Tile paint: the colour change. Smartcover Tiles grips on ceramic, porcelain stoneware and mosaic with no primer first: two coats, satin finish and eleven colours. A 2.5 L tin covers about 16 m² at 0.15 L/m² over two coats. You paint it in an afternoon and keep it dry for seven days. The relief of the grout line stays: the colour changes, the texture does not. It is the option when the tile is sound and what bothers you is how it looks. The steps, six ideas and real before-and-afters: painting bathroom tiles without building work.
Microcement: the material change. The tile disappears under a continuous 2-3 mm surface, with no grout lines, applied on top with the Smart Jointer grout filler and the Smart Primer PLUS primer, both included in the kits. The material comes to £26–50 per m², the project takes about three days and the result is waterproof after seven: it works for the shower and the sink, not just the walls. All the kits and the details of the system are in microcement for tiles; here you have the three most used over tiling: bathroom, kitchen and floors.
Which to choose. If you want people to see that the bathroom or the kitchen is a different one, and to get rid of the grout lines for good, microcement. If the problem is the colour and you want it sorted in a weekend on a small budget, paint. If in doubt, the guide to covering tiles without removing them compares these two options with vinyl and panels, with prices and real before-and-afters.
And soon, a third route. We are preparing marmorino, the lime plaster with a polished-stone effect, as a third solution for covering tiles without building work. When it is available, you will find it here.
Success stories: how our customers rate Smartcret
Christopher Berumen
My wife and I had been looking into microcement for our bathrooms and found Smartcret. Being from the US we worried about importing, but our kits arrived within a couple of weeks. We DIY'd with a contractor friend and LOVE how it came out — smooth, waterproof, and the colours match the catalogue perfectly. If you're in North America, watch for sales to offset shipping costs!
Marcus Sprigens
The solution for revamping a tiled bathroom is Smartcret. Amazing product, very high quality with a smooth to touch finish, a pleasure to walk on in bare feet. No mixing powder and liquid as it comes ready to apply. Super happy with the results and great customer service.
Dee Moe
We used Smartcret for our bathroom walls and it turned out amazing. It was a long process but the steps were easy enough to follow. They were very supportive on WhatsApp and were there every step of the way.
Nicole Lyons
I found this product because I was so sick of cleaning tile grout. I wanted the Tadelakt look without spending $$$. The process takes time but the result was worth it. Only use the plastic trowel — a metal one leaves black marks. The Smartcret team was very helpful. I love my new shower and get so many compliments on it!
Smadar Levi
I had an amazing experience with Smartcret, absolutely amazing for beginners like me. I changed the floor in a beautiful small cabin and the change was incredible. The service was wonderful. Highly recommend!
Tarek Hijazi
We are so happy with Smartcret and the finish! It has given our bathroom a luxurious feel. We have already recommended it to 5 people. Thank you!
Elan Argil
Great renovation option if you don't want to demo the tile — it sticks to anything. The company is responsive with great customer service.
Neil Henderson
First time user of this product. It's so easy to use and looks really good. Lots of colours to choose from. Great customer service as well.
Jade Savage
I live in the US and ordered from Smartcret. My order arrived within a couple of weeks and the customer service is out of this world! I had an item arrive damaged and they were fast to ship a replacement. Great communication. I'll be doing our shower soon!
Franny Zywicki
We used it in our Hostal for all the bathrooms and floors. We absolutely loved the product — so much quicker as a ready mixed product. Really helpful team. The only tip: use a stronger varnish on your wettest areas.