While attending an industry event in Los Angeles, hosted by Rhodium Floors & Decor and Anolan Luxe World, we struck up an interesting conversation with another invited guest, as we toured the showroom.

The discussion turned to natural stone tile flooring, specifically the types of tiles often used on shower floors.

LA-based tile contractor Allan DeSouza, of Moderna Tile, was our knowledgeable companion as we perused various travertine, limestone, and marble inlaid patterns on display.

Having had our own battles with natural stone, we were curious what a 30-plus year veteran of the trade would advise homeowners, when choosing stone for the shower floor.

Our conversations led to the realization that we had asked the wrong questions when tile shopping for our bathrooms, but here’s hoping you can benefit from our mistakes.

Table of Contents

Also see:

 

Misperceptions About Natural Stone

When shopping for tiles for the bathroom it’s easy to be persuaded by the multiple showroom displays that illustrate elegant pattern style combinations over functionality, maintenance, and durability.

Bathroom tile showroom

We know this because we were intrigued by the various combinations that our tile showroom had with variations in tile type for the shower walls, flooring, niches, and benches. Sadly, we did not have the proper tile knowledge to make informed choices for our bathroom tiling needs — in particular tiles for the shower floor.

Our goal was for an overall design that was elegant — a real “wow” when you entered our master suite and guest bathrooms. We also wanted to make sure that any choices did not require unusual upkeep and maintenance beyond resealing every few years.

Our showroom salesperson didn’t dissuade us from pursuing natural stone tiles, even though she was aware we were planning to tile a shower wall, floor, and floating bench. She also did not explain the natural characteristics of natural stones, such as limestone, marble and travertine, which can lead to poor outcomes over time in moisture-laden areas.

Unfortunately, we failed to ask questions about natural stone’s durability and porosity, which we learned later —much later — can be severely impacted by persistent contact with water.

According to DeSouza, water on natural stone eventually erodes the surface of the tiles similar to erosion of rocks on a beach. Despite sealing natural stone tiles, DeSouza has witnessed cracks, fissures, and breakage of natural stone tiles due to their extended exposure to water — an expected, eventual outcome. In fact, the looks of natural stone shower flooring can start to weather within 18 to 24 months.

Bathroom in showroom with marble shower and walls

He explained that this phenomenon is the result of the inherent characteristics of natural stone. On one hand, natural stone is strong and can withstand extreme conditions like temperature changes, pressure, and friction. On the other hand, however, natural stone has an inherent deficiency when exposed to water over extended periods of time.

Water and damp conditions are the “kryptonite” of natural stone — its mortal enemy — due to the porosity of the material. In simpler words, natural stone has tiny holes, which allow liquids to pass through the surface leading to changes in color, fading and eventual weakness of the stone.

Corner view of natural stone shower with bench

Even though most homeowners prefer natural stone for its unique grains, patterns, and natural beauty, many fail to understand that it is not the ideal material for shower floors or any area that will retain moisture over time.

Natural stone is, however, ideal for walls, non-shower flooring and other dry areas, as it is resistant to scratches and chips and provides a durable long-lasting aesthetic appeal.

 

Natural Stones That Should Not Be Used on Shower Floors

The most important lesson from our own tile decisions and our conversation with DeSouza was that you will have constant maintenance and upkeep issues with shower tiles made of natural stone.

Close up view of marble shower and floor

In fact, tile flooring professionals will typically recommend that natural stone shower floors be treated (e.g. cleaned and resealed) every six to eight months, as natural tiles can get dirty very quickly. In costly markets like LA, each maintenance visit can cost between $500 and $700, per shower.

Over time, if left unchecked, you may get corner erosion leading to damage to subfloors and ceilings, if installed on a second level or above.

DeSouza reiterates that his 30-plus years of tile installation experience have led him to implore homeowners to steer clear of natural stone shower tiles.

In his experience, the worst natural stones for shower flooring are marble, travertine, limestone, granite, and slate. In this context, glass tile is excluded as an option for shower flooring due to safety concerns (e.g. propensity to be slippery and incur breakage if the wrong type of glass tile is used or if it is installed improperly).

Despite his urgings, DeSouza estimates that at least 40% of his customers still insist on tiling their shower floors with natural stone. Without fail, he reiterates his concerns to every client, but ultimately will acquiesce to the customer’s preferences, as long as they sign a waiver acknowledging his warnings.

He does keep a premium restoration expert on speed dial, as his natural stone customers will inevitably be asking for a recommendation.

 

Best Tile Materials for Your Shower Floor

Conversely, DeSouza recommends that homeowners look to ceramic and porcelain (a stronger type of ceramic), which are ideal materials for tiling shower floors and other areas with high moisture content.

Walker Zanger large format Barcelona porcelain tile

Walker Zanger large format Barcelona porcelain tile
Image courtesy of Walker Zanger

Ceramic tile is manufactured from clay, talc, and sand to create a lightweight, yet durable end-product.

Bedrosians shower with ceramic penny mosaic floor tiles and Casablanca ceramic wall tiles. Image courtesy of Bedrosians & Allison Campbell Design

Shower with Bedrosians ceramic penny mosaic floor tiles and Casablanca ceramic wall tiles
Image courtesy of Bedrosians & Allison Campbell Design

Porcelain tile is made from a compressed, or dense, kaolin clay and other natural materials, such as sand and feldspar that are blended together.

The mixture is fired at extremely high temperatures, between 2381℉ and 2455℉ (1305℃ and 1346℃), in a furnace creating a highly uniform, heavy, non-porous end-product with a life span of 60 or more years.

