Tile, Onyx, or Both? Choosing the Right Shower for Your Bathroom Remodel

Tile vs. Onyx: Choosing the Right Materials for Your Shower Remodel

When planning a bathroom remodel, choosing the right shower materials is an important part of the design process. Appearance is certainly a factor, but maintenance, durability, and functionality are just as important.

At Premier Kitchens & Baths, two of the most common materials we work with are traditional tile and solid-surface products from The Onyx Collection. Both have their advantages, and there's also the option of combining the two, which happens to be one of my personal favorites.

Let's take a closer look at the differences and what you should consider when making your selections.

Traditional Tile Showers

Tile offers tremendous flexibility when it comes to shower design. With the variety of sizes, colors, textures, and patterns available, it's possible to create anything from a simple, timeless shower to something much more detailed and customized.

Tile also allows for design features such as accent walls, decorative niches, and contrasting materials that can really make a shower stand out.

The primary consideration with tile is maintenance, particularly the grout. While today's grout products have come a long way, grout lines still require regular cleaning, and some products may require periodic sealing.

It's also important to understand that tile and grout themselves are not the waterproofing system. A properly installed waterproofing system beneath the tile is essential for a successful, long-lasting shower.

For homeowners who prioritize design flexibility, tile remains an excellent option.

The Onyx Collection: A Low-Maintenance Alternative



For homeowners looking to minimize maintenance, The Onyx Collection offers another approach.

Onyx shower systems use solid-surface wall panels and shower bases, eliminating the traditional grout lines associated with tile.

One of the biggest benefits is ease of cleaning. Without grout throughout the shower, there are fewer areas for soap residue and buildup to accumulate. The joints between panels still require proper sealing and maintenance, but overall upkeep is relatively straightforward.

Onyx is also available in a variety of colors, finishes, and patterns, including options that replicate the appearance of subway tile and natural stone.

While there are plenty of attractive options, the design possibilities aren't quite as extensive as they are with individual tile. However, for homeowners who prefer a streamlined appearance and minimal maintenance, an Onyx shower can be an excellent choice.

Combining the Best of Both: Onyx Bases with Tile Walls

One of my favorite approaches to shower design is combining an Onyx shower base with tiled walls.

This combination addresses one of the biggest maintenance concerns with a fully tiled shower: the shower floor.

Traditional tiled shower floors typically require smaller tiles to accommodate the slope toward the drain. That means numerous grout lines in an area that's exposed to water every time the shower is used.

An Onyx shower base eliminates those floor grout lines while providing a finished shower surface designed for proper drainage.

Pairing that base with tile walls gives homeowners the benefit of a low-maintenance shower floor without limiting their wall design selections.



It's a practical combination that works particularly well for homeowners who love the appearance of tile but would prefer to reduce the amount of grout in their shower.

And with the growing availability of large-format tile, this combination has become even more appealing.

Large-Format Tile: A Different Approach to Shower Design

One of the developments in tile design that I particularly like is the increasing availability of large-format porcelain tile.

While 12-by-24-inch tile has been a popular selection for years, we're now seeing more options in sizes such as 24 by 48 inches.

The advantage isn't just the appearance. Larger tiles mean fewer grout joints, creating a cleaner, more continuous surface while reducing the amount of grout that needs to be maintained.

For example, using 24-by-48-inch tile on shower walls can significantly reduce the number of grout lines compared with smaller tile formats. The exact number depends on the shower dimensions, layout, and placement of niches or other features, but the difference can be substantial.

Large-format tiles are particularly attractive in marble-look and natural stone-look finishes, where fewer grout joints allow the pattern to flow more naturally across the walls.

There are additional installation considerations, however. Large-format tile requires careful planning, properly prepared surfaces, and experienced installation to achieve the best results.

When you combine 24-by-48-inch tile walls with an Onyx shower base, you get a shower with no grout on the floor and relatively few grout lines on the walls.

For me, that offers an excellent balance between the appearance and customization of tile and the practical benefits of a solid-surface base.

How Do the Costs Compare?

Cost is another important consideration, and there's no universal answer as to which material is more economical.

With a traditional tile shower, material selections, tile size, installation patterns, waterproofing requirements, and labor all influence the final price.



Onyx pricing depends on factors such as shower dimensions, panel selections, base configurations, and accessories.

Combining an Onyx base with tile walls introduces another option, and depending on the materials selected, it may fall within a similar price range to other shower configurations.

The best approach is to evaluate the options based on the specific project rather than assume one material will always be more affordable.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Bathroom

Ultimately, the best shower material depends on your priorities.

A fully tiled shower provides the greatest design flexibility, while an all-Onyx shower is an attractive choice for homeowners focused on minimizing maintenance.

For those looking for a balance of both, an Onyx shower base paired with tile walls, particularly large-format tile, is an option I highly recommend considering.

At Premier Kitchens & Baths, we work with homeowners to select materials that complement their design preferences while also making sense for their everyday needs.

If you're considering a bathroom remodel, visit our showroom in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. We have both tile and Onyx shower displays, giving you the opportunity to compare materials, finishes, and design options in person.

We look forward to helping you plan your next project!