Should You Tile a Shower Ceiling?

If you’re redoing your bathroom, you may be thinking of things like the paint color or the lighting. But don’t forget about the ceiling and the shower area. For example, you should think about what to do with the ceiling in your shower.

You should tile a shower ceiling to help keep it clean and avoid moisture buildup. Tiles on a shower ceiling are also more durable than other materials, and you can choose from different tile designs. But be sure to save for the upfront cost and allow for enough time to install the tile.

Whether you want to redo your entire bathroom or just the shower, adding tile to the ceiling can be a good option. You can do a lot with the tile, and it can make your bathroom cleaner and safer to use. Keep reading to learn more about if you should tile a shower ceiling.

Pros and Cons of Tiling a Shower Ceiling

If you’re looking into tiling a shower ceiling, you should consider the pros and cons. In some cases, the cons will be worth it to take advantage of the pros. However, you have to think about your bathroom and shower to decide what’s best for you.

Here are a few pros and cons to think about before adding tile to a shower ceiling:

Durable

Tile is usually more durable than other materials, like wallpaper or just the wall with paint on it. You won’t have to worry about experiencing wear and tear as quickly when you use tile.

If you already have tile on most of the shower wall, it won’t take much to extend it. As long as you install it correctly, it can stay there for a long time. That can help if a lot of people use the shower or even if no one uses it often.

You won’t have to do much maintenance that frequently. When you do need maintenance, you can call a professional or even fix the issue yourself.

Multiple Designs

It can be easy to think of tile as something boring and simple. However, you can get creative with your bathroom tile and make the space unique. You can use different shades of the same color to create a subtle design.

Or you can go more dramatic with a darker or brighter color. And if you like a particular shape, you can look for tiles in that shape or with a pattern on them. So you could look for hexagonal tiles or tiles with star patterns.

If you’re redoing your kids’ bathroom, you can incorporate their favorite colors all the way to the ceiling. That can make showering more fun and exciting, which can help if your kids don’t like to take a shower.

Easy to Clean

When it comes to cleaning your bathroom, you probably don’t think about the ceiling. But it can get just as dirty as the rest of the room. Luckily, tile is very easy to clean, and you don’t need to use a stool to reach it.

You can use a mop and a broom, so you can wipe the ceiling while standing on the floor. The tile won’t trap dirt or dust, so it’s much easier to rub any residue off the tile.

If you don’t like cleaning your bathroom or don’t have time, tile will be useful. You can get away with cleaning less often, and it can still look clean.

Moisture Repelling

If your bathroom is small and you don’t have a fan, you may notice that moisture tends to be collected after taking a shower. Luckily, tile can help keep that moisture from staying for too long. You can easily wipe off the excess moisture, or it can run down to the bottom before evaporating.

Having water-resistant materials is essential for avoiding mold and mildew. While you should still use resources like a fan or opening your bathroom door, you don’t have to worry as much about the issue.

Combine that with not having to clean your bathroom as often, and you can feel good about where you shower. Then, you can focus on maintaining other areas of your home.

Fewer Repairs

Because of the factors like durability, cleanliness, and moisture-resistance, you won’t have to have as many repairs on the tile. Sometimes, the walls can crack in older buildings, and that can be disconcerting.

However, tile can go longer between needing repairs or experiencing damage. As long as you install the tiles correctly, they can stay in time for years.

Once you install the tiles, you can use your bathroom as normal. You won’t have to maintain the tile daily or even weekly.

Installation Timeline

The first con of tiling a ceiling is that it can take a long time. You may need to spend two or even three days on the project, which can have a few negative effects.

For one, it can take that shower or even the whole bathroom out of commission. If you only have one shower or bathroom in your home, you’ll need to make sure you have another place to stay, or you’ll have to go without a shower.

You may be able to expedite the project with some help. But it can still take a long time to do. If you’re not a professional, you may need to spend a weekend working on it, and you’ll need to make sure you install the tile correctly.

Hard to Use

Along with taking up a lot of time, installing tile can be hard. You have to consider your shower size and if you can fit a ladder and your tiling supplies in the shower. It may be a tight squeeze, so you’ll need to remain focused.

Even if you have more room, some tiles can be heavy or awkward to hold. And when you have to lift them over your head, it can be even more difficult. You will need to make sure you don’t drop any of the tiles, and you may want some extras on hand.

Be sure you choose tiles that can fit together nicely and that each piece is manageable. That way, you can safely install it in your shower and on the ceiling.

Initial Costs

Another con of tiling a shower ceiling is that it can be expensive. Tile costs more than the equivalent in terms of paint or wallpaper. You may want to wait a bit so that you can save up enough money to buy enough tiles.

Sure, you can save by getting tiles that match what you currently have. But if you’ve had those tiles for years, you may not find a perfect match. You may need to buy enough tiles to redo the entire shower, and that can add up.

Luckily, since tile is so strong and durable, it can be worth the cost in the long run. After many years, you may even end up saving money compared to what you would spend on paint and repairs.

What To Put On a Ceiling Above the Shower

If you decide not to use tile, you can use wallpaper or paint on your shower ceiling. You should still bring the tile as close to the ceiling as you can. That way, you won’t have to get your walls wet every time you or someone else takes a shower.

However, if you don’t want to deal with the cost or time of installing tile on the ceiling, it’s not your only option. Sometimes, painting can be a quick option, and it can be good if your bathroom has good ventilation and if you haven’t had cracks before.

Final Thoughts

Tiling a shower ceiling can be difficult, but it can also be worth it for many people. Consider if you want to take the time and money to put it up. Then, you can enjoy the various benefits of a tile ceiling.