matter of personal preference unless you are tiling a commercial bathroom in a hotel or spa. 

Risk of water damage

Tiles are used in bathrooms not just for decorative purposes, but also because they are durable and water resistant. The untitled section of the wall may be prone to water damage unless the bathroom is well ventilated and well maintained.

The untiled section of the wall may still need costly treatment

Even though you will be saving money by buying fewer tiles, the surface of the untitled section may require an equally or even more costly treatment. This is likely to be the case if you have removed old tiles from the whole wall, leaving an uneven surface that needs to be skimmed or replastered. 

If any lower portions of the wall are remaining untitled, you will also need to buy skirting boards to cover the join with the floor, and fit and paint it. Even if the wall is in reasonable condition, you will still need to cover the cost of painting or wallpapering it as leaving it undecorated would detract from the effect of the newly tiled sections.

Pros of a fully tiled bathroom

Superior waterproofing

A fully tiled bathroom offers the maximum amount of water resistance. This may be a consideration if you are installing a wet room with no enclosed shower area, as the walls will be more prone to splashes and condensation. 

If the bathroom will be in frequent use in a busy household, or if it has poor ventilation, for example no windows or no mechanical extractor fan, then a fully tiled bathroom is a more practical option. 

Ease of maintenance

A fully tiled surface is quicker and easier to keep clean, because the moisture can be wiped away on a daily basis, and is less likely to cause serious damage.  Any mildew can easily be removed with a solution of baking soda or white vinegar. This may save the time and expense of dealing with mould and mildew growth on the untiled walls later on. 

A more visually coherent result

The fully tiled walls can create a pleasing sense of unity and flow in the bathroom, making it feel more spacious and luxuriant. This may be a particular consideration in a smaller space. 

Cons of a fully tiled bathroom

Cost

There will obviously be more tiles to purchase to fully tile the bathroom, plus grouting and adhesives. The installation of the tiles will be more time consuming and labour intensive, and you will need to cut them to fit both ceiling and floor rather than just one edge. This may require a professional tiler for the best results.

More limitations of colour and texture

A half tiled wall gives you the opportunity to have contrasting colours and textures. While this can also be achieved with a fully tiled wall, you will need to put some thought into choosing different but complementary styles of tile.