Choosing tile for a shower floor involves more than finding a style that matches the rest of the bathroom. You have to consider both function and design when making your choice. The wrong choice can lead to a variety of challenges, including maintenance issues, safety concerns, and decreasing the value of your home. With the right choice, you’ll enjoy a safe, inviting shower that you’ll love for years to come.
If you’re updating your bathroom or installing a new shower floor, what should you consider when selecting tile?
Slip Resistance Should Be Your First Priority
While it might be tempting to begin your search for new shower floor tile with style in mind, you need to make safety your first concern. Shower floors are constantly exposed to water and to soap and shampoo, which make them even more slippery. The most attractive floor in the world won’t be worth it if you’re putting yourself or your loved ones at risk of a fall.
Highly polished surfaces might look great, but they don’t do you any favours in terms of safety. Several flooring options help you improve slip resistance without sacrificing style. Look for textured or matte flooring that improves traction.
Tile Size
Once you have an idea of the floor texture you want, you can consider tile size. In many cases, smaller tiles are preferred for shower floors because more grout lines enhance traction. Smaller tiles are also easier to work with when dealing with drainage requirements. Large-format tiles might be possible in some showers, but they require a more complex installation process and will be more expensive as a result.
Water Absorption
There’s no way around it. Because of the nature of the bathroom, you need to choose materials that can withstand water exposure. While you might assume all tile is great for moisture resistance, some are better than others. Some of the best tiles for water absorption include:
- Porcelain
- Natural stone
- Ceramic
How well your shower tiles withstand moisture affects how long they will last. If you’re looking for something long-lasting, make sure you consider water resistance. Lower water absorption rates can also reduce the risk of mould, mildew, and moisture-related damage developing beneath the surface over time, as the materials don’t stay wet as long.
Maintenance Requirements
Many tile choices look great on the shelf, but when it comes to actually using and maintaining them, they lose their lustre pretty quickly. In addition to choosing a material that’s easy to maintain, you’ll need to ensure your tiles are properly installed and prepped. For instance, natural stone has certain sealing requirements to protect it from water exposure.
Consider how certain types of tile resist stains and soap scum buildup. It’s also a good idea to choose a tile and design that allows for easy grout cleaning. Most people don’t want to spend hours every week cleaning their showers, so consider long-term maintenance and upkeep when selecting a tile.
Overall Design
Finally, you’ll want to consider the overall design of your bathroom when choosing a shower tile. Just because you like something doesn’t mean it will suit your bathroom. This is especially important if you aren’t doing a complete bathroom remodel.
When choosing a shower tile, also take into consideration the style of your bathroom’s:
- Wall tile
- Flooring
- Fixtures
- Overall aesthetic
It’s also smart to choose timeless materials. You might like the style of something now, but you can’t be sure how it will age. Timeless choices help you avoid feeling as if you’ve made a mistake a few years down the road.
Selecting Shower Tile
Remember, your shower tile is only as good as the product’s quality and whether it’s installed properly. If you’re in the market for new shower tile, we can help you with choice and installation.
To learn more or to speak to someone about the best tile for your shower floor, visit us at Rêve Interior Design Studio.
