Find a tile installer near you

Yes, it is possible to lay tile over drywall. If you’re looking to lay a tile backsplash in your kitchen, you can certainly do it yourself — but hiring a professional may save time. 

Before you tile over your drywall, make sure the wall has a smooth surface with no bumps or cracks. Start by using a compound to seal up any crevices, then sand the drywall and clean up the dust. Then, lay a coat of primer on the drywall to get it ready for your tile. 

Yes, you can lay tile over existing tile floors (or a backsplash). Although it’s generally best to pull up your old flooring, you can simply place tiles on top if your existing floor is in good condition.

Before you start, examine your tiles carefully for mold, cracks or unevenness. Provided none of these is an issue, you can begin laying your new tiles. 

But if this is your first time laying tile — or if you want to ensure that the job is done right — save time by hiring a tiling professional near you. 

If you’re laying a new tile floor, you’ll likely need an assortment of tools and supplies, including (but not limited to):

• Tile
• Tile adhesive
• Tile trim
• Tile spacers
• Underlayment
• Sealer
• Caulk
• Level
• Goggles
• Gloves
• Trowel
• Carpenter’s square
• Grout
• Sponge
• Tape measure
• Etc.

If you don’t have all of the tools, equipment and skills necessary to lay tile in your home, consider hiring one of the best tile contractors in your area.

Having a tile floor may increase your home’s value, but it might depend on the type of tile you install and the trends in the real estate market.

Chat with your realtor or a real estate expert to figure out what types of home repairs and remodeling projects you should tackle before you put your home on the market. It might make sense to add new tiles when renovating your kitchen or bathroom, for example. 

If you decide to include new tiling in your home remodeling project, contact the best tile installation pros near you to get free estimates.

There are many different types of tile to choose from, and they all have unique benefits when it comes to aesthetics, longevity, durability and safety.

Porcelain and ceramic tile are often popular in kitchens and bathrooms because they are water-resistant, making them a go-to choice for floors and backsplashes. Marble tile is also a great choice for kitchen and bathroom floors, and granite tiles are popular for countertops. 

Consult with a tile installation professional to figure out what type of tile you should install in your home.

Depending on the pro’s expertise, the size of the project and its complexity, the time it takes to lay the tile will vary. For some projects, it may take a few hours to lay tile while others will require several days of work. 

When planning a tiling project for your home, get free estimates from the best tile contractors near you and ask them how long it would take them to complete your job.  

Ceramic and porcelain are some of the more popular types of tile, but there are a few differences: 

Consult with a top tile contractor near you and get free estimates on how much installing tile will cost you. 

Porcelain tiles are more durable and have a longer lifespan than ceramic tile. If you're installing flooring in an area with high traffic or lots of heavy furniture, porcelain tiles will look better for longer. They’re also very easy to clean and maintain. Porcelain is also very water-resistant and can hold up in places like bathrooms and rooms with jacuzzis, hot tubs, or swimming pools. 

But if the cost is your top priority, ceramic tiles are often more affordable. Ceramic tile prices start as low as $0.45 or $0.50 per square foot, and porcelain tile starts at $3 per square foot.

Tile installation costs vary widely depending on the tiles you choose, where you want them installed, and what kind of demolition and surface preparation you need to have done. The national average cost for a tile installation project is $490-$750. The more tiles that need to be cut by hand and laid on the surface, the higher the total cost. Tile installation professionals can handle many different types of stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles, applying them in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and entranceways. They can create anything from artistic mosaic backsplashes in your kitchen to modern shower enclosures to rustic patios in your backyard. Tile installation professions often can remove existing flooring or old tiles and replace drywall. Tile prices range from $1 to more than $50 per square foot — handmade ones are even priced individually — depending on the material. Rustic, handmade or special-use tiles cost more to install because they must be applied to the surface one by one, rather than in a sheet. For most jobs, tile installation costs are based on the square footage of the project. For example, a standard 6-foot by 8-foot shower tile installation can average $1,200-$1,600, depending on whether the tiles go to the top of the shower or to the ceiling. The total cost of a tiling project also includes the grout and mortar, speciality tiles like bullnose caps, and tile mounting materials like backer board.

Tile installation costs are a key part of your bathroom remodel costs. The tile you select (which can range from under $2 per square foot to $50 per square foot or more), the demolition and repair work required prior to installation, and the size of the job will all affect cost. You can install tile in the shower, on the counters, on the wall or on the floor. The national average for tile installation cost ranges between $490 and $750. Bathroom tile is easy to clean and durable for daily life. Here are some examples of average bathroom tile installation costs:

• Tile installation at $25 per square foot of tiled bathroom area.
• A standard tub and shower combo requires tiles for approximately 60 inches of length. Calculate wall height and add 30 to 36 inches of tub width for the walls at the head and foot of the tub. If the tile walls are 6 feet to 8 feet high, in this example, the tile installation costs would run about $2,000. Price includes materials.
• Tile installation on a 3-foot by 5-foot regular tub and shower walls with an 8-foot ceiling: $1,450. Price includes materials.
• Tile installation on a 3-foot by 5-foot regular tub and shower walls with a 10-foot ceiling: $1,650. Price includes materials.

For more on how to remodel a bathroom and bathroom tiling check out The Complete Thumbtack Bathroom Remodel Guide.