What Type of Tile is Best for Shower Walls?

What type of tile is best for shower walls? Are certain types of tile better than others for bathrooms? With so many different options and varieties available, trying to find the perfect match for your shower can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you’ve got some help from the experts here at Desert Water Plumbing and Rooter, Peoria’s top-rated bathroom remodel company. We’ve helped homeowners all over Peoria and Arizona upgrade and renovate their bathrooms to beautiful, luxurious new spaces. Below, we’ll give you a quick guide to bathroom shower tiles and explain which ones are the best for installing on shower walls.

The Best Shower Wall Tiles

Which types of tile are the best for shower walls? Of course, the final decision is up to you. However, it’s important to consider all the most important factors when making your decision, like:

• Appearance and design
• Tile size
• Ease of installation
• Water resistance
• Cost

Don’t forget to take into account how easy each tile will be to clean, including the grout lines in between. If you’re worried about cost, check out the Maricopa Home Improvement Program, which provides financial assistance for homeowners. So, what type of tile is best for shower walls? Let’s find out!

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are beautiful, water-resistant, and very easy to clean, but they’re not suitable for shower floors because they’re not slip-resistant. They are, however, perfect for shower walls, accent areas, or backsplashes. So if you want your shower to have maximum light and a more modern look, glass tiles are the way to go. Another great advantage of using glass tiles is their ability to create the illusion of more space, making them ideal for smaller showers and bathrooms. But, they’re not the most cost-effective tile and range between $16 and 30$ per square foot, on average.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic is one of the most popular types of tile for shower walls, as the glaze on its surface makes it highly slip-resistant. Even better, the glaze protects the tile’s surface from water, scratches, stains, and soap scum, making it simple and easy to clean. Another great benefit of ceramic is its versatility regarding tile size, shape, and color. You can expect to pay around $2 to $5 per square foot for ceramic tiles.  

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain is similar to ceramic, but the process of firing these tiles occurs at a much higher temperature, making them denser, harder, and more resistant to water. Like ceramic tiles, porcelain has a glaze and is available in virtually any color, style, size, etc., giving you plenty of leeway for aesthetics. Porcelain tiles cost a little bit more than ceramic, usually between $3 and $10 per square foot.

Natural Stone Tile

While natural stone tile is another material unsuitable for shower floors, they’re perfect for walls and backsplashes. You can pick between several different natural stone materials, like quartz, travertine, marble, and granite. However, it’s important to note that natural stone is porous and not as waterproof as other types of tile, like porcelain and ceramic. Fortunately, you can easily seal stone tiles to keep them as water-resistant as possible. Unfortunately, they’re a little on the pricier side, with costs ranging from $2 to $20 per square foot.  

What Types of Tiles Aren’t Suitable for Shower Walls?

Not every type of tile is suitable for the walls of a shower. It’s important to choose a dense, hard material that’s easy to install and clean, with a high level of water resistance. Two tile materials that simply won’t work in the shower include:

Laminate Tile: You can give up on the idea of using laminate flooring or wall tiles in your shower. In fact, it really just doesn’t work well in the bathroom area, as it’s not very water resistant.

Concrete Tile: Did you know that concrete is a highly porous material? As such, it’s not a good idea to install it in showers, even on the walls. It might be very durable and eco-friendly compared to other materials, but it requires constant resealing to keep out moisture and water.  

Upgrade Your Bathroom Shower Today with Desert Water Plumbing and Rooter

So now that you know what type of tile is best for shower walls, it’s time to start designing and building your bathroom! From porcelain and ceramic to natural stone and glass, these tiles are among the newest bathroom remodeling trends that combine beauty and aesthetics with function.

Call Desert Water Plumbing and Rooter now at 602-598-5945 to schedule an appointment with the top-rated plumbing and bathroom remodeling company in Peoria, AZ, and the surrounding cities.