How to Choose Tile for Your Bathroom Remodel

Why Tile Selection Matters More Than You Think

Tile covers more surface area than any other material in your bathroom. It lines the floors, wraps the shower, climbs the walls, and sets the visual tone for the entire room. The wrong tile choice leads to cracked grout, persistent moisture problems, slippery surfaces, or a look that feels dated within a few years.

In the Bay Area, where bathroom remodels cost $30,000 to $120,000, the tile you select directly affects both daily livability and long-term resale value. Buyers in the $1.5M to $4M range expect quality materials that perform in wet environments. This guide compares the five most common bathroom tile materials so you can choose with confidence for every surface in your remodel.

Bathroom Tile Materials Comparison Table

Material	Cost/sqft (Material)	Durability	Water Resistance	Maintenance	Best For
Porcelain	$6 - $15	Excellent	Excellent (<0.5% absorption)	None (no sealing)	Floors, showers, all wet areas
Ceramic	$2 - $8	Good	Good (glazed surface)	Minimal	Walls, backsplashes, low-splash floors
Natural Stone	$10 - $50	Very Good	Moderate (porous, needs sealing)	Seal every 6-12 months	Luxury accents, statement walls, vanity surrounds
Glass	$12 - $35	Moderate	Excellent (non-porous)	Minimal (shows water spots)	Accent walls, backsplashes, decorative borders
Cement	$7 - $12	Good	Low (porous, needs sealing)	Seal every 2-3 years	Decorative floors, accent patterns, powder rooms

All prices reflect material costs only. Bay Area professional installation adds $8 to $15 per square foot, running above the national average due to higher labor rates and material transport costs.

Porcelain Tile: The Top All-Around Choice

Porcelain is the most versatile and reliable tile material for bathroom remodels in 2026. Made from dense, refined clay fired at temperatures exceeding 2,200F, porcelain achieves a water absorption rate below 0.5%. That number matters. It means porcelain is classified as “impervious” to water, making it safe for every surface in your bathroom, including shower floors, steam showers, and areas with standing water.

Why Porcelain Leads in 2026

Several characteristics make porcelain the preferred choice for Bay Area bathroom remodels.

Through-body color. Unlike ceramic, which has color only on the glazed surface, porcelain is pigmented throughout the full thickness of the tile. If it chips (which is rare given its hardness), the color beneath matches the surface. This is especially important on floors and shower curbs where edges take impact.

Design versatility. Modern porcelain manufacturing replicates the look of marble, travertine, slate, wood, and concrete with remarkable accuracy. You can achieve the visual warmth of natural stone with none of the maintenance.

Large-format options. Porcelain slabs up to 60 x 120 inches cover expansive surfaces with minimal grout lines. This “tile drenching” approach, where the same porcelain wraps floors, walls, and shower enclosures in a continuous visual flow, is one of the strongest tile trends of 2026.

Where to Use It

Porcelain works everywhere in the bathroom: floors, shower walls, shower floors, tub surrounds, accent walls, and even countertop surfaces. For shower floors, choose small-format porcelain mosaic tiles (2x2 or 1x1 inch) that provide additional grout lines for traction.

Bay Area installed pricing: $14 to $30 per square foot (material plus labor). Premium large-format porcelain runs $25 to $45 per square foot installed.

Ceramic Tile: The Budget-Friendly Performer

Ceramic tile is made from the same base material as porcelain (natural clay) but is fired at lower temperatures, resulting in a less dense and slightly more porous body. The surface glaze makes ceramic tile water-resistant, functional, and available in an enormous range of colors, patterns, and textures.

Where Ceramic Excels

Ceramic is an excellent choice for bathroom walls, vanity backsplashes, and tub surrounds where the tile is not subject to standing water or heavy foot traffic. The glazed surface repels water effectively, and ceramic’s lighter weight makes it easier to install on vertical surfaces.

In 2026, handmade-effect ceramic tiles are trending strongly. Zellige tiles from Morocco, with their soft, uneven glazes and visible imperfections, bring artisan warmth to bathroom walls and shower niches. Three-dimensional ceramic tiles with ridged, wave, or sculptural textures add depth and visual interest to feature walls.

Limitations

Ceramic has a higher water absorption rate than porcelain (typically 3% to 7%), which means the unglazed body absorbs moisture if water gets behind the glaze through cracks or poorly sealed grout. The surface color layer can chip to reveal the clay body beneath. On floors, ceramic wears faster than porcelain under daily foot traffic.

