Best Materials for Showers

When it comes to choosing the right floor or wall materials, showers and bathrooms can be the trickiest parts of your home. They are constantly exposed to high humidity and steam, pools of water, and even bacteria. Choosing a material that can stand up to this kind of use is essential for a long-lasting product. Here are our recommendations for showers and bathrooms.

Granite

Granite is one of the most popular choices for shower stalls and is often used for the walls rather than the floor. Homeowners like granite because of its beautiful colours and patterns, but choose it for showers because of its durability. Granite is one of the hardest natural stones available, and it’s popular for its ability to resist chemical burning, staining, and scratches.

In shower applications, granite is often used in slabs and naturally holds up to large amounts of water. Additional sealing is available for protection against mold and mildew. Plus, granite slabs have the added benefit of requiring little maintenance, as the bigger sized slabs require less grout.

Quartz

Quartz is a popular choice of natural stone in areas that need to be kept clean and sterile – so where better use than the shower stall? It’s used on shower curbs, sills, archways, and walls because it resists bacteria and other germs, which can thrive in some natural stones – especially in damp environments like bathrooms. Quartz comes in a wide range of colours and is a great low-maintenance option, as soap scum is easy to clean without damaging the finish.

Grout

When it comes to shower stalls and bathroom floors, it’s equally important to choose the right grout as it is to choose the right tile material. We recommend using an epoxy grout for any bathroom areas, especially shower stalls. Epoxy grout is much more durable than standard grouts, is acidic cleaner resistant, and has a higher moisture resistance. This prevents mold and mildew from taking hold, leaving your shower looking cleaner for longer!

Materials To Avoid

Quartz, granite & porcelain tiles are both more costly than other choices like ceramic tile. However, these premium materials will stand up to heavy use and moisture better than cheaper options. You should also avoid any materials that are soft or porous in high moisture areas like bathrooms and shower stalls. These kinds of materials are susceptible to mold and mildew, and can actually be damaged by large amounts of water if not sealed properly.

Shower Cleaning Tip: Want to extend the time between cleaning your shower? Squeegee your shower after every use to prevent soap scum from taking hold!

At Strassburger Tile Perfection across Ontario, we’re tile and grout experts. Contact us to find out how we can help you!