Residential specialty service

Tile Refinishing: A Tile Tune-Up for Your Bathroom

Dated colours, a dull finish and stains that will not scrub out can make a whole bathroom feel old. When the tile itself is still sound, refinishing gives walls and surrounds a fresh, uniform surface without tearing anything out.

Get a Residential Estimate Call 770-945-0072

Tiled shower stall with stained, discoloured white wall tile and black trim before refinishing — Unique Refinishers project: a tiled shower refinished in white.

The same shower stall after refinishing, with clean, even white wall tile — Unique Refinishers project: a tiled shower refinished in white.

When to consider it

Signs your tile needs a tune-up, not a tear-out

Over time tile can become worn, stained or simply outdated. Our tile tune-up is designed to bring new life to worn tile and make your grout lines shine again.

Outdated colours that date the room
A dull, worn or etched finish
Stains that cleaning will not remove
Discoloured, tired-looking grout lines
Tile that is firmly attached and intact
You want a new look without demolition

Tile floor split view: worn, discoloured tile on one side and refinished tile on the other — Unique Refinishers tile work: original and refinished tile shown side by side.

Know the difference

Refinishing, replacement and waterproofing are different jobs

Tile refinishing changes the surface you see. It does not replace tile, and it does not make a leaking shower watertight. Knowing which job you need saves money and disappointment.

What we do

Tile refinishing

Cleans, prepares and recoats existing tile and grout for a new colour and finish. Best for sound tile that looks dated or worn.

A different service

Tile replacement

Removes the old tile and installs new. Needed when tile is broken or loose in large areas, or when you want a new tile shape or layout.

A different service

Waterproofing and leak repair

Addresses failed shower pans, leaks and water damage behind walls. These must be fixed by the appropriate trade before refinishing.

Preparation matters

How a tile tune-up works

Most of the work happens before any coating goes on. A refinish can only be as good as the surface underneath it.

Two photos side by side: a tiled shower with stained floor tile and grout, and the same shower after refinishing with clean white walls and floor — Unique Refinishers project: stained shower tile and grout, before and after refinishing.

Step 1: Inspect the tile and grout
We check for loose, hollow or cracked tiles, missing grout and any sign of moisture behind the surface.
Step 2: Deep clean
Soap film, mineral deposits, mildew and old sealers are removed so the new coating can bond.
Step 3: Repair and prepare
Damaged grout and minor defects are addressed and the surface is prepared. Problems that refinishing cannot fix are flagged before we go further.
Step 4: Protect the room
Fixtures and surrounding surfaces are masked off and the area is ventilated.
Step 5: Apply the new finish
Coatings are applied for an even colour and finish across tile and grout lines.
Step 6: Cure and care
We explain the cure period and how to clean the new surface.

Project photos

Tile refinishing results

Real Unique Refinishers projects. Results depend on the condition of the original tile.

Bathroom wall with dated mint-green tile behind a pedestal sink — Dated green wall tile refinished in white.

The same bathroom wall after the green tile was refinished in white — Dated green wall tile refinished in white.

Walk-in shower with tan, stone-look tile walls before refinishing — Tan stone-look shower walls refinished in white.

The same walk-in shower after the walls were refinished in solid white — Tan stone-look shower walls refinished in white.

More completed work is in our project portfolio, and our tile refinishing guide goes deeper into the process. Separate pages cover shower tile refinishing and kitchen tile refinishing.

After a plumbing repair

Tile Restoration After Plumbing Repairs

To reach a leaking or burst pipe behind a shower, a plumber sometimes has to remove tile. Once the plumbing is fixed, the homeowner can be left with damaged or missing tile and a wall that looks unfinished.

Unique Refinishers works with plumbers and homeowners to restore suitable tiled surfaces after this kind of access. Where the surrounding tile is sound, targeted tile repair and refinishing can help avoid an unnecessary full-shower replacement.

Not every wall can be put back cosmetically. We look at the tile, the opening and the surrounding surface first and tell you honestly whether restoration makes sense.

Important: tile restoration and refinishing improve the finished surface. They are not waterproofing, structural repair or a substitute for proper tile installation. Plumbing, leaks and any water damage must be corrected by the appropriate trade first.

