Pebble shower floors are quickly becoming more and more popular. The reason that they are becoming so widespread is that they are so easy to install and maintain. It is an excellent alternative to the traditional shower floor.
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Pebble tiles give your bathroom a stylish and classic look. They are available in many colors and sizes and can be installed in about a day. Pebble shower floors are an attractive option for those looking for a quick and functional update to their baths that doesn’t require the installation of new walls or flooring.
Pros and Cons of Pebble Shower Floor
But with all the new designs and materials coming out every year, how can you determine whether a stone shower floor is right for you? Consider the pros and cons of installing a pebble shower floor.
Key Advantages – The Good Things About Pebble Shower Floors
You’d think that with the abundance of tile and other patterned floors, river rock shower floors would go out of style. However, many people like the fact that these floors are so different from the norm and that they’re a great way to add a bit of interest to the room.
A pebble shower floor needs no bathroom modification, and it’s not hard to change the bottom if you like. After all, the pebble is just a standard rock.
Easy to Maintain: You don’t have to seal or grout pebble the shower floor. This makes it easier and less costly to maintain.
Easy to clean — Pebble shower floors are easy to clean because they do not collect dirt and grime. This can make shower maintenance less of a chore. If you are particularly messy and your shower floor has difficulty staying clean, installing a stone shower floor could be a great idea.
Significant Savings – The cost of a pebble shower floor is much less than the tile price. You can install these floors for much less than the cost of tile or other kinds of stone. So if you are on a tight budget, this would be a good choice for you.
Water-Resistant – Because these floors are made of tiny, smooth stones, they help create a barrier between your feet and water. This means they can resist water, mold, and mildew.
It is attractive.
It’s Eco Friendly. The raw materials to make a pebble shower floor are rocks, sand, and cement. These things come from the earth and are therefore considered eco-friendly.
It’s Mess-Free. No mixing of chemicals is required to make a pebble shower floor.
Pebble Tile Shower Floor Problems & Major Disadvantages
Even though the pebblestone shower floor is considered one of the most popular types among homeowners, it has its share of issues.
The most common problem that homeowners complain about is the uneven surface. This happens when the pebbles get loose and can move and settle within the grout lines.
To prevent this from happening, you have to make sure that the setting of the pebble tiles is solid, and the grout lines are tight.
Most of the pebble tile shower floor difficulties are caused by the water. High water pressure can damage the pebble stone floor. In addition, the pebble stone is made of resin and quartz, which can be cracked and broken when exposed to water pressure. However, water is not the only enemy of the pebble tile shower floor.
Some homeowners have complained that the river rock floors are not as easy to clean as they think. The pebble stone slabs do not have a uniform shape, so using a mop on them is not convenient. You will have to use a scrub brush and some elbow grease to clean these kinds of flooring.
Aside from the issues listed on this page, you may also have problems with the floor because of the thickness of the pebble stone. Some owners have complained that the pebble tiles are generally too thin. As a result, you may experience loose pebbles. To avoid this issue, you may use adhesive to stick the stones together.
Another concern with pebble tile showers is that they tend to get slippery. You need to ensure that the shower floor is entirely free of any dirt, greasy residue, soap, or shampoo that may leave the floor slippery when walking on it. Every so often this flooring can be slippery when it’s wet and moist. Pebble tiles are not slip-resistant.
Pebble tiles are known to have a high water absorption ability. Therefore, the material has high water absorption, so you must consider this when installing it in your bathrooms or kitchens. In addition, you must keep in mind that your floors will be constantly exposed to water, and you must take numerous preventive measures to preclude any possible damage to your home.
These issues are not too prominent and might be experienced only by a few people. However, it is still better to know about these minor problems before setting up the stone shower floor.
Installing Pebble Shower Floor
To ensure the installation of your pebble floors is both easy and successful, you’ll need to plan and prepare thoroughly.
First, you should be prepared to do some digging around your property. Depending on how old your home is and how permanent your flooring is, you may have to replace some original flooring to ensure solid support for a pebbled shower floor.
Installing a pebble shower floor may seem intimidating, but it’s a fairly straightforward process as long as you follow the correct steps.
You need to start by creating a base for the pebbles to sit on. This base layer should be made from concrete and should extend beyond the area of the room you intend to tile. The base layer should also be strong enough to support the weight of the pebbles.
Second, pour the cement with a thickness of at least 10 mm. The cement should be left to dry for at least a week.
The pebbles are then carefully placed on top of this layer of cement.
The final step is to add a layer of cement on top of the pebbles.
Allow the varnish to dry for at least a week. It will then be ready for its final varnish layer.
It is also recommended to add a final layer of clear sealer to protect the varnish from stains.
Primary steps to put a pebble floor in your bathroom
1. Prep the floor. Clean and dry your bathroom floor thoroughly before laying down the pebbles. You can also score or make minor dents on the floor to create a good stone foundation. 2. Apply thin-set. Thinset is a mixture of cement and sand, which you will use to lay down the pebbles. 3. Place pebbles end to end in a line starting from the bathroom door and ending at the desired stopping point. Please verify if they interlock with one another. 4. Then, fill in gaps with smaller pebbles and add more thin-set to provide the desired profile. Leave the floor to dry for 24 hours before walking on it. 5. Apply a coat of sealer to the floors to protect the surface from grout stains and discoloration. The first coat will also ensure that the stone is thoroughly coated before applying grout, which can be very messy. 6. After applying the sealer, mix your grout with water to create a slightly thicker mixture. Be sure to mix it well to avoid lumps in your grout. 7. After 20 minutes, use a wet, soft cloth to wipe off the excess grout. Rinse the material regularly to remove excess grout. 8. After 24 hours or when the grout has dried (whichever comes first), apply a second coat of sealant.
How long does a pebble shower floor last?
As is the case with any durable surface in the home, it’s essential to know how long your pebble shower floor will last if you are to get the most out of your investment.
The life expectancy of a pebble shower floor is dependent on many factors, including the kind of stones you choose, how they’re laid down, how often they’re cleaned, and how well the grout lines are sealed.
Pebble floors are made from granite, marble, or limestone that is mined, crushed into small pieces, and cemented together. When it’s installed correctly, the river rock shower floor is extremely durable.
A conventional shower floor can last anywhere between 10 and 15 years. The pebble shower floor can last anywhere between 20 and 40 years.
Over time, hard water and chemical treatments can strip the original enamel from them. In short, the floor does not last forever. However, the design of the floor surface provides a buffer, so you should be able to maintain it with some elbow grease and time.
A pebbled shower floor can last for decades if it is well looked after. In fact, there are some old stone shower floors that are still standing strong today. These rock shower floors have stood the test of time and with a few simple steps, you can make your pebbled shower floor last just as long.
Resume – Is a Pebble Shower Floor a Good Idea?
Customers overlook the details, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate them. By installing stone shower floors, customers can upgrade their bathrooms without noticing the change. Pebbles smoothly fit into any home design — making them a seamless transition from old to new. A quick recap of the main points we’ve discussed should give you a clear picture of what to expect from your new shower floor. Be sure to consider all the facts before adding a specific type of shower flooring. Hopefully, this article has assisted you in making the right choice. If you want to go with the best option, you should take your time and make the proper decision. Then, it will be something to be the best suitable for your needs.
