Tile Selection Guide for Wet Areas
How to choose the right tile for showers, bathroom floors, and other wet areas — slip ratings, porosity, grout selection, and installation best practices.
Choosing Tile for Wet Areas
Not all tile is created equal when it comes to wet environments. Selecting the wrong tile for a shower or bathroom floor can create safety hazards and lead to premature failure.
Slip Resistance: The DCOF Rating
The Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) measures how slip-resistant a tile surface is when wet. For bathroom floors and shower pans, look for tiles with a DCOF rating of 0.42 or higher. Most manufacturers publish this rating on their specification sheets.
Matte and textured finishes inherently provide better grip than polished surfaces. For shower floors, small-format mosaic tiles (2x2 or smaller) are ideal because the abundant grout lines create additional traction.
Porosity Classes
Tile porosity determines how much water the tile body absorbs. For wet areas, always choose tiles rated as impervious (less than 0.5% absorption) or vitreous (0.5-3% absorption). Natural stone tiles like marble and travertine are typically more porous and require sealing.
Popular Tile Materials for Bathrooms
Porcelain: The best all-around choice. Dense, durable, low-maintenance, available in unlimited styles. Through-body porcelain resists showing chips.
Ceramic: More affordable than porcelain but slightly more porous. Works well for wall applications and low-traffic bathroom floors.
Natural Stone: Beautiful but requires ongoing maintenance (sealing, specific cleaners). Best used as accent walls or vanity backsplashes rather than primary shower surfaces.
Grout Selection
Use epoxy grout in shower areas — it is waterproof, stain-resistant, and does not require sealing. Standard cement grout absorbs water and is prone to mildew without regular maintenance. The upfront cost difference ($50-$100 per project) pays for itself in reduced maintenance.