The Best Tile for Shower Walls and Floors (From a Local Remodeler)

Choosing tile is the fun part of a bathroom remodel. It also has practical rules, because shower walls and shower floors do very different jobs. Walls need to shed water and be easy to clean. Floors need grip and need to follow the slope to the drain.

Here is what we install most in showers across Allen, McKinney, Plano and Frisco, and why.

Porcelain vs. ceramic vs. natural stone

	Porcelain	Ceramic	Natural stone
Water absorption	Very low	Low to moderate	Varies, needs sealing
Durability	Excellent	Good on walls	Good, but can etch
Maintenance	Easy	Easy	Needs sealing and gentle cleaners
Best use	Walls and floors	Walls, backsplashes	Accents, floors with care

For most showers we recommend porcelain. It absorbs very little water, holds up to daily use and is easy to keep clean.

Shower walls: go big

For walls, we install mostly large-format porcelain, such as 12×24, 24×48 or even full porcelain slabs.

• Fewer grout lines mean less to clean and a calmer, more modern look.
• Marble-look porcelain gives the look of real marble without sealing or etching. You can see it in this Frisco tub-to-shower conversion and this Murphy master bath.
• Tile to the ceiling makes the shower feel taller and protects the drywall from steam.

Accent ideas that work well: a mosaic or herringbone niche, a vertical stack of subway tile, a zellige-look feature wall, or a patterned tile on one wall only.

Shower floors: go small

Shower floors need traction and need to follow the slope to the drain. Small tiles do both.

• 2-inch hex, penny or pebble mosaics have many grout lines, which add grip under wet feet.
• Small tiles follow the slope of the shower pan without uneven edges.
• Large tile on a shower floor works only with a linear drain and a single-direction slope, which is common in curbless showers.
• Ask for a slip-resistant finish (matte or textured) on any floor tile that gets wet.

Natural stone: beautiful, more care

Real marble, travertine and other natural stone look stunning, but they need sealing and are sensitive to acidic cleaners. In a busy family bathroom, porcelain is usually the lower-maintenance choice. Marble mosaics on a shower floor or a niche are a nice compromise.

Tile and North Texas hard water

Water across North Texas leaves mineral spots on glass, fixtures and tile. A few choices make cleaning much easier:

• Matte or honed finishes hide water spots better than high-gloss tile.
• Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines for minerals to build up in.
• Mid-tone grout hides discoloration better than pure white.

Don't forget the grout

• Standard cement grout is fine when it is sealed and maintained.
• Higher-performance grouts resist stains and are easier to keep clean, a good choice for showers.
• Pick a grout color close to the tile for a calm look, or a contrasting color for a graphic one.

What affects the cost of shower tile

• Tile size and format: large slabs and intricate mosaics take more labor.
• Pattern: herringbone and other patterns take longer to lay than a straight stack.
• Tile height: floor-to-ceiling tile uses more material than standard height.
• Niches, benches and accent walls.

Read more about what drives bathroom remodel costs.

What matters more than the tile

Even the best tile will fail if what is behind it is not right. Every shower we build gets a full waterproofing system before a single tile goes up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best tile for a shower floor?

Small porcelain mosaics, such as 2-inch hex or penny tile, are the best choice for most shower floors. The extra grout lines add grip and the small pieces follow the slope to the drain.

Can you use large tile in a shower?

Yes, on the walls large-format tile is our first recommendation. On the floor, large tile works only with a linear drain and a single-direction slope.

Is porcelain or ceramic better for a shower?

Porcelain. It absorbs less water and is more durable, which matters in a shower that is used every day.

What tile is easiest to keep clean in a shower?

Large-format porcelain with a matte finish and a stain-resistant grout. Fewer grout lines and a matte surface hide hard-water spots.

See samples in your home

Want to see options in person? Visit our office in Allen or book a free in-home visit, and we will bring tile samples to your home so you can see them in your own light. We serve Allen, McKinney, Plano, Frisco and all of Collin County.