Penny tile shower floor problems. Are you considering installing a beautiful penny tile shower floor but wondering if it’s the right fit for your home? Despite the classic and stylish look of a penny tile shower floor, you may need help with a few things. Don’t worry. In this blog post, we’re taking a comprehensive look at the potential pitfalls of building your dream penny tile shower floor. With our insider tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not it’s the right move for your bathroom:
Table of Contents
Penny Tile Shower Floor
Penny tile has recently become popular for showers due to its retro, vintage style and unique design. But before you decide to install a penny tile shower floor in your bathroom, it is important to understand some of the potential problems associated with this type of flooring.
- Due to their small size, penny tiles are easily scratched by heavy objects and can become discolored over time from pooling water and cleaning products.
- Also, improper installation can result in awkward-looking grout lines and an uneven pattern between the tiles.
To ensure your penny tile shower floor lasts for years to come, entrust the installation process to a professional who is equipped with the proper tools and knows how to lay out the tiles properly. Before beginning any installation process, ensure all surfaces are completely free of dust or dirt particles that could damage the tiles or prevent optimal adhesion. Be sure to use only high-quality adhesive products specifically designed for use on Penny Tile shower floors; this should prevent any potential grout or fixture issues later on down the line.
Pros: Durable, Easy to Clean
Penny tile shower floors can be extremely durable and easy to clean. Due to their size and shape, they can easily resist water and dirt, as well as you lathering up with soap when showering. Because the tiles are smaller than regular tiles, they are less prone to cracking and chipping, allowing them to stay in great condition for longer. In addition, the task of cleaning the grout lines is simple due to the penny tile floor’s large gaps allowing water or cleaners to reach all areas of the floor easily.
Cons: Costly, Grout Issues
Installation of penny tile can be both cost-prohibitive and labor-intensive, and these factors contribute to the expense. Not only are penny tiles more expensive than larger ones, but you also need to buy more to cover an area, as well as materials for grouting. Furthermore, penny tiles can have a thickness that does not feel stable underfoot when visitors step onto them.
Although it is possible that a quality grout between each individual tile may stop water from seeping into the surface below, grout can also be porous and prone to discoloration or cracking over time from natural erosion or cycles of hot and cold temperatures. It’s important to remember that if your grout begins to crack or wear away over time, water could be absorbed beneath it, significantly decreasing the longevity of your tiled shower floor.
Best Practices for Installation
Penny tile shower floors are a beautiful and timeless way to add a classic touch to your bathroom. Unfortunately, penny tile shower floors also come with a few potential problems when it comes to installation. Knowing the best practices for installing penny tile can help you achieve the look you desire without any surprises down the line.
Before starting your project, it is important to thoroughly clean the surface of your shower floor so that nothing prevents the tiles from adhering correctly. Next, use an adhesive specifically formulated for stone installation. This specially formulated adhesive will provide better adhesion and increased moisture resistance compared to general-purpose adhesives used in other projects. Be sure to follow package instructions closely when applying an adhesive spreader, as it is important that all areas are well covered with adhesive before adding penny tiles.
When cutting tiles for wall risers or curves, use adjustable manual nippers or heavy-duty electric wet saws designed for natural stone cutting for precision cuts and accurate measurement. Finally, use a grout spacer between each tile to ensure even spacing and prevent tiles from moving after installation is complete. Once all necessary materials have been purchased, follow up with a good sealer so that water cannot penetrate through your penny tile shower floor’s grout lines and damage it over time unless re-sealed regularly.
Tips for Maintaining Penny Tiles
Penny tile floors can be beautiful and add an attractive design element to any bathroom. However, it is important to know that these tiles can require extra maintenance in order to keep them looking their best. Here are some tips for properly maintaining penny tiles in your shower:
- Clean Regularly: Due to the small size of penny tiles, debris, and dust can easily become trapped within the recesses of the grout. Make sure to clean regularly using a mild detergent and warm water.
- Use Coating Sealants: Specialty coatings such as sealants or grout coatings can be applied periodically over your Penny Tiles in order to protect them from wear and tear due to exposure. This will ensure that the colors remain vibrant for longer periods of time and prevent staining from oils or other liquids.
- Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Always avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface of these delicate tiles, as well as harsh chemical cleaners, which could strip away any coating sealants you may have applied previously. Stick with mild detergents and warm water when cleaning Penny Tiles.
- Replace Cracked Tiles Immediately: Cracked or damaged tiles should be replaced quickly; if left unrepaired, they can cause surrounding tiles to eventually become loose, resulting in a larger issue requiring costly repairs down the line.
Following these tips will help ensure that your beautiful Penny Tile shower floor stays new for years to come!
Common Problems & Solutions
Penny tile shower floors can be a unique and stylish addition to your bathroom, but they can also cause some issues if they need to be properly maintained or installed. Common problems include discoloration, chipping, mold growth, and cracking. If these problems arise, there are some easy solutions that can help restore your tile to its former glory.
