Showers are the most-used and most water-exposed part of a house. A shower that's built right lasts decades. One that isn't can look fine for a couple of years while water quietly reaches the framing behind it. That's why we spend most of our care on the layers under the tile.
Shower projects we build
- Walk-in tiled showers: custom size and layout, with benches, niches and glass.
- Tub-to-shower conversions: replacing an unused tub with a walk-in shower in the same space.
- Curbless showers: a level entry with no step, for a clean look and easier access.
- Tub and shower combinations behind glass, for rooms where a tub still needs to stay.
- Shower updates: new valves, fixtures and glass where the waterproofing behind the tile is still sound.
How we build a shower that lasts
- Demolition to the studs so we can see the condition of the framing and fix any old water damage.
- Plumbing: a new pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve, set at the right depth for the finished wall, and a handheld sprayer if you want one.
- Sloped floor: built so water heads to the drain from every corner, including linear drains along a wall.
- Waterproofing: a continuous membrane on the walls and floor, sealed at every seam, corner, niche and pipe.
- Flood test: we fill the shower pan and let it sit before any tile goes on.
- Tile, then glass: tile set flat with even grout lines, then custom glass measured and installed once the tile is done.
Details worth planning
Bench
A built-in bench is useful for shaving and sitting, and a good place for a handheld sprayer to reach. It needs to be planned before waterproofing, not added later.
Niches
A recessed niche keeps bottles off the floor. We place it on a wall without plumbing, at a height that suits the people using it, and line it up with the tile layout so the cuts look intentional.
Fixtures
A thermostatic valve holds your chosen temperature even when someone flushes. A rain head is relaxing; a wall head is better for rinsing quickly. Many clients choose both, plus a handheld on a slide bar.
Glass
Frameless glass makes a bathroom feel bigger and shows off the tile. A fixed panel with an open entry can skip the door entirely in a larger shower.
Tile
Large-format panels mean fewer grout lines to clean. Smaller tiles on the floor grip better. Matte finishes hide water spots better than polished ones. More on bathroom tile.
Signs your current shower needs more than new tile
Sometimes a regrout or new fixtures will do. These signs usually mean the problem is behind the tile, and the shower should be rebuilt:
- Loose or hollow-sounding tiles, which often mean the backing behind them has softened from moisture.
- Grout that keeps cracking in the same spots, a sign the wall or floor is moving.
- Stains or soft spots on the ceiling below or the floor outside the shower.
- Persistent musty smell or mildew that comes back right after cleaning.
- Water pooling in corners instead of flowing to the drain.
If you're seeing any of these, it's worth having us look before the damage spreads to the framing or subfloor. We'll tell you plainly whether a repair will hold or whether the shower needs to be rebuilt.
Cost and timeline
A new tiled walk-in shower typically runs $XX,000 to $XX,000 and takes 2 to 4 weeks of construction, plus time for custom glass. See the bathroom remodel cost guide for how tile, glass and layout changes affect the price.