Pebble Shower Floor Pros and Cons You Should Know!
Are you aware of pebble shower floor pros and cons? For a long time the use of sandstone tiles has been the standard for practical flooring for bathrooms. They are available in an infinite variety of colors, are cost-effective and simple to maintain.
However, like any interior design trend, they’ve gradually faded out of style.
The most recent trends for floor tiles for 2021 are:
- Large-format tiles;
- Lines of grout that are minimal for an even design of the floor
- Wood-like riles;
- Unique tile shapes like hexagons;
- Floors made of marble and travertine;
- Plastic tiles that look like natural materials.
Another popular option for an exclusive shower floor is pebble. The natural stone is durable and appealing to those who love nature.
This will allow you to determine if this is the right choice for your bathroom or not.
Pebble Shower Floor Benefits
Before we look into the advantages of pebbles for your shower flooring Let’s look at what it is.
Pebble is a smooth, small round stone that is found along beaches as well as in river. This is the natural substance which is easily found in large quantities, and will last for a long time.
Apart from being environmentally friendly through the use of the resources 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 an actual river. If you’re keen on an organic feel to your house and prefer the simplicity of pebble, it could be 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 on your own at a riverbank, then you’ll need time to collect every single one. The next step, putting the pebbles onto the floor, will require patience, but it isn’t difficult.
- Affordable
Other essential supplies, aside from the pebbles is grout sealer, grout, and a few other tools for work. It is not necessary to purchase expensive and heavy equipment like tile cutters. This means that fixing floors will stay minimal.
- Non-slippery
Flooring and water aren’t the best combination. However, certain kinds of flooring are more secure than other types. A pebble flooring will give the safety of your feet and will prevent injuries. This is especially important for elderly and children.
- The therapeutic effect
Walking on pebbles without shoes is an extremely beneficial exercise. It’s a kind of massage that stimulates various reflexogenic points in the feet’s soles. You don’t need to take a trip to get that massage You can get an enjoyable foot massage each whenever you shower.
Are pebble shower floors comfortable? It’s all about the level of sensitivity that your feet have. If you like walking in the open air then you’ll appreciate this kind of flooring.
- Durable
Pebble floors won’t wear down as easily or get scratched. This kind of flooring is unlikely to need replacement. Only small repairs like reapplying sealant might be required every couple of years.
Pebble shower floor disadvantages
Do not be overly excited. Before beginning the installation of pebbles for your shower floor it is important to know 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 after each shower to ensure it’s durable. The force of rubbing on the floor may 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 in a perfect manner, then you might encounter water seeping through. As time passes the floor is likely to rot or even erode. Additionally standing water can be a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
- Might cause injury to your feet
If you’re not vigilant enough to stay clear of sharp stones on your floor Your feet may hurt. It’s possible to wear a pair of shoes during showering to prevent discomfort. In the event that your feet tend to be a little sensitive prefer the shower floor with a flat pebble.
- Problems with water retention
Since the floor is uneven, water may get stuck between the individual pebbles. The dirt can build up there and mold could also form. If you design your own pebble flooring, you need to be extremely cautious about the angle of the floor as well as the arrangement of the stones.
- Not recommended for hard water
Is it important if I reside in an area that has hard water? Do pebbles in the shower make it difficult to clean?
The answer is yes. Hard water leaves an emulsion of chalk on your floor when you don’t wash it often. This brings you back to your requirement to dry your floor after showers and it’s not exactly a pleasant experience.
How do I install pebble shower floors?
If you take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of a pebble shower floor, it isn’t difficult to put in however, it requires some attention. The process will take slightly longer than installing tiles and will require the steps below:
- Examining the floor beneath
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.
- The floor is being prepared
Clean the floor and then dry it completely. It is recommended to create small scratches on the floor so that the floor is able to stick on the floor’s foundation.
- Applying Thinset
Thinset can be described as an adhesive that is made by mixing cement, water along with fine sand. This mix will hold your pebbles that are attached onto the concrete foundation.
- The pebbles can be applied
Begin from the farthest edge away from the shower door or the entrance. The pebbles must connect so that they make them appear natural. You can test the placement of pebbles prior to taking them apart.
- The filling of the gaps between pebbles
Utilize 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 that includes both the pebbles and the Thinset. The sealer layer keeps pebbles from absorption by the color of grout.
- Grouting application
Mix the grout with water until you have an even-smooth mixture. Spread the grout evenly over the floor. Within 20 mins, scrub off any grout residue with an aqueous cloth. The cloth should be cleaned several times so that you don’t have to apply the grout again on the floor. Allow it to rest for at least 24 hours.
- Sealer application
Apply the last coat of sealer on the floor of the pebbles and allow it to dry for 24 hours.
Also, you will need to clean the floor every six months.
End Line
The concept of building pebble shower floors is very appealing. Many people are enthusiastic about the idea of making it their own. Imagine the joy of making a flooring with your own hands and your friends awestruck by it.
But, we felt that this floor type has more disadvantages than it has pros. It’s cheap 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 off after every use. Additionally, pebbles might not be a great selection when the rest the bathroom has an entirely different design.
There are some instances when the pebble flooring is a great idea. For instance, at your holiday home. Perhaps at the guest house you host. This kind of flooring is perfect for areas where the shower isn’t being often used. Install it if you live in a dry area, where water evaporates quickly from the surfaces of your bathroom. A pebble flooring isn’t ideal for all living spaces.
Do you really like the idea of a floor made of pebbles?
But it was 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 tile. They mimic pebbles, but do not have the disadvantages of pebbles. They can be installed as any other tile and have the advantages and benefits of traditional tiles.
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