White-tiled shower wall with a large opening cut through the tile, exposing the plumbing pipes and wall studs, with the valve trim removed and a tiled bench below — Shower Tile Restoration After Plumbing Repair in Cumming, GA
After a pipe burst behind the shower wall at a Lake Lanier home, the plumber opened the tile to make the repair. We then restored the affected tiled surfaces.
See the full Cumming project

The same shower after restoration: a continuous white tiled wall with the valve trim and soap dish reinstalled above the tiled bench and hexagon floor — Shower Tile Restoration After Plumbing Repair in Cumming, GA
After a pipe burst behind the shower wall at a Lake Lanier home, the plumber opened the tile to make the repair. We then restored the affected tiled surfaces.
See the full Cumming project

For plumbing professionals

Restoration Support for Plumbing Contractors

Plumbers often have to open a tiled wall to do their job. When the repair is done, your customer still has to look at that wall. Unique Refinishers can be the restoration step that follows your work, where the tile is suitable, as we did after the plumbing repair in the Cumming project above.

Your plumbing work and our tile restoration stay separate: refinishing does not replace plumbing repair, waterproofing or structural work. If you would like to talk about how we could support your customers, we are glad to have that conversation.

A restoration option for your customers after plumbing access
Coordination with you and the homeowner
Less need for an unnecessary full-shower replacement
An improved finished appearance once the repair is done
A more complete experience for your customer

Discuss a Tile Restoration Partnership

From our history

Tile reglazing in Better Homes & Gardens, April 2003

An April 2003 Better Homes & Gardens article on reglazing tile featured Unique Refinishers and included comments from company president Ron Kott. The article is a piece of company history; it is not an endorsement by the magazine.

Read our summary of the 2003 feature

Is your tile a good candidate?

Usually a good fit

Glazed ceramic tile that is firmly attached
Dated colour or a worn, dull surface
Stains confined to the surface

Fix these first, or consider replacement

Many loose, hollow or broken tiles
Active leaks, soft walls or mould behind the tile
A failed shower pan or waterproofing

Caring for refinished tile

Wait until we confirm the surface has cured before using the shower
Clean with mild, non-abrasive cleaners and a soft cloth or sponge
Avoid scouring powders, abrasive pads and harsh chemicals
Ventilate the room to limit soap film and mildew
Avoid suction-cup accessories and adhesive hooks on the coated surface
Tell us promptly about chips, peeling or water behind the tile

Homeowner questions

Tile refinishing FAQ

What is a tile tune-up?

It is our name for refinishing existing ceramic tile. The tile and grout are cleaned and prepared, minor problems are repaired, and a new coating is applied so the surface takes on a fresh, uniform colour and finish.

Can you change the colour of my tile?

Yes. Refinishing is often chosen to cover dated colours such as pink, green, blue or dark tones. Colour and finish options are discussed with your estimate.

Is tile refinishing the same as replacing tile?

No. Refinishing keeps your existing tile in place and gives it a new surface. Replacement removes the old tile and installs new tile. Refinishing is usually less disruptive, but it is only suitable when the tile underneath is sound.

Does tile refinishing waterproof a shower?

No. A refinish coating is not a waterproofing system and does not repair a failed shower pan, leaks behind the wall or water damage. Those problems need to be corrected before any refinishing.

What about the grout?

Grout is cleaned and prepared with the tile, and damaged or missing grout is addressed before coating. The new finish covers the grout lines along with the tile.

Can loose or cracked tiles be refinished?

Loose, hollow-sounding or broken tiles must be secured or repaired first. If many tiles are loose or the wall behind them is damaged, refinishing is not the right solution.

How long does refinished tile last?

It depends on preparation, use and care. With proper care a refinished surface can look good for years, but we do not promise a specific lifespan for tile. Ask us about the expected care requirements for your space.

How much does tile refinishing cost?

Price depends on the area, the condition of the tile and grout, and the repairs needed. Refinishing generally costs less than tearing out and replacing tile. We confirm pricing after seeing your space.

Get a Residential Estimate Call 770-945-0072

We are based in Sugar Hill and provide tile refinishing for homeowners across Metro Atlanta and surrounding communities, with residential service extending to Athens, Dawsonville, Peachtree City and Macon. Availability varies, so call to confirm your address or browse our residential service areas.

Tile refinishing by city

Related residential services

Get a Tile Refinishing Estimate

Tell us about the tile: where it is, its colour, and whether any tiles are loose or cracked. Photos help us advise you.

Tell us about your project and we’ll review your request. Photos of the bathtub, shower, tile or sink can help us evaluate the work.

Prefer to talk? Call us directly:

Call 770-945-0072