Pebble Shower Floor Pros and Cons You Should Know!
Do you know the pebble shower floor pros and cons? For decades Sandstone tiles have been the standard for practical flooring for bathrooms. They are available in an infinite assortment of colors, cost a lot and easy to maintain.
However, like any interior style trend, they’ve been slowly fading out of style.
The most recent trends for flooring tiles for 2021 include:
- Large-format tiles;
- Lines of grout that are minimal for a uniform appearance of the floor
- Wood-like riles;
- Unique tile shapes, such as hexagons;
- Floors made of marble and travertine;
- Plastic tiles that look like natural materials.
Another popular option for the most unique shower flooring is pebble. The natural stone is robust and attractive to those who love nature.
This will help you determine if this is the right choice for your bathroom or not.
Read More : How to Identify the Correct Shower Faucet and Cartridge Type
Pebble Shower Floor Benefits
Before we look into the advantages of pebble for your shower flooring let’s take a look at what the material can do.
Pebble is a smooth, small round stone that is found at beaches, and even in the rivers. This is the natural stone that is easily available in large quantities and can last for years.
Apart from being environmentally friendly by utilizing the materials that Mother Nature provides, there are numerous benefits of this material for construction:
- Gorgeous finish
Pebble stone provides a natural design for your bathroom with a style that resembles that of the natural water. If you’re looking for the natural look of your house and prefer simple, pebble is the best option.
- Easy to do
Are you a DIY type of person? That means the pebbles in your shower won’t be a major issue for you. If you pick the pebble by yourself at a riverbank, then you’ll need time to collect the entire amount. The next step, fixing the pebbles onto the floor, will require patience but isn’t too difficult.
- Affordable
Other supplies that are essential, aside from the pebbles is grout sealer, grout and other tools for work. There is no need to buy costly and heavy tools like tile cutters. Therefore, fixing flooring will remain minimal.
- Non-slippery
Flooring and water aren’t the best combination. But, certain types of flooring are more safe than other types. A pebble flooring will give the safety of your feet and will prevent injuries. This is especially important for older people and children.
- The therapeutic effect
Pebbles that you walk on are an extremely beneficial exercise. It’s like a massage to stimulates different reflexogenic points in your soles. It’s not necessary to take a trip to get that massage and you can have an enjoyable foot massage each whenever you shower.
Are pebble shower floors comfortable? It is dependent on the level of sensitivity that your feet have. If you love walking around in the open air then you’ll appreciate this kind of flooring.
- Durable
Pebble floors won’t wear down and scratch very easily. This kind of flooring is unlikely to need been replaced. Only minor repairs , like applying sealant might be required every couple of years.
Pebble shower floor disadvantages
Do not be overly excited. Before beginning the installation of the pebble shower floor You must consider the disadvantages related to this kind of flooring:
- Very high maintenance
Cleaning the shower floor with pebbles isn’t as easy or quick as cleaning a tiled floor. You must wash the floor with water after each shower to ensure it’s durable. The force of rubbing on the floor could cause the grout to break off, and may require regular repairs.
- It requires expert knowledge to achieve an ideal finish
If you fail to complete your pebble flooring perfectly, you might have water leaking through it. Over time the floor beneath is likely to rot or even erode. Additionally standing water can be a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
- Could cause foot pain
If you’re not vigilant enough to stay clear of sharp stones on your floor the feet of your feet could be injured. It is possible that you will need to wear shoes during showering to prevent discomfort. For those who are particularly sensitive choose an easy pebble shower floor.
- Problems with water retention
Since the floor is uneven, water could get stuck between pebbles. Dirt could build up and mold may also grow. If you decide to build your own pebble flooring, you must be cautious about the angle of the floor as well as the arrangement of the stones.
- Not compatible with hard water
Does it matter if reside in an area that has hard water? Do pebbles in the shower make it difficult to remove?
Yes and yes. Hard water leaves an emulsion of chalk on the floor of your pebbles when you don’t wash it frequently. This brings our attention back to the need to dry your floor after showers which isn’t exactly a pleasurable experience.
How do you install pebble shower floors?
When you consider the advantages and disadvantages considering the pros and cons, a pebble shower flooring isn’t a big deal to set up but it does require some attention. The process will take more time than the installation of a tile floor. It will require the steps below:
- Analyzing the floor underneath
The flooring on which you put the pebbles in should be waterproof, thick and has a higher slope than other flooring. These elements are essential in order to prevent water from getting underneath the pebbles.
- Making the flooring
Clean the floor thoroughly and dry it. It is recommended to create small scratches on the floor so that the floor will stick on the floor’s foundation.
- Applying Thinset
Thinset adhesive is created by mixing cement, water along with fine sand. The mixture will keep your pebbles firmly attached on the base.
- The pebbles can be applied
Start at the end of the longest distance away from the shower’s door or entry. The pebbles must connect so that they make them appear natural. It is possible to practice the placement of pebbles prior to making a final decision about how to fix them.
- The filling of the gaps between pebbles
Make use of small pebbles (optional) as well as Thinset. allow the floor to dry for up to 24 hours.
- Application of the first coat sealer
The sealer must be applied to the entire floor including the pebbles as well as the Thinset. The sealer layer keeps the pebbles and grout from absorbing the color of grout.
- Grouting application
Mix the grout with water until you get an almost thick mix. Spread the grout evenly over the floor. In 20 minutes scrub off any grout residue with a damp cloth. The cloth should be cleaned several times to prevent reapplying clean grout on the floor. Allow it to rest for up to 24 hours.
- Application of sealers
Apply the sealer’s final coat to the pebble floor , and allow it to dry for 24 hours.
Also, you will need to seal the floor at least every six months.
End Line
The concept of building pebbles for shower floors could be very appealing. Many people are enthusiastic about making their own floors. You can already imagine the pleasure of making a floor using your own hands and people admire it.
We did feel that this floor type has more negatives than it has pros. It’s not expensive and simple to build however, the drawbacks are quite overwhelming. Some of the cons are constant maintenance, frequent repairs and the requirement to dry it out after each use. Additionally, pebbles might not be the most appealing option when the rest of the bathroom is decorated in an entirely different design.
There are some instances when the pebble flooring is a great idea. For instance, at your holiday home. or in your guest house. The type of flooring is perfect for areas where the shower isn’t being frequented. Install it if you live in a dry climate in which water evaporates easily off the bathroom’s surfaces. Pebble floors are not ideal for all living spaces.
Do you like the concept of a floor made of pebbles?
However you must consider that you’ve had to decide if the pebble shower floor pros and cons have led you to search for an alternative. One option is through Pebble Tiles. They resemble pebbles but without the disadvantages of pebbles. They are laid as any other tile, and offer the benefits and functionality of traditional tiles.
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