Peel and stick tiles are not only easy to install, there are a variety of colors and designs you can choose from. You can also change them whenever you want at a significantly lower cost.
You might be wondering if they are as good as they are said to be and if they will last long in the shower. Before investing in it, ensure to do your proper research.
Can you use peel and stick tile in the shower?
It is advised to not use peel and stick tile in the shower despite how waterproof and humidity-resistant they claim to be. Naturally, if they keep coming in contact with the water then over time the glue will start to move around and damage the outlook of the tiles.
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Since peel and stick tiles are starting to get more popular over the years, there are a lot of types that are readily present in the market now.
One of them might include tiles that are used for specific areas in the bathroom. These peel and stick tiles are much more humid, heat, and water-resistant than other regular tiles. You can consider using them in the shower, but there are still risks attached to them.
Above a shower:
You can use peel and stick tiles above a shower, but you will have to keep in mind to use one specific to your situation. When it comes to an area above the shower, it is less likely to come in contact with much water.
However, it will be exposed to the highest level of humidity. In that case, it is suggested that you opt for stick and peel tiles that are very resistant to humidity.
But, do keep in mind that even if your stick and peel tiles are fully resistant to humidity, over time the glue will loosen up and you will need to change the peel and stick tiles again.
Over a fiberglass:
Fiberglass showers are very easy to install and they are significantly cheaper than regular tiles too. However, you cannot insert a peel and stick shower tile on top of it.
Those tiles of peel and stick tiles require a certain base to stick on. They require a smooth, strong, and flat base.
Fiberglass on the other hand will not be great for those peels and stick tiles as the glue will not properly adhere to it and your peel and stick tiles will not stick to it for very long so you should avoid it even if the peel and stick layers protects your fiberglass tiles from scratches and damage.
Over ceramic tile:
You can put your peel and stick tile over a ceramic tile. However, there are very specific rules you must follow when doing so.
These tiles are not that easy to install on top of ceramic tiles and have a chance of getting ruined very easily. To minimize that, always ensure to follow the necessary guidelines.
In this case, you must fill in the tiles with more grout so that the surface is fully flat and so that the glue fully adheres to the peel and stick tiles.
RV shower:
RV showers are probably the easiest for you to install your peel and stick tiles on. They work well with the particular type of tiles and the glue adheres well to it as well.
The particular adhesive present is also very flexible meaning if you need to reposition the peel and stick tiles then you can easily do so before it dries out and it will not cause any damage to the RV shower either.
Do peel and stick tiles work in the shower?
It really depends because nowadays there are peel and stick tiles readily available to use specifically in the bathroom.
They are manufactured in a way to be heat, humidity, and water-resistant. Therefore, it is likely to work well and stick in your shower despite coming in contact with a lot of water, moisture, and humidity,
Though you must keep in mind that water is still very destructive at the end of the day. Even if your peel and stick tiles are very strong and resistant to water, there are chances that over time a lot of exposure will end up doing damage.
The major damage is, the glue present will start to loosen up until it cannot hold the tiles properly anymore.
When installing such tiles, you must keep that in mind that you might have to change them again later on when the glue starts to loosen up.
Are peel and stick tiles good for the bathroom? Is there a peel and stick tile for a shower?
Peel and stick tiles are amazing for bathrooms because they are the type of tiles where you would find an amazing variety.
You can get many colors and designs that will add more dimension to your bathroom and overall give it great decor. Besides that, they are also very easy to install and take off.
Most peel and stick tiles are not manufactured for use in the shower as they are not resistant to humidity and really prone to moisture.
But, nowadays with advancing technology you will find a variety of peel and stick tiles that are designed to fight off those problems. You will find peel and stick tiles that are made for a shower and are resistant to water.
How long do peel and stick tiles last in the shower? Do you have to grout peel-and-stick tiles in the shower?
Even if you are using peel and stick tiles that are manufactured to be used in the shower, you should not expect them to last that long. They will constantly come in contact with a lot of water and this will loosen the glue.
You can increase their longevity by cleaning them after every shower which will be a lot of effort. You can expect them to last anywhere between five to ten years depending on how well you take care of them.
There are many methods by which you can apply peel and stick tiles in your bathroom. You can use any of the methods and grouting is one of those.
Doing so will secure the joints so that water does not seep through and ruin your tiles. Grouting is not necessary, but you will have to use any of the other methods available to make your peel and stick tiles waterproof.
How do you prepare a shower floor for peel and stick tile?
There are certain points you must keep in mind when preparing your shower for peel and stick tiles.
Clean them thoroughly:
Scrub your walls or floors thoroughly. Any small rubbles, scraps can easily show through the tiles so you must thoroughly inspect your walls and floors. You can wash with ammonia and water solution if you want to take the extra step.
Repair:
If there are any scrapes, cracks, gaps or holes then ensure that you are repairing them thoroughly with patching compound. You must make sure that all of the floors and walls are level with each other so that the tiles can adhere properly to them.
Extra measure:
If you are having any doubts as to if your peel and stick will indeed adhere properly to your present floors and walls then you can consider a quarter of an inch plywood underlayment over it before using the peel and stick floors on them.
How do you install peel and stick tile in a shower?
There are certain steps to keep in mind that you are planning on installing peel and stick tile in your shower.
Getting the tiles:
It is important that you choose tiles that you are sure will look good in your bathroom. Choose a design or a color that will add more dimension to your bathroom.
Stick them to your walls:
After you are done preparing your floors and walls and making sure there are no dents or debris, peel the back layer of the tiles and start sticking them on your shower floors and walls.
These are flexible and you can bed them to the edges to get a smoother finish.
Cut them:
Ensure to cut off any extra pieces so that they are not hanging off and you should also use a smoothing tool and run it over the walls and floors to get a cleaner finish and also to ensure that there are no bubbles left.
Grouting:
Wait for 24 hours for them to dry and then use grout to seal the layers and joints between your tiles. This will prevent water from seeping in and make your tiles waterproof.
Final Thoughts
It is recommended that you do not use stick and peel tiles in your shower because constant exposure to water will ruin them at one point. Even if you decide to install them, do keep in mind that you might have to frequently change them after every five to ten years or so.