Bedrosians shower with porcelain mosaic floor tiles and ceramic wall tiles

Shower with Bedrosian Makoto 2″ round matte porcelain tile on shower floor and ceramic wall tiles
Image courtesy of Bedrosians

Porcelain tiles are heavier and thicker than ceramic tiles and this makes them ideal for spaces with temperature fluctuations, high moisture content and radiate flooring options.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles have many benefits over natural stone, namely:

Durability

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are highly resistant to wear and tend to last better over the years with proper care.

Moisture Resistance

Non-porous man-made materials are long lasting, fade-resistant, perfect for high moisture areas, such as: shower floors; pools; saunas; kitchens; and laundry rooms.

Low Maintenance

Both tile types are easy to clean, as they are both non-porous and do not trap dirt and liquids.

Safety & Wellness

Ceramic and porcelain tiles have built-in characteristics that make them hygienically safe, as they prevent the growth of viruses, germs, and bacteria.

Cost

As man-made materials, both porcelain and ceramic are much more budget friendly versus natural stone per square foot. Porcelain and ceramic tiles can range from $3-$10 per square foot, while natural stone can range from $5-$20 per square foot on average. Again, natural stone shower floors will be more costly to maintain, on average, compared to ceramic and porcelain shower floors.

 

Sophistication & Elegance Without Pain

The good news is both porcelain and ceramic are gaining popularity with consumers, such that an abundance of style options are available from which to choose.

Crossville Stone Fiction porcelain tile for shower floor

Crossville Stone Fiction Travertine Ivory porcelain tile for shower floor
Image courtesy of Crossville

Now you can get the look of travertine, marble, slate or limestone in a porcelain or ceramic product that will conveniently last. Consumers have  a myriad of selections and the sophistication and elegance of the natural stone you want without all of the pain, headache and restoration costs associated with actual stone.

Porcelanosa marble effect porcelain tile with white accent for shower floor

Porcelanosa Portofino Pulido marble effect porcelain tile
Image courtesy of Porcelanosa

 

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Tile for the Shower

Our biggest mistake when purchasing tile for our bathrooms was failing to ask the right questions before making a purchase decision.

Sample tile slabs in tile showroom

Here are questions that will fairly test the both the knowledge and trustworthiness of any supplier or showroom representative:

  • What are the pros and cons of this material?
  • How porous is this material?
  • What will be required from a maintenance standpoint? (e.g. how often and how much will this cost?)
  • Are there alternative tile types that will give the same look and feel in another product that is less porous?
  • Does the manufacturer recommend any specific tile sizes or shapes for a shower floor, such as for specific types of drains (e.g. rectangular or circular)?
  • What is your return policy, including over-ordered units?
  • Where is the given tile being sourced from and is it in stock?
  • If choosing natural stone, what is the manufacturer’s recommended sealer and cleaning methods?
  • Is the freight cost included in the quoted price for any foreign sourced tiles?

Regarding product availability, keep in mind that certain out-of-stock materials can have longer-then-expected delays during certain times of the year. An example would be ordering out-of-stock tile in late summer that is sourced from Italy.

If you’re planning to select natural stone for other parts of your bathroom, ask for recommendations for man-made tiles that will complement the look of your preferred natural stone.

When placing an order, be sure to receive confirmation that all boxes of tile to be used for a corresponding space or room come from the same batch, to ensure a uniform look, and mitigate variation in color, texture & natural elements from a different source.

 

Current Trends in Shower Floor Tiles

With so many choices in materials and patterns, homeowners must make informed decisions to insure that their choices reflect the current beauty after installation and for years to come.

DeSouza is noticing a lot of “revival design” specifically, a trend away from the larger 12X12 and 12X24 inch tiles, to a more 1980’s look of smaller 2X2, 4X4, and 6X6 tile designs.

One important trend for tile underlayment is the installation of Schluter DiTRA, which is specifically designed for ceramic and stone tile installations to prevent cracked tile and grout over time.

New American Home 2024 guest bathroom with Schluter underlayment

One of several bathrooms in the 2024 New American Home that incorporated Schluter underlayment

We expect to see continued market demand for products and materials that will deliver “ease-of-ownership” to discerning homeowners, who are demanding easy maintenance, durability and lasting beauty to complement their busy lifestyles.

Also keep an eye out for continuous improvements across the following features and capabilities of man-made tiles:

  • Realistic pattern printing to emulate the beauty of natural stone
  • Increased durability and performance, especially with porcelain product lines
  • Enhanced wellness features, such as improved anti-slipping, anti-breakage, and anti-bacterial traits
  • New pattern designs, colors, textures, shapes, and aesthetics to meet a wide-range of design preferences
Ann Sacks 1970s Tree House in LA using Pambiche 6 inch hexagon field blue porcelain floor tiles

Bathroom in a 1970s  LA “Tree House” using Ann Sacks Pambiche 6 inch hexagon field blue porcelain floor tiles
Image courtesy of Ann Sacks & Public 311 Design

The following collection of leading tile manufacturers and resellers will help you discover the latest in product offerings and benefits, as well. Make sure you consult with a licensed and bonded flooring professional with proven experience working with shower floors before making any purchase decision.

Reputable Tile Manufacturers, Brands & Retail Outlets (listed by alphabetical order)

Luxury Tile Companies & Brands (listed by alphabetical order)

 

Additional Recommended Bath & Home Wellness Reading

 

Purgula is reader-supported. When you click on links to other sites from our website, we may earn affiliate commissions, at no cost to you. If you find our content to be helpful, this is an easy way for you to support our mission. Thanks! Learn more.