Bathroom Tile Selection Guide: Materials, Patterns & Ottawa Costs

# Bathroom Tile Selection Guide: Materials, Patterns & Ottawa Costs

*Last updated: December 2025 | Read time: 9 min*

Tile is the foundation of any beautiful bathroom. The right tile selection can transform an ordinary space into something special. This guide covers everything Ottawa homeowners need to know about choosing bathroom tile.

**Quick answer:** Porcelain tile offers the best durability for bathrooms ($10-25/sq ft installed). Ceramic is budget-friendly ($8-18/sq ft). Large format tiles are trending, but subway tile remains timeless.

## Table of Contents

1. [Tile Material Comparison](#materials)

2. [Floor vs Wall Tile](#floor-wall)

3. [Tile Sizes & Patterns](#patterns)

4. [Shower Tile Considerations](#shower)

5. [Costs & Budget](#costs)

6. [Grout Selection](#grout)

7. [Common Mistakes](#mistakes)

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## Tile Material Comparison {#materials}

### Ceramic Tile

The most common and affordable option.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Affordable | More porous than porcelain |

| Easy to cut | Can chip |

| Huge variety | Not ideal for showers |

| Good for walls | Less durable long-term |

**Cost:** $3-12/sq ft materials, $8-18/sq ft installed

**Best for:** Bathroom walls, budget renovations

### Porcelain Tile

Denser, harder, and more water-resistant than ceramic.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Very durable | More expensive |

| Low porosity (<0.5%) | Harder to cut |

| Great for showers | Heavier |

| Long-lasting | Some look "cold" |

**Cost:** $5-20/sq ft materials, $10-25/sq ft installed

**Best for:** Shower floors, bathroom floors, high-use areas

### Natural Stone

Marble, slate, travertine, and limestone.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Unique beauty | Requires sealing |

| Premium look | Can stain |

| Increases home value | Higher maintenance |

| Each piece unique | More expensive |

**Cost:** $10-50/sq ft materials, $20-50/sq ft installed

**Best for:** Feature walls, luxury bathrooms, accent areas

### Glass Tile

Adds sparkle and depth to any bathroom.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Reflects light beautifully | Shows water spots |

| Non-porous | Expensive |

| Modern look | Difficult installation |

| Easy to clean | Can chip |

**Cost:** $15-50/sq ft materials, $30-60/sq ft installed

**Best for:** Accent strips, niches, feature walls

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## Floor vs Wall Tile {#floor-wall}

### Floor Tile Requirements

Bathroom floors need:

- **Slip resistance:** Look for COF rating > 0.50

- **Water absorption:** Low porosity (porcelain preferred)

- **Durability:** Will handle foot traffic

**Recommended floor tiles:**

- Porcelain (matte or textured finish)

- Textured ceramic

- Small mosaic (more grout = more grip)

### Wall Tile Options

Walls are more forgiving:

- Any tile works (no slip concerns)

- Ceramic is perfectly fine

- Can use more delicate materials

- More design flexibility

### Can You Use the Same Tile on Floor and Walls?

**Yes, if:**

- It has adequate slip resistance

- It's rated for floor use

- You like the continuous look

**Consider:**

- Large format on walls, smaller on floor

- Same colour, different sizes

- Accent tile on one surface

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## Tile Sizes & Patterns {#patterns}

### Popular Tile Sizes

| Size | Best For | Notes |

|------|----------|-------|

| 12x24" | Floors, large walls | Most popular, modern look |

| 24x24" | Large bathrooms | Fewer grout lines |

| 4x12" | Subway style | Classic, versatile |

| 3x6" | Traditional subway | Timeless |

| Hexagon | Floors, accents | Trendy, retro |

| Penny round | Shower floors | Excellent grip |

| 2x2" mosaic | Shower floors | Good drainage |

### Layout Patterns

**Straight Stack (Grid)**

- Tiles aligned in rows/columns

- Modern, clean look

- Easiest to install

**Brick Pattern (Running Bond)**

- Each row offset by half

- Most popular for subway tile

- Hides slight size variations

**Herringbone**

- V-shaped pattern

- Very stylish, trending

- 25-50% more labour cost

- More cuts/waste

**Chevron**

- Similar to herringbone

- Tiles cut at angles

- Creates arrow pattern

**Diagonal**

- Standard tiles at 45 degrees

- Makes room feel larger

- More waste/cuts

### Large Format Tile Trend

Large tiles (24x24" and bigger) are popular because:

