How to Pick the BEST TILE for Your Bathroom Shower — Floor & Decor Walkthrough with a Contractor
- Isaac Ostrom
- Sep 30
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 1
Choosing the right tile for your bathroom shower can feel overwhelming. Walk into a place like Floor & Decor, and suddenly you’re staring at hundreds of options: porcelain vs ceramic, rectified vs pressed edge, mosaics vs subway, glass vs stone… and the list goes on.
In this blog, I’m walking you through a real one-on-one tile coaching session I did with a client. We started at his house, worked through ordering a custom Tile Redi shower pan, and then headed over to Floor & Decor to pick out wall and floor tiles. Along the way, I shared the same pro tips I use on job sites every day—how to tell good tile from bad, which edges make installation easier, and the pitfalls to avoid.
By the end, you’ll know how to confidently select the best shower tiles for durability, style, and ease of installation.
Key Takeaways for Homeowners & Pros (TLDR)
Always order 15% extra tile to cover waste, cuts, and breakage.
Pressed edge tiles are more forgiving and easier to install, but need larger grout joints.
Rectified edge tiles allow smaller joints and a sleek look but cost more and are less forgiving.
Ceramic tile is budget-friendly and easy to work with but less durable than porcelain.
Porcelain tile is denser, water-resistant, and better for showers, but heavier and harder to cut.
Avoid glass tiles in showers—they crack easily and are tough to install.
Natural stone brings beauty but requires yearly sealing and maintenance.
Use mosaics on shower floors for traction and drainage.
Always check dye lots and calibers to ensure color and sizing match across boxes.
Tools & Materials You’ll Need
Tape measure & notepad (for takeoffs and overage calculations)
Tile Redi shower pan (custom ordered if needed)
Notched trowels (size depends on tile format)
Tile spacers (⅛ inch for pressed, 1/16 inch for rectified)
Wet saw with diamond blade (for porcelain/stone)
Squeegee (for post-shower maintenance)
Sealers (if using natural stone or porous tile)
Starting with the Shower Pan
Before we even stepped foot in Floor & Decor, we tackled the foundation of the project: the shower pan. My client wanted a custom Tile Redi pan, which is a great option for unique layouts.
Here are some key details:
Drain placement matters. Centering the drain gives the most even slope, which helps prevent water pooling. With a custom pan, we can move it to match existing plumbing.
Integrated splash wall. The Tile Redi pans I like come with a factory-made splash wall that rises 6 inches above the floor, eliminating the failure point where the floor meets the wall. That’s where most leaks happen.
One-piece curb & drain. No weak spots, no seams—it’s all built into the pan. Huge upgrade in reliability.
Order extra tile. We calculated a 15% overage on this job. For example, 127 sq. ft. needed + 18 sq. ft. overage = 145 sq. ft. ordered.
Pro Tip: When ordering online, check if there’s a discount code—like “tilecoach” which can knock 10% off (that saved my client nearly $200).
Navigating Floor & Decor: Tile Edges & Materials
Walking into the store, the first question was: pressed edge or rectified edge?
Pressed Edge Tiles
Fired in a kiln with a naturally rounded, “soft” edge.
More forgiving during install because grout can hide small imperfections.
Require larger grout joints—usually ⅛ inch.
Budget-friendly.
Downside: not perfectly square, so alignment can be trickier.
Rectified Tiles
Cut after firing for perfectly square edges.
Allow super-tight joints—down to 1/16 inch.
Sleek, modern look.
Double the price of pressed edge tiles.
Less forgiving if your walls aren’t perfectly flat.
My advice? For most homeowners and DIYers, pressed edge tiles are easier and more forgiving. Rectified is great for pros or if you’re going for that ultra-modern, minimal-joint look.
Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles
Here’s the quick breakdown:
Ceramic Tiles
Red or brown clay body.
Absorb more water, making them less durable in wet areas.
Easier to cut, cheaper, and great for walls.
Chips reveal the clay underneath.
Pro trick: soak ceramic tiles before installing—they won’t suck moisture out of the thinset as fast, and grout bonds beautifully.
Porcelain Tiles
White or light body, fired at higher temps.
Denser, harder, and more water-resistant.
Great for both walls and floors.
Heavier and harder to cut (you’ll need a good saw/blade).
