Why do they use smaller tiles in a shower? (floor, cleaner, ceilings)

[Caladium]

We are thinking about getting our shower retiled. Is there a reason we can't use the larger tiles (12" x 12")? I notice most showers use smaller tiles, but I really hate cleaning grout so I wonder if we could use larger tiles and end up with fewer grout lines?

If there's a practical reason why smaller tiles are needed, would it be possible to at least use the larger tiles as a border? Or maybe a few randomly placed here and there?

[George Chong]

Hmmm...good question. I have 12" x 12" I put my shower walls when I remodeled. But I have 4" x 4" tile on the floor of the shower. Then I have a decorative border on the wall.

[seeriously]

So there will be more grout for us to clean. lol

[wit-nit]

Most of the newer homes and re-models that we've looked at have tiles from 6x6 up to 14x14 size. And they sure look nice.
I haven't seen anything under 6x6 in years being used.

[TyroneBiggums]

1. The slope of your shower pan may not be conducive to larger tiles.

2. Wet tile is slippery, and you can get more "grip" with additional grout lines with smaller tiles.

It isn't to say you can't use larger tiles, just be aware that the larger tiles may be more likely to break or create a safety hazard.

[Chrisk327]

Originally Posted by nitram

Most of the newer homes and re-models that we've looked at have tiles from 6x6 up to 14x14 size. And they sure look nice.
I haven't seen anything under 6x6 in years being used.

I would say that most I've seen have smaller sizes in showers. Subway tiles that are 3x6, and probably the "norm" is using 6x6. at least in my area.

I find it more asthetically pleasing for wall tiles to be in that size range, I find it kind of awkward looking to see 12x12s on walls. maybe large if it had an interesting shape to it.

the grout shouldn't be too much of an issue if you use small grout lines, like 1/8, or smaller if you're using subway tile.

[chet everett]

Historically "nippers" were used to cut tile and it was much cleaner to nip out the edges of a handful of little tiles vs risking shattering a big tile.

Since the widespread use of wet saws it is pretty much as easy to set larger tiles as it was to use smaller tiles. I would caution that that using larger tiles on walls and ceilings requires a bit more skill and thinking through the consequences of gravity than using small tiles. You need to make sure the adhesives are up to the task and you have sufficient bracing up while the bonds cure.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Caladium

We are thinking about getting our shower retiled.

On the house you plan to sell before going to Florida?

Assuming so... don't spend the money or time on this.

Get a professional estimate done (with pretty pictures)...
if the shower tile job ever becomes the point of contention with a prospective buyer
you can then pull it out and have an objective number to negotiate over.

My bet is the buyer would rather have the price reduced than have the work done;
but even those who would prefer the new tile work?... let them choose it.

hth

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by TyroneBiggums

1. The slope of your shower pan may not be conducive to larger tiles.

2. Wet tile is slippery, and you can get more "grip" with additional grout lines with smaller tiles.

It isn't to say you can't use larger tiles, just be aware that the larger tiles may be more likely to break or create a safety hazard.

^ This. Plus large tiles are more prone to breakage, and replacing a single tile on a shower floor would not be a particularly easy job to do well.

[stan4]

I am also guessing that smaller tile makes the shower look bigger.