Hex tiles really do have a way of making a space feel unique—there’s something about those patterns that just grabs your attention. I’ve seen a few older homes where the original hex tile floors are still going strong, and buyers always comment on them. It’s like you said, there’s a story underfoot.
- The install can be a pain, but honestly, it pays off in character.
- Those little grout lines? Yeah, they can be sneaky with dirt, but I’ve found they also hide the little scuffs and chips that happen over time. Makes maintenance less stressful.
- Subway tiles are classic and easy to clean, but sometimes they feel a bit too “new build” for me, especially in a house with history.
You trusted your gut and it sounds like it paid off. People notice when a space feels authentic—and that’s something you can’t really fake with trendier materials.
I get the appeal of hex tiles, but after spending a whole weekend scrubbing grout lines in our last rental, I swore I'd go with subway tiles for my own place. Maybe it's just me, but cleaning those tiny hex grout lines is a pain. The look is cool, but I’ll take easier maintenance over “character” any day... at least until I forget how much work it was.
I hear you on the grout lines—hex tiles look awesome, but cleaning all those little nooks is a chore. I went with subway tiles in my last reno for exactly that reason. Fewer grout lines, easier to wipe down, and you can use recycled glass options if you want to go greener. Hex tiles are fun until you’re on your hands and knees with a toothbrush... ask me how I know.
Totally feel this. My first flip, I thought hex tiles would be “cute.” Fast forward to me cursing every single grout line… and that was just the shower floor. Subway tiles are classic for a reason—less scrubbing, more sanity. I do miss the look of hex sometimes, but my knees don’t. If you want to get fancy, there are larger format subway tiles now too, which cuts down on grout even more.
Yeah, I’ve been there with the hex tiles—looked great in the photos, but cleaning all those little grout lines was a nightmare. I tried sealing the grout extra well, but it still got grimy faster than I’d like. Ended up switching to larger subway tiles in my last reno, and honestly, it’s just so much easier to keep clean. Less grout, less hassle.
If you’re trying to go eco-friendly, fewer grout lines also means less harsh cleaner needed over time, which is a bonus. I do miss the vibe of hex sometimes, but for day-to-day living, subway wins for me. The bigger formats are a game changer too—less waste and less work. Sometimes “classic” just makes sense.