Bathroom Tile
The right tile transforms a bathroom. We install floor, wall, and shower tile that looks beautiful and performs in wet environments for decades.
Back to BathroomsBathroom tile is different from tile anywhere else in the home. It needs to handle water, humidity, temperature changes, and daily cleaning without cracking, staining, or losing its grip. The tile you choose, the way it is installed, and the products used underneath all matter.
We work with porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, and glass mosaic tiles. Each material has different strengths depending on where it is going - floors need slip resistance, shower walls need waterproofing compatibility, and accent areas need visual impact.
Bathroom Tile Types
Floor Tile
Slip-resistant porcelain and ceramic for wet environments. Textured finishes rated for bathroom use, installed over Prova or Schluter decoupling membranes for crack prevention and moisture management.
Wall Tile
Large-format porcelain, classic subway, and decorative mosaics. Wall tile sets the design tone for the entire bathroom and can extend from the vanity to the ceiling.
Shower Tile
Installed over waterproofing membranes for long-term durability. Requires precise slope-to-drain work and compatibility with Prova or Schluter systems.
Accent & Mosaic
Glass, stone, and porcelain mosaics for niches, feature walls, and decorative borders. Small-format tiles that add visual texture and detail to any bathroom.
Wall Tile
Wall tile is where a bathroom gets its personality. Vanity walls, feature walls behind the tub, and the walls inside a shower all present a chance to make a choice that shapes the room. Large-format porcelain reads as modern and minimal. Subway tile is timeless and forgiving. Decorative mosaics add character without taking over.
Benefits
- Wall tile does not get walked on, so finish choices open up: glossy, polished, high-sheen, and textured tile all work here.
- Large-format tile on walls means fewer grout lines to clean.
- Wall tile can run floor-to-ceiling for a dramatic, spa-grade finish that paint alone can't match.
- Easier to install than floor tile since slip ratings and slope aren't constraints.
Considerations
- The wall has to be flat and plumb. We adjust or reframe if needed before any tile goes up.
- Inside a shower, wall tile has to be installed over a proper waterproofing membrane (Prova, Schluter, or Ardex).
- Large-format wall tile can be heavy - mortar and setting materials need to be rated for the size.
Slip Resistance & Safety
Bathroom floors get wet. The tile you choose for the floor needs to provide grip even when water is standing on it. We recommend porcelain tile with a textured or matte finish rated for wet environments. Glossy, polished tile looks great on walls but can be dangerous on floors.
For shower floors specifically, smaller tiles with more grout lines provide better traction. Mosaic tiles on a mesh backing are a popular choice because the additional grout creates natural texture underfoot.
We will always guide you toward options that are both beautiful and safe. If you fall in love with a tile that is not rated for floors, we will find a close match that is.
Grout & Sealer Selection
Grout choice matters more than most people realize. In a bathroom, grout is constantly exposed to water, soap, shampoo, and cleaning products. The wrong grout stains, cracks, and grows mould. The right grout stays clean and intact for years.
Epoxy grout is our top recommendation for showers and wet areas. It is waterproof, stain-proof, and does not require sealing. It costs more than cement-based grout but eliminates the need for annual re-sealing and resists mould completely.
Cement-based grout with a quality sealer is a more affordable option that works well on bathroom floors and walls outside the shower. We apply a penetrating sealer that protects against stains and moisture without changing the grout colour.
For natural stone tile, sealing the tile itself is also essential. Marble, travertine, and slate are porous and will absorb water and stains without proper treatment. We seal natural stone before grouting and recommend annual re-sealing for long-term protection.
Accent & Mosaic Tile
Small-format tile that adds texture, pattern, and visual punctuation to a bathroom. Glass mosaics, stone hexagons, marble herringbone, and penny rounds turn niches, shower floors, and feature strips into design moments. Accent tile works hardest when it's used sparingly - a single feature area rather than a whole room.
Benefits
- Turns a niche or feature wall into the visual anchor of the bathroom.
- Hexagon and penny mosaics add natural traction - excellent for shower floors.
- Works as a narrow accent band between other tile, or as a full back wall inside a shower.
- Huge range of materials: glass, natural stone, porcelain, and metal accents all sold as mosaic sheets.
Considerations
- More grout lines per square foot - epoxy grout strongly recommended, especially inside a shower.
- Mesh-backed mosaic sheets need careful alignment between sheets or the pattern breaks.
- Higher install cost per square foot than large-format tile because of the extra cutting, layout, and grouting time.
- Busy patterns don't pair well with busy countertops or heavy veined marble - pick one focal point, not three.
Layout & Pattern Options
The same tile can look completely different depending on the layout pattern. Here are the most common options we install in bathrooms.
Straight Stack
Clean, modern grid pattern. Works best with large-format rectangular tile. Creates strong horizontal or vertical lines.
Brick / Offset
Each row is offset by half. The most popular pattern for subway tile and a classic choice for walls and floors.
Herringbone
Rectangular tiles set at 45-degree angles. Adds visual movement and works beautifully as a feature wall or shower floor.
Chevron
Similar to herringbone but with angled tile ends that create a V-pattern. A more refined, directional look.
Basketweave
Pairs of rectangular tiles woven in alternating directions. A traditional pattern that works well in heritage and transitional homes.
Large Format
Fewer grout lines, cleaner look. Tiles over 24 inches create a seamless, spa-like aesthetic with minimal maintenance.
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Ready to Choose Your Tile?
We will help you pick the right tile for every surface in your bathroom. Bring us your inspiration photos, or visit our material samples during a consultation.
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