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Flooring Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Is it OK to extend the 18"x18" floor tiles into shower?

5 years ago

I have a small guest bathroom, currently with a fiberglass tub/shower. I would like to rip out the tub and fiberglass backing and transform into a walk-in shower. I had previously renovated the flooring from vinyl sheet to 18"x18" tiles, and would like to extend the same tile into the shower so as to not "cut up" the visual line of the room. My question: Can I use the same floor tile (18'x18") in a shower? Or should I get the same brand/tile but in a mosaic 2"x2" pattern on a mesh backing? I think it would give me the look I want, but don't know if it would be too slippery. The tile is the Daltile Salerno SL84 Grigio Perla unpolished "stone" ceramic tile. (see links below)

Another design quandry: I'm planning on doing a frameless half-glass wall, from floor to ceiling, but add a 6" curb only where the glass is in order to provide more of a foundation for the glass. My question: Is it necessary to extend the curb all the way to the opposite wall (per code?), or could I omit the curb if the slope toward the drain is sufficient?

Daltile Salerno Perla Grigio SL84 Mesh Tile

Daltile Salerno Grigio Perla 18"x18"

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

L~

Featured Answer

PRO

Cost Plus Twenty

5 years ago

Putting an 18x18 tile on the floor of a shower will not work - not only for the slip issue, but because you need the flexibility in the matted mosaic to allow for the necessary grade for drainage. You're on the right track using the 2x2 in the same pattern.

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Comments (6)

User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You have some basic lack of understanding about how showers are planned. Water has to flow downhill. That requires a slope. To do curbless, you will need to do structural and plumbing slyerstions to the home, an/or create a wetroom where the whole room is considered a wet environment and properly waterproofed. Capillary action of water will cause it to move well outside where it originated, damaging everything it touches.
lauragious thanked User
Helen
5 years ago
I think mosaic tiles are far less slippery than large tiles because you have a lot of grout to provide traction.

I am currently crashing in a rental while my condo is remodeled and the bath has large marble tiles. I might as well be skidding on ice when I have wet feet and the large tiles in the shower are hazardous as well so for safety I put down a rubber grippy mat in the shower which destroys the looks but is necessary for my safety.
lauragious thanked Helen
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PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
In a word? No.
lauragious thanked JAN MOYER
hemina
5 years ago
I wanted to have that seamless look by using the floor tile into curbless shower in one of my bathrooms. I kept seeing that in pictures so I assumed it was okay...but my contractor said it had to be the smaller tile for safety and proper drainage so we selected the 2x2 matching tile instead. It’s just at the waterproofing stage so no pictures of tile yet.
lauragious thanked hemina
lauragious
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all for your comments. I've seen so many beautiful photos on Houzz of the curbless walk-in shower, and am both inspired and envious. @Sophie Wheeler, you are absolutely correct in that I lack understanding on how showers are planned. Thank you for providing your additional guidance. My contractor stated that I would need the curb for the reasons you stated, but I really wanted to see if I could get around it. I was hoping to have a curbless shower so that a wheelchair could be wheeled in, if necessary, but the size of my bathroom, and the expense to make it a "wet room" makes this prohibited. I will go with the 2"x2" mosaic tile, and with the curb. Thank you everyone for taking the time to offer your expertise. I will provide before and after photos when done. Have a great day!

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