What stone is for shower floors?

What Stone is Best for Shower Floors? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Caring for Natural Stone

Installing natural stone tile as a shower floor can provide an upscale, elegant look in any bathroom. Available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures, natural stone offers endlessly customizable design options to create a spa-like oasis. However, natural stone requires some special considerations regarding installation and maintenance to ensure its beauty and longevity in a wet environment. This comprehensive guide will provide tips from proper installation to ongoing care for stunning natural stone shower floors.

Popular Natural Stone Options for Shower Floors

Marble Tile

Prized for its elegance, marble has been used for sculptural masterpieces and in the most luxurious homes for centuries. The calcite composition allows for beautiful veining patterns and shades like white, gray, black, pink, gold, green and blue. Marble scores a 3-4 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it is softer and can etch more easily than other natural stones.

Proper sealing is crucial for marble showers – use a penetrating sealer formulated for marble and reapply annually. Take care to use pH neutral cleaners. Marble offers a timeless, glamorous aesthetic perfect for modern or traditional bathrooms.

Granite Tile

Granite is a go-to choice for shower floors because it is extremely hard and durable, scoring a 7-8 on the Mohs scale. Available in stunning colors like black, brown, beige, red, blue, gray and white, granite has speckled or veined patterns that make each tile unique. Granite resists stains, etching and scratches better than softer stones.

While granite won‘t absorb moisture as readily as other materials, sealing it can still help reduce etching and staining from oil, dirt and soap residue. Expect to re-seal granite floors annually. The elegance and earthy beauty of granite complement both rustic and contemporary designs.

Slate Tile

A popular natural stone choice, slate has a natural cleft texture and foliated layering that gives it a striking look. Slate has a grayish-black hue, but can also display earthy red, green, purple and blue tones. Its non-slip surface makes it ideal for shower floors from a safety perspective. Slate scores a 5-7 on the hardness scale, making it naturally waterproof and more durable than marble.

Slate does require sealing to prevent absorption and staining. It has a more casual, rustic look that pairs well with various design motifs from farmhouse to modern. Slate is also typically more budget-friendly than marble or granite.

Travertine

Travertine is a cousin of limestone formed from mineral hot springs. Its beige, tan and earthy tones have holes and pits that create a textured, natural look. Travertine comes in finishes like polished, honed and tumbled and is most commonly used for floors and shower walls. With proper sealing, the holes will not harbor mildew or bacteria.

The rough surface needs more regular cleaning as dirt can get trapped. Travertine scores a 4 on the Mohs scale so take care to seal pores to prevent etching or staining. The organic style of travertine lends itself well to Mediterranean, tropical and nature-inspired bathroom designs.

Sealing Natural Stone Showers

It‘s crucial to apply a natural stone sealer to shower floors and walls at least once yearly to protect them. Sealing prevents stains from oil, dirt, soap scum and hard water deposits. It also provides a water repellent barrier so moisture doesn‘t penetrate behind the stone and cause damage from mold or freeze-thaw cycles.

Choose a penetrating, water-based sealer specifically formulated for shower tile and natural stone. Avoid generic sealers or topical products that build up. Solvent-based sealers can yellow over time. Make sure to closely follow application directions for the product you choose.

Apply 2-3 thin coats of sealer using a paint pad, brush or sponge. Allow proper drying time between coats. Removing excess sealer from the surface prevents a slick, glossy finish. Seal shower tile grout at the same time for comprehensive waterproofing.

Installation Tips for Natural Stone Showers

Proper installation is key to ensure your natural stone shower floor lasts for decades without issues. Here are best practices to follow:

• Ensure proper slope for drainage. Shower floors should slope 1⁄4 inch per foot towards the drain to prevent water pooling.

• Use non-sanded grout joints for natural stone flooring. Sanded grout can scratch softer material. Epoxy or urethane grouts resist water best.

• Pick the right mortar for the stone type. Marble and travertine need white polymer modified thinset. Granite and slate require latex thinset.