Doesn’t bond with grout as well as ceramic—takes longer to set.
Verdict: Porcelain is my top pick for showers. It lasts longer and handles water better, but ceramic is still a solid choice for walls if you’re on a budget.
Tile Printing & Quality
Most tiles today use inkjet printing to mimic stone or wood. Here’s what to look for:
High-end tiles have 15–20+ print “screens,” which makes patterns look random and natural.
Cheap tiles may only have 4–6 screens, so patterns repeat and look fake.
Check the pixelation up close—higher quality tiles will look sharper.
Pro Tip: Always inspect multiple tiles from the same box. If you see repeating patterns too often, you’re looking at a lower-quality batch.
Dye Lots & Caliber
Big box stores like Floor & Decor allow returns, which means different dye lots often get mixed on the same shelf. That’s a problem because:
Dye lot (shade) = color variation.
Caliber = size variation.
Two boxes labeled “Newport Ivory” might actually be slightly different tones (say, Shade 5 vs Shade 6). Put them side by side and you’ll see it immediately.
Always check the box labels and make sure you’re buying from the same lot and caliber.
Size & Format Considerations
Tile size isn’t just about looks—it changes how hard the job is.
Large Format Tiles (12x24 or bigger)
Cover space quickly.
Harder to cut, heavier, and prone to sagging.
Any wall bowing or unevenness will show.
Small Format Tiles & Mosaics (2x2, hexagon)
Perfect for shower floors.
Add texture, slip resistance, and flexibility on slopes.
Easier to handle, cut, and install.
Subway Tiles
Classic choice for walls.
Easy to cut, cheap, and forgiving.
Downside: lots of grout = more maintenance.
Pro Tip: Bigger isn’t always faster. Smaller tiles actually install quicker in many cases because they’re lighter, easier to cut, and conform to uneven walls.
Special Tile Types: Pros & Cons
Glass Tile 3"x6" and Larger
Looks stunning but has poor thermal shock resistance.
Can crack when hit with hot/cold water.
Hard to cut (requires special blades and back-cutting).
My advice: Avoid for showers. Maybe use as a small accent strip if you really want it. Mosiac sizes are typically fine to use anywhere.
Natural Stone (Travertine, Marble, etc.)
Brings unmatched beauty and uniqueness.
Requires yearly sealing due to porosity.
White marble can stain or discolor in wet environments.
Great option if you’re okay with the maintenance.
Pebble Mosaics
Tactile, spa-like feel underfoot.
Excellent traction.
BUT… avoid pebbles with limestone (they stain from the inside).
Stick with basalt or darker stones for durability.
Maintenance & Longevity
No matter what tile you pick, here’s how to keep your shower looking great:
Seal porous tiles (stone, cement encaustic, terrazzo) once a year.
Squeegee your shower after each use. This prevents mold, soap scum, and grout staining.
Use proper grout and sealer to lock moisture out.
Avoid polished porcelain on floors—it’s slippery and shows every water spot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use glass tile on my shower walls?
A: I don’t recommend it. Glass tiles can crack from hot/cold water changes and are tough to cut. Stick to porcelain or ceramic for walls.
Q: How much extra tile should I order?
A: Always add 15% extra for waste, cuts, and future repairs.
Q: What’s better for shower floors—porcelain or ceramic mosaics?
A: Porcelain mosaics are best. They’re denser, more water-resistant, and provide excellent traction.
Q: Do I need to seal porcelain tile?
A: No, porcelain is non-porous. But natural stone and some ceramics should be sealed annually.
Q: Are rectified tiles worth it?
A: If you want a sleek, minimal grout line look—and your walls are flat—yes. For DIYers, pressed edge tiles are usually easier and safer.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, choosing the right tile comes down to balancing durability, maintenance, and aesthetics.
Porcelain offers the best mix of performance and looks.
Ceramic is budget-friendly and easy to install.
Natural stone is gorgeous but high-maintenance.
Pebble mosaics and small formats are great for traction on shower floors.
Remember: a good install is just as important as the tile itself. Take your time, plan for overage, and always double-check dye lots.
And if you want to dive even deeper into pro-level tile selection, schedule a live tile coaching session with me.
Until then—this is your Tile Coach, wishing you beautiful, successful tiling projects!
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