If you're currently mapping out a bathroom renovation, you've probably asked yourself: can you use porcelain tile in shower spaces with no it turning directly into a slippery, high-maintenance mess? The quick answer is yes, absolutely. In reality, most professionals can tell you it's arguably the very best material you could choose for a moist environment.
But, like anything involving home improvement, the "yes" arrives with a several things you ought to keep in mind. You can't just grab the 1st pretty box associated with porcelain you discover at the big-box shop and call this a day. There are particular types, finishes, and installation steps which make the difference in between a shower that will lasts thirty yrs then one that requires a redo in five.
Precisely why Porcelain is Basically Constructed for the Shower
The main reason people low fat toward porcelain more than something like natural stone or regular ceramic is its density. Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures than regular ceramic tile, that makes it incredibly dense many entirely waterproof. In technical terms, it has a water absorption rate of less than zero. 5%.
Think about that will for the second. When you're taking the steaming hot shower, you're essentially producing a tropical rainforest in a little box. That drinking water wants to go somewhere. In case your tile will be porous, the drinking water eventually seeps in, leads to mildew, and can actually rot the subfloor if your waterproofing isn't perfect. Porcelain acts like the shield. It's therefore dense that moisture just sits upon the surface or even runs down the drain, which is precisely what you need.
Porcelain versus. Ceramic: What's the Real Difference?
I get this particular question a lot: "Aren't they fundamentally the same factor? " Well, they're cousins, but porcelain is the overachieving relation who went in order to grad school.
Ceramic is usually great for wall space and areas that will don't see a ton of heavy-duty moisture or visitors. But porcelain is usually "through-body" more often than not. This particular means if you happen to chip a porcelain tile (which is difficult to do), the particular color usually goes all the method through. With ceramic, you'll often see a red or whitened clay body underneath the glazed top layer, which stands apart like a painful thumb. In a shower, where you're dropping heavy shampoo bottles or electric razors, that extra strength is really a lifesaver.
The Slip Aspect: Don't Make the Slip-and-Slide
Whilst the answer to can you use porcelain tile in shower flooring is yes, you need to be smart regarding the finish. In case you select a high-gloss, polished porcelain intended for the floor, you're basically building the skating rink. This looks beautiful and high-end, sure, yet the second it gets soapy, it's dangerous.
When you're shopping, look for the DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient associated with Friction) rating. Regarding shower floors, you want a rating of 0. forty two or higher. This basically tells you just how much "grip" the particular tile has whenever it's wet.
A pro tip? Use smaller floor tiles for the shower floor. When you use 2x2 mosaics or penny ceramic tiles, you have far more grout lines. These grout lines behave like built-in traction for the feet. Save the best, beautiful 12x24 porcelain slabs for the particular shower walls exactly where they won't make you face-plant.
Style for Days: The Chameleon of Tile
One of the coolest reasons for porcelain nowadays is how very much it can mimic other materials. Often wanted a pebble shower but don't want to deal with the constant closing and staining? There's a porcelain for that. Love the look of a rustic wood-plank flooring? You can obtain porcelain that appears so much such as oak or pine you'd have in order to touch it in order to know the.
Because it's a manufactured product, manufacturers can print high-resolution images onto the particular surface of the particular tile. You get the luxury look of expensive rock with the "set it and neglect it" durability of a man-made material. It's the very best of both worlds.
Installation Matters More Than the Tile Itself
You could buy the particular priciest porcelain tile in the globe, but if the installation is substandard, your shower is going to fall short. Since porcelain is so dense, it's a bit harder to reduce and drill by means of than ceramic. You'll require a wet found using a diamond cutter. If you're the DIYer, just know you might break a few tiles obtaining the hang of it.
The most important part, though, isn't actually the tile—it's what's behind it. You require a solid waterproofing program. Whether that's the liquid membrane you roll on or even a fabric-based system, don't skip this. Porcelain is waterproof, but the grout lines aren't. Water will get behind the tile eventually, and you need the system that guides that water back again into the depletion rather than allowing it to soak into your wall studs.
Let's Talk Regarding Grout
Considering that we just pointed out it, let's jump into grout. Even if you use the best porcelain, the grout is definitely usually the fragile link. Traditional cement-based grout is porous. It stains, it absorbs water, plus it can develop mildew.
In case you're using porcelain in a shower, I highly suggest researching epoxy binding material or high-performance concrete grout. It's the bit more of a pain to set up (it sets fast! ), but it's nearly as water-resistant since the porcelain alone. It doesn't require to be covered every year, and it's much easier to scrub clear.
Maintenance: The Easy Part
This is where porcelain really is victorious. If you use a natural rock like travertine or marble in your own shower, you're looking at a very long time of special cleaners and periodic sealing. In case you use the particular wrong cleaner upon marble, you can etch the surface area permanently.
With porcelain, you can virtually use no matter what you want. A simple mixture of white vinegar and water, or a standard restroom cleaner, will do the trick. Because it's so dense, this doesn't hold on to soap scum or hard water debris as stubbornly since other materials. A quick squeegee after you shower will keep it looking brand new for years.
Is It Costly?
"Can you use porcelain tile in shower" projects fit a wide range of budgets. Generally, porcelain is more expensive than simple ceramic but considerably cheaper than natural stone. You can find decent porcelain for $2 in order to $5 per square foot, or you can go upward to $15+ intended for high-end designer stuff.
When you factor in the longevity, it's usually the nearly all cost-effective choice. You won't be changing it in 10 years because this looks dated or worn out. It's the "one and done" type of investment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the "Bullnose": When you be able to the edge of the particular shower or the niche, the side of the tile is normally unfinished. Make sure the porcelain collection you pick provides matching bullnose parts (tiles using a finished, rounded edge) or even use a metallic trim piece such as Schluter strips with regard to a clean appearance.
- Utilizing the Wrong Thin-set: Because porcelain is so non-porous, it doesn't "suck up" moisture from the mortar like ceramic does. You need a high-quality, polymer-modified thin-set specifically designed for porcelain to ensure it actually stays to the wall.
- Ignoring the Substrate: Make certain your walls are perfectly flat. Because porcelain tiles tend to be large, any bundle in the wall will cause "lippage, " where a single tile sticks away further than the main one next to it. That's a nightmare to look at and even worse to clean.
The Final Decision
So, can you use porcelain tile in shower stalls and tubs? Yes, plus you probably need to. It's tough, it's gorgeous, and it'll handle the dampness better than almost anything else on the market. Just be sure in order to select a textured finish for the floor, make investments in a great waterproofing system behind the scenes, plus choose a grout that will can keep up with the tile's durability.
Whether you're taking a sleek, modern day spa look or the cozy, wood-inspired escape, porcelain gives you the freedom to design whatever you want without worrying regarding the water damage down the road. Happy tiling!