Is the tile in your bathroom or kitchen looking drab?
You have a few options for an upgrade.
You cantear it out and replace it, or you’ve got the option to use tile paint.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Replacing tile is usually a costly and labor-intensive endeavor that needs planning and patience.
If you paint tile, it can be an easy and affordable alternative.
But you might be wondering if painting tile works and how long it lasts.
How do you prevent paint from peeling or chipping?
Which tools, equipment, and paints work on ceramic, porcelain, or glass tiles?
Before you paint tile, heres everything you should probably know about thishome improvement project.
Tomas Satas is the founding executive of Windy City HomeBuyer.
First Things First: Can You Paint Tile?
There are many reasons why people opt to paint tiles.
First, it’s a cost-effective upgrade.
“When painted correctly,bathroom tileslook extremely impressive.
However, he doesn’t advise that a homeowner buy a refinishing kit and do bathroom tiles themselves.
The Best Paint for Tile
Notevery paint typeis suitable for tiles.
Water-based paints disintegrate, and ordinary wall paint won’t stick to the surface.
Epoxy paint is a good option because it’s highly resistant to abrasion and cleaning solutions.
Alkyd urethane, enamel paint, and silicone-based paint are commonly used to paint tile.
Specific water-resistant tile paints made to withstand the high temperatures andmoisture of kitchensand bathrooms are also available.
Next, clean and dry the tiles thoroughly before painting.
Painting tile requires extensive preliminary work, including repairing broken tiles andpriming the surface.
Clean and dry your tiles before painting.
Dirt, dust, grease, mold stains, or food residue can prevent paint from adhering correctly.
Then, repair any damaged tiles.
Finally, prime the tiles before painting.
Be sure to allow adequate time to dry and apply any sealants before resuming regular use.
Daily exposure to water and humidity makes this job best for someone with years of expertise.
Keep in mind that paint needs time to dry.
Your kitchen or bathroom will be out of commission for a little while.
So, schedule this project during a time when few people will need to use those spaces.
If you don’t use a primer, the paint might have trouble adhering to the tile.
Using the wrong paint pop in or painting over dirty tiles could also stop it from sticking.
Tile paint typically lasts between 6 months to 2 years before needing to be repainted again.
