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Yes, unfortunately, it is normal for wall and floor tiles to crack, especially when you drop heavy items on tiled floors or place heavy objects on them. Tiles are also more susceptible to cracking when ceramic tiles designed for walls are installed on floors, as these are often not strong enough to handle heavy loads from foot traffic and furniture. Similarly, tiles that are installed incorrectly, lack adequate subflooring, or have other installation problems are prone to cracking. To avoid these problems and the inevitable repair and replacement costs they bring, always hire a professional for tile work and follow best practices for installation.

Tiling can be DIY with the right tools and skills, but challenges like ensuring evenness and appropriate adhesion often warrant professional handling.

Natural stone floors, especially pebble-style tiling, are one of the least slippery options for a shower floor. Natural stone has a texture to reduce slickness, and pebble-shaped tiles add more visual and textural contrast while reducing slippage. Vinyl tiles are also designed with anti-slip texture for added safety. If you have a slippery tile, be sure to add a grippy shower mat to reduce the risk of falls.

For glass tile, you want to use unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a stronger and grittier cement grout that is great for installing tiles with wider gaps and into joints. However, it is susceptible to scratching glass tile and is more difficult to use in thinner gaps. Unsanded grout, while more expensive, is easier to fit between thin gaps and is less harsh on delicate materials, like glass tile.