Bathroom renovation without tiles: Ideas & possibilities

Content: Usually, the tiles are firmly part of the standard equipment in the bathroom. As a rule, they are made of porcelain stoneware, which has a special coating, through which the tiles become exceedingly easy to clean and reliably protect the substrate from water penetration. The tiles are available in countless styles and variants. It is much rarer to find a bathroom design that does without tiles on the walls, floor or shower area. However, there are many variants and reasons for designing the bathroom completely without tiles. The following article explains the advantages of renovating the bathroom without tiles and the methods available for this.

Reasons for bathroom renovation without tiles

. One of the most important reasons to renovate the bathroom without tiles forms the financial aspect. This is because the material and the laying of new tiles usually represent a very high cost factor. In the course of a bathroom renovation, tiling often accounts for almost 25 percent of the total cost of the work. In addition, the cost of materials accounts for a further 15 percent. This results in both a high potential for time and cost savings if the decision is made in favor of tile-free alternatives. In addition, the care and cleaning effort in the bathroom is much lower when there are no tiles. Tile grout joints in particular are extremely susceptible to discoloration and thus require intensive cleaning on a regular basis. Tile-free bathrooms are therefore much easier and faster to clean. The perception of the size of the room is also positively affected without existing grout and tiles. After all, the view is always interrupted by the grout lines of the tiles, which makes the bathroom look smaller and narrower. Tile-less alternatives are therefore exceedingly suitable for small bathrooms in particular, as they make them look more spacious and calm.

Alternative to tiles: Plaster

Plaster is one of the most versatile and oldest building materials around. The material is also ideal for the design of the bathroom. In this case, plaster can be even the shower stall wall, to realize a completely tile-free bathroom. The majority of common types of plaster can handle moisture extremely well, as it absorbs excess water from the room air and releases it back into it at a later time. This ideally regulates the indoor climate and creates a healthy living atmosphere in the bathroom. In the course of plastering, either a smooth or a rough, jointless surface is established, which can be designed extremely individually by choosing the appropriate color. However, diffusion-open colors or plasters should always be used so that the positive properties of the material can develop optimally.

Bathroom renovation on your own: roller plasters

. If the renovation of the bathroom is to be carried out on your own, roller plasters, which are available in waterproof versions, are particularly suitable. Their application is carried out with a brush or roller. Adhesive plaster is also highly recommended for enthusiastic DIY enthusiasts. This has a creamy consistency and can be applied as a rough or smooth plaster. Creativity can be given free rein in the course of plastering in the form of various color and marbling techniques. It is also conceivable to process some glittering stones, shells or glass marbles in the still wet plaster after plastering or to dust it with fine silver, gold dust or sand. In this way, the bathroom without tiles becomes a personal mosaic that always inspires anew through an individual atmospheric image.

Plastering old tiles

. If the bathroom already has tiles, it is not mandatory to remove them. Likewise, there is the possibility of plastering over them. However, this work usually requires the use of solvents, which bring special requirements in terms of work safety. Therefore, if possible, the plastering should be carried out by a specialized company, which can professionally realize a seamless and aesthetic wall despite old tiles. Plastering over the old tiles is possible only if the original tile is still stable and intact. Moldy or damp walls must be drained in the first step and may need to be completely renovated. It is therefore advisable to seek the advice of a specialist company in the first step, which will carry out an examination of the substrate. It should also be noted that after renovation, when the tiles are not removed, the room may look a little smaller. From a mathematical perspective, the loss of space is limited, but it is quite noticeable, especially in bathrooms that are already awkwardly cut or cramped. It should not be forgotten that when plastering over the old tiles, the transitions between the untiled and tiled areas of the wall must also be bridged.

Practical click system without tile removal

. In addition to plastering over the tiles, there is also the possibility of uncomplicated renovation of the bathroom with the help of special wall elements. In this case, the installation of the wall cladding is extremely simple and uncomplicated. As a rule, the elements can be attached to any surface without much effort. Thus, practical click systems are ideal for renovating the shower corner or the entire bathroom in a short time. It is not necessary to remove the old surfaces or the existing tiles. In addition, compared to plastering, the long drying times are also eliminated. The wall panels can be applied directly to old tiles, concrete, plaster, raw walls, sheetrock or wood and are completely waterproof. The processing of the wall panels is similar to that of wood, so conventional craftsman's equipment is sufficient for their installation. In the click systems are integrated concealed screwed fasteners, which can be easily connected together. The necessary sealing of the click systems is ensured by an application of silicone, so that even the walls behind the facade always remain dry and no water can penetrate.

Bathroom without tiles: Other alternatives

In addition to plastering and wall cladding, there are of course other attractive options available for bathroom renovation without tiles. For example, the floor tiles can be replaced or covered with PVC flooring. This material is available in many different designs, such as metal, wood or stone look. Especially in rustic and modern bathrooms, panels and floors made of wood look extremely aesthetic. It is important that they are used in a seamless design, professionally installed and sealed. Cork is an extremely warm and robust material, which is also offered in the form of tiles and slabs. Even in the bathroom, cork can provide a lot of pleasure for a long time with the right sealing and a suitable edge protection. Stone carpets, which are available in different colors and thicknesses, are also very popular. This flooring consists of natural stones embedded in acrylic or epoxy resin. However, for its application is necessary to prime the old floor. Photo: spa-ambiente.de