How to Choose Tile for a Bathtub
Creating a safe, stylish and useful bathtub with tile is all in the details. Here's how to get them right
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No matter what type of bathtub you choose for your new bathroom or remodel, deciding on tile can be complicated. Who will be using the bathroom? Will the tub double as a shower? Do you need a service access in the tub deck or tub face? These issues all need to be considered before construction starts.
These little details can help you narrow down your design concepts, too. Safety is paramount in my book, because so many people slip and fall in a tub. Getting the right tile can go a long way toward making your bathroom safer and your bathtub a retreat — not an accident waiting to happen.
Here's what to look for when selecting a tile or stone for your new bathtub or renovation.
These little details can help you narrow down your design concepts, too. Safety is paramount in my book, because so many people slip and fall in a tub. Getting the right tile can go a long way toward making your bathroom safer and your bathtub a retreat — not an accident waiting to happen.
Here's what to look for when selecting a tile or stone for your new bathtub or renovation.
| 1. Hide your access panels. When choosing a tile for your bathtub, consider how your plumber will service the fixtures, and see if you can design an access panel that doesn't look like an access panel. In this picture, I would bet that the tile below the tub filler and hot and cold handles is removable. It might be a little work to get it out, but it's a handy and very tasteful-looking option. A larger tile is easier to work with, but smaller tiles can be grouped together as well. |
2. Be careful with undermount tub installations. Rarely do I see the undermount tub installed correctly. You really need to look closely, but in this picture you can see how the tile in the corners is cut at a 45-degree angle. This creates a picture-frame effect and allows the water that lands on the edges of this tub deck to drain back to the tub.
This is an excellent example of smart planning. Knowing this is required will help you pick tiles that look good when they're mitered.
This is an excellent example of smart planning. Knowing this is required will help you pick tiles that look good when they're mitered.
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| 3. Soften natural stone. Natural stone can be a wonderful product to use in your tub deck installation. Keep in mind that the tile can be easily tooled with polishing pads to create softer edges and polish the ends. This makes for a cleaner look and a much safer bathroom without hard corners. |
4. Safety comes first. In a child's bathroom, it is a given that the floor is going to get wet — most likely it'll be soaked most nights, if bath time is anything like it is with the little ones at my place.
A large format polished stone or tile has no business in a child's bathroom. It is far too slick underfoot. Something with many grout joints can make a bathroom floor much safer for the kids.
A large format polished stone or tile has no business in a child's bathroom. It is far too slick underfoot. Something with many grout joints can make a bathroom floor much safer for the kids.
Safe tile choices are particularly important with bathtubs. Our tubs are growing higher and higher every year, and getting in and out can be tricky with no handhold. The little use of river rock on this floor is a very clever solution to the problem of a slippery exit from a bath.
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| 5. Use pool-approved tiles for a tub interior. If your tub is going to be tiled like the inside of a pool, make sure you find a tile approved for use in one. Submerged tile installations require a 95 percent contact from the waterproofing backing to the back side of the tile. Not all tiles allow for this, so keep looking until you find a winner. |
| 6. Use smaller tiles for curves. Creating arches and curved walls around tubs is easier with smaller tiles, just as it is for showers. Creating the right curve can be tricky without a smaller tile. I love the gentle curve on the face of this tub — the tile works very well with the other finishes. |
| 7. Make your choices simple and similar. Tiling a large bathroom can be a design nightmare. Large spaces can look busy, and varying tile choices can clash. This luxury bathroom is a fine example of choosing a tile that has a number of sizes in its product line. The tile layout can be mixed up, but the color scheme stays constant. Tiles with bullnose corners can help soften the hard edges of most tiles. |
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by Prideaux Design
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| 8. Look for tile with a radius edge. The large radius edge on this tub offers a nice place to sit as well as provides safety from a fall. Few tile companies make a radius edge or bullnose edge, so starting with this tile can really streamline the selection process. |
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| 9. Consider something other than tile. Sometimes there is no right tile choice for your bathroom. At-Six Architecture is one of my all-time favorite design firms. I love the crew's projects, and this installation is no different. If you're not choosing a tile, ensure that your wall finishes are water resistant. The wall cladding in this picture looks as nice outside a home as it does inside. |
10. Tilt your shower seat. If you're designing your tub deck to double as a shower bench, make sure to tilt the shower side into the shower so water does not pool on the seat.