For these reasons, ceramic is best suited to walls and dry areas. Use porcelain for shower floors and high-traffic bathroom floors.

Bay Area installed pricing: $10 to $20 per square foot (material plus labor). Artisan zellige and handmade ceramics run $15 to $35 per square foot installed.

Natural Stone: Luxury With Responsibilities

Natural stone, including marble, travertine, slate, limestone, and granite, brings a depth of character that manufactured tiles cannot replicate. Every piece is unique. The veining in Calacatta marble, the warm pits in travertine, the layered texture of slate: these are qualities formed over millions of years, and they give bathrooms a sense of permanence and luxury.

The Reality of Stone in Wet Environments

Natural stone is porous. This is the single most important factor to understand before choosing it for a bathroom. All natural stone absorbs moisture to varying degrees.

• Marble and limestone are the most porous. They require sealing before installation, again after grouting, and then every 6 to 12 months throughout their life. Acidic products (many bathroom cleaners, even some shampoos) can etch the polished surface.
• Travertine has natural pits and voids that trap water if not properly filled and sealed. It requires the same sealing schedule as marble.
• Slate is denser and less absorbent, making it the most practical natural stone for bathroom floors. It still needs sealing every 1 to 2 years.
• Granite is the densest common natural stone and handles moisture better than marble or travertine, though it still requires periodic sealing.

When Natural Stone Makes Sense

Natural stone is ideal for homeowners who want a truly unique, high-end bathroom and are willing to invest in ongoing maintenance. A Calacatta marble shower surround or a travertine accent wall creates a visual impact that no porcelain replica fully matches, despite how close modern manufacturing has come.

In the Bay Area real estate market, natural stone surfaces in the primary bathroom contribute to perceived home value. Buyers associate marble and natural stone with luxury construction.

Practical Tips for Stone in Bathrooms

• Always apply a penetrating (impregnating) sealer, not a topical sealer, to bathroom stone.
• Use a squeegee after every shower to minimize water sitting on stone surfaces.
• Clean with pH-neutral stone cleaner only. Avoid vinegar, citrus-based products, and bleach.
• Choose honed (matte) finishes over polished for shower floors, as honed stone provides better traction when wet.

Bay Area installed pricing: $20 to $65 per square foot (material plus labor). Premium marble installations run $40 to $85 per square foot installed.

Glass Tile: Luminous Accents and Design Statements

Glass tile is non-porous, stain-resistant, and reflective. It catches light in a way no other tile material can, making even small bathrooms feel brighter and more spacious. Available in every color imaginable, glass tile is most commonly used for accent strips, shower niches, backsplashes, and decorative border bands.

Strengths

Glass tile has zero water absorption. Moisture cannot penetrate the material itself, making it inherently mold-resistant and easy to clean. The translucent quality of glass adds visual depth, especially when installed over a white thinset that lets light pass through and bounce back.

In 2026, glass mosaic tiles in soft blues, greens, and warm neutrals are popular choices for shower niches and accent borders. Recycled glass tiles appeal to Bay Area homeowners who prioritize sustainability.

Limitations

Glass tile is more fragile than porcelain or ceramic. It scratches more easily and can crack under impact. Installation requires specialized techniques: the adhesive must be perfectly smooth because imperfections telegraph through the translucent surface. Labor costs run higher as a result.

Glass tile also shows water spots and soap film more readily than matte-finished tiles, which means more frequent cleaning in shower areas.

For these reasons, glass tile works best as an accent material rather than a primary surface. Use it in niches, borders, and feature strips while relying on porcelain or stone for the larger surfaces.

Bay Area installed pricing: $25 to $55 per square foot (material plus labor). Handcrafted and recycled glass runs $40 to $80 per square foot installed.

Cement Tile: Bold Patterns With a Caveat

Cement tiles (also called encaustic tiles) are handmade from a mixture of Portland cement, marble dust, and mineral pigments. They are not fired like ceramic or porcelain; instead, they are hydraulically pressed and cured. The result is a tile with rich, matte coloring and intricate geometric or floral patterns that bring artisan character to a bathroom.

Why Homeowners Love Cement Tile

Cement tile creates showstopping floors and feature walls. The patterns range from Moroccan-inspired geometrics to minimalist two-tone designs. Each tile is handmade, which gives the surface subtle variation and craftsmanship that mass-produced tile cannot match. Cement tiles are also extremely strong and durable when properly maintained.

