Low Maintenance Shower Material

5 years ago

We are thinking about renovating our master bathroom, specifically to re-do our shower with a more low maintenance product. Right now we have 4x4 white tiles with white grout lines and it is such a chore to clean. Ideas that won't break the bank?

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Mrs Pete

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Right now we have 4x4 white tiles with white grout lines and it is such a chore to clean. Ideas that won't break the bank?

I did my hall bath in boring beige tiles from Lowes ... 12x12 on the walls, 2" mosaic on the floor ... it shows NOTHING. Seriously, it's not exciting or trendy, but it's so practical. My girls have purple linens right now, but the beige would allow for any number of color schemes.

Consider losing the glass doors /going with a shower curtain. I have glass doors now, and -- even using Rainex -- they're work. I'm using shower curtains in my new house.

I see that your glass doors go all the way to the ceiling. If you stick with glass doors, consider a shorter model. You don't need the height ... note that your shower head is a foot below the top of the doors. Why I say this: My shower is "short" ... that is, the ceiling is dropped so it's only about 7' tall ... this means the condensation settles on the ceiling /doesn't have a chance to dissipate. The big point: If you allow space for that condensation to escape, things'll be better ... especially if you also use a fan after showering.

Maybe it’s your cleaning methods. Do you squeegee after every use? Wipe with a towel at least once a week?

No way I'd ever get compliance from my family on this.

Kohler Choreograph

I looked at this. Very nice product, but it'd cost almost 4K for my shower. That's more than I'm willing to spend.

Floor and Decor have nice stones at reasonable prices.

We just got a Floor and Decor. Their prices are reasonable.

break the bank?? so you don't want to redo the shower? expect to spend at least 5K or so for demo/and redo.

I paid half that ... the workmen removed our old tub (which was slowly working its way into the crawl space), replaced water-damaged wood underneath, replaced plumbing, installed all-tile shower and glass doors.

Wait ... I paid half that amount to the workmen, and I chose /purchased the tiles myself from Lowes. The tiles were almost $400.

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Comments (16)

latifeh hammad
5 years ago
How about reface it there is companies that will come and reface the whole shower in one day the use a big plastic wrap but it’s really beautiful
Mrs. S
5 years ago
I think people are pretty happy with corian or onyx products. I want to follow to see what recommendations you get.
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I've been lurking on this site for a while; this is my first post. I'm starting to plan a master bathroom remodel - will be totally gutted. Current shower has 2x2" glossy ceramic tiles - with lots of grout. I'm considering thin porcelain, large-format tiles or slabs for shower and bathroom walls and, possibly, for the vanity tops and tub deck. Would like to hear about your experience with these products - installation, functionality, and durability. I am thinking about the 30"x30"x1/4" field tiles, although they come in 5x10' slabs as well. I called 2 vendors of thin porcelain slabs; both directed me to local tile distributors to get samples (I was hoping to be able order samples over the phone). So far, I've looked at samples of Artistic Tile's Max Fine line, which comes in 3 colors, but can be ordered in custom colors. I was thinking about the "Thassos" white color, but it looks like "whiteboard" to me, so now I'm leaning toward something other than pure white. The calacatta look-alike samples I saw were too small to see the veining and patterning. I was quoted a price of $38 per sq ft, not counting installation.Weight is 2.76 lbs per sq ft. They recommend 2-person installation, even with the 30x30 field tiles. I'm planning to look at Stonepeak's Plane series, as well. They have more color choices.Their website shows an entire bathroom clad in Plane slab.
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Amanda
5 years ago
Following!
smit2380
5 years ago
I second the vote for corian.
Anne Duke
5 years ago
Maybe it’s your cleaning methods. Do you squeegee after every use? Wipe with a towel at least once a week? Water is probably one of the most problematic substances on earth. It’s why women who never take their rings off lose their stones when the gold wears away.
RNmomof2 zone 5
5 years ago
Kohler Choreograph
missenigma
5 years ago
@RNmomof2 zone 5 Thanks for posting that. I like to stay up on materials and methods. I didn't know Kohler made such a thing.
kudzu9
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Large format, rectified, porcelain tiles with small grout lines.
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Sabrina Balsky Interior Design
5 years ago
The best choices are natural materials I would look for as large a tile as you can find then less grout joints 24 x48 Floor and Decor have nice stones at reasonable prices.
Deborah B.
5 years ago
We used Swanstone wall panels that have lines to look like tile/grout lines. Love it! Although I do give it a quick wipe down after showers.
User
5 years ago
A solid surface like Swanstone or Corian is the best choice.
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Beth H. :
5 years ago
break the bank?? so you don't want to redo the shower? expect to spend at least 5K or so for demo/and redo.

if you want to leave those tiles, then start wiping them down after every shower. letting the water sit and not drying quickly enough, is the reason for the pink gunk and mold forming. use a towel to wipe it dry and that should cut down on some of the harder scrubbing cleaning.

leave the shower door open and fan on/window up for at least 20 mins after showering.
Nancy in Mich
5 years ago
Here is a link to one of many discussions we have had here about this subject. Do more searches in Bathrooms using any of the product names you are interested in and you can read more about what people have to say about it. [Kohler Choreograph?[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/kohler-choreograph-dsvw-vd~3420698?n=216)
Nancy in Mich
5 years ago
A Transolid 32 x 60 x 96 high shower wall and base kit from Bath1.com runs from $2015 for white or beige walls to $2340 for Carrara-look like mine (except for the size - mine is a larger and wheelchair accessible one).The
You can add grab bars to the walls by putting the wood backing between the studs behind the walls. You do need to drywall the alcove, so there is that cost, too.
tatts
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
" Right now we have 4x4 white tiles with white grout lines and it is such a chore to clean."

I just don't get it. How can tile be a chore? What in the world is causing such filth in that shower?

I see other people posting similar complaints.

I use an after-shower spray cleaner once a week or maybe twice, and the shower's spotless. We have city water, so no mineral problems that people with wells might have (our water is medium hardness), but I just can't imagine that cleaning a shower is such a chore.

And, do NOT go blindly looking for "natural materials". Some of that stuff is notoriously porous and stains easily, especially the lower grade stuff that Floor & Décor sells.

Low Maintenance Shower Material

Mrs Pete

Comments (16)

latifeh hammad

Mrs. S

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