Could I tile my floor myself? What color to paint these doors?

15 years ago

Two questions I suppose. Here's the bathroom in question:

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As you can see, the bathtub is angled, and that's the biggest challenge to the floor. The subfloor is plywood base and current flooring is vinyl sheet. I've never personally tiled anything before...

Regarding the painting, the doors I'd like to paint are the access doors to the jacuzzi tub. Would you go with a straight cream color, or a cream color with a glazing/aged effect, kind of like what you see on a lot of kitchen cabinets? The tiles on the jacuzzi surround are a cream/kakhi color but not solid color. Were leaving those alone right now. They're in good shape. We're having the shower retiled professionally (different tiles in a cream color, more like natural stone, new shower fixture) and don't want to spend a ton on the rest of the bathroom so we're thinking to DIY it. What do you think?

Featured Answer

bill_vincent

15 years ago

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. For some this might be too much of a challenge. For others, a walk in the park. The most important thing is self confidence. As I've said so many times in here, to quote Henry Ford-- "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

Where in there do you see it's easy? I don't say either way. is it possible? Absolutely. Might it be too tough for some? Absolutely. I Don't EVER tell someone what they can or can't do. What I've quoted here is pretty much my stock answer when someone asks whether or not I think they can do it.

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Comments (9)

oruboris
15 years ago
The toughest part of doing this floor would be getting the vinyl up.

It's a do-able DIY project, though I'd consider doing something like a mosaic table top, something similar just to get a feel for your materials. You are correct that the angled tub will add an extra level of difficulty, but not insurmountable for an amatuer.

Do lots of research, consider buying John Bridge's book, 'Tile your World' for practical advice.

We are all waiting for resident grand gurus of grout/porcelain poobahs Bill Vincent and Mongo to write books of their own...

As to the doors, If that is marble, you might be able to buy more of the same, create tile covered access panels that would blend better with the tub skirt than any paint will. If you do go with paint, I'd do a single color. Any paint effects will just attract the attention that you are trying to deflect.
sarschlos_remodeler
15 years ago
UGH! We tiled our kitchen/family room/powder room/front entry area in our previous house a few years ago (roughly 550 sq. feet). We used large tiles, the only area that was on a diagonal was the entry (VERY difficult geometry needed to figure it out, btw). We were moderately experienced DIYers, but had never tiled before.

Even with knee pads, I could not bend or kneel for nearly 6 months after the job was done (and I was not even 30 yet, so it wasn't a case of creaky bones). And we found it very difficult to get the thinset to a consistent level and to keep the grout mixture at a consistency that made it workable and wipeable. The worst part by far was the grouting.

I know people are taking on tiling work as DIY a lot here, but in my opinion, this is one of those areas where it pays to pay a professional. Just to save yourself from the shear PAIN of floor tiling, the labor cost is worth it. Add to that the fact that tiling, particularly with the difficult angles you have going, is one of the hardest home improvement projects to get right -- I would save money on a different aspect of your project and hire the professionals.
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I spoke to one of the workers today and told him it was industry standard to use this plastic. I don't know anything about curbs or mud, or any of those other words. I asked him about this book, and of course, he looked at me like I was crazy. My husband spoke to the contractor who said this is totally unnecessary, and that he has been doing this for years this way, even in his own house. -- I told him .- this puts me in a weird predicament because I don't want the job to be done wrong, and I'm not convinced that this is right. We are at a stand-still. I want to take a hammer to those tiles-- I am waiting to hear from the store-owner who sold me the tiles and ask her advice about what I can do now..... I am also going to ask her about the glass shower tiles with cold and hot water. This is why I hired a Contractor -- I don't want to make all these calls and teach myself how to install a bathroom, or a floor, or a fireplace! Creative - I cannot thank you enough. I looked through the book you are referring to. The contractor thinks I'm reading into everything because this isn't the first thing I've complained about.... This is the text he sent me this morning "The vinyl on floor and up walls about a foot and up seat area and on wall behind you do not need on walls unless steam shower nobody puts on wall you are reading to much No concern my own shower is done like this"
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bill_vincent
15 years ago
Even with knee pads, I could not bend or kneel for nearly 6 months after the job was done (and I was not even 30 yet, so it wasn't a case of creaky bones).

Aww, hell-- I'm 50 and I do it every day!! Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. For some this might be too much of a challenge. For others, a walk in the park. The most important thing is self confidence. As I've said so many times in here, to quote Henry Ford-- "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."
ga_mom
15 years ago
sounds like sarschlos_remodeler is an advocate for paying a professional to do your tile work--maybe he's in the business? ? I've done my own tile work several times. I'm a stay at home mom of five who is now closing in on 40. I think I tried my first project in my 20s. Never messed one up! My dad, who's almost 60 decided to do my tile in my basement and never complained about not being able to walk afterwards....I'm thinking that sarschlos DOES have creaky bones! AND, the grouting is the easiest part! Put it in a bag and cut off the corner and pipe it in like icing--then smooth it out with your sponge! Piece of cake!
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Whole lot easier with a grout float. :-)
misstheatre
15 years ago
I found my mudroom floor fairly easy to do. The biggest difficulty was when I messed up the pattern and had to readjust VERY quickly. I was sore for two or three days after--but I sure was satisfied with the look of the floor. One suggestion-- I decided to buy a good tile saw rather than rent one and feel rushed as far as getting it back to the rental place on time. Even with the cost of the saw, I feel I came out ahead.
sarschlos_remodeler
15 years ago
ga_mom, not sure the reason for the hostility but I don't see why it's okay for bill, who IS a professional, to say that he finds it easy to lay tile (and does so beautifully) while I -- giving a layperson's experience, which was misery -- am accused of being a professional in sheep's clothing, LOL.
gayleski
15 years ago
Ditto to what oruboris posted.

DH and I tiled our bathroom floor (and shower, walls, vanity top, tub deck) ourselves. We did a LOT of research beforehand - bought John Bridge's books and spent a considerable amount of time here and on JB's forum.

Some parts were harder than expected, and others were easier. If you do your homework and get a REALLY good understanding of the project (not what you see on an HGTV makeover show), then it's a very doable DIY project.

We did our floor in a porcelain tile that looks like slate/quartz. We used the Ditra system from Schluter and found it to be very DIY friendly.

Hope this helps.

Could I tile my floor myself? What color to paint these doors?

bill_vincent

Comments (9)

oruboris

sarschlos_remodeler

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