Penny Tile
Does anyone have any experience with using penny tile in the bathtub/shower areas? Would the grout attract mold in the long run? We are embarking on a gut reno soon and like to use this and other small tiles for all the bathrooms.
Does anyone have any experience with using penny tile in the bathtub/shower areas? Would the grout attract mold in the long run?
We are embarking on a gut reno soon and like to use this and other small tiles for all the bathrooms.
Mold needs air water and food to live. Grout is porous, so water will soak in no matter what you do. The key to preventing mold is to stop water penetration after it hits the grout, but before it your substrate becomes a soggy sponge. Also it helps to vent moisture vapor coming from behind your tile surfaces. I use waterproof membranes under tile in all my wet-area installations. There is never any mold, because any wood or paper-covered sheet rock stays dry.
Contact me in the Brownstoner directory under Tile.
Keep a squeejee in the shower to wipe down the walls after each shower, or use a towel to do it. I used to hate it that my mother made us do that but it really does help slow or stop mildew growth in the grout.
our tilesetter is a family member who came in from out of state to visit and tile our bathroom. that won’t help OP much.
mastic is only for backsplashes and places that wont get too wet.
We have small 1×2 glass tiles on our enclosed steam shower interior and, on the floor, that irregular pebble-looking glass tile……..when things are starting to get mildewy we just clean it by spritzing on a household cleaner with bleach, using a long-handled brush (available at Bed Bath and Beyond etc…) to get it between the glass and into the grout, let it sit a bit and then rinse it off. So far, so good.
A tip I picked up: Pool tiles are cheaper than bathroom tile, for whatever reason, if you’re going for a blue or white color!
Thanks very much and yes, would love any tilesetter’s contact info.
Hey pmmtenement…..maybe you could give the OP your tilesetter’s contact info…and some pics of your bathroom?
We have penny rounds on the floor of our bathroom and walk in shower and I LOVE them. Like a mini – foot massage when you walk on them. We have no more trouble washing them or the grout than on the oversized subway tiles on the walls.
I would second what Melissa said about them being tricky to set and needing to make sure you get a very skilled tilesetter. Because they are so small and not on an “obvious” grid it is tough to keep from setting them a little “wonky”.
If you want a traditional small tile look but don’t want to take the risk with your tilesetter you might want to consider 1 inch hexes instead.