Big matte ceramic tile (resembles plaster) for shower wall?

last year

last modified: last year

Hello Hive Minds, experienced homeowners and Tile Pros - I need help!

I'm considering using a large (47" x 16"), off-white, "monoporous" ceramic wall tile in the shower.

I was going to play safe and was looking for matte porcelain for shower - but - these large tiles are so cool. The fine rib I want, reminds me of a plaster wall, or wallpaper. Comes only in white.

However - they are very matte and rough to touch. The surface resemble plaster wall. No shine to speak of. Would be great on a big wall really.

But in wet shower? Will I have moisture issues? Cleaning and maintenance nightmare? I can't do annual sealing - just cannot..

Tile store, and the designer I am working with, swears up and down these tiles will be fine. Great. No problem. But I'll be the one stuck with the bathroom. Am I seeing 10%> absorption rate?

--- also - are these linear lines too trendy? Already passe? Granted every design will age, but I still want to prolong the life of the new bathroom.

I am evaluating three similar tiles (in the order of pref)

1) Keraben Essential Wall Tile .*was listed as "monoporous ceramic"

https://www.caemdordini.it/storage/124944/ceramiche-keraben-essential-2021.pdf

2) EPC 1209 Lineal

https://epcamerica.com/our-products/product/1209-lineal/324

3) Nuances Bianco Ribbed *porcelain stoneware" - spec sheet JPEG spec attached

https://www.italgranitigroup.com/images/Cataloghi_Link_Inside/Italgraniti/NUANCES.pdf

my least favorite - yet - best qualifications for being the "Porcelain Stoneware"?

Option 1 (Finest rib) is the best looking to me; Option 3) may be the only choice (low absorption rate), but it looks almost too modern for what I'm going for.

Porcelanosa glossary for Monoporous

Monoporous: The term refers to glazed ceramic wall tiles that are single-fired. Traditionally, ceramic wall tiles needed a double-fire process, but advances in hydraulic presses and roller kilns now allow for a single firing. The water absorption of a monoporous ceramic wall tile is more than 10% and therefore is only suitable for indoor wall use.

Your inputs are appreciated!

Featured Answer

Amyandmby

last year

They are beautiful! I love large format tiles especially in bathrooms! Can’t speak about the ”trendy” part but I would consider how to clean the ribbed ones when wet.

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Comments (7)

pongstress
Original Author
last year
"Porcelain Stoneware" - is this improved ceramic?

Porcelain or stoneware?

Porcelain stoneware is undoubtedly easier to care for, and offers better technical performance than ceramics in terms of resistance to impacts, the elements, chemicals and thermal shocks. Porcelain stoneware surfaces are easy to clean and disinfect, impermeable, soft and pleasing to the touch. One disadvantage could be the greater weight of stoneware compared to porcelain – although the range of thicknesses of tiles on the market allows the load to be reduced.
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Rho Dodendron
last year
Yes----consider how to clean them.
pongstress thanked Rho Dodendron
PRO
Zumi
last year
A porous pumice stone on your walls is going to be a nightmare. One slip, and you’ve exfoliated way more than a rug burn would. And the skin sanded off is inside the texture crevices, and the blood is inside the tile, staining it.
pongstress thanked Zumi
pongstress
Original Author
last year
@Amyandmby @Rho Dodendron @Zumi good point - I have no idea how to clean it. I kept asking the tile store and the designer, and I got nothing beyond "it'll be the same as porcelain shower wall.

At that point I vaguely thought I'd spray with no scrub shower spray? Or a brush, but it'll be a chore to scrub an 8 feet tall wall.

Also, are matte tiles more difficult to keep clean?
pongstress
Original Author
last year

Tile #2: the absorption rate concerns me, whether 10 or 14%... still looking for specs for Tile #1
catbuilder
last year
The texture alone is enough to disqualify it.
pongstress thanked catbuilder