What Are The Pros And Cons Of Granite Shower Walls?
Is there anything more luxurious than a granite shower? Few materials scream “elegant” and “high-class” the way that granite does. A granite shower can even add thousands to your home’s resale value! But is granite really a good choice for shower walls?
Granite’s gorgeous, upscale appearance has made it a popular choice for homeowners looking to add elegance to their shower walls. Some of the pros of granite shower walls are their luxurious feel, extreme durability, and multiple design options. Some of the cons of granite shower walls are the cost, the frequent maintenance required, and the stone’s natural slipperiness.
Read on to learn more about all of the benefits and drawbacks of granite shower walls. Is their upscale appearance worth it? Or do the drawbacks outweigh the advantages? We’ll let you decide!
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Pros of Granite Shower Walls
First, we’ll dive into all of the positive aspects of installing granite shower walls in your home.
Luxurious Feel
The main reason that homeowners choose granite shower walls is because of their luxurious look and feel. If you’re designing a high-end bathroom, granite is always a great option. It screams quality and beauty, and it adds a high-class flair to the room.
Increased Home Resale Value
It makes a lot of sense that granite’s luxurious feel can lead to an increased resale value for your home. Whether you have a granite countertop in the kitchen or granite shower walls, many potential buyers will pay more for it. The sense of refined style and elegance that comes with granite makes it extremely valuable.
If you’re looking for ways to increase the resale value of your home, adding granite shower walls is one way to do it. You could even add a matching bathroom countertop or a backsplash for an added boost. A luxurious granite shower shows potential buyers that your home is designed with relaxation and refinery in mind.
Easy To Cut
Granite can easily be cut into various shapes, so possibilities are endless when it comes to unique designs and styles. With granite, you can even draw up your own design for the shower walls combining various shapes.
This is an advantage over other materials like ceramic, since you’re usually limited to rectangle, square, and diamond shapes. It’s possible to get more creative and have more fun with granite shower wall designs.
Can Avoid Grout Lines
Let’s say you prefer to avoid grout lines and don’t care too much about creating unique designs with various shapes. Another option is to install a granite slab for your shower walls. A slab can be cut to the exact size you need, and your walls won’t have any grout lines.
Granite slab shower walls can be costly and labor-intensive, but they have a smooth, clean, and even finished look. They’re also easier to maintain since you won’t have to clean or reinstall the grout over the year.
Extreme Durability
On its own, granite is a very strong natural material. When it’s used for shower walls, professionals add a sealant. This sealant provides additional protection and enhances the granite’s strength, making it extremely resistant to chips and cracks.
Easy To Clean
To keep your granite shower walls clean, all you need to do is wipe them down regularly. As long as the granite is sealed properly, it’s very resistant to grime, stains, and dirt in general. This makes clean-up simple, quick, and easy!
Cons of Granite Shower Walls
Now that we’ve covered all of the upsides of granite, we’ll go over all of the potential drawbacks as well.
Expensive
When discussing the cons of granite shower walls, the cost is a notable one. Granite is very expensive, and installation is typically pricey as well, especially when using a granite slab. This is because proper installation requires plenty of knowledge and time.
Of course, the price of granite may be offset by the increased resale value of your home. However, the upfront costs are absolutely something to keep in mind, considering granite can be even more expensive than marble.
There are a couple of ways you can potentially reduce the cost of granite shower walls. First, if the space is large enough, you can purchase the stone from a wholesaler. You could also choose to purchase miscut slabs or “junk” pieces of granite, which sell at a lower price. Still, even with these considerations, your average tile or fiberglass is more affordable than granite.
Require Regular Maintenance
Granite is a strong natural material, but it’s also porous. As you can imagine, unsealed granite shower walls can be problematic. Therefore, it’s essential to seal granite shower walls on a yearly basis.
Having a professional reseal your granite shower walls each year is a cost that should be considered before installation. If you try to push maintenance to a later date, a granite shower floor can become very slippery and even dangerous. Plus, granite becomes quite slippery when polished, but it becomes rough when left unpolished.
Must Use Specific Cleaners
Mopping a granite floor will leave behind water stains since authentic granite doesn’t absorb water. In addition, even cleaners and detergents marketed for use with granite can cause issues. Many granite cleaners on the market will eventually cause the granite to become porous, dull, and less resistant to water.
If the granite becomes dull, there are products available to polish it. The problem is that these can actually cause the granite to disintegrate. Therefore, it’s necessary to be pretty picky about which polishers and cleaners you use on granite.
Limited Color Choices
Since granite is a natural stone, your color choices are limited to the colors that can be found in nature. Unlike the average tile, granite does not come in every color of the rainbow. In fact, there are only a few color options to choose from.
Slippery And Hazardous
Like any other shiny stone, granite becomes very slippery when it’s wet. If you’re only using granite for your shower walls and not the floor, this may not present an issue. However, if you’ve chosen to install a granite floor as well, know that it can be pretty hazardous.
For enough traction to keep shower users from slipping, falling, and injuring themselves, you have to put in extra effort. This means keeping the granite as dry as possible and adding a shower mat or stickers to the floor. Reducing slipperiness in a granite shower is especially important for children and the elderly.
Risk Of Faux Granite
Unfortunately, many homeowners can’t tell the difference between true granite and other stones masquerading as granite. Lots of people have lost money paying for “granite” that isn’t actually granite. Stones like anhydrite, dolerite, and gabbro are frequently marketed as granite. The problem is that these stones are extremely porous and not suited for shower walls and floors.
When selecting granite to use for your shower walls, be sure to conduct a “sprinkle test.” Simply sprinkle some water onto the stone. If it’s real granite, the water will not absorb into the stone’s surface.
Faux granite, on the other hand, will absorb the water. If you end up installing it in your shower, it can prove to be problematic.
Related Questions
How thick are granite shower walls?
Generally, the granite slabs used for shower walls are two or three centimeters thick.
Is granite good for shower walls?
Granite adds a lot of aesthetic value to shower walls, and it can increase your home’s resale value. However, it does require quite a bit of maintenance for safety and to maintain the stone’s high-quality finish.
Why do granite shower walls crack?
If granite shower walls are resealed regularly, they shouldn’t crack. If your granite shower walls are cracking, that usually indicates that they haven’t received proper maintenance. Another possibility is that the walls are not real granite, but instead are a stone like anhydrite or dolerite.
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Main Takeaways
- Granite is a natural stone with a beautiful appearance and high price. Since it’s a natural material, it does not come in many colors–only the ones found in nature.
- When using granite for shower walls, you can opt for a grout-free slab or create unique designs.
- Granite shower walls are durable and easy to clean, but they require yearly resealing. Keep maintenance costs in mind as you decide whether or not to install granite shower walls.
- If you use granite for your shower floor, you’ll need to take precautions since it is very slippery. A granite shower floor can be especially hazardous for children and the elderly.
- When you choose granite, be sure to do a “sprinkle test” to ensure the stone is genuine. If the water you sprinkle onto the stone soaks into its surface, it is not real granite.
With a lifelong passion for writing plus strong enthusiasm for home improvement and DIY projects, joining the team at Upgraded Home was an easy choice. Jessica Allen likes to share helpful information with current and aspiring homeowners. Aside from writing, Jessica loves doing yoga, playing the piano, and dabbling in graphic design.
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