- Fewer grout lines = cleaner look

- Makes small bathrooms feel larger

- Modern aesthetic

- Easier cleaning

**Considerations:**

- Requires very flat substrate

- More difficult installation

- Harder to DIY

- Slight cost premium

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## Shower Tile Considerations {#shower}

### Shower Wall Tile

Any tile works, but consider:

- **Large format:** Fewer grout lines to maintain

- **Light colours:** Show less water spots

- **Smooth surfaces:** Easier to clean

### Shower Floor Tile

Critical for safety:

- **Must be slip-resistant:** Textured or small mosaic

- **Maximum 2x2" tiles:** For proper drainage slope

- **Porcelain preferred:** Water resistance

**Best shower floor options:**

- 2x2" unpolished porcelain mosaic

- Penny round tile

- Hexagon mosaic

- Textured small format

### Shower Niches

Built-in shelving for products:

- Line with matching or accent tile

- Consider glass or marble for pop

- Waterproofing critical behind niche

**Niche cost:** $200-500 installed

### Shower Curb

The edge where shower meets bathroom floor:

- Match floor or wall tile

- Bullnose or pencil edge tiles

- Consider curbless if accessibility needed

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## Costs & Budget {#costs}

### Material Costs by Type

| Material | Per Sq Ft |

|----------|-----------|

| Budget ceramic | $2-5 |

| Mid-range ceramic | $5-10 |

| Standard porcelain | $5-15 |

| Premium porcelain | $12-25 |

| Natural stone | $15-50 |

| Glass | $20-60 |

| Mosaic | $10-40 |

### Installation Costs (Ottawa)

| Area | Labour Cost |

|------|-------------|

| Bathroom floor (simple) | $8-12/sq ft |

| Bathroom floor (complex) | $12-18/sq ft |

| Shower walls | $10-15/sq ft |

| Shower floor (mosaic) | $15-25/sq ft |

| Herringbone pattern | Add 25-50% |

### Full Bathroom Tile Budget

| Bathroom Size | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |

|---------------|--------|-----------|---------|

| Powder room | $500-1,000 | $1,000-2,000 | $2,000-4,000 |

| Full bath | $1,500-3,000 | $3,000-6,000 | $6,000-12,000 |

| Master bath | $2,500-5,000 | $5,000-10,000 | $10,000-20,000 |

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## Grout Selection {#grout}

### Grout Types

| Type | Maintenance | Stain Resistance | Cost |

|------|-------------|------------------|------|

| Sanded cement | High | Poor | Low |

| Unsanded cement | High | Poor | Low |

| Epoxy | None | Excellent | High |

### Grout Colour Strategy

**Matching grout:**

- Seamless look

- Hides grout lines

- Forgiving if lines aren't perfect

**Contrasting grout:**

- Emphasizes tile pattern

- Shows every imperfection

- Makes cleaning obvious

### Our Recommendation: Epoxy Grout

For bathrooms, we almost always recommend epoxy grout:

- Never stains

- Never needs sealing

- Waterproof

- Harder to install (why we do it)

Cost premium: 15-25% more than cement grout

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## Common Mistakes to Avoid {#mistakes}

### Mistake 1: Polished Tile on Shower Floor

- Extremely slippery when wet

- Dangerous

- Use textured or matte only

### Mistake 2: Not Enough Tile

- Always order 10-15% extra

- Same dye lot may not be available later

- Cuts and mistakes happen

### Mistake 3: Ignoring Grout Lines

- Joint size affects final look dramatically

- 1/16" = sleek, modern (harder to install)

- 1/8" = standard, forgiving

- 1/4" = rustic, obvious

### Mistake 4: Cheap Tile in Shower

- Shower takes most abuse

- Low-quality tile fails first

- Worth investing here

### Mistake 5: Not Seeing Tile in Bathroom Lighting

- Tile looks different in showroom

- Bring samples home

- View in your actual lighting

### Mistake 6: Too Many Patterns

- One or two tile types maximum

- Too busy looks chaotic

- Coordinating is different than matching

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## Shopping Tips for Ottawa

### Where to Shop

- **Tile specialty stores:** Best selection, expert advice

- **Stone yards:** Natural stone slabs

- **Big box stores:** Budget options, limited selection

- **Online:** Good for research, risky for buying

### Before You Buy

1. Calculate square footage + 15% waste

2. Check all boxes are same dye lot

3. Inspect for chips/cracks

4. Confirm return policy

5. Get sample to view at home

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*Need help selecting tile for your bathroom? [Contact us](/contact) for expert guidance.*