- Discoloration: Over time, penny tiles may become dull with a white film developed over them. To fix this issue, avoid using harsh chemical-based cleaners and instead clean the tiles with warm water and a mild soap mixture. Additionally, if limescale is the culprit behind the discoloration, adding some vinegar or lemon juice to the cleaning mixture can help remove it from the tile’s surface.
- Chipping: Penny tiles are sensitive to shock and wear, which can lead to chips on their surface. One solution is to make sure that you apply a sealant every couple of years to help protect it against wear and tear as well as keeps dirt from accumulating in its small ridges – always make sure you read any product instructions carefully before committing to using anything on your penny tiles!
- Mold Growth: Moisture and humidity levels in bathrooms cannot always be controlled, so it’s essential that you pay attention to what materials were used when your penny tile was installed – cementitious grout tends to cause mold formation far more easily than epoxy-based grouts do; adding in anti-mold during installation is also key for preventing future issues.
- Cracking: A common issue with penny-tiled surfaces is cracking due to low-quality grouts being used; mixing a thin set of equal parts water and mortar and then applying it evenly over each penny tile before grouting helps give a stronger base of support which keeps cracks away in the long run!
Penny Tile Installation Cost
Penny tile is a timeless, classic material used in showers and bathrooms but can come with a high installation cost. The reliability of the end result and the effect received often warrant the higher cost, though penny tile has some challenges that could make installation difficult.
The first challenge of penny tiles is their small size. Installing hundreds or thousands of small tiles requires hours upon hours of tedious labor, which is more time-consuming than larger tiles. This requires a higher level of skill from the installer, who must be able to complete intricate grouting around each individual tile as well as skillfully layout sections for a cohesive design pattern.
Due to their age, penny tiles can also often come in very limited sizes and shapes, adding to the difficulty of finding attractive patterns for a well-crafted design solution. Finally, since black tile tends to absorb heat more quickly than lighter colors like white or gray, your penny tiles on the shower floor may require additional grout steps that materials like subway or quarry grout might not require, which would add expense on top of installation costs.
These challenges can increase your total cost of installation significantly – up to 30-50% higher than installing larger tiles – so it’s important to be aware upfront of any additional cost associated with installing this classic option before you begin your project.
Is penny tile hard to install?
Many people choose to use penny tile when they are installing a new shower floor because it is attractive, offers superior water resistance, and comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes. While penny tiles offer all of these benefits, installation can be more difficult than other types of tile due to their small size.
Given the small size of penny tiles, it can be a challenging job to get them perfectly lined up. This can lead to visible grout lines that detract from the appearance of your shower floor. In addition, small inaccuracies when setting the tiles – such as including too much or too little waterproofing material beneath each tile – can cause issues with the effectiveness of your waterproofing system. Hiring an experienced tiler is recommended if you want your shower floor installation with penny tiles completed properly.
Another potential issue arises from attempting to install penny tile over existing surfaces that may need to be more suitable for tiling. Suppose you are considering using penny tiles for a renovation project that includes existing substrates such as wood or vinyl flooring. In that case, you will need to assess these prior surfaces’ structural integrity and soundness before starting your project. Consider whether any reinforcing measures are needed in order to ensure your new Penny Tile Shower Floor will be structurally sound over time.
How do you clean penny tiles on the bathroom floor?
The labor-intensive process of cleaning a penny tile shower floor can be daunting as the interior angles, and indented details of this tile can easily accumulate dirt. Cleaning the floor more regularly—at least once per week—will help reduce bacteria and mildew buildup in your shower. Utilize the following steps to safely and effectively clean your penny tile shower floors:
- Remove any visible debris from the shower floor, such as soap scum, hair, and dirt. To loosen stuck-on debris, you can use a vacuum attachment or a stiff-bristled brush to help remove it from tight spaces.
- In addition to sweeping away grime, be sure that you’re regularly washing down walls with mild detergent when cleaning, as this will help prevent future buildup on your tiles.
- Prepare a solution of warm water mixed with ½ cup baking soda or vinegar (for neutralizing odors) and a few drops of dish soap in a bucket – stir until it turns into a paste-like consistency.
- Start by using a soft sponge to apply the mixture onto each individual penny tile while avoiding grout lines, then scrub slowly in circular motions giving special attention to stained or otherwise soiled areas until they are thoroughly cleaned off with the solution before rinsing with cold water for an extra shine finish and drying off completely with soft cloths/towels afterward for best effect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, penny tile shower floors can be a beautiful addition to any bathroom. However, before installing a penny tile shower floor, it is important to consider its potential risks and drawbacks. Penny tiles must be sealed properly in order for the grout lines to remain waterproof, and the tile itself may require regular maintenance depending on the type of grout used. Additionally, penny tiles are slippery when wet and may not be as comfortable underfoot as other materials, such as pebble tiles.
Finally, since all floor installations are slightly different regarding materials and preparation involved, it is highly recommended that a professional be consulted before installing a penny tile shower floor. With proper care and maintenance, this type of floor can be an attractive addition to your home that will last for years.