Whether you’re designing a spa-like walk-in shower or retiling your current shower, you’ll want a durable and water-resistant tile that’s easy to clean and contributes to the overall aesthetics of the bathroom. There are numerous materials and tiles to choose from, so it can be challenging to determine which options are best for your specific needs. This article will help you understand why porcelain bathroom tiles are ideal for shower walls. Keep reading to learn about porcelain tile and its many advantages, including its water resistance, durability, easy maintenance, design versatility, and installation methods.
Why Porcelain Bathroom Tile makes a Good Choice for Shower Walls
Porcelain can enhance the design and functionality of showers and is a popular choice for shower walls. Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile with unique features. Both porcelain and ceramic combine natural clay, sand, water, and other minerals to create a durable tile material. However, porcelain uses more refined clay and is cured at higher temperatures making it denser, more compact, durable, and water resistant.
Porcelain is often used in upscale homes, resorts, and hotels for its luxurious apparel and extreme durability. Let’s take a look at why porcelain tiles are the go-to choice for shower walls.
Porcelain tile is water resistant
Why Porcelain Bathroom Tile makes a Good Choice for Shower Walls
Due to the manufacturing process, porcelain has a water absorption rate of 0.5 %, making it an ideal material for high-moisture areas. Lower water absorption means porcelain can withstand heavy water flows and abundant steam. Low-water absorption tiles can also improve indoor air quality and prevent mold and mildew growth, especially when paired with high-performance grout.
Porcelain tile is durable enough for high usage
Shampoo, hard water, and soap buildup can make the shower a difficult place to keep sparkling clean. Regular, daily maintenance will go a long way in keeping your shower spic and span.
For routine daily care, wipe down the shower walls using a squeegee and run a vent fan to reduce humidity.
Once a week or whenever needed, do a more thorough cleaning with a non-abrasive scrubber and tile cleaner. Let the cleaner set, rinse, and dry the walls. You can also create several do-it-yourself tile cleaners from everyday household items like vinegar.
Porcelain tile is versatile in terms of designs and styles
Porcelain tile is Versatile in terms of Designs and Styles
A beautifully tiled shower can dramatically transform a bathroom’s appearance. Porcelain tile comes in many colors and styles and can be applied in various patterns to enhance your design vision. Porcelain also comes in several sizes, from smaller tiles, ideal for subway-like designs, to larger formats with fewer seams or grout lines. Large-file formats that require fewer seams and less grout are trending right now and can make maintenance and cleaning faster and easier.
Porcelain shower tiles give you the freedom and flexibility to create truly stunning designs. You can install tiles vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to create more visual interest. You can also combine several colors and patterns to create geometric works of art, dramatic artistic statements, and ocean-like waves of color.
CALACATTA EXTREME from LX Hausys’ Porcelain Tiles – TERACANTO
Mixing and matching porcelain tiles is a fun and creative way to create a unique and personal design. If you want a more cohesive look, check out large-format porcelain slabs that mimic rare marble to add a touch of elegance to your designs. The most important thing is to consider your design and how the shower will complement or contrast with other elements in the room, including fixtures, wall color, flooring, and more. The possibilities are nearly endless for design, allowing you to create statement walls, contrasting inset shelves for shampoo bottles, or space-defining borders.
Porcelain tile is ideal for adding a pop of color, texture, and shine to your shower. Porcelain comes in various finishes including: polished for a reflective, luxurious sheen; satin for a soft and smooth finish with low luster; and matte for a subtle texture. You can also find unglazed porcelain for a natural, organic look.
Factors to consider for installing porcelain tile for shower
Factors to consider for installing porcelain tile for shower
Before you install the first tile, you’ll want to have planned the overall design carefully. It’s a good idea to get some assistance from a designer to think through the endless possibilities and develop a design that will work for your space. If your bathroom is small, large-format tiles can help the room appear larger. However, not all tiles or tile shapes will work for every shower. Porcelain tiles are extremely heavy, so a tile expert can help you select tiles that meet your wall’s weight-bearing requirements.
Porcelain is a dense, heavy, and compact material that’s easy to drop or damage if mishandled, making porcelain tile installations more challenging than other tile products. As stated previously, you’ll need to check the weight-bearing requirements for walls and backer boards to be sure they can support the weight of your tile. Unlike ceramic tiles, which can be cut with standard tile tools, porcelain tiles require a wet diamond saw to achieve a clean cut.
In summary, you need the proper tools and experience to install porcelain since mishandling can lead to damage. While some tiles are suitable for do-it-yourself projects, porcelain requires professional installation by someone who is accustomed to working with the material.
Contact Us
If you’re considering using porcelain for a bathroom project, check out LX Hausys’ new TERACANTOporcelain brand. If you need assistance planning your shower design or have any questions, LX Hausys’ team of experts are glad to help. Complete our contact form, and a knowledgeable tile professional will respond promptly.
