The selection of your wall finishes is the most prominent and visible element of your shower design. However, there are other choices you will make that impact the budget. I would like to run through some of these decisions to help you:

Choosing either traditional ceramic tile with grout joints or more modern grout-free laminate shower wall panels is your first choice. As ceramic tiles have a larger price range from low to high, you can find any tile at any price range. However, no matter what tile you choose, you will need a very expensive and hard-to-find “tile setter.” You will be experiencing the “joy” of cleaning grout joints for the life of your shower. If you choose one of the many colors/patterns of waterproof Fibo laminate shower/tub wall panels, you will likely have an all-in pcomparable or lower ceramic tile. Further, your days of cleaning evil grout joints are over!

Next, let’s examine your shower base/pan options. Interestingly, what many homeowners/DIY individuals do not know is that your drain location can impact budget greatly. If you are building new construction, you may locate the shower drain in “standard” locations, allowing the use of non-custom shower bases. Standard shower pans are produced in volume and accordingly have a lower cost. If you are doing a renovation, (let’s say a tub-to-shower conversion, for example) we do have some standard sizes that will work.

However, if you require a made-to-order custom shower base, we can fabricate a base made to hit your current drain location. This ensures you will not incur the cost of your plumber having to move your drain. Additionally, your choice of shower base composition can impact your budget. The lowest price bases are fiberglass pans that flex/squeak when you step in and come with minimal warranty (production builders frequently use these). We do not recommend the use of fiberglass shower bases. The next step up is our reinforced white acrylic shower bases. These do not require a mud set underneath and are a good value. These, however, come only in standard sizes. If you want to treat yourself to a solid surface or cultured stone shower base, you will pay a bit more. These are available in many patterns/colors and are custom built (with any drain location needed).

Additionally, your choice of shower base composition can impact your budget. The lowest price bases are fiberglass pans that flex/squeak when you step in and come with minimal warranty (production builders frequently use these). We do not recommend the use of fiberglass shower bases. The next step up is our reinforced white acrylic shower bases. These do not require a mud set underneath and are a good value. These, however, come only in standard sizes. If you want to treat yourself to a solid surface or cultured stone shower base, you will pay a bit more. These are available in many patterns/colors and are custom built (with any drain location needed).

The third selection in a shower project (after wall finishes and shower pan) is your shower door glass. Shower door systems can function as bypass doors, sliding door/fixed glass panel, pivot doors, shower glass screen walls, or glass block shower walls. 

The obscure glass (vs. clear) does increase the cost of your shower door system. Finally, the hardware finish on your shower door can impact the project cost. The most economical (and currently most popular) is Brushed Nickel. Other higher-cost hardware options include Chrome, Matte Black, and Gold.

Our customized shower kits are shipped nationwide right to your home. If you would like to learn more about your design choices and budgets for your project, please call Choice Building Products at 800-635-1226 and ask for a Free Design Consultation.