Not even one of us would deny the fact that our bathroom provides us with the relaxation and a little me-time that we seek in our day-to-day lives. Whether you are in for a quick shower or a long “scrub, shave, shower, moisture” type of day; you must not be left with the bland shower walls to look at. Nevertheless, considering that your question is “Can you use porcelain floor tiles on shower walls?” it is evident that you, yourself, do not want your bathroom to look boring. But do you know:
What are Floor Tiles? Whether these different from Wall Tiles? Here’s your Answer!
Floor tiles are manufactured with keeping in mind the foot traffic that it has to handle every day. These are sturdy, tough, non-slippery, water resistant, thicker, denser, durable, and whatnot. Quite frankly, you can think of floor tiles as rugby players.
On the contrary, Wall Tiles are thinner, lighter, more sort of decorative than functional, and yes, they can’t handle heavy weights. So, in case you accidentally drop or hit something on them; consider them split into pieces.
The short and simple answer to the above question is, YES. You can use porcelain floor tiles as your shower wall tiles. Over the past decade, porcelain tiles have gained immense popularity for very obvious reasons. These are not only suitable for the floor but also for your bathroom walls. If you want to get a bang for your buck, investing in porcelain tiles for your next bathroom renovation is simply the best bet.
Just like any other tiles, Porcelain ones have their own set of advantages. Well, let’s see if these are enough to convince you.
Porcelain is considered to be the hard and sturdy material one is always in search of when building a dream bathroom. These tiles have the capability to withstand constant exposure to water and will be perfectly fine even after daily use. The strength and resilience these tiles hold make them perfect for shower walls, ensuring that your space doesn’t look worn out and old for years. Unlike other shower tiles, which can easily get scratched or cracked, these are resistant to water, chipping, cracking, etc. All of these factors contribute to its durability and long-lastingness.
Okay, so, if versatility is on your bucket list, you must consider putting money in here. Porcelain tiles are versatile; they come in different patterns, textures, colors, etc, providing you with multiple options to choose from. In addition, if you want your bathroom to resemble a natural stone or wood-like look, you can get porcelain tiles in natural stone, wood, and even fabric material. This means you do not have to worry about your bathroom tiles being out of context; match it with the rest of the thingies you got in there.
The next benefit that you get with the installation of porcelain tiles onto your shower walls is that these are cost-efficient. While the initial costs may surprise you; the benefits of longevity and low maintenance add to your favor. You may not believe it, but porcelain tiles are said to outdo many other materials, eliminating the requirement of frequent repairs or replacements for that matter. The cost-effectiveness ultimately transfers into zero labor costs and savings on materials.
The first thing you look for in your bathroom tiles is their capability to handle water absorption. What other capability can it be known for if not for its water resistance capabilities? When you install porcelain tiles to your shower walls, you get yourself a wall with a high water absorption rate. These can absorb less than 0.5% water, making them highly resistant to not only water but also to moisture. The low porosity ensures and prevents water penetration, preventing further damage, mold growth, as well as mildew growth.
Porcelain tiles have a non-porous and smooth surface, which makes them super easy to clean and maintain for years. Even if you find stains in the tiles, a quick swap with a wet cloth will do the job to get it back to shine. Mold and mildew growth? Not even a factor to think about with these. Regular cleaning is sufficient and is the best way to keep these tiles running for years to come. So, if you have a busy household and you are looking for an easy-to-maintain option, these are made for you.
When it comes to buying porcelain floor tiles, you have endless options to choose from. From an array of eye-catching designs and colors, you can go for the one that suits the aesthetic of your bathroom. Whether you want your space to look modern or want to get a rustic finish, the possibilities with porcelain tiles are uncountable. With these, you do not have to stress about anything; not even of the fact whether these will suit your aesthetic preferences.
Now that we have weighed down the advantages of Porcelain floor tiles, it’s time to discuss some disadvantages that you may encounter with their use.
Floor tiles are heavy in comparison to wall tiles, which means your bathroom or shower walls must be capable enough to hold these down and provide the support it requires to hang onto the wall. You may be required to get additional support in order to attach these properly and safely.
Installing floor tiles on shower walls is challenging; no doubt about that. If you have decided to get it done, regardless, you will need someone with proper skills and experience to do so. As the process requires utmost precision and patience, only an expert will be able to successfully complete the job.
We must not hide it; heavy tiles, when installed imperfectly, can lead to potential wall damage. Extra weight on the walls equals extra stain on the entire structure of the wall. This, ultimately leads to cracks and chipping, if at all the tiles come to lose or are not supported for good.
Before installing porcelain tiles on your shower walls, don’t forget to keep a few things in mind. You cannot just bring any tile or tool to attach them to the wall and get the task done; there’s more to consider:
If you think that all types of floor tiles are suitable to be attached to your shower wall, you are wrong. The case here is different, as the tiles ideal for wet environments are the requirement here. You must look for or search for tiles that have good water resistance and are sturdy.
If you want to prevent water from getting into your tiles, it’s necessary to get proper waterproofing. You can purchase a waterproof membrane beforehand and use it on the shower walls before tiling the porcelain floor tiles. Make sure to cover and seal all the grout lines properly.
Well-prep your shower wall surface by first cleaning and then using a high-quality adhesive. Hiring a professional to do this job will work in your favor, providing you with proper installation. They have the right tools and techniques with which your floor tiles would look properly aligned.