• Use a waterproofing underlayment like Schluter DITRA beneath the stone. This provides an extra moisture barrier.

• Seal grout and stone tile after installation using a penetrating natural stone sealer made for wet areas.

• For larger layouts, use movement joints for added stability and to control cracking and shifting.

Consult with knowledgeable tile professionals at your local stone yard for product recommendations. Hiring a specialist for install is advised to guarantee proper waterproofing for the longevity of your shower.

Maintenance and Care for Natural Stone Showers

While durable, natural stone tile does require some periodic maintenance to keep it looking beautiful. Follow these care tips:

• For routine cleaning, use a pH neutral stone soap and water, or an alkaline-based cleaner made for natural stone. Harsh acidic cleaners will etch certain stones.

• Scrub tiles with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

• Re-seal natural stone tile and grout with a penetrating sealer every 12 months on average. Do a water test to confirm when resealing is needed.

• Address etching, pits and dulled areas through professional honing and polishing. This re-finishes the surface.

• Don‘t use bathroom cleaners, vinegar, ammonia or abrasive scrubs on natural stone, which can damage the finish.

Ensuring Proper Slip Resistance

Natural stone can become dangerously slippery when wet if proper precautions aren‘t taken. Consider these anti-slip options:

• Choose a naturally textured surface like flamed, cleft, thermal or antique finish tile.

• Have stone floor tiles sandblasted or etched post-installation to create small pits for grip.

• Use slip-resistant mats, acrylic adhesive strips or abrasive mineral coatings on shower floors.

• Ensure stone is properly sealed and re-sealed to prevent wear in high traffic areas.

According to a report by the CDC, over 234,000 people visit emergency rooms each year for injuries sustained from falls in the bathroom. ADA standards mandate that shower floors have a coefficient of friction (CoF) of at least .60 when wet.

Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Tile for Showers

Radiant Heated Floors

Radiant heated shower floors provide warm, comfortable floors that reduce slipping. Thin heating cables or mats get installed beneath the tile and covered with self-leveling underlayment prior to setting the tile. This allows natural stone tiles to be used, unlike overhead radiant heaters.

The mass of natural stone conducts the heat efficiently across the entire floor surface. Marble and granite can last for decades with radiant heat if proper precautions are taken during installation to prevent cracking. Programmable thermostats help regulate the floor temperature.

FAQ – Troubleshooting Common Natural Stone Shower Issues

How can I remove hard water stains from my natural stone tiles?

Hard water deposits leave cloudy white mineral stains. Use an alkaline-based stone cleaner formulated for hard water stains. AnSESS Remedy or Aqua Mix Calc-A-Strip work well. Re-seal after cleaning.

What causes pits, divots and etching in my travertine or marble shower floor?

This damage occurs when acids eat away at the surface of calcite-based stones. Sealants help prevent it. Buffing with 0000 steel wool and re-honing may help improve appearance of damaged areas.

Why is the stone grout hazing and some tiles looking dull?

When sealant builds up on stone surfaces from improper application or maintenance products, a cloudy white film can form. Use an ammonia-free stone haze remover to safely deep clean without damaging the tile or grout.

How do I remove existing caulk or grout from a stone tile shower floor?

Use a grout removal tool or multi-tool with a grout blade to gently pry and scrape out old caulk and grout without damaging tiles. Avoid abrasive grinding. Go slowly to prevent breaking tiles.

Can cracked or damaged natural stone floor tiles be patched or repaired?

Sadly, repair options for stone shower floors are limited. Filling small cracks with caulk or grout is temporary. Damaged tiles usually need to be completely replaced and re-sealed to match the rest of the floor for optimal results.

Choosing the Right Stone for Your Shower Floor

Ultimately, the natural stone you select comes down to your design style, budget and the overall look you wish to achieve with your bathroom space. Any of the stones profiled here can make for a breathtaking shower floor that feels luxurious underfoot. Take proper precautions during installation and care, and your natural stone tiles can remain stunning for decades to come, enhancing your home‘s beauty.