Why Tile Still Wins
Acrylic has its place, but nothing looks like real tile. Large-format porcelain with barely-there grout lines. Natural stone with veins that run wall to wall. A handmade-look subway tile that catches the light. Tile is the difference between a nice shower and a shower people photograph.
Tile also gives you total design freedom. Any size, any layout, a bench that matches the walls, a niche lined in the same stone. A factory panel gives you the manufacturer's choices; tile gives you yours.
The Craft Is in What You Don't See
A tile shower is only as good as what is behind the tile. Here is what we do on every custom tile job:
Waterproofing first. Sheet membrane (Schluter-KERDI or equivalent) bonded to every wet surface — walls, floor, bench, niche, curb. No paint-on-only waterproofing. In Florida humidity, the membrane is what keeps mold from growing inside your walls.
Proper slope. The pan slopes a quarter-inch per foot to the drain, checked with a level before tile goes down. No birdbaths, no standing water.
Movement joints. Tile expands and contracts; corners and edges get flexible sealant, not grout, so they do not crack in year two.
Grout done right. We use grout suited to wet areas and seal it. Large-format tile means fewer grout lines to maintain in the first place.
Materials: What Works in Florida
Large-format porcelain is the workhorse — looks like stone, shrugs off humidity, needs almost no maintenance. Natural stone (marble, travertine) is gorgeous but porous: it needs sealing once or twice a year in Florida, or it will stain and spot. Glass mosaic makes a stunning accent wall or niche backing. We will walk you through samples at the estimate and tell you honestly what each one demands.
Published 2026 Florida guides put custom tile showers at roughly $5,000–$15,000 depending on size, tile choice, and glass. A written estimate after we see your bathroom is the only honest number.
Call (407) 434-9297 for a free in-home estimate. Bring your inspiration photos — we love those.
Layout Patterns Worth Knowing
How tile is laid changes the look as much as which tile you pick. Large-format tile in a stacked (grid) pattern reads modern and calm. The same tile in a running bond (offset) pattern feels more classic. Herringbone on an accent wall — behind the showerhead, for example — adds craft without overwhelming the room.
Grout color is a design decision, not an afterthought. Matching grout to the tile makes the surface read as one continuous sheet (great for small showers). Contrasting grout makes the pattern pop — white subway tile with dark grout is the classic example. We bring grout samples to the design meeting so you see the difference before committing.