I love working with slabs and have found that choosing slabs with long linear veining makes them easier to join and creates a beautiful, seamless look. This shower and tub setup does a great job with this.
More:
How to Choose Tile for a Shower
I love working with slabs and have found that choosing slabs with long linear veining makes them easier to join and creates a beautiful, seamless look. This shower and tub setup does a great job with this.
More:
How to Choose Tile for a Shower
Ideabook updated on July 29, 2012.
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Many slabs are the same way.
You can chemically treat the tiles or slab with products like 'Johnny Grip' and improve the slip resistance and you can even cut groves into slab and grout them for better traction.
Exiting a bath it is important to remember to have a good traction under foot. This can be done with a towel or bath mat. If none will be used then the tile choice should offer up some grip or the tile should be selected in a smaller size.
Good question.
Most of the jobs we build are in that 5'x8' and 8'x10' size. I find that keeping the floor tile uniform through out the bathroom and into the shower makes the bathroom feel larger.
JW
On my own deck the glue also gave of a horrible odor once wet. I think there is a direct relationship between the numerous online request for help over stinky showers. I also think this water based glue is a mold food source - choose your tile carefully. If the glue breaks down with water it has no place in your shower or bath surround.
JW
Is this your shower anf If the answer is yes, who installed the Tiles? I assume a professional? The wall looks absolutely, 100% flat. No lipages or uneven tiles. Great Job! - Or is it a picture from a catalog?
Regards,
3D-Tile-Design - Bertram Tasch
Maple Ridge, BC (Greater Vancouver)
http://www.3D-Tile-Design.ca
I wish my shower was that big and had such a great view! :)
It's a picture from the company's website www.porcelanosa-usa.com but I do have that tile in my own shower. I haven't included a picture because with my lighting you can't really see the details on the tile but it's beautiful in person.
I used it as an accent wall to compliment large (12x24) white faintly textured tile. It was professionally installed and even though some of the other tiles are a little off here and there, the Porcelanosa one looks pretty darn flat even in my shower.
I think it's the tile, it's a big porcelain tile made to look like little ones. So no mesh mount and easier to install. Can't tell the grout lines as they blend with the fake ones on the tile.
What on earth does that mean? In plain English, please? And how is a normal person to know how to tell whether this condition - whatever it means - actually exists?
Most times 80% is required but in wet locations you need 95% coverage and full coverage in the corners.
If your tile choice has a mess backer the glue or adhesive attaching the mesh to the tile reduces the contact of the thin-set to the tile. This is why mesh backed tiles are a poor choice in showers and pools.
Does that make sense?
JW
We "pros" forget sometimes that the words and phrases that we use when we communicate with others than tile setters, doesn't make really sense for them. So let me try to explain it a bit more understandable for everyone.
- "Submerged tile installations" means for example tiles installed in a pool which are permanently under water.
- "Require a 95 percent contact/coverage " means the tile has to "stick" at least 95% to the tile backer and maximum 5% are allowed to remain without "adhesive".
- "Most times 80% is required but in wet locations you need 95% coverage and full coverage in the corners."
These recommendations are based on empirical values and certain tests. However this "numbers" reflects only the MINIMUM coverage! The target is always 100% coverage!
For example the German norm/standard (we don't have recommendations - we only have strictly obliging rules) require OVERALL at least 95% and "submerged tile installations" require at least 98% coverage. For outside decks and patios the requirement is even 100% coverage! To achieve 100% you need to prepare your subfloor properly and furthermore you have to use special "flooding thinsets" and special setting technics.
For better understanding here are some pictures.
Regards,
3D-Tile-Design - Bertram Tasch
Maple Ridge, BC (Greater Vancouver)
http://www.3D-Tile-Design.ca
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The last two pictures show how you check the coverage during installation.
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Ceiling is monet waterlilies on Ceramic tile