Choosing the tiles for your shower makeover and not sure where to begin? I agree, it’s not an easy task due to the arduous work and expenses involved, so you should be sure that whatever tile you select, you can live with for a long time.
The first thing you should decide on before selecting a pattern or design would be the material type you would like to use, the main contenders to choose from here would be ceramic, porcelain, glass and stone. Whatever tile you choose, remember that tiles with a matte or textured finish should be used on the shower and bathroom floor as a safety precaution as the glazed tiles can cause more slips and falls.
Ceramic tiles are well received in bathrooms and kitchen because they repel stains and water, they also don’t absorb smell or bacteria and are impervious to scratches and fire. They are a highly durable and can last for at least 10 years. With a wide variety of shapes, colours and designers, they make a good choice for any shower installation.
Source: Chic Tile Decorating Ideas
Ceramic Maintenance and Cost: Ceramic is quite easy to maintain, just avoid scour pads or steel wool for cleaning as they may cause scratches to the tile. On average, ceramic is about $1 to $8 per sq.ft., and should be installed by a professional, as it quite laborious and requires experience and skill.
Porcelain tiles come into two types: thorough-bodied and glazed. Thorough-bodied tiles are known to be highly durable and have a texture to them, they are considered a good choice for the floor, walls and countertops because of its strength and ability to camouflage dents and scratches.
Source: Home Depot
Glazed porcelain tiles are compact and robust, and are available in an extensive selection of colours and choices, making it another great choice for shower wall tiles.
Source: Gratefulhead.co
Porcelain Maintenance and Cost: Similar to ceramic, porcelain is easy to maintain; however, unglazed porcelain may require more regular cleaning. Scour pads and steel wool scrubs should also be avoided to prevent the tiles from scratching. On average, porcelain is about $3 to $10 per sq.ft., and should be installed by a contractor, as it is also quite laborious and requires the experience of a professional. With a slightly higher difference in price compared to ceramic, you may choose porcelain because it is more solid and dense compared to the ceramic tile, which can crack more easily.
Glass Tiles complement a glass enclosed shower beautifully, producing a modern and unique look for your bathroom, these tiles also come in a generous collection of colours and mosaics so your style options are infinite. Because the glass tiles are transparent and reflect light, they create the illusion of depth and more space, making it a good option for small bathrooms. Glass tiles are not porous so they are resistant to stains and mould growth.
Source: Houzz
Glass Maintenance and Costs: The biggest draw of glass tiles is the minimum work required to upkeep the cleaning, which only requires glass cleaner for regular mainteance and the occasional deep scrub. At approximately $28 per sq.ft., the attractive look of the glass tiles also come with a steep price compared to porcelain or ceramic, and you will also need to hire a specialized professional to complete the work. Alternatively, if you like the look of glass, but don’t want to dig too deep in your wallet, you may consider installing a glass shower enclosure and combine it with a porcelain or ceramic wall tile.
Stone Tiling in your bathroom may arguably be the most luxurious look you could choose from all four types of shower tiling, as it presents a dramatic, yet spa-like calming effect. The natural tones and texture of each tile enhances the distinct look of the bathroom. Stone tiling comes in marble slabs as
well as natural stone stiles.
Source: Floor Bathroom
Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Stone Maintenance and Costs: Since the stone tiles tend to be more porous than manufactured tiles, they also require a more maintenance to keep them mould and mildew free. The combination of a good draining system, ventilation and mildewcide is recommended to help keep the grout free from bacteria growth. There is no need to purchase any special chemical cleaners, dish soap and water will suffice for maintenance, but if mould or mildew do activate, professional steam cleaning services can used to sanitize the area. Generally speaking, stone tiles are the most costly of the above mentioned tiles depending on what type of stone you use. For example, granite has an average cost of about $3.50 per sq.ft., while pebble stone may cost about $10 per sq.ft. plus the cost of installation.
Have you made a decision on the type of tile you’d like to use and ready to make a design decision? Check out our blog on bathroom themes or leave us a comment below for any questions you may have on your shower renovations. Let me know what tile you choose and why!
