Tiling in Blackrock, Dublin
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Blackrock's housing ranges from large Victorian and Edwardian villas on Carysfort Avenue, Temple Road, and Mount Merrion Avenue (many with original sash windows, solid granite walls, decorative plasterwork, and period features requiring specialist care) to 1960s-80s suburban semis in Williamstown, Booterstown, and Newtownpark (cavity block walls, standard PVC windows, many now due for energy upgrades). Modern apartment blocks near Blackrock Clinic, the DART station, and along the Rock Road add density. Many of the period homes have converted attics, extended kitchens, and undergone partial modernisation while retaining original front-of-house features.
Managed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Architectural Conservation Areas cover parts of Blackrock village and the seafront, affecting window replacement, external render, and extension design for properties within these zones. Coastal location brings salt air exposure affecting exterior paintwork, metalwork, and roofing. South-facing gardens along Rock Road and Seapoint get excellent solar exposure. Proximity to the sea moderates frost but increases damp risk in older solid-walled properties. Blackrock has one of Dublin's most active home improvement markets, with high property values (€600k to €1.5m+ for family homes) driving significant investment in quality upgrades, energy retrofits, and premium finishes.
Tiling in Blackrock: Local Insights
Blackrock's housing ranges from large Victorian and Edwardian villas on Carysfort Avenue, Temple Road, and Mount Merrion Avenue (many with original sash windows, solid granite walls, decorative plasterwork, and period features requiring specialist care) to 1960s-80s suburban semis in Williamstown, Booterstown, and Newtownpark (cavity block walls, standard PVC windows, many now due for energy upgrades). Modern apartment blocks near Blackrock Clinic, the DART station, and along the Rock Road add density. Many of the period homes have converted attics, extended kitchens, and undergone partial modernisation while retaining original front-of-house features.
Managed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Architectural Conservation Areas cover parts of Blackrock village and the seafront, affecting window replacement, external render, and extension design for properties within these zones. Coastal location brings salt air exposure affecting exterior paintwork, metalwork, and roofing. South-facing gardens along Rock Road and Seapoint get excellent solar exposure. Proximity to the sea moderates frost but increases damp risk in older solid-walled properties. Blackrock has one of Dublin's most active home improvement markets, with high property values (€600k to €1.5m+ for family homes) driving significant investment in quality upgrades, energy retrofits, and premium finishes.
Tiling Costs in Blackrock
Typical costs for tiling in the Blackrock area (Dublin pricing applies):
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom tiling (floor + walls) | €1,200 | €3,000 | Area, tile type |
| Kitchen splashback | €450 | €1,200 | Area, tile type |
| Floor tiling (per sq m) | €45 | €90 | Tile size, pattern |
Dublin area estimates, 2026. Request quotes for accurate pricing.
Tiling FAQs
Tiling labour costs €25 to €50 per square metre depending on tile size, complexity, and location. A standard bathroom (walls and floor, approximately 15 to 25 sq m) costs €800 to €2,000 for labour plus adhesive and grout. A kitchen splashback costs €200 to €500. Hallway floor tiling costs €500 to €1,500. These prices exclude the tiles themselves, which range from €15 to €80+ per square metre. Dublin tilers are at the upper end.
A standard bathroom (walls and floor) takes 3 to 5 working days including substrate preparation, waterproofing, tiling, grouting, and silicone sealing. A kitchen splashback takes half a day to a full day. Large floor areas (hallway, kitchen) take 2 to 4 days. Allow 24 hours after grouting before the area can be walked on or used normally. Larger tiles and more complex patterns take longer than small, simple layouts.
Porcelain tiles are the most popular choice for bathrooms in Ireland: they are waterproof, extremely durable, easy to clean, and available in an enormous range of styles including realistic stone, wood, and marble effects. For shower floors specifically, choose tiles with an anti-slip rating (R10 or R11) to prevent slipping on wet surfaces. Natural stone is beautiful but requires sealing and more regular maintenance.
Both are clay-based, but porcelain is fired at a significantly higher temperature, making it denser, harder, and less porous than ceramic. Porcelain is suitable for both floors and walls and performs well in wet areas. Ceramic is lighter, easier to cut, and cheaper, making it a good choice for walls. If you want a single tile type for both walls and floors in a bathroom, porcelain is the better and more versatile choice.
Yes, absolutely. This is the most critical quality step in bathroom tiling. Tiles and grout alone are not waterproof. A waterproof membrane (tanking system) must be applied to the walls and floor in the shower area before any tiles are laid. This prevents water penetrating behind the tiles and causing damage to the structure below. This is the step most commonly done incorrectly by inexperienced tilers, and the one that causes the most expensive problems.
Standard practice is to tile the walls first, then install the bathroom suite (toilet, basin, bath, shower tray). The suite sits on top of the floor tiles. This approach allows clean tile edges behind and around each fitting and makes future suite replacement much easier, as you simply remove the old suite without disturbing the tiles. Silicone sealant is used where the suite meets the tiles to accommodate movement.