raehelen--my mistake to not insist on a copy of the order. We are using the developers tiling company. I've been uneasy with them from day one. The guy we've been dealing with is fast talking and knows it all. Every time we meet he scribbles on the order form. I have asked several times for a copy, and are told I'll get one. All I've seen is a bill for the overages not covered by the developer. The shower is not totally complete. Not all grouting has been done. Our realtor is well aware of our dismay and I'm told it will be addressed on Monday. Juddgirl--we have the same niche in our current shower and I've had no issues with water pooling in the niche. The new shower is actually larger (4' vs. 3') plus there is a bench, so the niche is actually further away from the water source than our current shower. I like having my shampoo bottle at a level that I can reach the pump on the top. Perhaps I'm being picking, but we're paying good money on this house and it's disappointing to see this type of workmanship.

How about TEC XT? Comes in both Sanded and Unsanded versions (for most colors), and is supposed to be more stain resistant and mold and mildew resistant than other cement-based grouts. It does require a longer cure time 7-10 days before getting wet or sealing (doesn't need to be sealed, but can be, with a solvent-based sealer, which we did when we sealed the marble and trav tile in both bathrooms). I sealed it in the MB at 7 days because I needed that bathroom functional "now" LOL. It also requires a drier clean-up (just wring sponge out well when wiping off excess grout, according to the rep with whom I spoke during my grout "research"--there's a video you can watch, too). It's a little stickier than the reg TEC grout, so you might need a bit more elbow grease to remove grout haze, but that's about it. We used the Bright White for the field tile in both upstairs baths (used the reg TEC in Bright White for our kitchen and guest bathroom since the XT either wasn't around then or we just didn't know about it at the time). We used both the Sanded and the Unsanded. The Unsanded is a bit whiter than the Sanded (because the sanded has actual grains of sand, which I'm sure you know), but both seem white enough. We used a very glossy, very white, Porcelanosa large format tile in the MB. Our grout lines are very tight, except for the White Thassos mosaic/border (which came pre-mounted on mesh), and the Unsanded worked very well. We also used it (in Almond) with the split faced trav mosaic in the hall bath which had practically non-existent grout lines in spots. Of course, when I say "we" used any of these products, I mean our wonderful tile guys used them for us!

I'm stunned at the ignorance displayed in this forum. I've been installing ceramic/stone/porcelain, as a private contractor for over 25 years (i.e. since there were only 4x4, nominal of course, tiles available on walls and only porcelain mosaics or kiln baked ceramics for floors. You know, the ones with the knobs on the bottom side. Think I know what I'm talking about? I am recognized as a superior installer in Bergen County NJ as evidenced by staying in business for over 25 years and never spent a nickel on advertising. I work 6 and sometimes 7 long days a week at a moderately competitive price all by word of mouth. Anyway, on the subject of rectified tiles and how wonderful Porcelanosa tiles are. I very recently installed 500 plus square feet of rectified tiles of which the dimensions were 26 inches by 17.5 inches. BTW no one in this forum has mentioned a tile of that size yet. The degree of difficulty is extreme at that size. I was also asked to space the tile BUTT, not even 1/16 inch joint over an extremely well poured and "flat" slab of concrete.The area to be tiled has a straight run of over 60 feet long by 9 feet wide in a printing factory. Even though I am a very careful and conscientious worker I was given a D minus on the job and was not paid. I might even get sued.The bottom line is, if the floor is PERFECTLY FLAT (which NO floor is : repeat NO floor)you will still get a degree of lippage, no matter how minimal it is. Which leads the the almighty question of how tolerant the homeowner or building owner is when they look at your job. People in this forum have used the word good job. No one has said great job. Job quality is in the eye of the beholder, but rest assured no one can EVER expect a perfect install, with rectified tile. Go to any Porcelanosa showroom or for that matter, anywhere in the continental United States and examine the sample installations for yourself. Learn what to expect before you get your hopes too high. Going from a 1/16 joint to a 1/8 joint will greatly increase your satisfaction. Don.t be fooled by someone who says he can do what YOU want to make him do. We are all trying to make a living. In ending I would love some feedback from anyone who claims to put in a perfect floor (rectified w/1/16 joint, and I am willing to travel anywhere to see this work.

Thanks to all of you for your personal experiences! Chispa, Your point about the ka-chunk is valid, since I may use a wheelchair someday, and will be using a wheeled walker and a wheeled stool. While the wheelchair's tires may not do that, the stool's wheels will, and moving around on the uneven floor will be difficult for that stool. I think that I was not letting myself see that the tile really would leave an uneven floor surface. I was thinking that the slippery surface was not an issue because of all of the grout, so your experience is helpful there, too. The tiles are only 2" x 2.25" and I was imagining the foot having contact with lots of grout with each step. If the recessed grout really does not do this, though, it is good to know! A Sawenz, this is supposed to be a floor tile, and it is porcelain, but I see your point about the PEI number. I will keep that in mind as I look at other floor tiles. I have been looking for porcelain, rather than ceramic, for the harder material.