Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 3 votes
Hi All -
I bought my first rental property 3yrs ago and have come to notice lots of "bandaids" around the two units I purchased which has led me to having to renovate more than originally anticipated.
The good news is, the new reno projects I've been doing look great and bring the units back into the 21st century which has allowed me to increase my rents over time. The latest project I am about to embark on is pulling out the existing vinyl tile on the shower/tub wall and replacing it with new tile.
Question for BP: as a Landlord, what is the best type of backsplash material for a shower/tub project? I originally was going to do a tile but then someone mentioned to me Vinyl would work well since it is a rental.
Any guidance here? Ideally I'd like whatever material looks the best/is the most durable/affordable! Thank you in advance.
I'd say it depends on your skillset. If you can do basic tilework: put in a proper CBU substrate, apply a membrane of some kind and set tile in thinset, It doesn't matter that much what tile you install. Well installed tile will last generations. I have some that is 70 years old. Badly installed, and all bets are off. Might not last 5 years. It's not the tile itself that fails!
Basic 3x6 white subway tile with black trim is my favorite, old fashioned look for old buildings is right. I'd advise against natural stone of any kind. Last surround I did was 6x12 porcelain "travertine look", because the bath had other pink/tan features. There's lots of inexpensive porcelain that is literally jet printed with stone patterns, I love it for kitchen floors and counter backsplashes.