Welcome back to the American Bathroom Remodeling Blog! Today we are going to cover shower materials that you should be deciding between during your build or remodel. When deciding what shower wall material you should be using in your bathroom there are a few factors that play into this. You want to be sure that the material is waterproof, easy to clean, decorative, and long lasting. No one wants to change their shower wall multiple times in 20 years just because they didn’t choose something waterproof or long lasting that now has gone rotten.
With over 35 years of experience in the bathroom remodeling industry we are able to tell you the best materials to choose from and the difference in those materials. We strive to help you understand what you will gain from each of these shower wall materials to help your decision.
Acrylic and Fiberglass
A modern approach to quickly and cleanly making you shower look pristine is by installing acrylic sheets. Acrylic and fiberglass are materials that are often times available in multiple colors and are fairly easy to install. There are different types of shower walls you can get from acrylic and fiberglass. This can include a prefabricated shower unit for a shower kit or a one piece kit. The prefabricated shower units are one of the best budget friendly ways in which you can build your shower-tub combo.
Shower kit (multi-part)
A multi-part shower kit is great for you if you are looking for a smooth surface. It creates a seamless look that comes in multiple parts to piece together. This tends to be a tub or shower pan and a few pieces for the wall. While this can be advertised as a “do it yourself” project, we advise calling a professional to be sure that it is truly watertight.
Shower Kit (one piece kit)
Similar to the multi-part kit above this kit includes a shower pan or tub and walls, but it is all one unit. These are often difficult to install yourself and require a professional. They can also be difficult to transport through doorways due to their size. However, these units are great for new construction sites.
Natural Stone Tile
If you are trying to create a luxurious look in your bathroom then natural stone and tile are meant for you! Due to the fact that you are choosing natural stone and tile to be in your bathroom each piece will have its own unique lines and colors. Depending on the look you are going for you can use a matte or glossy finish on the stones, as well as a rough or smooth finish to create interest or a modern look. Although natural stone can give your bathroom a spa look and feel you must keep up with the cleaning more often than other types of shower wall materials. Some of the most common types of natural stone and tile you can use in your shower include onyx, travertine, granite, slate, and marble.
Ceramic and Porcelain
Ceramic and porcelain allow you to be able to build your bathroom how you want. They give you the ability to style and create a unique shower that looks crisp and clean. You can purchase ceramic and porcelain in different colors as well as sizes depending on if you want a single slab or tiles to cover your walls. These shower wall materials are very water resistant and don’t stain easily compared to natural stone. Be sure to call a professional to lay your ceramic and porcelain shower walls. While this may be in the range of being able to do it yourself you want to be sure that each corner is sealed properly to prevent any water leakage.
Conclusion
No matter the shower wall material you choose be sure it is long lasting and durable. The options we have given you above are some of the best wall materials you can use. You want something that is water resistant and easy to clean because let’s face it, how often do you want to be on your hands and knees scrubbing grout? Probably not too often. At American Bath Remodeling we can offer you different wall surrounds based from acrylic and cultured marble. Each of these surrounds is mold and mildew resistant, water resistant, and grout free. If you are looking to remodel your bathroom contact us today!