I am fitting a new shower to an exiting tiled bathroom and I can't match the tiles, and as there is a risk of breaking tiles and lifting plaster board if I try and remove them, I have decided to tiles over the existing tiles in a contrasting colour in the shower area. My question is: " when I fit the shower screen, is it recommended to tiles first, then fit the screen through both layers, or to fit the screen over the existing tiles and then tile up to it with the new ones?"

its not ideal to tile on tile. i don't understand why you're only re-tiling the shower area? you should remove the old tiles (and plasterboard if damaged) then reboard and use a tanking system on the 'wet' areas. then tile using bagged adhesive , then grout, then fit new shower screen.

As above, why do half a job.

as above

As all above

I see most of the replies are from established tilers, hence their response. I propose to tile on tiles as I have done in my kitchen. It is interesting to note, that I could not find a tiler who was prepared to take the old tiles off, as the likelyhood was that is would have to be re-plaster boarded and that would mean a builder. To remove all the old tiles in the bathroom would require taking the sanitary ware out. Unless you do this for a living, then life is too short to take on unnecessary work. Therefore can any one answer my original question?

the shower screen always goes on last.

That shows you the standards of some "tilers" out there, wont remove the tiles and reboard but will tile over tiles. Brilliant.

I agree with the guys above, we have not advised this because we do it all the time and think that it is easy. We have given this advice because it is the right way of doing it. However it is your project and your room... The shower screen goes in after the tiling and the tiles drop off the wall after the tiler leaves.

i agree with all of the above tilers, what they have said is the best way to do it in all honesty, however as like many threads on here about tiling over tiles ppl are quick to say dont do it, but there are quite a few products on the market these days that are suitable for tile on tile situations, as i said its not always advised but if the original tiles are as solid as can be then there is no real reason not to do so, ive done it quite a few times on local social housing projects when budgets are a bit tight and ive never had any bad or negative feedback regarding the work, and ive even been back to a few jobs that ive done and seen it for myself, all im trying to do is give an alternative opinion on the subject, as i said earlier its not the best solution but it works..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I see most of the replies are from established tilers, hence their response. I propose to tile on tiles as I have done in my kitchen. It is interesting to note, that I could not find a tiler who was prepared to take the old tiles off, as the likelyhood was that is would have to be re-plaster boarded and that would mean a builder. To remove all the old tiles in the bathroom would require taking the sanitary ware out. Unless you do this for a living, then life is too short to take on unnecessary work. Therefore can any one answer my original question?

I'm not a tiler, yet I managed to remove old tiles, remove damage plasterboard and re-board with new plasterboard. you don't need a builder for that. the tilers you have contacted are into bad, lazy work practices and outwardly your finished room may look fantastic, but the preparation side of the job will be less than a standard any established tiler on here would be prepared to commit to. the established tilers who have replied to this thread are not thinking about how much money they will make on a job, they are thinking about how good the preparation and finished job will be, whilst working within British Standards guidelines.

I appreciate that you are just giving another angle to look at conceptceramics as no tiler would tile over tile given the choice. However there are also tub adhesives on the market that claim to be suitable to tile with stone onto chipboard floors!! I wouldnt trust it as far as I could throw it. I just feel that its another "Iv never had a problem yet" situation, much like using PVA to prime.

I can only give the best advice I can and that would be dont do it

totally agree dylante, as i said im trying to give an alternative perspective, i dont recommend tile on tiles but it can be done, infact taking off tiles that are on plasterboard is actually very easy as u can get behind the plasterboard with a bar of some sort and remove bigger areas in one go, plasterboard is dirt cheap these days and people shouldnt be put off by something that will ultimatly give them a much better finish, as with any job preperation is 90% of the work, more time spent getting it right at the start pays off in the end finish.

Agree with all advice above, i was doing a job for housing association where all they wanted in 50% of the bathrooms was tile on tile with tub adhesive, not a good idea and i would never advise tile on tile as it affects everything. Tiles slide. Dont stay on tiles and can cause chaos! Even though it might seem a bit of hassle to rip them off of the walls and get some new plasterboard etc. It will save time and hassle for when the job is being carried out. It will also give a much better finish and i think that unless someone is tiling for a low budget housing association that needs to rush you then the job should be done properly and any "tiler" that says they wouldn't do that is obviously a cowboy and you risk the whole thing going to pan! It could actually save you a lot of time and money to do it properly from the start.

Its your room so ultimately the decision is yours but you cant be too critical when you dont get the response you want from professionals who have to offer guarantees with their work.

I have done it many years ago with small ceramics over existing small ceramics, i certainly wouldnt entertain it now though.

Where are you based? depending on the area I may be able to do the job correctly for you or someone else on here in your area might be able to help. Do a job once right instead of doing it wrong quickly and having to go back to it