Replacing an old tub or fiberglass shower with a custom shower is a common bathroom project, and the first choice is usually between tile and solid surface. In this Builder Buzz episode, Brandon Bartow of Bartow Builders compares the two, explains what has to be checked before the new shower goes in, and gives his honest advice on curbless showers.
Key takeaways
Tile and solid surface are both good choices. Solid surface comes in large panels with seams only at the corners, so there’s far less grout.
The two hardest parts of any custom shower are the planning and keeping water where it belongs.
Before spending on a new shower, check the plumbing that feeds and drains it, so it performs once it’s finished.
A curbless or zero-entry shower usually means a significant structural change to the floor.
If you don’t need a roll-in or walker-accessible shower now, a low curb is often the practical choice.
Planning a shower in a new home or during a larger remodel gives you the most options.
What’s the difference between a tile shower and a solid surface shower?
A tile shower is built from individual tiles set over a waterproofed wall and floor, with grout lines between them. It gives you the widest range of looks, from large-format tile to small mosaics.
A solid surface shower uses large panels that cover each wall, with seams only in the corners. People choose it when they want a clean look and don’t want to maintain a lot of grout.
Which one is easier to keep clean?
Solid surface, generally, because there’s so little grout. Tile can be easy to care for too, especially with larger tiles and fewer grout lines, but it does need more attention over time. The right choice depends on the look you want and how much upkeep you’re happy with.
What makes a custom shower hard to get right?
Two things. The first is planning: the layout, the niche and bench locations, the valve and showerhead positions, the glass, and how it all fits the room. It takes more planning than most people expect, even for an experienced builder.
The second is keeping water in the shower and out of the walls and floor. Every layer behind the finished surface has to be done correctly, because a problem there isn’t visible until it has already caused damage.
What should be checked before the new shower goes in?
The plumbing behind it. Brandon’s point is simple: a beautiful new shower that doesn’t perform is a disappointment. Before the walls close, the supply and drain lines should be checked so water pressure, temperature and drainage will all hold up. It’s also a good time to make sure the hot water supply can keep up with the new shower. Doing this while the walls are open costs far less than coming back later.
Do I need a curbless or zero-entry shower?
If someone in the house needs to roll a wheelchair or push a walker into the shower, yes, and it’s worth the work. If not, think it through first. A shower with no curb usually means lowering or rebuilding part of the floor structure so the shower floor can slope to the drain, which adds cost and disruption.
Brandon’s rule of thumb: if you already step up to get into your house, a low curb into the shower is usually manageable. There are some houses where curbless works without major structural changes, and a builder can tell you whether yours is one of them.
When is the best time to plan a new shower?
During a new build or a larger remodel, when the floor and walls are already open. That’s when a curbless shower, a recessed niche or solid backing for future grab bars costs the least to add. If you’re only replacing the shower, careful planning up front is what keeps the project on schedule.
What Bartow does about this
Showers are a regular part of our bathroom remodels and new homes, in both tile and solid surface. We plan the layout and what’s behind the walls before any finish goes up, and we’ll tell you plainly whether a curbless shower makes sense for your house. See bathrooms we’ve remodeled, or read about walk-in and accessible shower conversions.
When you’re ready, start here or call 920-682-7100.
