Although porcelain tends to be more durable than ceramic, both are great bathroom choices. Both materials stand up to the splashes, humidity, and frequent foot traffic of your bathroom. Look for affordable ceramic and porcelain tiles for as low as $1 per square foot; mosaic tiles start at less than $3 per square foot.
Ceramic Tile: At less than $1 per square foot, durable ceramic tile makes an excellent inexpensive flooring option. Look for manufactured tile that's rated at least a 3 on the PEI scale—the industry standard set by the Porcelain Enamel Institute.
Thankfully, one of the best tiles for shower floors also happens to be the most cost-effective and versatile. Ceramic tile can be used in almost any room of the house. But it is a popular option for bathrooms and showers because of the glaze, which makes it extremely water-resistant and slip-resistant.
Porcelain tile is a popular choice for bathroom floors. Porcelain is a denser, less porous and harder option that offers greater stain and water resistance than ceramic tile. Plus, it's suitable for radiant in-floor heat to keep feet toasty on cool mornings.
White tiles are still the most popular tile color choice, especially for small bathrooms. A light tile color will make your tiny bathroom feel bigger and brighter. Especially when you have little to no natural light coming into your bathroom, then a white tile will be a classic and right choice.
Ultimately, porcelain tile is the superior choice for bathroom floors. When compared to ceramic, the material is much better equipped for rooms that use plumbing. It's also easier to maintain than ceramic tile.
Ceramic tile makes cleaning easy as it is not easily stained and can be cleaned with as little as some soap and water — no harsh chemicals needed!
Granite Tiles
If you're looking for a durable, stylish, and affordable option for your walk-in shower floor, granite tile is a great choice. Granite is a natural stone resistant to scratches, staining, and chipping, making it a low-maintenance option for busy families.
'Pale colored tiles can make a small shower space look bigger as they reflect more light than darker colors, creating a light and airy feel. Using the same tiles on the walls and the floor in a bathroom will enhance the feeling of space by creating a continuous look.
Porcelain tiles are much easier to clean than natural stone tiles as you don't have to worry so much about damaging your sealant or water marks. Most porcelain is micro sealed during production meaning they are most resistant to wear and tear, requiring little up keep.
Yes, a higher quality tile is usually more expensive. But it could have a high quality appearance, higher quality production standards, or a higher durability rating.
A small bathroom can actually benefit from a large tile. With fewer grout lines the walls and floor are less cluttered and the room visually expands.
Well, the answer is YES!
If you're looking to include large shower tiles, the solution is relatively simple if you plan ahead and specify the right products. You can also avoid lots of messy tile cuts in your shower base, and install larger tiles that run neatly down to your waste. Here's how…
Use Classic White Tile
Simple and clean white tile is always a great pick for your walk-in shower.
Eliminate tile and grout – and everything that comes with it.
Porcelain. Porcelain is one of the most popular choices for tiling shares due to its versatility and affordability. You can find glazed, unpolished, and textured porcelain tiles. For easy cleaning, we recommend a large glazed tile that makes this already durable material stronger and less porous.
Mosaic tiles are the most popular choice for shower floor tiles. The small size of the individual tiles means they conform to the slope and shape of the shower floor better than a larger tile would. There are also more grout lines present between mosaic tiles, offering much-needed slip resistance in the shower.
1. Porcelain tiles. If you want your bathroom tiles to last a long time, porcelain is the ideal material to choose. It's sturdy, durable, and highly water-resistant, and it isn't easy to scratch or stain.
For shower walls that are easy to keep clean, consider investing in porcelain, ceramic, PVC laminate, or even glass. Depending on the material, there is a wide variety of colors, patterns, tiles sizes, and shapes to complete the renovation project.
Compared to other flooring materials, such as hardwood flooring, natural stone, or vinyl tile, porcelain tile can be less comfortable underfoot due to its hardness. It's colder to walk on, especially in the winter.
1. Lower quality materials: The tiles may be made from lower quality materials, which can affect their durability and longevity. 2. Mass production: The tiles may be produced on a large scale, which can lower the cost per unit.
Ceramic tiles are extremely hard. While the hardness of ceramic is considered to be an added value, as it makes them easier to clean and maintain, there is also a downside. The hardness makes it uncomfortable to stand on them, while the kitchen is an area where the user has to stand for a prolonged period.
Choose Large-Format Tiles
Large format tiles (tiles that are larger than 60cm x 60cm) will make your bathroom feel bigger than it really is. Firstly, there will be fewer grout lines, so your walls & floors will look more seamless & less cluttered & restrictive. Secondly, the scale will make your space feel larger.