36" x 72" porcelain tile for shower wall

last year

Hello, I hope someone can provide some pros and cons for using 36x72 polished porcelain tile for my shower wall. I currently have a standard size bathtub 60"x32" and would like to convert it into a walk in shower. I've been shopping for tiles and the marble looking tile that I prefer comes in 36x72. My contractor says he has installed this tile size before so he is comfortable with this size. I haven't seen a lot of comments about this tile size (I live in Vancouver Canada) but I have read some comments online saying that extra large tiles are prone to cracking? I would prefer large format tile since there will be less grout to clean. Hope to hear from the Houzz community and thank you in advance.

Featured Answer

PRO

Skippack Tile & Stone

last year

The tiles will behave as they are supposed to; it's the installation that needs to be up to par. Ask you installer to reference his prior work on similar sized tiles. Just had a client that wanted LFT and was assured that his installer knew all about it; imagine my surprise when said installer was trying to know how to work with them!

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Comments (7)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Corian can be polished and won't crack and could be repaired if it did.
Anne K thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
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Sue 430
last year
We did 24x48, it came out beautifully, but was clearly morr difficult to work with due to size/weight, but we had a great tiler. sounds like your contractor has experience, so it should be fine.
Anne K thanked Sue 430
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
I think it's a great idea. Make sure you work out any details about tile placement and cuts PRIOR to your contractor starting so there are no surprises.
Anne K thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO a very poor idea since only real awesome tile setters are even remotely good at this size tile . You need to see and talk to the references IMO. I use 12 x24 porceleia tile all the time in showers and bathroom floors I like the exact same on both they look lnice any 1/2 decent tile setter can install them and a heck of a lot cheaper than the size you want .IMO those tiles are too large for the space and a waste of money Get a nice porcelain if you like matble look do that and a light gray grout not problem squeegee after each shower and clean well once a week.. No matter what tile you get it needs cleaning.
Anne K thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Anne K
Original Author
last year
You guys are so awesome! Thanks for your comments. Hi Joseph, I've also been researching solid surface shower inserts but I am having a hard time looking for fabricators. I will need to research further.

I will definitely ask for at least 2 references for clients who have used this tile size. Hello Patricia, 12x24 was also an option that I was thinking of since this is a size that most tile setters are most comfortable with and there are way more patterns to choose from. I would have to choose a tile that looks good with greyish grout. For a bathtub to shower convert, would a horizontal placement as in brick with 1/2 offset or horizontal stacked with no offset look better or a vertical pattern with or without offset? I will likely choose a tile pattern that will be easier for placement. I have seen pictures of 12x24 marble pattern and they look a bit off and busy since its hard to place the tiles so that the veins are continuous.
Betsy Parker
last year
Interesting, I found a tile I like for my bathroom shower but my contractor says it's going to Look too big for for my space...…it's not a large shower but not a small shower either. Large enough to have a small bench in it.