Half-height Bathroom Tiles: Tips From The Pros To Know

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 21:10

Tiles, whether porcelain stoneware or earthenware, are a classic in the bathroom and kitchen. But lately, a new trend tends to emerge: bathrooms that are only partially tiled. More and more people are choosing to only lay tiles in damp areas, those in direct contact with water and to paint the remaining surfaces with paint (special bathroom!). The concept of half-height bathroom tiles has many advantages, including quick installation, affordable cost and practical design. But to avoid mistakes, it is imperative to know at what height exactly to lay the tiles and what color to choose for painting the bathroom. This article explains!

Half-height bathroom tile or full-height tile: which one to choose for the shower area?

In the bathroom, it is best to use ceramic tiles to tile the wet areas around the shower and tub. Standard shower enclosures are generally offered in heights of between 185 cm and 200 cm. This taken into account, the height of the tiles can be optimally adapted to the installation situation or to the height of the user. For walk-in showers which are separated from the rest of the bathroom by a glass, the shower head is usually installed about 200 cm above the floor. This means that the tiles on the walls around the shower should be laid at least up to this height.

What height of the wall tile for the space around a bathtub?

Most bathtubs are 45cm to 50cm high for easy entry. Of course, this also depends on the model of the bathtub: free-standing, built-in or combined with a shower. For freestanding or freestanding bathtubs, the ideal height of the wall tiles is 120 cm. Regarding the bathtub with shower, it is recommended to lay the tiles either at the height of the bathroom, or at a height of 200 cm.

Indicative value for the installation height of the shower head: body height + 20 to 30 cm

Half-height bathroom tiles: don't forget the tiles around the sink

If you want to lay a half-height tile in the bathroom, you can orient yourself by taking the height of the sink as a reference point. The upper edge of the washbasin is usually installed at a height of 82 - 86 cm. For optimal splash protection of the wall behind the washbasin, the tiles should be installed at least 120 cm from the floor. This is the optimum tile height for a wall-hung toilet bowl and a free-standing bathtub. This way, you can create a beautiful visual frame for the whole bathroom.

The height differences create an interesting aesthetic effect

If the height of the tiles behind the sink does not match the height of the tiles around the shower space, that's okay. Quite the contrary! It is better to take advantage of the interesting aesthetic effect by accentuating the shower area with very decorative tiles. Play with patterns and colors to personalize the walls! The height differences will bring a feeling of dynamism and may even enlarge the space visually.

Take into consideration the height of the other elements in the bathroom: window, door, sloping ceiling

To decide on the right height of the tiles, you can take into consideration the other elements of the layout or the decor of the bathroom. You just have to choose an element as a point of reference. Very often, it is the height of the door that determines the position of the tiles. Their top edge can also be half the height of the window or a quarter of the height of the mirror above the sink. If you are thinking of a bathroom in the attic, do not hesitate to take the height of the wall under the slope as a benchmark.

The right paint for mid-height bathroom tiles

The bathroom has a specific microclimate. Walls and ceilings are constantly exposed to humidity, temperature fluctuations and water. These factors make it an ideal incubation site for mold and bacteria. Conventional acrylic paints are not suitable for such conditions. If you want to lay halfway tile in the bathroom, you need to protect the rest of the walls adequately and use a special wet room paint.

A good bathroom color is characterized by high abrasion resistance. This means that the walls can be washed and scrubbed without damage to the coating. Often, manufacturers advertise these types of paints as washable or stain resistant. Of course, it's worth looking at the datasheet and checking the wet rub resistance of the paint. These criteria are regulated by the European standard DIN EN 13 300.

Water repellent and washable paints are best for the bathroom. Thanks to them, water and dirt are repelled which makes it easier to clean the walls. You only need to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or damp sponge to remove a stain.

What else to watch out for when looking for a powder room paint? It is desirable that the product has biocidal properties and thus offers effective protection against molds, fungi and bacteria. Professionals also recommend choosing vapor permeable emulsion paints so that the walls can breathe.

Once you have a clear idea of what type of paint to go for, all you have to do is choose the color and finish. Matt, semi-matt, satin or semi-gloss: you have a wide choice. Take into account that walls painted in a light color are much more practical and abrasion resistant than dark walls.

Now take a look at these beautiful examples and get inspired for your own bathroom project.

A few "loft" touches in the bathroom

Half-height tile at a height of 120 cm from the floor

Full-height tiling in the shower area, halfway around the basin

Create an interesting visual frame using tiles

The tiles must offer optimum protection against water