You may be wondering how long does a ceramic or porcelain tiled shower last. Ideally, it should last around 60-80 years with yearly maintenance. You may need to reseal the tiles once a year and replace the grouting every ten years or more if you use the shower too frequently.
Grout mildew:
Despite the easy up-keep of tiled showers, over time mildew may start to grow on the grout that holds each tile together. Typical cleaning products are more than acceptable to use on tiled showers but once mildew starts to develop, the cleaning becomes a little more difficult.
Most professionals recommend updating your bathroom every 7-10 years, especially if you plan to make it a permanent family home. This may not always involve replacing the shower, but it's a good idea to assess whether the shower needs to be replaced after about 10-15 years.
Glazed ceramic tile is an ideal material for tub and shower walls. It's impervious to moisture, easy to clean and durable enough to withstand a lifetime of hot, sudsy soakings. Tile isn't maintenance-free, however. Every tiled wall is only as strong as the thin grout joints between the tiles.
Stained Tiles
Tile stains can be particularly stubborn. Stains can be caused by using low-quality cleaning products and years of use. When a bathroom tile gets stained, it is often easiest to have them replaced. This is due to the depth of the stain, and how difficult it is to remove.
The pigment of traditional grout can diminish easily during cleaning. Moisture and direct water contact contribute to grout deterioration over time, and eventually, the tiles will crack. This is why you should consider regrouting shower tiles every six months.
It costs about $25 per square foot to tile a shower, which includes the cost of the tiles, installation and other materials. In total, the average cost to tile a shower typically falls between $450 and $1,000.
If you are looking for a high-end finish, tiles are your best option. Not only do they come in a vast array of styles and designs, they also offer a water-tight and more durable surface that is easy to clean and relatively simple to replace when it becomes discolored over time.
This usually occurs between the floor and wall joints of the shower recess. Up to 90% of showers built onto a stud wall will eventually leak because a gap will occur between the tiled wall and the shower recess floor.
When Should You Regrout Your Tile? Grout doesn't last forever. You can expect a lifespan between eight and sixteen years. Its lifespan will vary depending on how you treat your shower.
Ceramic tile is one of the most durable materials you can choose for your shower. It will stand the test of time against daily wear and tear, and with the right grout and regular care, ceramic tile will be fairly low maintenance.
In the bathroom, Brits expect a shower to work for eight-and-a-half years, running twice a day – and assume a toilet will last for six-and-a-half years.
Depending on the type of materials used, mold growth can occur within the stone / tile itself. The photos below show heavy mold growth in travertine tile, which is very porous. Unless it is properly sealed, the moisture can penetrate the stone, creating conditions conducive to bathroom mold growth.
It's a common assumption among homeowners that tiles are waterproof and water can't pass through tiles and into the substrate once grout has set. Unfortunately, that's only partly true. While tiles themselves are largely water resistant, tiled areas are fairly porous thanks to the surrounding grout.
Acrylic panels
Acrylic is one of the most cost-effective materials for your bathroom. Cheaper and with fewer problems than tiling, it can give you the look and functionality you're after at a fraction of the cost. It is extremely durable, stain-resistant, and can resist scratching or chipping.
For high-traffic areas, like the main bathroom, you should consider sealing it every six months, while low-traffic areas like the guest bathroom can be resealed every two years. If you are using epoxy grout, it might not be necessary to reseal it as it is highly water-resistant.
You first have to install the membrane behind your shower tiles. This membrane will then catch any water that leaks through the grout. Since the water can't get through this membrane, it protects your walls and floor from any type of mould growth or water damage. This type of waterproofing can be very effective.
If the tiles have parted from the setting bed, they can break when someone applies pressure on the poorly supported tile. A tile can also crack if it is installed over two different substrate materials or an expansion joint. Tiles are strong only when they are cushioned in a bed of adhesive and surrounded by grout.
Modern showers can feature larger designs with more floor space. Therefore, if your shower pan has the size to accommodate large tiles and still manages to drain properly, you won't have any issues. The second reason why people typically use smaller tiles on shower floors is to provide more traction to the surface.
Porcelain tile is our number-1 choice for showers because of its diversity, durability, and water-resistance. Unlike some other tile materials, porcelain doesn't have any pores, which prevents the buildup of mildew and soap scum.
Shower tiles are both waterproof and washable, making them perfect for the walls of walk-in showers, showers with trays, and for the floors of wet rooms, too.
If your grout is visibly cracked or crumbling, it's likely going to be letting water behind your tiles. Even if your grout doesn't appear to be damaged, if it's not water-resistant it could potentially be the source of the leak.
Any tiling job needs to be properly sealed and bond with its base. If your existing bathroom tiles are well laid, there are no hollow gaps underneath or humidity issues, then it should be okay to lay the new bathroom tiles.
Cracked and broken shower tiles can be removed and replaced without having to redo the entire shower, so you won't need to spend thousands just to have a relaxing shower again.