Everything You Need to Tile a Bathroom
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Tiling a bathroom is a weekend project that looks professional when done right. The tool list is longer than most people expect because the job crosses several trades: measuring, cutting, adhesive work, and grouting all need different tools. The good news is most of the expensive tools (wet saw, tile cutter) are one-time-use items you can borrow.
Cost Breakdown
Surface Prep
Check floor flatness before laying tile. A 4-foot level catches dips and humps.
Measure the room and calculate square footage for material ordering.
Needed if you're mounting a shower niche or wall-hung vanity.
Cutting
The big-ticket item. Cuts straight lines in any tile. Borrow this unless you tile professionally.
Nibble curves and notches around pipes. Cheap enough to own ($12-15).
Faster than a wet saw for straight cuts on porcelain and ceramic. Not needed if you have the wet saw.
Setting
1/4" x 3/8" notch for floor tile, 3/16" V-notch for wall tile. Specific to tile size.
Set tiles into thinset without cracking them. A dead-blow mallet works too.
1/8" for floor, 1/16" for wall is standard. Consumable item.
You'll be on your knees for hours. Don't skip these.
Grouting
Rubber float pushes grout into joints at a 45-degree angle.
Large-cell sponge for wiping excess grout. Different from a kitchen sponge.
Consumables and Supplies
These get used up during the project. Always buy these new.
- Thinset mortar 50 lb bag covers ~50 sq ft with 1/4" x 3/8" trowel
- Grout (sanded or unsanded) Sanded for joints >1/8", unsanded for smaller joints
- Tile spacers 200-count bag covers ~100 sq ft
- Backer board and screws If subfloor needs waterproofing (shower floors, tub surrounds)
- Grout sealer Apply after grout cures. Prevents staining.
Safety Gear
- Safety glasses (cutting tile throws chips)
- Hearing protection (wet saw is loud)
- Dust mask (dry-cutting produces silica dust)
- Knee pads
Before You Buy Anything
Check if your neighbors already have the tools you need. Borrowing saves money, saves storage space, and keeps tools in use instead of collecting dust.
See how FriendsWithTools worksCommon Questions
Can I tile a bathroom without a wet saw?
For ceramic tile with simple straight cuts, a manual tile cutter works. For porcelain, natural stone, or any cuts around plumbing fixtures, you need a wet saw. Borrow one.
How much tile should I buy?
Measure the square footage and add 10-15% for waste. Complex layouts with lots of cuts waste more. Buy all your tile from the same lot to avoid color variation.