The shower is one of the essential rooms in our house, and it’s where we can take a break from all our obligations. It should be very welcoming and luxurious, and if you’re looking to add an earthy element to your bathroom, then ape shower floors are the way to go.
One of the pros of pebble shower floors is their sleek and spa-like aesthetic. Despite their affordability, these floors are also slip-resistant.
Due to their uneven surface, which can allow water to seep through, and because they are prone to mold and mildew, marble shower floors are expensive to maintain and require regular resealing and cleaning.
This article will discuss a pebble shower floor and its pros and cons.
8 Pros and Cons of Pebble Shower Floor
Multi-colored pebble flooring is an excellent alternative to traditional tile used as a shower floor. You can also use it in various other applications. Aside from its unique appearance, which is due to the natural stone, the pros of pebble flooring are its various features. It is also very durable and can be slipped-resistant.
Here are the pros:
1. It’s Affordable
One of the main advantages of using a pebble flooring product is its affordability. There are a few instances where it is a good thing to spend a little bit more on a project is a good thing.
To keep the cost of your stone flooring down, you can collect the pebbles from various places such as lakes, beaches, and rivers. Not only will this incorporate a touch of nostalgia to your shower floors, but you can also purchase them free of charge.
Installing a pair of marble tiles can range from around $4 to $8. While natural stone flooring costs around $5 to $10, choosing a more affordable option is worth it.
The prices of various materials when buying a new floor are also influenced by where you buy them. If you are seeking a new tile, you can find it at Home Depot, which sells it for around $10 to $35 per square foot.
The potential project cost can be daunting due to the wide price range. However, with the suitable materials and the right size of your shower base, you can do it for a meager price.
2. It’s Slip-Resistant
It might seem like slipping is inevitable with a pebble shower floor, but this is not the case. Unlike other types of shower floors, which are usually hard to grip, the uneven surface of the pebbles provides a better grip and prevents people from slipping.
The combination of the sealer and the natural stone between the stones will give you added traction, which will help improve the appearance of your shower floors. You won’t have to purchase a mat for this.
3. It Looks Amazing
A modern and elegant shower floor made from natural materials such as pebbles is a must-have for any bathroom. Its sleek and contemporary design will give your room a touch of luxury. You can also choose to have various colored tiles for added interest.
These are sleek and modern pebbles that come in various colors and shapes, which are ideal for any room in your home. You can do some matching trial and error with other accessories to create a unique and tasteful look.
How you install the floor makes it incredibly customizable. You can create various patterns and sizes to create a unique bathroom floor.
4. It’s Comfortable
Although it might sound torture, standing on a pebble floor is good. Unlike stones, which are round and have constant contact with water, rocks are not sharp. It is the main reason people think pebbles are not as comfortable as they should be.
The roundness of the pebbles makes them an ideal choice for a shower floor, as they provide a more natural feel: the varying sizes and uneven surface also help with the floor’s properties. Imagine stepping into the shower and having a foot massage.
Here are the cons:
1. It’s Hard to Install It by Yourself
The most professional way to look at your home is with a selection of pebble tile flooring. This flooring is usually laid out in a mosaic pattern and attached to a flexible backing. However, this can be an unsettling process.
Due to the nature of the pebbles, it is tough to line them up correctly. This process can take a lot of time and effort. In addition, you also need to use special tools to cut the pebbles to fit around the base of the shower.
2. There’s Too Much Grout
The average amount of grout that a person needs to install a tile floor is around 2.5 times greater than that of a similar-sized mosaic floor. Since the gaps between the tiles are symmetrical, it’s easy to estimate how much work is required.
Due to the unevenness of the surface, it is not ideal to use a lot of grout on a pebble floor. This flooring requires more work to get coverage and fills all the nooks and crannies. Also, the different shapes and sizes of the pebbles make them more exposed to the elements.
3. It Retains a Lot of Water
Unlike regular bathroom tiles, which can keep water out of the sink, the naturally uneven surface of a pebble floor prevents it from going down the drain. It means that water can remain between the pebbles, which can cause mold and mildew to develop.
Most tile manufacturers will use half-circled pieces of marble or granite to create a more even surface, allowing water to drain. However, this flat surface strips the natural look of the shower floors.
4. It Takes Time to Clean
Due to the presence of exposed grout, cleaning pebbles is not as easy as it would be if you had a tile floor. However, harsh chemicals can damage the stones, and you should only clean them when they are dry.
If you live in a city with stiff water, you should regularly clean and maintain your home to keep it looking its best. It will help prevent the damage caused by hard water and keep your flooring looking its best.
It’s High Maintenance
Although it may look pretty, it takes a lot of work to keep a pebble floor looking its best. Besides the occasional cleaning, you will also need to replace or repair it regularly.
The use of intense amounts of both cement and grout on a shower floor can cause it to get dirty and eventually need replacing. It could make it more expensive than you originally intended.
The lifespan of a sealed surface is usually around 6 to 12 months. You need to re-soften your pebbles every year. You should seal before and after applying the new tile every time you regrout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Install a Pebble Shower Floor?
Here are some basic steps you can do to install a pebble shower floor:
- To apply a layer of thin-set to the bathroom floor, use a trowel, then lay the pebbles down. Ensure that the tiles have spaces.
- Mix the thin-set and fill in the gaps left by the stones. Give the floor at least 24 hours to dry before the next step.
- To prevent the colored pebbles from absorbing the colors of the floor’s grout, apply a coat of sealer. Wait for the product to dry.
- To get a consistent mix, mix the grout and apply it to the pebbles. Ensure that the mixture has covered the stones evenly.
- After around 20 minutes, use a wet sponge to remove the excess water from the floor. Repeat this process with the same sponge before the next cleaning session.
- After 24 hours, apply the final coat of sealer. It will allow the floor to look its best. You can then use it for a shower.
- If you see a loose or missing part of the floor, do not hesitate to fix it. You may also need to apply a new coat of sealer to prevent the issue from spreading.
Do Pebble Shower Floors Need Sealing?
Yes! Pebble shower floors need sealing. One of the crucial factors that you should contemplate when it comes to keeping your bathroom floor looking its best is ensuring that it has a good sealing solution. You can do it by using a penetrating sealer. However, using cheap and low-quality products can lead to various problems in the future.
Conclusion
The pros of a pebble shower floor are affordability, beautiful visuals, slip-resistance, and comfortability. The cons, however, are tough to do by yourself, too much grout, high maintenance, and hard to clean regularly.
Before you buy a new pebble shower floor, it’s essential that you thoroughly study its pros and cons. Many things go into determining the correct type of flooring. However, experts suggest you choose the one you want the most.
