Shower

In the shower, insulation and slope first

The shower is where the layers beneath the covering are tested the most. A shower laid without waterproofing will develop moisture problems underneath over time, whatever the covering. The floor must slope toward the drain, and the joints must be reinforced with tape. The choice of covering makes sense only after these two jobs are done.

Why mosaic on the floor

A shower floor is not flat; it has a slight slope toward the drain. A large tile cannot adapt to this slope, and its edges are left raised. Small-piece mosaic sheets stay flexible on the mesh and follow the slope. In addition, the many grout lines between the pieces significantly increase grip on a wet floor.

Surface choice

• Shower floor: Matte, honed or textured small mosaic. Do not use glossy surfaces on the floor.
• Shower wall: Glossy, polished and honed surfaces can all be used. Light-reflecting surfaces make a narrow shower enclosure look spacious.
• Inside the niche: Using the same mosaic in the niche makes the shower look unified; do not forget to give the bottom surface of the niche a slight slope.

Grout and silicone

Use waterproof, mold-resistant grout in the shower. Seal the corners where the wall meets the floor and where two walls meet with flexible silicone rather than grout; these joints move with the structure and rigid grout cracks there. If you are using natural stone, apply sealer before grouting.

Sales unit and calculation

Outside the enclosure and the threshold

The line where the shower area ends is the most common point where water escapes. Leaving a threshold or a slight level difference at the enclosure boundary keeps the water inside. Choosing a single-piece threshold stone reduces the risk of leaks because it reduces the number of joints. Use silicone instead of grout along the line where the enclosure door sits.

Tiles are priced per square meter and sold in boxes; mosaic sheets, borders and accessories are priced per piece. Enter the square meters you need in the calculator on the product page; it finds how many boxes you need and adds the waste allowance. The allowance we recommend is between 10 and 15 percent.