Get The Full Slab Marble Look In Your Shower On A Budget With This Alternative

A shower featuring marble slabs will look grand and elegant, but it can also be an expensive investment and one that's difficult to maintain. Fortunately, there is an alternative material that will offer a similar look, and that's porcelain tile. One of the best shower tiles to use in your bathroom, this type of tile will give your shower the grand look of marble without the hefty price tag. Marble slabs can cost anywhere from $60 up to $100 and over per square foot. Though you can find cheaper options that are less high-quality, it's safe to say that adorning your shower in marble isn't an affordable option. 

In addition to the price, marble requires regular maintenance such as resealing, and the potential for stains means it isn't the best option if you want a material that's easy to clean. In comparison, porcelain tile does not require nearly as much upkeep and is significantly more affordable at approximately $9 to $50 per square foot (including installation costs). If you're interested in recreating the slab marble look in your shower using porcelain tile, here's all you need to know.

In addition to its lower cost, porcelain has heaps of other benefits. It's water resistant, extremely durable, and won't stain easily. Plus, when it comes to cleaning porcelain tile, all you need to do is wipe it down rather than buying any specialist products or even needing to seal the tile. All of these qualities make it an excellent choice for your shower (or a bathroom space in general). 

To get the marble look, you'll need to buy porcelain tile in slabs. You can then pick the design of marble you want on the tile. This type of tile is very customizable, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a marble style you like, even down to the natural veining that marble has. The best part is that you can use the slabs in any part of your shower. You can even put a slab of porcelain tile on the ceiling for a look that carries through the entire shower. Ceiling tiles would also be an easy way to make a statement in a separate shower room.

While porcelain tile is an excellent alternative to marble on the whole, there are some downsides you should keep in mind. Firstly, as pointed out in the comments of a video by interior designer @mrphoenixgray, porcelain has a glossy appearance that could give away your secret to those in the interior design world. Plus, though it's less expensive than marble, buying porcelain slabs could still be considered a relatively big investment depending on how large your shower is.

However, if you can afford the upfront cost, the overall longevity of porcelain means you'll be making huge savings in terms of maintenance over the years. You could additionally consider DIY tiling your shower to save money on the installation process. Aside from these small caveats, porcelain tile really is a great way to get the marble look with a smaller budget. The next time you feel tempted to go for a full marble shower, weigh up the pros of porcelain tile instead.