I’ve run into the same thing—people always assume hex tiles are way pricier, but it’s really the labor that adds up if you’re not careful. In my experience, if you’re flipping or renting, the unique look of hex can actually help a property stand out in photos, which is worth considering. That said, I’ve had contractors try to upcharge just because it’s “not standard,” so it pays to get a few quotes. Subway’s classic and safe, but sometimes a little extra investment in design pays off down the line.
I totally get what you mean about contractors upcharging for hex tiles—I've seen that too, and sometimes it's just because they're less familiar with the layout. Have you ever tried mixing both? Like, hex on the floor and subway on the walls? It can look really sharp without breaking the bank. Curious if anyone's run into grout issues with hex tiles, though... seems like more lines to keep clean.
Mixing hex and subway is a cool look, but I’ll play devil’s advocate—sometimes too many grout lines just make my wallet twitch. Had a rental where we did hex on the floor, and yeah, cleaning those tiny grout lines was like playing whack-a-mole with mildew. If you’re flipping or renting, I’d say go bigger tile, less grout, more sanity. But hey, if you love scrubbing... hex away.
I hear you on the grout lines—hex tiles definitely up the maintenance factor. Funny thing, I’ve seen some folks fall in love with the look and then regret all those little crevices after a year of fighting soap scum. Personally, I think grout color makes a difference too. Darker grout hides a lot, but it also changes the vibe and can make things look busier.
On flips or rentals, I usually steer people toward larger format tiles for exactly the reasons you mentioned: fewer seams, less cleaning, and it’s just faster to install. But every once in a while, someone wants that vintage hex look for authenticity, especially in older homes. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried those new epoxy grouts? They’re supposed to be more stain-resistant—wondering if that actually helps with upkeep or if it’s just marketing hype...
I’ve been deep in the tile rabbit hole lately, and grout is honestly the part that stresses me out most. I keep hearing about epoxy grout being a game-changer, but then I read it’s harder to work with and can look a bit plasticky? I’m all for less scrubbing, though. If it really does cut down on stains and gunk, I’d probably give it a shot, even if it’s pricier.
I’m leaning subway tile for my bathroom just because it seems more forgiving for a first-timer—plus, fewer grout lines to mess up. But I do love the look of hex tiles, especially in those old-school black-and-white patterns. Has anyone tried mixing both styles in one space? Like, subway on the walls and hex on the floor? Wondering if that’s too much or if it actually works in real life...
