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 comparable or lower ceramic tile. Another option many homeowners are considering today is the YourChoice rigid PVC shower wall panel line. These grout-free panels are designed for customers who want a stylish shower upgrade at a more budget-friendly price point while still offering modern patterns inspired by marble, stone and tile looks. Further, your days of cleaning evil grout joints are over!

The YourChoice line is especially popular with homeowners looking for a lower-maintenance shower system that can also simplify installation compared to traditional tile projects.

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. For customers using the YourChoice wall panel line, pairing the system with the right shower base can help create a more cohesive and coordinated grout-free shower design. 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.

Whether you select premium laminate wall panels or the more budget-friendly YourChoice rigid PVC line, today’s grout-free shower systems offer homeowners more flexibility than ever before when balancing style, maintenance, and project costs.

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.