What’s the Best Type of Natural Stone to Use on Shower Walls?

There’s nothing quite like the look and feel of natural stone in the shower. You can never go wrong with natural stone in the bathroom. Natural stone was the preferred construction material for lavish baths in ancient Rome, and it remains one of the best choices for showers. Depending on your budget and personal style preferences, some stones may be more appealing to you than others with regard to shower walls. Any of the stones listed below will look great because they’re created by the best designer anyone can ask for: Mother Nature. When cleaning your stone shower, follow the tips on this video: Marble Marble is the most classic stone you can install in the shower, especially if you select light-colored Carrara marble with dramatic veining. You've probably heard marble can become stained by water. However, you should know that the sealant contractors apply when they complete marble shower installations is designed to prevent such staining. You’ll have a chance to further protect your marble shower walls by sealing them with Granite Gold Sealer®, which is very easy to use. Granite Granite is a durable option for the shower, and it will prove to be resistant to staining by slightly acidic substances such as citrus-infused shampoos. For the most part, you’ll find this stone to be more affordable than marble. Even exotic granite imported from Brazilian quarries can cost less. The dark and honed finish of granite slabs is the most popular for shower walls. You can add an extra layer of protection by applying Granite Gold Polish®, which will prevent soap scum buildup. If you don’t know how to polish granite, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, don’t apply polish until 24 hours after sealing the surface. Second, never polish stone flooring because it can become dangerously slippery. Instead, seek a professional stone restoration specialist with the proper tools and training. Last, it’s easy to apply. All you have to do is spray Granite Gold Polish® directly on the surface, buff it with a dry paper towel or lint-free cloth, then wipe dry with another paper towel or lint-free cloth. Limestone Limestone is an even more classic stone than marble for the shower because it can be found in quite a few Roman baths, but it also requires frequent sealant applications. Beige limestone with gold specks and earthy veining is one of the most aesthetic choices not just for the shower but also for the entire bathroom. You may want to consider a brushed or sandblasted finish for limestone shower walls. The polished look is nice, but the feel of a slightly textured surface is unique. Slate If you think slate is an odd choice for shower walls, an online image search may change your mind. Dark slate can look just as sharp as dark granite in the shower. All it takes is the right installation. Tiled or mosaic slate with fine grouting tends to look better than slabs or vertical panels, and this is a good design choice if you like a rustic style. Slate is easy to keep clean. You can use a slate and granite shower cleaner such as Granite Gold Shower Cleaner® to prevent a soapy film from developing on the surface. If you have a shower made of marble, granite, limestone, slate, or any other type of natural stone and want the highest-quality cleaning, sealing, and polishing products to care for your stone, you can find Granite Gold® brand products at a store near you using our Store Locator. If you have any questions, give us a call today at 1-800-475-STONE (7866).