Bathroom Tile

Most of the tile in our upstairs full bath (someday guest bath) has been installed. Our contractor is doing it all himself as he knows we’re a bit particular. We’ve chosen pretty classic tiles that look like they could be original to our 1927 house... in fact, the new floor tile is almost identical to the third damaged layered that was removed. The wall tile is Daltile Semi-Gloss 3x6 in Arctic White (aka subway tile) and the floor tile is 1" Carrara Marble Hexagon.



Inspiration photos for the bathroom are here. Since the tile choices are classic, we wanted a somewhat modern application of the wall tile so we chose to tile from floor to ceiling on two walls of the room. The other two walls will be painted a soft grey to pick up some of the grain in the floor tile.

For a few reasons, we also (kind of last minute) decided to install an electric radiant heat floor mat under the hex tile:
•the hydronic radiant heat in the rest of the house won’t be installed until phase 2
•under-subfloor heating doesn’t conduct as well through the many layers of bathroom flooring
•we can keep the bathroom floor a lot warmer without creating a sauna in the rest of the house

Here’s the cost breakdown:
•133 square feet Daltile Semi-Gloss 3x6 in Arctic White $2.15/sf (thanks Stella!!!) $316.77
•18 pieces Daltile Semi-Gloss 3x6 Bullnose Trim in Arctic White $1.99 ea. for the shower niche $41.43
•38 square feet 1" Carrara Marble Hexagon in 12" sheets $23/sf (talked down from $29/sf) $957.04
•NuHeat 72"x42" Floor Heating Mat $246.75
•NuHeat SOLO Programmable Thermostat $157.50

I picked up all of the tile from the manufacturers so we wouldn’t have to pay the shipping that most tile showrooms make you pay. You can find less expensive marble hex tile online but it is actually cheaper quality (we ordered samples) and the shipping costs add up quickly.