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Pro tip: I heard a plumber say 'tile to the ceiling' and it clicked
I was at the local hardware store last week and overheard a plumber telling a customer to always tile their shower walls all the way to the ceiling, not just to the standard 7-foot mark. He said it costs maybe 15% more in materials but stops moisture damage and looks way more finished. I'm redoing my kids' bathroom now and that one comment made me change my whole plan. It seems so obvious now, but I never would have thought of it. Has anyone else gone full height with their tile and noticed a difference with humidity?
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gavin_kim10h ago
Yeah, that's a solid tip. It makes me wonder about the other way around though. What about older houses with those really high, like 10-foot ceilings? Is it still worth it to go all the way up, or does the cost get crazy at that point? And does the type of tile matter for that, like is a big porcelain sheet better than small subway tiles for preventing moisture from getting behind it?
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ward.anna10h ago
High ceilings are a different beast. Tiling all the way up gets very expensive, not just in materials but labor for all that extra cutting and fitting. A common compromise is to run tile to the height of the showerhead or a bit above, then switch to a moisture-resistant paint. As for tile size, bigger format tiles definitely have fewer grout lines, which is where water usually gets in. But the install has to be perfect, because if one big tile fails, it's a much bigger problem.
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troyknight5h ago
Honestly, this whole high-ceiling thing feels like a bigger trend, doesn't it? We're all chasing this grand, open look in homes now, but then the real cost of finishing those spaces hits you. It's like buying a huge SUV for the image but then groaning every time you fill the tank. The dream design always runs into the practical wall of labor and materials.
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