Had one client go for recycled glass hexes; they looked amazing at first, but after a year or so, some edges chipped and the grout started yellowing where water pooled.
- Noticed similar issues with recycled glass, especially on shower floors—edges get dinged up faster than ceramic.
- Subway tiles are less fussy, fewer grout lines to maintain.
- Curious if anyone’s tried sealing the grout more frequently with hex tiles? Wondering if that makes a difference long-term...
I’ve run into the same thing with glass hex tiles—looks killer at first, but the upkeep’s a pain, especially in rentals. Here’s what’s worked for me: seal the grout right after install, then again every 6 months. It helps, but honestly, those tiny grout lines still get grimy faster than with subway tiles. If you’re flipping or renting, subway’s just less hassle long-term. Hex tiles are a vibe, but they’re high-maintenance, no way around it.
Yeah, I hear you on the hex tiles. They look amazing in photos, but in practice, especially for rentals or flips, they’re just a lot more work than most people expect. I’ve had a couple projects where clients insisted on them for the “wow” factor, and I’ll admit, they do make a statement. But after a year or two, those grout lines start to show every bit of dirt and soap scum, no matter how diligent you are with sealing.
Subway tiles aren’t as flashy, but they’re way easier to keep looking clean. Less grout to deal with, and if you go with a slightly darker grout, it hides a lot of sins. For rentals, that’s a big deal—tenants aren’t going to baby the bathroom like an owner-occupier might.
I get the appeal of hex tiles though. Sometimes you just want something different. I did one bathroom with matte black hex on the floor and it looked killer... for about six months. After that, it was constant touch-ups and cleaning. Ended up swapping it out for classic white subway when we turned the place over.
If you’re set on hex, your sealing routine is spot on—just be ready for more maintenance down the line. Otherwise, subway’s the safer bet for long-term value and less hassle. Either way, you’re not alone in running into this. It’s one of those lessons you only really learn after living with it for a while.
Honestly, I keep getting tempted by those hex tiles too—Pinterest makes them look so good. But every time I’ve put them in a rental, it’s like signing up for a lifetime grout-cleaning subscription. Subway tiles might be “safe,” but man, they’re reliable. I did try a dark grout once with subway and it was a game changer—hid everything. Still, part of me wants to risk it again with hex just for the cool factor... maybe I’ll regret it, but hey, that’s half the fun, right?
SUBWAY TILES VS. HEXAGON TILES IN THE BATHROOM—WHAT’S YOUR PICK?
I totally get the hex tile temptation. I remember doing a small powder room with those tiny white hexes—looked amazing for about three months, then the grout started to show every bit of dirt and water stain. I swear, I was scrubbing more than admiring after a while. That said, there’s just something about the pattern that makes a space feel special, you know?
Subway tiles are like the jeans of bathroom design—never really go out of style and you can dress them up or down. I did a shower wall with beveled subway and charcoal grout once, and it hid everything (plus, way less stress about cleaning). Still, every time I see those moody Pinterest bathrooms with black hex floors, I start second guessing my choices...
I guess it comes down to how much maintenance you’re willing to put up with. If it’s a rental, I’d probably stick with subway and dark grout. For my own place? Might just risk it for the hex factor and hope I don’t regret it later.