Swanstone is a good product. We put in a Swanstone shower in our last house and it was simple to install and the end result was watertight and easy to clean. Materials are more expensive than tile (I think it was around $1700 for a 42x42 shower with pan, walls, trim, and large caddy (niche)--like 4 years ago), but labor should be less.

We've used Swanstone shower pans and caddies on recent tile showers, and purchased them online, though I can't remember who from...just shopped around and found the cheapest.

Tile has a lot more decorative options, so it can look more high-end if you use certain materials. It will cost more to install, and if your installer doesn't do it right there's more potential to screw up (i.e., incorrect slope on the pan). But if you get a good installer that knows what he/she's doing, you can get a "wow" factor that Swanstone probably won't give you.

So it depends on what your priorities are. Sounds like resale is definitely a consideration, so find out what competing homes have in them. If they're all tile, you probably need to go with tile. If they're all fiberglass, then either tile or Swanstone will be an upgrade.

As for costs, you'll need to get a couple quotes from tile people on the install cost, and shop for tile to get a feel for costs on what you like. Then price the Swanstone with the options you want and compare.

BTW, simple white subway tile is pretty cheap (fancy stuff can be astronomical), but it will cost more to install than larger tiles.

Thanks for your response. All the showers and/or tub enclosures in the townhouses here have fiberglass. I think that only one other person has changed theirs out and they stayed with fiberglass.

I've gotten some estimates on tile as well as different info from each contractor. It has been a learning experience but also frustrating. They each use different methods for the shower pan and each one says theirs is the best way. The time for tile installation is anywhere from 3 days to a week depending on the contractor with one stating that he does flood testing. So have one using paper, wire,PVC and concrete and one who uses foam, etc. Did not know that they bring along their own plumber or may even do their own plumbing, if necessary, along the way. Work full time so would be difficult to be home right now if shower enclosure is to be tiled.

As for the Swanstone, plumber gave me estimate for removal of current fiberglass unit and replacement with what he supplies and it seemed on the high side. Have separate estimate for plumbing repair of leaking pipes (from same plumber) but my homeowners association is covering that. I don't know what the "usual" cost would be for removing fiberglass one piece unit, fixing up what is behind the unit and then installing new enclosure. However, since I would prefer the Swanstone or another solid surface material over the basic fiberglass, I will most probably be providing the materials. Does anyone have an idea of what typical cost might be for removing fiberglass unit and installing solid surface materials provided by homeowner? I know that there are installation instructions that come with the Swanstone but is there anything that isn't mentioned in these directions? In addition, are there any type of chemical emissions or noxious odors that are produced during the installation of the units? I am very concerned about this because of my birds and their known sensitivity to many things. They would be in the home during installation. Although the bathroom has an overhead fan, there is no window. I do have air purifiers running throughout my house and can open windows in other rooms when this is being done.

Thanks again. Appreciate any help with this.

You might want to look into cultured marble/granite vendors, which are all local. We have a tan cultured granite neo-angle shower that everyone thinks is Corian (it's glossier than the Real Thing). The showerpan weighs a ton and the slab walls are a breeze to keep clean. My DH thinks this is the hands-down the best thing we did in a 2003 bathrooms/kitchen update, and I tend to agree.

We wanted to put in Swanstone but saved about $800 by using the local vendor, as their price included custom measurements and complete install.

If you are serious about moving in a year, spend as little as possible on your update. A very good RE agent once told us, "The buyer's eye goes to the CHEAPEST thing in the room, and prices everything else accordingly." IOW, be consistent about the style and quality in your home, because buyers won't really pay for any one thing that stands out even if it is the best quality, when nothing else is at the same level.

Corian is available from a countertop fabricator only and is the most expensive option followed by Swanstone then cultured granite/marble and lastly acrylic/fiberglas. Most of these sheet goods are glued onto the drywall with silicone adhesives and are caulked with similar materials. All new construction materials seem to have a slight odor but none of these seem to be anything more than short-term IME.

Shower pans can be either custom-made tile basins, solid-surface or acrylic/fiberglas. None of these necessarily have to be of the same materials used on the walls.

Here is a link that might be useful: Schluter Systems shower water-proofing