Pebble tiles for shower floor

13 years ago

Has anyone tried pebble tiles on shower floor. How hard is it to maintain them and do you find comfortable to stand on? I have found strong opinions on both sides. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

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PRO

ASVInteriors

13 years ago

I don't understand. Maybe I am misunderstanding pebble tiles?

I have installed river rock tiles in a number of showers and had no problems with them. I just inspected mine today (after 6 years and they were done in grout not even epoxy) and they are clean, and like new. I like them quite round so that when I walk on them I feel the roundness of them against my feet.

The cons are at installation - if you grout too much - you can drown the rocks but they are a flatter surface; you have to grout up to two thirds of the rock but then you get the reflexology treatment!

So clearly this is a divided subject...

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Comments (8)

PRO
Mihaly Slocombe
13 years ago
Bathroom grime, particularly from soaps and body oils, have a tendency to cling to porous surfaces like tile grout. Based on this, I would avoid a pebble mix. As for comfort, I think the pebbles would work nicely in a beach house (where you tend to walk around barefoot anyway and the roughness of the pebbles would somehow feel right) but might get annoying in a city house.
PRO
User
13 years ago
It would be the first thing I would tear out if it was in a home I purchased. Yes, I hate them that much. Personal opinion though it is.
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studio10001
13 years ago
I agree w both statements, and regard it as one of those ideas that just tries too hard. Tiresome stuff- that coincidentally I've only been subjected to in homes that hire somebody else to worry about their upkeep.
PRO
Interiores
13 years ago
I used to have a pool with pebbles and cement around it and after about 10 mins your feet are killing you. They hurt after a short time. The best shower flooring I have ever felt on my feet were large, thick slabs of grey slate. Felt wonderful!
Debbie Sheegog
13 years ago
River rocks! I am out to select some this week for our 2nd bath shower/curb-less. My favorite mat outside of the door is from them and easy to clean, cannot slip any worse than regular tile, right? Check out different kinds, see what you think, then when you decide surely your grout will keep you safe! This is what I am going for. Best.
Debbie Sheegog
13 years ago
p. s. they feel like silk beneath bare feet on our mat! No kidding. And they are larger than the "pebbles" you probably are seeing/being advised about. But see what you think. love my mats, so did my friends and the new owners of our house that we sold last year, and so I left her one!
Debbie Sheegog
13 years ago
no no, these are smooth...and the grout is no different than in any tile floor! AND yes, Mihaly got it! We were turned on to this idea because we have a beach house, and found mats for our doors that are actually smooth stones, large ones, that are the inspiration, not the little sharp and pebbly ones. And I do have someone to help me with cleaning them. Hoping it works, our contractor loves the idea and is experienced and able to do this as soon as we choose. I love him.