Shower Design Guidelines

Follow these simple guidelines to design your custom tile shower in 7 easy steps.

1. Select Shower Wall Tile

You can use various sizes of tile for shower walls. Selections include ceramic subway tile, 12”x24” porcelain, or similar tile. A polished finish is recommended for shower wall tile to improve moisture management.

2. Select Shower Floor Tile

2” x 2” mosaic or smaller tile is standard for sloped shower floors. These types of tile work best with Schluter shower pans and allow for proper drainage. Also consider a matte or natural texture finish to prevent slippage or injury. In most cases you can find a mosaic to match the selected floor or wall tile. (Ex. 12”x24” floor or wall tile will sometimes have a matching 2”x2” mosaic as part of the collection.)

3. Select Bathroom Floor Tile

For floors a 12”x24” porcelain, or similar tile is recommended for larger areas. It’s also common to use mosaic, small hexagon, or 8”x8” tile for smaller areas like half baths or powder rooms. When selecting a floor tile keep in mind finish. We suggest choosing a floor tile with a textured or matte finish to prevent slippage or injury in wet areas like showers or bathrooms.

4. Match A Solid Surface Color

Solid surface is the best way to finish curbs, benches, and shelves. This method gives a clean look to your shower and is technically a better construction process than tile & grout. White, grey, and brown are standard colors, but custom pieces can be special ordered.

5. Determine Niche Style & Location

Common niche sizes are 12”x12”, 12”x20”, & 12”x28” with an optional shelf. Since they are made to fit vertically in between wall framing the standard is to set them vertically. We also accommodate for custom niche designs and shelving upon request.

Choose from 3 niche styles: Classic, Solid Surface, & Modern.

6. Decide On A Grout Color

Once you have made your tile selections you can choose a grout color that will compliment your design. Our grout preference is Mapei FA due to its wide range of uses. Mapei FA is rated for indoor/outdoor applications, is stain & mold resistant, and comes in a variety of colors.

7. Coordinate Fixtures, Drain, & Edge Profiles

Select your plumbing fixtures, drain, & finishing profiles to match your existing accessories. There are several colors and styles of drain grates and profiles available including: stainless steel, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, nickel, rose gold, vintage gold, classic gold, and more.

We typically match the finishing profiles to the color of the drain grate and shower fixtures. It is recommended to consult with a designer to ensure proper application of all finishing elements.

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