Your shower is a canvas where you can express your unique style and create a highly functioning space at the same time. Tiles lend themselves perfectly to showers as both ceramic and porcelain options are the most suitable surfaces for wet areas. When you're starting out with your concept designs however, choosing the right tile for a shower can be a little daunting. There are so many options from Mosaics to plain tiles, large format, neutrals or colours.
We recommend you visit one of our design specialists in-store who can put together a design or narrow your choices down first with our research tools. We offer a tile Visualiser where you can swap out our tiles in various room designs, or upload your own photo to achieve a more personal result.
Our tiles are also easy to navigate and if you're pressed for time, you can even make your selection and purchase online. Start shopping HERE >>>
Feat.: Boulevard Evo Carrara Matt
Are matt or glossy tiles best for the shower?
You can use either depending on your taste preference. For walls, gloss tiles have a shinier, reflective surface whereas matt finish can be defined as flat or more non-reflective. It's worth noting that gloss tiles offer a slightly smoother surface so wipe down well and also create light and the illusion of space. Alternatively, the benefit of matt tiles on walls is that they better conceal smudges, stains and dried water droplets.
Gloss finishes on the walls and fixtures don’t have much impact on safety but we would recommend matt finish for floors. A more non-slip matt finish that achieves an R10 slip rating is the perfect choice. An R10 tile is still non-slip but is also easily cleanable. We stock many R10 finish tiles suitable for your internal wet areas.
Gloss tiles can make even the smallest of rooms appear larger. The outcome is similar to that of adding a mirror to a room. The light reflection opens up the space, and tricks the eye into making the room appear wider and more open than it actually is. As a result, gloss tiles are an excellent design choice for bathrooms that are typically smaller and narrower.
If you are keen to achieve a natural or rustic decor, matt tiles are the way forward. With a variety of stone, wood and cement effect tiles available, the warm, natural and earthy tones all contribute to the rustic effect. For those seeking a calming environment, matt tiles create a great place to relax and unwind.
What tiles are best for the shower walls?
You can select any porcelain or ceramic tile from the following selection which have been highlighted as fit for use in wet areas.
CLICK HERE to start viewing.
Should you tile the whole bathroom?
A fully-tiled bathroom is preferable so wet areas are fully covered by an impervious surface and therefore maintenance is minimal and longevity is assured. Unfortunately, painted surfaces have a short life expectancy in wet areas.
A fully-tiled bathroom has tiles on all walls, floor to ceiling, and usually negates the need for skirting boards and window cills as these are also tiled for a sleek finish. It also means painting of walls is not needed and less decoration required. Items such as heated towel rails can be installed directly onto tiled walls.
If you are aiming to make your bathroom appear bigger, the floor-to-ceiling tile installation is a good option. This is because the presence of numerous tiles let light bounce more which gives the illusion that the room is wider.
Half tiled bathrooms, have tiled areas as well as painted walls. They are normally only tiled in the wet areas such as shower enclosures, around baths & behind basins. Some implications of this to consider are;
- Skirting boards will be needed to cover the wall / floor junction in areas that are not tiled. This can mean additional cost in the form of supply & fit of skirting boards and subsequent painting.
- Walls in the non-tiled areas may need skimming if they are to be decorated.
- Untiled walls will require decorating, which obviously takes time & money.
What else do I need to know?
Feat.: Marmi Statuario Classico
When deciding on the shower tile in your bathroom, also keep the following pointers in mind.
1. Safety First: Tiles are ideal for areas exposed to water on shower walls and grip tiles for floors that work to prevent slips and falls.
It's also important to ensure your shower flooring is waterproof. When properly installed using appropriate methods and installation materials, a tiled floor or wall is waterproof and protects against water that could otherwise ruin your construction underneath. Other building products may claim waterproofness, yet do not have waterproof installation methods, nor are there any mechanisms to achieve a waterproof assembly. This means the finished installation has the potential to leak, trap moisture, and allow residual moisture from splashes to damage your construction.
2. Healthy Air!
Bacteria and mold thrive in moisture-rich areas like bathrooms and showers. If cleaned regularly, tiles are inhospitable to bacteria and harmful microorganisms, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
If you would like further information and help with product selection, we can assist.
Contact one of our 32 Stores or discuss with one of our Commercial Representatives.
Tile Warehouse - Making Design & Selection Easy - from the Floor up!
