I totally get the hexagon tile appeal—it’s a cool look, no denying that. But after scrubbing grout lines with a toothbrush for what felt like ages, I’m firmly on the subway tile team now. Classic style, way less cleaning, and my back thanks me every time.
But after scrubbing grout lines with a toothbrush for what felt like ages, I’m firmly on the subway tile team now.
Been there, done that, and my knees still haven’t forgiven me. I’ll admit, hex tiles look amazing in those Pinterest bathrooms, but in real life? That grout is a full-time job. Subway tiles are like the sweatpants of the tile world—comfy, reliable, and you don’t have to work hard to keep ‘em looking good. Has anyone tried those giant format tiles? I’m curious if they’re actually as low-maintenance as they claim, or if that’s just marketing hype...
Giant format tiles are getting a lot of hype lately, but I’ve run into a few surprises with them. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- Fewer grout lines, sure, but when you do have to clean them, those lines are LONG. Not as many, but each one is a marathon.
- If your walls or floors aren’t perfectly flat, big tiles can be a pain to install. You end up with lippage or weird gaps, which can actually make cleaning harder.
- They look super sleek, but if you ever need to replace one, good luck matching it up—especially if it’s a discontinued style.
Honestly, I still lean toward subway tiles for rentals. They’re classic, easy to patch, and most tenants don’t want to spend their weekends scrubbing grout either. Hex tiles are gorgeous, but unless you’re going for a high-end flip or your own place, the maintenance just isn’t worth it in most cases. Giant tiles might be lower maintenance, but only if the install is spot-on... and that’s not always a given.
Subway tiles all the way for me, especially when you’re on a budget. They’re cheap, easy to find, and if you crack one, it’s not a crisis to swap it out. Hex tiles look cool, but I just can’t justify the extra hassle or cleaning. I tried big tiles once—never again. My floor isn’t perfectly flat, so I got stuck with a couple of annoying lips that collect grime. Lesson learned.
I hear you on the “big tile regret”—been there, done that, spent way too much time with a grout brush. Those lips are like little dirt magnets. I get the love for subway tiles, too. Classic, cheap, and they don’t judge you when you drop a shampoo bottle. Plus, if one cracks? No drama.
But I gotta admit—I’m team hex (at least on the floor). Yeah, they’re a pain to lay out and grout, but man, do they look sharp once they’re down. Something about those little honeycomb shapes just makes me feel like I’ve got my life together... even if the rest of my bathroom says otherwise. Cleaning can be annoying—especially if you have white grout—but I swear by a steam mop now. Makes it almost bearable.
Hex tiles look cool, but I just can’t justify the extra hassle or cleaning.
I get that. My first hex tile job was a disaster. I thought I’d save money by DIY’ing it and ended up with more crooked lines than a toddler’s drawing. But after hiring someone who actually knew what they were doing (and learning to budget for pro help), it turned out awesome.
Curious—did anyone ever try those weird fish scale tiles? I keep seeing them pop up on Instagram and wonder if they’re as much of a nightmare to install as they look... or if that’s just my luck talking.