Beadboard is the type of paneling used on the lower side of wall tiles. It gives an aesthetic and decorative appearance because of the grooves and ridges in its planks.
Can You Put Beadboard Over Tile in Bathroom? You can put the MDF type beadboard over tile in bathrooms because these are water resistant. People use them to upgrade the bathrooms, cover damaged tiles, and add paint of choice. Cut the planks into the required sizes and stick them with adhesive glue on the walls.
These are beneficial to add a visual appearance to your bathrooms. In addition, it provides greater insulation and makes the interior warm, cozy, and more inviting.
Is it safe to put beadboard over the tile in the bathroom?
Beadboard are vertical planks and are similar to wall paneling. These have groovy textures with ridges for the aesthetic appearance of the interiors.
Most people add them on the lower side because it gives a sleek and lavish look. It is safe to put these boards on the tiles of the bathroom.
These are available in the market in different types and sizes. MDF and vinyl are water resistant and most suitable for highly humid areas.
In addition, wooden types are not best for damp areas because moisture can seep into their inner layer and cause the disintegration of materials.
Wooden types cannot become dry quickly, and it can also cause ruining of tiles and their caulking material. It saves you time and cost because you do not need to remove the tiles and create a mess for their installation.
You can adhere these panels to the existing material and give your interiors a new and fresh look.
Why would you add beadboard over tile in the bathroom?
Many people put the headboard on the lower side of the wall tiles because it can give your bathroom a stylish and new appearance.
Upgrade bathroom
It is the least expensive and affordable method to upgrade your bathroom. However, the reconstruction cost is always high, and everyone is not flexible.
You can want to add new things to your bathrooms to make the interior stylish and pleasant. You can change the overall appearance by installing this with minimal costs.
In addition, removing the old tiles and adding the new ones, along with their higher construction and labor costs, is a messy procedure.
The removal and addition of new styles and colors of tiles also require more time and effort.
Cover damaged tiles
The tiles can also get damaged due to poor and harsh cleaning agents. The use of ammonia-based cleaners can destroy them and fade their color.
Moreover, these can also dull their original shine and appearance. However, you can restore their look by adding panels on their lower side and hiding the damaged ends.
These are brittle, and scratches can also come on their surfaces. You can see the visible marks on the lower side of the walls when these become old.
You can cover the scratched area with different styles and colors of beadboard. Moreover, you can also match their color with the tiles on the walls.
Add the paint of your choice
You cannot paint the tiles of your bathroom walls because these cannot stick on their surface. The paint cannot bind with a smooth, slippery, polished surface.
People often want to change the interior theme by adding new colors and designs. You can easily install the wall panels and change the paint color.
It is easy to apply the paint on the beadboard and can last longer. Semi-gloss, enamel, and latex paints are the best choices for their surfaces.
It is necessary to apply the paint brushes according to their designs and appearance. For example, use the paintbrush in vertical directions if these have vertical lines for a finished appearance.
How do you put beadboard over the tile in the bathroom?
Installing beadboard over the tiles is not time-consuming and costly because you do not require special tools and materials for their adjustment. You only need adhesive glues for their binding on different tiles.
Removal of fixtures and cutting of boards
It is necessary to remove the fixtures that are attached to walls for their proper installation. Detach the soap dispensers, sinks, and toilets if these come up in the way of their adjustment.
You can call the expert plumbers if you do not know about the removal and reinstallation of toilets in your bathrooms because poor fitting makes them shaky.
Detach the towel racks if these are present on the walls. It is better to add them on the lower side of the walls so you do not have to remove fixtures from them.
However, sinks and toilets are present on the lower side and close to the ground, so it is necessary to reinstall them again for perfect fitting of paneling.
Measure the size of the walls with inches tap and take the dimensions for cutting these boards. Then, use the miter saw to cut them into different sizes.
It is better to take vertical measurements and check the heights from where you want to install them.
Surface preparation of tiles
You cannot apply the beadboard directly over the smooth surface of the tiles because adhesive glues cannot stick to them.
Rough and textured surface is good for better fitting paneling and adhesiveness of sealing glues.
Wash the tiles properly with cleaning detergents and remove the dust, dirt, grease, soap scum, body oils, and lotions from their surface.
The minerals come up on their surfaces because of high moisture and water droplets. Use slightly warm water with a mixture of dishwashing detergent to make them neat and clean.
Use the low grit sandpaper and buff their surface slowly. Sand the tiles carefully so they cannot completely damage their surface, and avoid using an electric sender because it can break them.
Application
Apply the adhesive glue on the pre-cut boards with a knife and quickly apply it over the tiles before they dry and their stickiness decreases.
Attach the panels on the walls and press them for 1 to 3 minutes. Do not leave them without applying little pressure because these can come off and cannot stick correctly.
Avoid applying glue on all of the cut boards at the same time. Instead, top the surface of the next board with glue when you apply the previous ones completely.
Revise the same procedure with the same planks and leave it for drying. The drying time depends on the adhesive products you are using, and it is mentioned on the labels.
You can also apply the thin caulking or sealing layer on their sides and edges to seal them properly and avoid water penetration.
What places are not suitable for the installation of beadboard in bathrooms?
Some places are not suitable for installing beadboard over the tiles in your bathrooms because of their high moisture.
The humidity content is different throughout these areas because of the adjustment of fixtures. For example, the humidity is relatively high in areas near the showers, bathtubs, and sinks.
You can install the paneling on the lower side of these areas because these are not entirely water resistant. Long-term water exposure can damage their fiberglass material.
The dirt, grease, and soap scum can enter these boards’ grooves and ridges, making them look dirty and uncleaned.
It becomes difficult to remove the grime and dust from their ridges. Moreover, mods also grow in these groovy areas because you cannot dry the moisture in the hidden parts.
Adding them on the lower side of mirrors, toilets, vanity areas, and soap dispensers is good because the humidity is relatively less.
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