The Moisture Challenge

Here is the caveat. Cement tiles are porous. Without proper sealing, they absorb water, which leads to staining and potential damage in a bathroom setting. You must apply a penetrating sealer before installation, seal again after grouting, and reseal every 2 to 3 years. Cleaning requires pH-neutral products only.

In heavy-splash areas like shower floors and direct spray zones, cement tile is not the best choice. It works well for bathroom floors outside the shower, powder room floors, and accent walls that do not receive constant water exposure.

Best Applications for Cement Tile in Bathrooms

• Powder room floors. Low moisture exposure plus high visual impact make powder rooms the ideal location for cement tile.
• Primary bathroom floors (outside the shower). With proper sealing and a bath mat at the shower exit, cement tile performs well.
• Accent walls. A statement wall behind the vanity or bathtub showcases the patterns without constant water contact.
• Avoid: shower floors, shower walls in direct spray zones, and steam shower enclosures.

Bay Area installed pricing: $18 to $30 per square foot (material plus labor). Premium handmade patterns run $25 to $40 per square foot installed.

How to Choose the Right Tile for Each Bathroom Surface

Different surfaces in your bathroom face different conditions. Matching the right tile to each surface ensures longevity and performance.

Shower Floors

Choose porcelain mosaic tile (2x2 or 1x1 inch). Small tiles create more grout lines, which improve traction on wet surfaces. Select a tile with a DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) rating of 0.42 or higher for slip resistance. Avoid large-format tiles and polished finishes on shower floors.

Shower Walls

Porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone all work well on shower walls. Large-format porcelain minimizes grout lines and reduces maintenance. If using natural stone, ensure proper waterproofing membrane beneath the tile and commit to the sealing schedule.

Bathroom Floors

Porcelain is the strongest choice for bathroom floors. For a warmer, more decorative look, cement tile or honed natural stone also works with proper sealing. Choose matte or textured finishes over polished for better traction when the floor gets wet.

Accent Walls and Niches

This is where you can get creative. Glass mosaic, handmade zellige, cement tile, or natural stone in a contrasting color or pattern adds personality without the maintenance concerns of using these materials across large wet surfaces.

Vanity Backsplash

Low splash exposure makes this surface ideal for any tile material. Use it as an opportunity to introduce a secondary material or pattern that complements the larger tile surfaces.

2026 Tile Trends to Consider

Several trends are shaping bathroom tile choices this year across Bay Area remodels.

Tile drenching. Using the same large-format porcelain across floors, walls, and shower enclosures creates a continuous, spa-like flow with fewer grout lines. This approach makes bathrooms feel larger and more cohesive.

Warm, earthy palettes. Soft beige, taupe, clay, muted terracotta, and gentle greens are replacing cool grays and stark whites. These tones create calming, nature-inspired bathrooms that feel like personal retreats.

Handmade textures. Zellige tiles, 3D sculptural ceramics, and tiles with visible glaze variation bring artisan warmth and imperfection. The trend moves away from uniform, factory-perfect surfaces toward tiles that tell a story.

Contrasting grout. Rather than matching grout to tile color, designers are using contrasting grout to highlight tile patterns. A white subway tile with dark charcoal grout, or a terracotta tile with cream grout, transforms a basic installation into an intentional design statement.

Matte and honed finishes. Polished and high-gloss tiles are giving way to matte, honed, and brushed finishes that show fewer water spots, offer better slip resistance, and create a more relaxed aesthetic.

How Custom Home Approaches Tile Selection

At Custom Home, tile selection is part of our Phase 1 design process. Before any demolition begins, you see every tile choice in the context of your full bathroom design, including vanity, fixtures, lighting, and paint colors.

Our process includes:

• Material comparison sessions where you handle actual tile samples and see them together with your other selected finishes
• Cost transparency with itemized pricing for each tile surface so you understand exactly how material choices affect your total project budget
• Performance guidance to match the right tile to each surface based on water exposure, foot traffic, and maintenance preferences
• 3D design visualization so you can see how your tile selections work together across floors, walls, and shower areas before committing

The tile cost you approve during design is the cost you pay at installation. No surprises, no change orders.

Ready to Choose Your Bathroom Tile?

The right tile transforms your bathroom from ordinary to exceptional. Whether you are drawn to the zero-maintenance reliability of porcelain, the natural beauty of marble, or the artisan patterns of cement tile, the materials you select will define your bathroom experience for the next 15 to 25 years.

Contact Custom Home Design and Build to schedule a consultation. Our design team will walk you through the options, show you real samples, and give you a clear, locked-in cost picture before construction begins.