Industry · 7 min read · February 25, 2023

Slab Stone in Bathrooms: A Complete Overview

Small white, brown, and blue bathroom tiles have long given way to large slab stones that bear no resemblance to old tiles. These oversized stone panels surpass their predecessors in beauty, elegance, durability, and variety, while instilling a remarkable sense of calm in the bathroom space. This article examines slab stone bathrooms from every angle.

It has been a long time since small white, brown, and blue tiles used for bathroom walls and floors gave way to slab stones — large stone panels that not only bear no resemblance to old tiles, but are several steps ahead in terms of beauty, elegance, durability, and variety of design and color, and instill a remarkable sense of calm in the bathroom space. In this article we intend to examine the slab stone bathroom from zero to one hundred and identify its advantages and disadvantages. If you are eager to learn more, stay with us.

Before introducing the available stone types, we need to understand which stone is most suitable for this constantly humid space. First and foremost, the bathroom environment is always cleaned with cleaning agents, so the chosen stone must be completely resistant and impermeable to the chemicals in all types of detergents and acids. Furthermore, it must not absorb moisture and must not be damaged by water exposure. These are the primary conditions for the longevity of a slab stone suitable for the bathroom. When choosing the best stone, pay attention to a few points. First, look for stones that are not porous and cavernous. For example, do not opt for travertine, because it naturally retains more water and over time creates problems in a humid environment.

Now that we know the characteristics of stones suitable for this part of the home, let us become familiar with a few widely used stones. These stones are the most popular slabs on the market for bathroom wall and floor cladding.

If you have seen the result of bathroom tiling with granite and quartz slab stone, you will never be satisfied with other options. You will accept the relatively high weight and price of these stones and enjoy their breathtaking visual impact. Note that these stones can be used to cover the entire bathroom or specific sections of it.

Crystal stone is another popular choice for home interior design including the bathroom, due to the advantages it offers. The nature of this stone allows light to pass through it and in this respect it functions somewhat like marble. Many people cover the entire bathroom with this beautiful stone.

You may have heard the name of this stone less than marble and granite. But Dekton is undoubtedly one of the best building materials for interior and exterior architectural design. The unique characteristic that makes this stone a suitable option for the bathroom is its resistance to pressure and scratching. Whatever we say about the beauty of its design and colors, it will never be enough.

Would you like to know what advantages and disadvantages using slab stone in the bathroom has? Read this section more carefully.

One of the most obvious advantages of designing a bathroom with slab stone is the elimination of old grouting. The absence of white seam lines increases the elegance and beauty of the bathroom space and makes it feel more unified, and after a few years there is no need to redo faded and tired grout lines.

There is no doubt that the floor and wall covering of the bathroom determines its beauty. Large slab stones make the space appear larger and reduce visual clutter. If you have a large bathroom, choosing large slab stones as wall and floor cladding will enhance the sense of calm in this space.

Given the large dimensions of slab stone, difficulty of access and installation is one of the biggest disadvantages of using it. The great weight of these stones makes moving them difficult and they may not easily pass through a narrow bathroom door. Sometimes a crane is used to transport these stones to upper floors.

As mentioned, slab stone is large. Therefore, if the bathroom space is full of angles, curved walls, or break points such as niches, using these large stones is not very practical. For such bathrooms it is better to opt for smaller tiles.

Slab stone is cumbersome and does not give you much freedom of action. In most cases you will have to say goodbye to wall storage for shampoo and soap. Installing too many of these shelves somewhat alters the unified appearance of the slabs and reduces their appeal. The fewer edges you have, the more beautiful the end result will be.