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Tile to Ceiling or Just to Shower-What Would You Do?

16 years ago

Hi,

In my itsy, bitsy bathroom (5x8) above the tub, would you tile to the ceiling if you had to cut a tile to make it come out to the ceiling. If I tiled to ceiling where does that cut tile look the best, at the base of the tub or at the top? OR, just put up all tiles that don't have to be cut to, say, just below the shower arm? I'm using 6x6 tiles.

My ceiling is only 83" from the floor and the new BainlUltra soaking tub will be 19" high. I don't know if this makes any difference to your answer.

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Comments (4)

Brewbeer
16 years ago
Your ceilings are low enough, I would tile all the way up.
spanky67
16 years ago
Couple things to consider. First, how flat are your ceilings? Second, how would the layout look to the ceiling?

I went to the ceiling in my kids bath. One of the things I ran into was an out of level ceiling. The whole room was plaster that got ripped out. If you've ever had the pleasure of re-sheetrocking 50 year old framing you quickly figure out that plumb and square might as well have been Mandarin Chinese words to the framers. Although extremely sturdy, the framers knew the flaws would be hidden by the plaster. Sheetrock exposes all those flaws. What it amounts to is extra installation time as each cut is specific to each spot. You can't just lop off 2" from every tile, cut 20 of them, then go back to installing. If you take your time, and plan carefully this is easily handled.

Along that same line, is planning well beforehand your layout. I'd prefer a full tile at the tub line, but only if it doesn't leave a sliver of tile at the ceiling. If you have a sliver, you'd be better to make equal cuts at the bottom and top courses so things look balanced. You can also "fudge" the grout lines slightly if need be.

I would take accurate measurements at several locations around the tub, up to the ceiling and do a dry fitting. Put some tape down on the floor to represent the wall space, then layout your tiles with the spacer you chosen. You'll immediately see how everything will fit. Ultimately, if it looks ugly leave the tile short of the ceiling.
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I had two issues in my house and I have done the following... I did foam board in a hallway because it is going to be torn out in a year or two. I put a thin coat of joint compound on it and painted. I nailed the foam board up like you would dry wall. Found the foamboard at the dollar store. I mixed a gallon of dark brown paint to joint compound and got a brush from the dollar store and burshed it on in a swril design like the walls. My walls were a light tan and mixing the dark paint in the white JC made it a light tan ceiling. Both of these fixes were done last March so it has been a year and a half and everything still looks good. The ceiling in the kitchen I do not understand what your question about "cleaning". I used ceiling paint then painted the color I wanted. They sell paint now that has both the undercoat and paint in one. So you do not have to do two steps. I have not tried it so I cannot say for sure it will work if there is a lot of oil and dirt.
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bill_vincent
16 years ago
With a ceiling that low, I'd tile it all the way up. It's not that much more in materials, and it'll save you money in repairs down the line.
terezosa / terriks
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Sometimes you can actually save money because you don't have to buy as many expensive bullnose tiles.

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