I have purchased Grohe shower fixtures for use in a remodel project at home. It consists of a large mixer/temperature control, an on/off valve, a tub diverter spout and the shower elbow to connect a hand-held shower nozzle which adjusts in height on a vertical bar support.

I have installed a new cast iron standard size tub, (32" x 60"). Above the tub will be ceramic tile, (size 6" wide by 8" high). I think it will look best to center the shower fixture components within the center of the tiles as compared with locating them centered on tile joints.

Is this practical in terms of cutting the tiles? Can it be done this way or is the tile more likely to break during the cutting and drilling operations? Is the tile more likely to break at some future time? What are the pros and cons related to location of shower components within the tile patterns?