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The choice of whether to tile or use an acrylic tub surround is up to you and can be based on a number of factors, including aesthetics, cost, waterproofing, ease of cleaning, and maintenance.

Tile is a beautiful, classic bathtub surround choice; while tile installation cost is higher, it’s customizable and offers visual appeal. Tile is also harder to clean and presents waterproofing problems because of grout lines. Acrylic surrounds can be more affordable, don’t require much maintenance, and are easier to clean. However, they aren’t usually as visually appealing and may need to be replaced if they become damaged.

You can technically install tile over tile, but we don’t suggest it. Installing tile over any surface that isn’t a completely flat and prepared subfloor will result in a shoddy overall job, uneven flooring, tiles that don’t adhere, extra weight, gaps, cracks, and room for moisture and dirt to enter. For the best results, only install new tile on a flat, sanded surface like subflooring or concrete that is prepared for tile.

If you have asbestos tile and would rather tile over it than remove it, or if your existing tile is completely flat and bonded tightly to the floor, you may be able to tile over existing tile. But experts recommend thinking twice before you do.

Yes, your shower pan goes underneath your tiling and helps prevent excess water from seeping into the floor. Without the shower pan under your tile, water will seep through the grout and into the flooring. This will eventually lead to mold growth and serious water damage that could cost thousands of dollars to fix.

The grout shade you choose comes down to personal taste and preference. A darker grout will give you a more dramatic and noticeable contrast with the tile around it; however, lighter grout helps create a more uniform look when blending the colors together. Additionally, a darker grout combined with a patterned tile could be overwhelming to the eye, while lighter grout makes the pattern stand out as the main focus.