Professional tiling is one of the highest-impact finishing trades in any bathroom or kitchen renovation. Done well it transforms a space; done poorly it’s expensive to fix. Our tilers work exclusively on our own renovation projects —, no day-rate strangers. Every tiling job is completed to BS 5385 standard with the correct adhesive, grout and waterproofing for the substrate and tile type.
Tiling Services We Offer in Glasgow
- Bathroom wall tiling — full bathroom retile, shower enclosure tiling, wet room tiling
- Bathroom floor tiling — porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and large-format floor tiles
- Kitchen wall tiling — splashback, full-wall tiling behind worktops and range cookers
- Kitchen floor tiling — durable porcelain and ceramic options suitable for heavy kitchen use
- Hallway and living area tiling — large-format porcelain for open-plan ground floors
- Wet room tanking and tiling — full waterproof tanking system plus floor and wall tiling
- Mosaic tiling — feature walls, niche panels, shower floors
- Natural stone tiling — slate, marble, travertine (requires specialist adhesive and sealing)
Tiling Cost Glasgow 2025–26
Tiling costs depend on tile size, substrate condition, access and pattern complexity. The figures below are labour only — tiles, adhesive, grout and accessories are quoted separately or as a supply-and-fix package.
| Tile Type / Location | Labour Cost per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ceramic wall tiles | £25–£35/m² | Metro / subway format, straight lay |
| Porcelain wall or floor tiles | £30–£45/m² | Larger format, heavier, more prep |
| Large format tiles (600×600mm+) | £40–£65/m² | Requires very flat substrate, levelling compound |
| Natural stone (slate, marble, travertine) | £45–£80/m² | Specialist adhesive, sealing required |
| Mosaic tiles | £50–£90/m² | Labour-intensive; ideal for feature panels |
| Herringbone or feature pattern | +20–30% on above | More cuts, more time |
Day rate for a tiler in Glasgow: £180–£280 inc. VAT. Add £5–£12/m² for adhesive and grout; £150–£300 for a tanking kit in wet areas. Buy 10% extra tiles for wastage and match batch numbers to avoid colour variation.
For reference, a typical Glasgow bathroom retile (approximately 12m² walls + 5m² floor in standard porcelain) runs £1,500–£2,500 for labour, plus tiles and materials.
The Right Adhesive and Grout — Why It Matters
Tile failure in Glasgow bathrooms is almost always caused by the wrong adhesive or inadequate substrate preparation — not tile quality. We specify the correct system for every application:
- Standard wall tiling on dry plaster: rapid-set flexible adhesive (e.g. BAL Rapid-Flex); white grout for light tiles, grey unsanded grout for joints 3mm or wider
- Wet areas (shower enclosures, wet rooms): full tanking membrane applied first (Aquaseal or equivalent), then flexible waterproof adhesive (C2TE class); epoxy or flexible grout for long-term water resistance
- Floor tiling over underfloor heating: flexible floor adhesive with a high deformation class (S2) to accommodate thermal movement; avoid rigid adhesives
- Natural stone: white rapid-set adhesive (stone tiles can stain with grey adhesive showing through); impregnating sealer applied before grouting and after
- Large format floor tiles: floor levelling compound applied first to achieve maximum 3mm deviation over 2m; back-buttering required on tiles over 600mm
Substrate Preparation — the Stage Most Tilers Skip
Poor substrate preparation is the most common cause of tiled surfaces failing within a few years. Our process:
- Check all existing plaster or board for soundness — hollow areas are hacked back and replastered
- In wet areas, existing plasterboard is removed and replaced with tile-backer board (Wedi, Hardiebacker or Aquapanel) — standard plasterboard is never used in shower zones
- Tanking membrane applied to all joints and full shower area in minimum two coats with drying time between coats
- Floor flatness checked with a 2m straight-edge; levelling compound applied where deviation exceeds 3mm
- All movement joints (expansion joints at corners and perimeters) filled with silicone, never grout
Choosing the Right Tile for Glasgow Homes
Bathroom Wall Tiles
Porcelain is the most durable and least porous option — ideal for Glasgow’s soft water and frequent cleaning. Large-format tiles (600×300mm or 600×600mm) are the most popular choice in Glasgow bathrooms currently, giving a clean modern look with fewer grout lines. White or light grey tiles make smaller Glasgow bathrooms feel larger. Textured or matt-finish tiles are safer underfoot in floor applications but more difficult to keep clean on walls.
Kitchen Floor Tiles
Kitchen floors need a slip rating of R9 or better (PEI Class 4 minimum for residential kitchen use). Rectified porcelain in a 600×600mm or 600×300mm format is the most practical choice — easy to clean, resistant to dropped heavy items, and suits underfloor heating systems. Avoid highly polished porcelain on kitchen floors — it shows every mark and can be slippery when wet.
Hallway and Open-Plan Living Tiles
Large-format rectified porcelain (800×800mm or 1200×600mm) running through from hall to kitchen-diner gives a high-end feel popular in Newton Mearns and Bearsden refurbishments. Must be laid on a perfectly flat screed or levelled floor — never directly on uneven floorboards without a concrete board overlay. Grout joint of 2–3mm with matching epoxy grout for durability.
Areas We Cover
We provide tiling services across Glasgow and surrounding areas as part of full renovation projects and standalone retile jobs:
- Newton Mearns (G77) — bathroom and kitchen retiles, large-format floor tiling
- Bearsden (G61) — period property bathroom tiling, natural stone
- Giffnock (G46) — full bathroom and kitchen tiling packages
- Clarkston (G76) — standalone retiles and full renovation tiling
- Pollokshields (G41) — Victorian flat bathroom tiling, wet rooms
- Southside Glasgow — G41, G42, G43, G44, G45 — full bathroom and kitchen tiling
- West End Glasgow — G11, G12, G13 — tenement flat bathroom retiles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in Glasgow?
A standard bathroom retile (approximately 12m² walls and 5m² floor in porcelain) costs £1,500–£2,500 for labour in Glasgow, plus tiles and materials. Large-format tiles, natural stone or feature patterns cost more. We provide fixed-price written quotes after measuring up.
Do you supply the tiles or do I buy them?
Both options are available. We can quote supply-and-fix (we source tiles at trade prices) or labour-only if you’ve already purchased tiles. If supplying your own tiles, ensure you order 10% extra for cuts and wastage, and buy all tiles from the same batch number to avoid shade variation.
What is the best tile for a Glasgow bathroom?
Rectified porcelain in a large format (600×300mm or 600×600mm) gives the best combination of durability, low maintenance and modern appearance. For shower floors, a smaller tile or mosaic with a high R-rating (slip resistance) is safer. We advise on tile selection at survey stage.
Can you tile over existing tiles?
Sometimes — if the existing tiles are sound, level and well-adhered, we can tile over them. However, this raises the floor level, which can cause issues with door clearance and shower tray heights. In wet areas, we prefer to strip back to the substrate to apply fresh tanking before new tiles. We assess this at survey stage.
How long does a bathroom retile take?
A standard bathroom retile (strip and retile) takes 3–5 working days. Wet room or shower enclosure tanking adds drying time — a properly tanked wet room takes 7–9 working days minimum. Any tiler quoting 1–2 days for a full wet room is cutting corners on the waterproofing.
Get a Tiling Quote
We visit, measure up and provide a fixed written price for your tiling project. Most surveys take 20–30 minutes.
Tiling is done by our trusted Polish tilers — known for dead-straight lines and clean grout work. About our Polish team.