How to Tile a Bath Panel

If you have a built-in bath, sprucing up its style can feel like a challenge, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. For instance, you might want to tile its panel to create a stylish aesthetic that matches your bathroom wall or floor tiles. Tiled bath panels are more durable than standard panels, which are made from acrylic or fibreglass, and they provide a long-lasting waterproof barrier that prevents damage to your bath.

With the right tools and know-how, applying tiles to your bath panel is a simple bit of DIY, especially with our helpful guide.

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You can easily tile a bath panel by firstly installing tile backer boards to the bath panel and then measuring and cutting your selected tiles to suit your desired configuration. Then, mix some tile adhesive with water before applying it to the backer boards and the bottom of the tiles using a paintbrush. Next, press each tile onto the adhesive before adding the trim to the corners. Finally, apply grout between the tiles and use silicone sealant to seal the bottom of the bath panel tiles.
When tiling a bath panel, you may have to use a silicone sealant to seal the grout around the tiles. This depends on the type of grout you’re using. You should check the packaging of the grout to see if sealant is required and wait for the grout to fully dry before sealing.
When tiling bath panels, you should measure the height of the bath to ensure the tiles fit and use a spirit level to ensure they are laid straight.

What tools do I need to tile a bath panel?

When tiling a bath panel, you will need a variety of tools for cutting the tiles, mixing and applying the adhesive, and for grouting. But if laying tiles is part of your bathroom renovation, you may already have some of these.

Bucket
Trowel
Tile adhesive
Adhesive spreader
Sponge
Tile spacers
Grout
Grout float
Grout protector
Bathroom sealant
Sealant shaping tool

What type of tile is best for a bath panel?

When you’re selecting the best tile for your bath panel, you want to choose a style that will effortlessly complement the rest of your bathroom’s design. As long as you’ve installed a suitable tile backer board to waterproof the panel area, you can use the same type of tiles you’ve used for the rest of your bathroom on your bath panel.

There are plenty of tiled bath panel ideas to bring your bathroom to life, from stylish porcelain and marble tiles to timeless ceramic and metro-style tiles. Whatever you choose, all of our bathroom tiles look just as good on your bath as they do on your wall or floor. And, installing them couldn’t be simpler.

How to tile a bath panel: step-by-step guide

Now you’ve got all the tools you need and you’ve chosen your tiles, it’s now time to start applying them to your bath panel. If you follow these simple steps below, you’ll have an elegant bathroom worth admiring in no time.

Firstly, to prepare your bath panel for tiling, you’ll need to install tile backer boards that are suitable for use in wet and humid areas onto your bath panel. This is because new changes to British standards guidance advise the use of tile backing boards when installing new bathroom tiles, as they provide a stable base which prevents water damage and provides a durable surface for tiling.

We recommend the boards are sealed with a primer to reduce porosity levels, and certain areas will also need to be tanked.

Now it’s time to measure up your bath panel. Consider your wall and floor tile placement and take measurements accordingly to ensure the tile panel edges align. Don’t forget to account for the gaps between the tiles when measuring up.

Use a spirit level to make sure your markings are at a perfect 90-degree angle.

To cut the tiles for a bath panel, take the measurement from your bath panel and trim the tiles down with a single straight cut using a manual tile cutter.

You may need to cut notches in some tiles; for example, at the lip of the bath. Before you do this, thoroughly measure the space that needs to be filled. Mark your measurements onto the tile and then, using an electric tile cutter or grinder, cut a notch out of your tile.

Dry lay the tiles to make sure they fit perfectly before you start to use adhesive. As for the trim, measure the height of your bath and cut the trim to fit with a saw.

When mixing your adhesive, check the instructions on the packaging for the ideal water-to-product ratio. Mix the adhesive and water with a paddle mixer until you get a consistency that’s thick enough to hold its shape on the trowel, but still malleable enough to spread easily.

Wash the paddle with a bucket of clean water to prevent build-up on the whisk.

Apply the adhesive to the wall using the notched side of the spreader. Make sure to create straight, uniform lines so that air bubbles don’t form.

Apply adhesive to the bottom of the tile using the smooth side of the spreader, making sure to cover the whole surface. This is known as ‘backbuttering’, which is an important practice as it ensures that gaps are properly filled and the adhesive is evenly spread across the tile. Scrape any excess adhesive back into the bucket.

Press the tile down into position, making sure to push down on all sides. Use a spirit level to ensure your tiles are laid straight. Wipe the area clean with a damp sponge to get rid of any adhesive that might have come up through the gap.

When you get to the corner, you can add the trim. To do this, apply adhesive to the area and place the trim onto the corner. You can then continue to tile around the rest of the bath.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out how long your adhesive will take to dry.

Measure out cold, clean water following the grout’s instructions, and then pour it into a clean mixing bucket. Slowly add the grout, again using the ratio recommended on the packaging.

Mix with a drill and whisk until you get the perfect consistency. Similar to the adhesive, it should be thick enough to hold its shape on the trowel, but still malleable enough to fill the grooves between your tiles.

Place the grout over the joins and gently work it into the gaps with a grout float, making sure it’s flush with the tiles.

When the grout joins become firm and any grout residue on the tiled surface becomes opaque, it’s ready for any residual grout to be cleaned off. Use a damp sponge and water to remove any excess from the tiles.

Be careful not to apply too much pressure at this stage, so you don’t pull any grout out of the joins. It’s also a good idea to wipe across the joins rather than along them for the same reason.

Disclaimer: At this stage, sealant may be required for certain tiles. It’s important to check packaging’s instructions to see what’s required.

If sealant is required for the tile used, apply after the grout has fully set and any residue has been cleaned off.

The final step is to apply your silicone sealant if required. Pipe it all the way along where the bath panel tiles meet the floor. You’ll also need to seal any corners where two tiles meet.

Use a smoothing tool to scrape away any excess and create a clean, consistent look. And make sure to keep the silicone clean throughout the process as any dust or dirt will be permanently visible once it sets.

And that’s it, your bath will now blend in seamlessly with your tiled walls and floor.

Top tips for tiling a bath panel

Don’t rush: achieving the perfect finish with tiles is all about straight lines and consistent gaps, which requires patience and precision. So, take your time.

Safety first: when you’re applying adhesive or grout, you should make sure to use protective gear, including gloves and safety goggles, and ensure that your bathroom is well ventilated before you start by opening a window or turning on your extractor fanw

Practice makes perfect: if you’re new to tiling, or just a bit rusty, you might want to practice evenly spreading the adhesive on a scrap piece of board to get used to the tools and technique before you begin.

FAQs

To remove a tile from a bath panel, whether it’s chipped, cracked or no longer serving its purpose, you can chip out the tile using a hammer or chisel. If the tile is not damaged, you can use a drill and suitable drill bit to drill a hole in the centre of the tile. Then, remove the grout from around the tile using a grout rake.

If you want easy access to the underneath of your bath, you can install an accessible tile alongside your regular tiles. Instead of using adhesive and grout, to install an accessible bath panel tile you should use screws to secure the tile to the bath panel, using colour-matched silicone screw covers which suit your aesthetic. You can then seal the bath with waterproof bathroom sealant, maintaining easy access.

To prevent mould from growing under bath panel tiles, you should make sure that any potential entry points are filled with grout or sealant. You should also keep your bathroom well-ventilated and frequently check for leaks or damage to your tiles.