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Expert: - 4/17/2007


Question
Our house was built in 1953.  The 1/2 bath is tiled halfway up all walls.  We wish to remove the 1953 green tile walls and floor. Is it better to replace with updated tile walls and floor or simply paint the walls(after removing the tile) and replace the tile floor.  The toilet and sink and fixtures will all be replaced during this renovation.  

Answer
Hi Karen - thanks for your question!

The answer depends upon what's under the tile.  If it's the original 1953 tile, there's likely plaster on the walls, and a thin layer of concrete on the floor.

The tile won't come off easily or cleanly, and both the walls and floor will need a lot of work to prep them for new tile or paint.  If you paint, you'll have to refinish the walls first.  I'd recommend you consider just drywalling over the old plaster - use "greenboard" for it's water-resistant qualities and do the entire wall, not just where the tile was.

If you put up new tile, use cement backerboard as the underlayment for the tile.

It's important to install bath tile exactly right or you'll have water problems later on.  There are many sources for installation tips - starting with the tile store.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
www.rtahouseplans.com
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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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