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Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Master Shower Design Question

last year

We are remodeling our master bath, we will be removing the small vanity and corner tub and expanding the shower to 4'x6'. We have decided to use large format (2'x4') porcelain tile for the shower walls. My dilemma is with the tile layout, the ceiling height is 9'. Should we use 2 full tile and leave a painted gap at the top? or go to the top leaving an appx 1' piece (should that be on the top or bottom?) or should we use a full piece in the middle flanked by 2 smaller 2.5' pieces on either side? We planned on have a 2' shower niche in the center tile along the 6' wall. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

PRO

Beth H. :

last year

last modified: last year

You don't have to run it all the way up.

remove the crown.

if the tile doesn't have a finished edge, no one but pro basketball players will be able to tell. But you could polish the edges (if it's marble) or use a very thin Schluter edge.

My white subway tile was a bullnose on the long edge.

I chose not to go all the way up because of the diff ceiling heights (plus, water never gets past midway, so tiling the vaulted portion would have looked weird) The plant wall tile I had was a limited amount. I could not go higher w/those. as it is, it's about 96" high. plenty.

we went w/full tiles on the bottom, and did a half tile on this portion. since this is the only part w/half cut tiles, everywhere else are full tiles, it's fine.

when deciding for your shower, you choose to cut at the bottom or top based on what is more visible. If you can't see your floor tile standing out side, but can see all of the ceiling, then you'd prob want your full tiles at the top.

this one has the cut pieces on the top, full lower tiles. hard to see since everything is white

are you having a niche? make SURE a dry layout is done, and proper math is figured for placement of the niche. you want the niche between full tiles w/no sliver cuts

This would have look so much better if the niche was in between the full tiles.

Since you're using 2x4' tiles, this should be too much of an issue. just make sure it's all measured beforehand.

Comments (8)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Install them horizontally and offset I don't think you want any of your vertical grout line to have to line up in case the shower is not perfectly square.
g_damato thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Is your ceiling truly 108"? How high will the base be? Are you keeping the crown molding? You might not have as big a space as you though left over. I would go horizontal ( 48 wide ). You might only have 3" left over ( if that tile comes with a matching bullnose piece, then use that ) .

Good luck!
g_damato thanked Debbi Washburn
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g_damato
Original Author
last year
Thanks Debbi! The ceiling is 9' (haven't measured to see if it exactly 108"). I I wanted to run the tile vertical as I tend to like that better than horizontal. We haven't decided if we are going to keep the crown, the contractor suggested getting rid of it in the shower- thoughts? The tile does not have bullnose, so if I run it vertically would you put the small tile on the top or bottom?
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
last modified: last year
Please post an image of the tile mounted vertically.

Even if you do that, your floor base may not be exactly level. Talk to your contractor about the issues you will encounter.

Example of Schluter edge around niche.

Example of Schluter edge on vertical and horizontal edge of exposed tile. There are lots of profiles, so it doesn't have to be this thick.
g_damato thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
niccidhg
last year
Following
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO better to do a stacked horizontal layout in this case usually you lay the tile so the spot your eye naturally goes to is the spot with the fewest slivers I would tile to the ceiling and remove the crown in the shower area. I do not like niches so I would not do one but if you must then the advice to make sure yours is layed out to replace a tile is the best choice . I have never understood the need to display shampoo bottles and make the niche an accent tile IMO you use schluter edge where needed for a nice clean look and a nice modern over the door or wall caddy for bottles .
g_damato thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
If you decide to go to the ceiling then do the smaller piece at the top. It's so high you probably won't even notice it once its all grouted.
g_damato thanked Debbi Washburn

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