Tiling onto plasterboard is straightforward, but you need to ensure your preparation is right. Poor preparation will lead to poor adhesion, and it won’t be long before your tiles are falling off the wall. So it's essential that you don’t skip the process; it isn’t difficult, and it's relatively inexpensive.
Once you’ve sorted the preparation, the process for tiling onto plasterboard is very similar to tiling a wall. Stephen Russell of Ashley Cross Tiling points out one of the benefits of the process, “Plasterboard leaves you with a flat and clean surface to work with.” He adds, “ This makes tiling onto plasterboard a cost-effective option compared to tiling onto plaster as you won’t need to pay a plasterer to skim the walls first.”
Stephen is an independent tiler with other 30 years in the industry. He specialises in kitchen tiling, walls and floors and general tiling repairs.
Shop these tools for tiling onto plasterboard
This tile adhesive is enhanced with fibre strand technology (FST), which improves flexibility and strength. It has an extended open time of 30 minutes and a working time of 60 minutes and can be grouted after only three hours.
Crafted from high-quality stainless steel for smooth and clean application the 6mm notches evenly spread adhesive without excessive build-up. This makes it ideal for smaller tiles.
This kit is ideal for domestic showers, but can be used for commercial showers. Included are a primer, jointing tape, and a flexible liquid membrane. The kit provides enough product for a 1 x 900 x 900 shower enclosure.
3 steps to tile onto plasterboard
To ensure a good strong finish you will need to prepare and prime the plasterboard properly.
Article continues below1. Prepare plasterboard for tiles
Plasterboard should be dry and securely fixed to the wall or frame before you start tiling. If it isn’t securely fixed, sort by adding more plasterboard screws, but don’t overtighten.
Also ensure that any screw heads are not protruding above the surface of the plasterboard. For corners and joints use a joint tape and cover with a thin coat of adhesive and leave to dry.
2. Prime the plasterboard
The final preparation step is to apply an acrylic-based primer like this BAL Prime APD from Victorian Plumbing to help prepare the plasterboard for the tile adhesive. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply with a roller or brush and leave to dry.
3. Addressing wet areas
"Where water is being used in abundance, i.e. shower areas and wet rooms, you need to waterproof," shares Russell. You can tile in these areas without waterproofing, but it won't last as long as other dry areas.
First, you need to waterproof the plasterboard in a process known as tanking. You can purchase a tanking or waterproofing kit such as the Mapei Shower Proofing Kit. This contains a primer, coating and waterproof jointing tape.
Harriet Goodacre, Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles, explains the process: “Ensure you reinforce all board joints and internal corners using a suitable alkaline joint tape, applying a thin coat of adhesive to the tape as well as the rest of your surface before tiling."
Once you have sealed and waterproofed the plasterboard, to finish, Goodacre suggests: "Finally, make sure the adhesive you use is suitable for a wet environment, such as the BAL Rapid Flex Fibre Plus. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to tile!”
A viable alternative to plasterboard is tile cement backer board, such as this HardieBacker 6mm Backerboard from B&Q. It is made from cement, is water-resistant, and easy to cut and install.
Harriet is a tile and interiors expert at Topps Tiles, with over a decade at the brand and more than 15 years’ experience working with home and lifestyle brands. She specialises in all things tiles and tile design, offering practical and stylish guidance for real homes.
FAQs
Should I use moisture resistant plasterboard?
You can use moisture-resistant plasterboard, but it still needs to be primed and sealed properly to help keep it waterproof.
In fact, the British Standard for wall and floor tiling BS 5385 – more specifically Part 1:2018 – now recommends that plasterboard, including moisture-resistant plasterboard, is generally unsuitable for wet areas unless additional protection in the form of a waterproofing tanking system is used.
Do I need to skim plasterboard before tiling?
No you don’t need to skim, you can tile straight onto new dot and dab plasterboard or a stud wall without skimming the plasterboard. But, you can skim the plasterboard if you want to improve watertightness.
However, if you decide to skim the plasterboard before you tile you will need to consider the weight of adhesive and tiles. Standard skimmed plasterboard can only hold 20kg per square metre compared to bare plasterboard which holds around around 50% more in weight.
This means if you are looking to use larger, heavy tiles you may be better off tiling straight onto plasterboard or using an alternative such as a backer board. But make sure to check the weight before you start. If you are using standard ceramic tiles these should work on both bare plasterboard and skimmed plasterboard.
Which side of plasterboard do you tile on?
Plasterboard has a front and a back, and your work needs to be done on the front. How can you tell which is the front where you need to tile? The back of the board will typically include branding and printed manufacturing details.
Another tell-tale sign will be paper seams. The paper on the front of the plasterboard wraps around to the back, ensuring a smooth surface to plaster onto.
Can I tile over painted plasterboard?
While you can paint straight onto plasterboard, it’s not recommended that you tile over painted plasterboard.
But if you are going to tile a painted surface, you will need to prep it before you apply any adhesive or tiles. You need to remove as much of the paint as possible. This is best done with a sander or sandpaper.
But you need to make sure you don't compromise the plasterboard surface. Once this happens, you really need to consider replacing it. Once sanded, you will need to add an acrylic primer to seal the surface before tiling.
If you're thinking of a bathroom renovation or upgrade, make sure to check out our bathroom tile ideas for small bathrooms, bathroom tiling ideas, and how much does it cost to tile a bathroom for information and inspiration.