You don’t directly install porcelain floor tiles on your shower walls without a thought. It’s important that you plan the layout well in advance. This includes getting the measurements of your walls, cutting the tiles according to the fixtures, and ensuring that the design you choose matches the aesthetic appeal of the space. A well-planned layout will get you easy installation & less mistakes.
Using water-resistant grout will keep your walls from moisture or water infiltration and staining as well. It will also help you keep up with the appearance and integrity of your bathroom. In addition, if need be, don’t forget to seal the grout lines to enhance water resistance to ease the process of cleaning.
Installing porcelain tiles on your shower walls or any other wall, for that matter, is no joke. Proper preparation, guidance, and most importantly, patience are required. So, here’s what you can follow:
Have you installed the tiles? Is your bathroom ready to be used? If yes, there’s something more you should learn. Yes, we are talking about maintaining your porcelain tiles on the shower walls. Here’s how you can do it while keeping just a few things in mind:
Regularly wiping your tiles down is the best way to prevent it from soap scum buildup and water spots. It also maintains the hygiene of your shower or bathroom, appearing as good as new.
Regular cleaning is one thing; deep cleaning is another. You must know that porcelain tiles can be thoroughly cleaned with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for them. Deep cleaning once a week will remove any accumulated residue or grime, preventing the tiles from discoloration.
Abrasive chemicals can damage both your tiles and the grout, which means, you must not use it, regardless of how dirty your tiles are or may get. You can search for a gentle and porcelain tile-specific cleaner that helps maintain the tile’s finish and get it to look as good and fresh as new.
Wear and mold growth are two common things you can find over time on your shower wall tiles. It’s necessary to address the issue and prevent it from any further damage. If you ensure proper and timely grout maintenance, you can save yourself from frequent repairs or replacements.
Given that there are uncountable options you can move forward with, when choosing porcelain tiles for your shower walls, you must know which one will suit your preferences best.
If you need a non-reflective surface, matte-finish porcelain tiles are the best for your shower walls. These not only hide the water stains but also the fingerprints, which means the dirtiness won’t peak straight into you, even if you forget to clean it sometimes. In addition, these tiles will provide your bathroom walls, with a soft, sophisticated, sleek, and modern look. It doesn’t matter if your bathroom has a modern look or a traditional one, matte tiles complement both aesthetics.
Satin is the texture between glossy and matt; it is subtle, it’s sleek, and it fits well with almost every aesthetic. The elegant finish is a treat to your eyes as these aren’t too reflective. In addition to that, these are easy to clean. However, whenever you choose a satin finish floor tile make sure to check its slip and water resistance rate in order to ensure that you get the best quality.
Rotto or Ripped finish tiles provide your shower walls with a textured and unique appearance. The rotto finish somewhat looks like a stone; with uneven and rough edges. If you want to get your shower walls an industrial aesthetic look, these will work best for you. The textured surface ensures slip resistance. However, it may require more thorough cleaning, because the same textured surface is prone to scum buildup.
The next option that you have is Polished finish porcelain tiles, which, as the name suggests are smooth as well as slippery. However, as you are not using these on floors but on the walls, its slipperiness is a plus point for you. Why? Because it can prevent the tiles from soap scum buildup, water stains, etc. These types of tiles make your space look brighter, larger, and bigger.
If you want to bring in the natural beauty of the warmth of wood to your bathroom shower walls, getting wood-like finish porcelain tiles is your best bet. Wood-like tiles aren’t made up of real wood, which eliminates the need to maintain it like one. The wood grain patterns, different textures, species, and colors, provide you with different options to choose from. If you want to create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, getting wood-like finish tiles is the best choice.
Lastly, we believe that you now have the answer to your question “Can you use Porcelain floor tiles on shower walls?” In addition, we have covered some other related factors that will help you decide on the right type of materials, and tools, and assist you with the installation procedure. It is recommended to get in touch with a professional to get your tiles installed to reduce the chances of mishap and proper alignment. However, if you want to DIY, just follow the necessary measures before, during, and after the procedure.
Yes, stone and porcelain floor tiles can be used in the shower walls.
Yes, porcelain floor tiles or ceramic tiles are best to install in any area with a wet environment as these tiles are water-resistant.
Porcelain floor tiles are said to be the best for shower walls. These come in a variety of patterns, and colors, and are of high-quality material.
Polished porcelain floor tiles are more slippery than non-polished ones. If you want to get porcelain on the floor, go with textured or matte finish tiles.
As long as the tiles you are using are suitable for both floor and shower walls, you can freely install them anywhere.
Yes. floor tiles are thicker and heavy-weighted than the shower tiles. You can install floor tiles in the shower walls but not shower tiles on the floor.
Not pre-preparing the wall, using the wrong tools, not using the adhesive, laying out the tiles incorrectly, etc are some of the things you must not do or avoid when tiling a shower wall.
Porcelain floor tiles are considered to be the best choice for shower walls, as these are slip and water-resistant, come in a variety of materials and types, and are best for the long term.
Usually, the shower tiles must be lighter than the bathroom floor in order to complement the entire aesthetic of your bathroom. However, it also depends upon your preferences, as to what you would like your space to look like.
Porcelain tiles do not absorb moisture like stone surface tiles, These are non-porous and will not accumulate algae or moss. These factors make them perfect to be used as shower tiles.
Porcelain tiles are heavy-weighted, challenging to install, and are prone to potential damage.
Leave a Reply