Here once again with questions regarding my upcoming bathroom remodel.

As mentioned earlier, the room is going to be taken down to the studs and basically started fresh. Since I'm eliminating the bathtub, I have somewhat more wall and floor space to cover. I've had a few people tell me that cultured marble sheets are the way to go, but, even with the artificial veining, etc. put into it, I find the cultured marble to be a little flat and boring. I want to use these porcelain tiles I found at Lowe's...



... for the walls, shower floor/bathroom floor and the shower enclosure ceiling.

I'm getting a certain amount of static from people whose opinion is that these tiles will be impossible to keep clean and "you'll have to regrout all the time." I know that ceramic/porcelain tiles entail a bit more post shower maintenance, but I love the way they look together and the interesting textures and, after many trips to home improvement stores, it seems like they make some pretty good grout sealant these days, as well.

Wanted to get an expert opinion on whether I'll be creating a nightmare for myself. Which do the experts prefer: tile or cultured marble? Is there anything I can seal the surface of the tiles themselves with provided I decide to go down that route?

As always, any and all advice is appreciated...

Be careful what tile you select for the floor because some types of tiles can be exceptionally slippery when wet. I also would not use any material that's porous. And sealants seem to work for only a certain (and fairly short) length of time then the crud moves in and becomes impossible to remove. Personal experience on that part.

Those will be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. Especially since you say you are putting the shower in an 'enclosure with a ceiling?' Will there be any moisture outlet?
(I wipe my shower walls and doors down with a squeegie after every shower because of very high mineral content in my well water.)

Would you spring for real marble for at least part of the bathroom?

I wouldn't use real Marble in a shower enclosure. Its porous and stain prone. They don't even use it in tub surrounds/shower stalls in Italy where a lot of the best Marble comes from... And that's close to the quarries of Massa/ Carrara ( less than half hour drive from where I spend a lot of my time).

Now is the time in your life where you don't need to generate any more cleaning maintenance then you have too ! And especially walking surfaces that are a slip hazzard. I am assuming you are using the entire area where your tub was located for your shower enclosure, is that so ? If so, that is a big space to keep clean. Some of my clients have renovated and done just that, a whole shower area and if they need help showering it is impossible to do just that without getting myself soaked !

I think you should ask the technicians at Lowe's or Home Depot their advise on just what is better to use as they have pertinent experience.

My new shower enclosure is corner located with a large pan (I think that is what you call it). Easy to clean, dropped ceiling in the shower and that has to be cleaned. All glass is hard enough to keep clean, trust me. Only ceramic I have is on the floor and regret that because it is so cold to walk on in the winter. Contractor wanted to put heating underneath but I opted out because of the expense.

True about tile in a northern climate. My favorite bathroom is the one in my current house - nice job on a one piece surround, and 16" vinyl tiles on the floor, and although not what is in vogue these days, I love the ease of maintenance and 'warmth' under my feet.

WHat you should do is go to a Tile Specialty store, they can show you tiles that specifically have tiles meant for floor use with matching ones for wall use.

Put wall tiles on the floor, add water and you have the perfect storm for slipping in the shower because a wet wall tile underfoot is almost like ice.

Not all have matching floor tiles... you have to find a complimentary one for those if your heart is set on those for the wall, but some do have matching wall and floor tiles. The glazing is different between them..

Hi Chris, can you afford a contractor to come in and make suggestions and have them do the work ? I know if it seems satisfying to do it yourself but I had no problem in hiring someone to do it all for me. I know you said you are handy, but a reno is far beyond being a handyman.

I'm not actually doing any of the renovation work in the bathroom, tickle. We've got a contractor who's going to be doing most of the work (although he already told me I could start the demolition work right before he comes in; nothing better than wailing on some ugly, avocado green tiles to release some frustrations). He's just advising on certain aspects and I asked him about this time (which is rated for both floors and walls) and he said they should be good to use. I'm actually planning on using a smaller, more heavily textured tile for the shower floor.

Has this contractor laid down a shower bed floor before? Lots of tile guys lay tile but few know how to build a bed, make sure he know what to do and how to lay the membrane. To test him ask how high up the wall the membrane should be. Come back and tell us his answer.

That's a question I will certainly pose to him, ballenger. The man and the company we're using have been in the renovation and new construction business for about the last 25 years and we've gotten good reviews about the company from people who have used them, so I'm pretty confident he knows all the right stuff...