The Trendy Type Of Tile You Should Avoid Using On Your Shower Floor

If you're planning a renovation or update in your bathroom, you may be searching for some modern alternatives to outdated flooring. Shower tiles are an opportunity to let your personal style shine without sacrificing practicality. Choosing the right tiles to use in your shower can be tricky because there are so many options. Mosaic tiles with mesh backing are incredibly versatile, but they aren't the best option when it comes to your shower floor.

Mosaic tiles have become trendy in bathrooms, and many options come with a useful mesh backing that makes them easy to install. Not only do mesh-backed mosaic tiles allow for a speedier installation, but the backing also helps with uniformity and precision. However, that mesh backing can trap water and soap residue, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to thrive.

Mold, mildew, and bacteria are common in bathrooms because of the constant presence of water, moisture, and steam. It's important to keep mold and mildew to a minimum because exposure over time can cause allergies, respiratory issues, headaches, and more. The easiest way to prevent shower mold is by keeping your shower dry and clean. While a mosaic tile with mesh backing may look nice, the fact that the backing is nearly impossible to keep clean and dry means it isn't the best tiling option on the shower floor.

There are several shower tile options to use in your bathroom that look great and are easy to keep clean. Before choosing the kind of tile you'd like in your shower, be sure to read the cleaning instructions thoroughly. It couldn't hurt to also look up reviews to see whether other customers have had issues with cleaning or with mold.

When it comes to keeping your shower floor clean, think about the tile pattern in addition to the type of tile you use. You can still go with a mosaic tile pattern on the shower floor, but installation could be tedious without the mesh backing. If you're up for the challenge, there are a few handy mosaic tile installation tricks to create flawless results. But keep in mind that even without the mesh backing, mosaic tile patterns have a ton of grout that needs to be kept clean.

For an easier installation and cleaning process, you could go with a herringbone or geometric pattern, but you'll want to choose the right tile size. Larger tiles (8 by 8 inches or larger) don't offer much grip and can increase the risk of slipping. Tiles that are about 2 to 4 inches in size provide more grip while still offering the visual aesthetics of mosaic. Porcelain tiles would work great for these patterns because they are available in a range of sizes and won't absorb much water, helping you avoid the cleaning pitfalls of mesh backing.