We are redecorating our bathroom. We are on a very limited budget. We can‘t afford to rip out the old tiles and put in new, so we‘re wondering if there is something we can do to make them look new and/or different. Such as painting them? That was my idea, but not sure that tiles can be painted? Can they? And if so how? What exact steps do we need to do to paint the tiles? Or any other ideas on making them look better? Thanks in advance.
Not really, painting tiles in a humid place is asking for trouble. You'll be replacing them in a year.. As an adjunct most home center now have WP paneling that looks like tile, It is cheap and fair easy to put up with a skilsaw. Comes in 4x8 sheets.
Great information about all kinds of home-improvement projects.
Go to one of those Home Depot Clinics and see if it really is something you can do. If not; find someone that knows how, and will let you work with them and charges alot less than a contractor will. And then maybe you will be able to do it next time.
I've used several off the shelve tile cleaners and many of them work wonderfully. However, if you have ugly tile, not just dirtly tile, then a cleaner is not going to do the trick. Painting tiles is a very short term solution. Paint will not last long on a tile surface. When it starts coming off you're likely to have something that's even worse. The cost of replacing the tiles yourself will be very low, ultimately depending on the surface underneath the tile and your choice of tile. I've done it a few times in my own house and have found that good looking tile floors are one of the easier do-it-yourself jobs. It seems a lot more difficult than it turns out to be. The cost of a book, one day rental of a tile cutting saw, tile of your choice, and other supplies should only run you about $100 to $200 and yet the results will be truly remarkable. I'd count on a good three days if this is your first tile job. This sounds like a lot of time, but you'll only have problems if you're in a hurry -- so don't rush it.
