Here’s a great idea: Bathroom tile with treads. If I were designing a shower as part of a bathroom remodel… and I wanted to use tile for the floor instead of the porcelain enamel cast iron shower pan (my favorite bathroom shower base idea) from Kohler… then I would very seriously consider this porcelain bathroom tile from American Olean.
The idea for the tread is — I am pretty sure — to help prevent slips and falls in the shower. Yes: Be concerned about designing for this issue — even if you are “too young” to think about it.
I read recently that every day in America, another 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65. I have a decade+ to go until I reach that auspicious age, but I am already regretting that when I remodeled my bathrooms about eight years ago, I did not put grab bars in all the tub and shower surrounds. You’re going to need grab bars — and be more concerned about slipping in the tub or shower — sooner or later. Including real soon maybe even, if you hurt your back, which can happen to anyone at any age. I opine about this a bit more, in this silly video:
These tread tiles are also unglazed, which makes sense: The shinier the top-coat, the more slippery the surface is and will get when water hits it. The surface coating of a floor tile is one of the critical considerations when specifying the material that you will use on a bathroom floor. Any floor, really. There are other considerations, as well.
Bottom line: Consult with a professional to understand the pros and cons of flooring alternatives to assess how they can minimize slips and falls depending on your expected use. There are standards and such. Even so, as American Olean says in its online guide Factors to Consider:
Where to find this mosaic tile:
- This tile is part of American Olean’s ColorBody Porcelain Mosaic Series. This is a great series — lots of colors, lots of styles — all pretty relevant to if you have a mid century home. AO and Daltile also have matte-finish tiles in the same sizes, also in a wide variety of colors.
- Daltile is the sister company to American Olean. Also check Daltile’s selection, they may have different colors. I cannot find this on the Daltile website, though. The AO and Daltile websites are not fun. Third time: Go to the biggest tile store you can get to, to scope the possibilities. Eat some protein before hand, and take a camera, it’s gonna take a while.