Tiles that suit a value renovation
Porcelain over ceramic. Porcelain is denser, less absorbent and more durable. For floors especially, it is worth the small premium.
Large, straight-laid formats. A 600 by 600 floor and 300 by 600 walls on a straight or stack bond are quick to lay, easy to clean and look modern. They are the best value-per-square-metre choice in most bathrooms.
One tile, floor and walls. Using a single tile throughout reduces waste, simplifies ordering and makes a small room feel bigger.
A feature where it counts. A strip of patterned or textured tile in the shower niche or behind the vanity gives character without paying for a premium tile across the whole room.
Formats that cost more to lay
- Herringbone and chevron — every tile is cut or placed at an angle
- Mosaics on sheets — quicker than loose, but more grout and more finishing
- Small subway tiles — many more tiles per square metre
- Very large slabs — need a very flat substrate and two people to handle
- Mitred external corners — look sharp, take time
None of those is wrong. They just need to be chosen knowing the labour cost.
Setting out the room
A good tiler plans the layout before starting: where the first row goes, where the cuts land, how tile joints line up with the niche, the vanity and the shower waste. The aim is even cuts at both ends of a wall, no slivers at the ceiling, and a floor grid that runs cleanly into the shower.
Falls and drains
Water must run to the waste, not sit on the floor. In a walk-in shower:
- A linear drain along the back wall allows a single-direction fall and suits large tiles
- A centre waste needs a fall from all sides, which suits smaller tiles or mosaics, or large tiles with careful envelope cuts
The fall is formed in the screed under the membrane, and the tiles follow it. See waterproofing.
Grout and sealant in a hot climate
Penrith's summer heat and cooler winter mornings mean the bathroom moves slightly with temperature. That affects how the tiling is finished.
- Flexible sealant — not grout — goes in internal corners, around the bath and at the floor-to-wall junction. Rigid grout in a moving joint cracks, and a cracked corner lets water in.
- Quality grout with good stain resistance holds up better to daily family use.
- Sealing some grouts improves stain resistance and makes cleaning easier.
- Mid-tone grout hides discolouration better than bright white.
Colours that work in Penrith homes
Warm whites, soft greys, sandy beiges and terrazzo-look porcelains suit most brick veneer homes. Light and mid-tone floors are more comfortable in summer and show less dust and water spotting than very dark tiles. Matte finishes on floors are safer and hide marks better than high gloss.
Buying tiles
Choose and order tiles before demolition. Allow around 10 per cent extra for cuts and breakages, more for patterned tiles. Check that all boxes come from the same batch, because colour can vary between batches. Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.
Where tiles are included in a fixed quote, the quote should state the tile allowance per square metre so you know what budget you are choosing within.
Tiling cost guide
As a 2026 guide, supply for a good-quality porcelain typically ranges from about $35 to $90 per square metre, with premium and imported tiles above that. A typical family bathroom with walls tiled to the ceiling uses around 25 to 35 square metres of tile. Laying labour depends heavily on format. The cost page shows how tiling fits the overall budget.
Regrouting instead of retiling
If the tiles are sound and the only problem is tired grout or failed silicone, regrouting and resealing can refresh a bathroom for a small fraction of a renovation. It does not fix a failed membrane, so it is only the right answer when there is no leak.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder; licence and insurance details are provided on request. The deposit on residential building work in NSW is capped at 10 per cent, and for work over $20,000 home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested.
Call 02 4703 9332 or send the room details through.
Get a firm price
- PhotosTwo or three angles of the room.
- SizeRough length and width.
- Wish listShower, bath, vanity, storage.
Questions people ask before they commit
What size tiles are best for a Penrith bathroom?
For value and easy cleaning, a 600 by 600 or 300 by 600 porcelain on a straight lay is hard to beat. Large tiles mean fewer grout lines. In a shower with a centre waste, smaller tiles or mosaics follow the fall better.
Are large tiles more expensive to lay?
Per square metre, a straight-laid 600 by 600 is usually one of the quicker formats. Very large tiles need a flatter substrate and more handling, and small formats, herringbone and mosaics take longer. Labour is often the bigger half of a tiling cost.
What grout colour is easiest to live with?
A mid-grey or a colour close to the tile hides staining and wear far better than bright white, especially on floors and in a family shower.
Do bathroom floor tiles need a slip rating?
They should have one suitable for a wet bathroom floor, especially in the shower. Ask for the slip rating of your chosen floor tile before ordering, particularly if the house has small children or older residents.