Tile surrounds look so very nice. I really love the look. That said, I think I'm glad we have one-piecers in both bathrooms (one shower-tub combo and one shower only). These aren't new units, the house is 40 years old and they came with the house. One day we'll replace them, but there's no hurry.

My daughter's rental has tile in both upstairs bathrooms, one tub-shower combo and one walk-in-and-have-a-stroll shower. We've used both on numerous occasion as she sometimes goes out of town on business and we babysit, or recently she had a new baby and I went to help out. The shower in particular needs all sorts of spot scrubbing to keep the tile and grout clean. My daughter is a bit of a clean freak (didn't get it from me!) and even she has trouble keeping up with shower maintenance. This really made my mind up for me for what we'll do one of these years - solid surface of some sort despite the fact that I love the look of tile.

Look at the Swanstone surround kits. Some very nice colors (non-solid) and easy to clean. I think its a great compromise between a one piece acrylic unit (cheap looking IMHO), and tile.

It really boils down to your preferences between nice looks and easy maintenance. Which is more important to you?

BTW, I've never found the built-in ledges to be very adequate for the fiberglass surrounds. In-wall niches are much better.

lzerarc-we saw this at a parade home this fall and I snapped a pic. I think it looks really nice but without all of the cost of tiling from tub up (plus with the curtain closed all you see is the top anyhow). A bit more polished and custom looking IMO. Added bonus is the tile way up there will not get as dirty as what is actually in the shower getting wet and soapy. You get a portion of the look without all of the extra fuss. We are thinking about it for our kids bathroom. Just thought I'd throw it out there as an option.

thanks for the comments.
Autumn- we were considering something a long those lines as well, and that image you posted looks very nice. That definately might be the solution to get the best of both worlds. thanks

If you will ever give a child, or pet a bath, do not do a door, do a curtain. Leaning over, around the door will ruin you back.

Localeater is absolutely correct about washing kids--curtain is the way to go!

I like the one Autumn posted. It looks adequately swanky while being easy to keep clean.

An acrylic solid surface type material for the surround like Corian or Swanstone or one of the knockoffs would be the easiest to keep clean. It also has the bonus of being solid all the way through so if they do manage to scratch it, it can be sanded out and won't show. It's also invisibly repairable, where a cultured marble product or an acrylic/fiberglass surround either won't be repairable, or will have a very obvious patch.