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Tile shower versus acrylic shower enclosure

15 years ago

We are in the process of remodeling our first floor hall guest bathroom due to a water leak at toilet The bathroom had blue fixtures and tile which we would like to replace with biscuit. The toilet and vanity are no problem to replace, the floor already removed due to water damage, but now we are trying to decide what to do about the acrylic shower enclosure ( one piece unit with floor, sides, roof). This shower was installed by previous owner and we have used it only about three times in the 12 years we have lived in house. The problem is that it is the bathroom that any guests to our home will use while visiting ( but not usually the shower of course), so I want it to look nice. It is next to our kitchen which we just renovated with stainless appliances and granite counter tops. I am considering having it painted biscuit color by Miracle Method ( ~ $700) -- the other option would be replacing it with tile at the same time the floor is tiled. Maintenance isn't really an issue since shower not used. On a side note another issue is that our hardwood floor installer just installed hardwood flooring in this bathroom -- we had told them no hardwood in this room -- we had planed to replace blue tile with new neutral tile. I need to talk with them today about this -- should I leave hardwood in a bathroom with a shower we never use ( it looks nice) or should we have them rip up floor so we can put down tile? Does anyone have opinions on a nice look for shower in a "powder room" and cost estimates? Thanks

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Comments (5)

chisue
15 years ago
Um, what is wrong with the shower? Is it blue? Do you want a shower there at all? It sounds like it was meant to be a steam shower as you say it is completely enclosed. Could you just leave it alone, or put a pretty frosted glass door on it?

I would not go to the expense of tile for a shower you seem to wish would disappear. Maybe you just want to remove it and enlarge the powder room with a skirted vanity in addition to toilet and sink.
bellamay
15 years ago
now would be the time to make the change, and it sound like you have updated other areas of your home and since you are already going to have a tile layer in that room, why not upgrade the shower? You will recoup all of the money you spend on this room when you sell the house, but if you leave the ugly acrylic shower stall it probably will be a negative factor later on.

Go for it! and keep the wood floors in the bathroom. It will add just a little more style.
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The only thing I saw that wasn't kosher was the part about going up the wall behind the cement board 4". By code, it MUSt go up a minimum of 8" PAST the top of the curb, meaning 10- 12" up the wall, instead of 4". Also, I know I'm not cheap by ANY means, and My shower pans, materials included run 30.00 per square foot. IOW, for me to come and install your shower pan would cost you 360.00. You can take it from there. Keep in mind, though, different areas will charge differently.
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I don't think weight would be an issue but you can always ask the cultured marble vendor what the total weight would be for a completed unit. Don't forget the glass enclosure also adds a lot of weight, too, and will depend on the thickness of the glass used. Our shower is a 38" neo-angle with two slab walls, edge molding and two storage units (one inset, one corner). Cost in 2003 was $1200 exclusive of glass enclosure. If you decide to get an acrylic or fiberglass unit, just make sure the base is properly supported. These materials are brittle and crack easily in any unsupported spot. Also, be sure to use only mfg-approved cleaners. I ruined our acrylic tub by using a cleaner that damaged the gloss topcoat, and could never keep it clean looking afterwards.
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Either, as long as the shower is built correctly and maintained it will be fine. I would go with what you want and not let which is easier to be your driving decision. I would however, avoid slate and super porous stones due to a really increased challenge to maintain. But that is not what you asked. We find showers where homeowners use liquid soap vs bar soap, wipe the shower clean after every use to dry the shower and weekly cleaning have minimal problems with a tile or acrylic shower. The shower is one of the most used (and certainly the wettest) place in the house. A little of attention goes a long way to preventing soap scum and mildew. Some even keep a dehumidifier or fan near the shower.
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weedyacres
15 years ago
Go for the tile. If you're already budgetting to spend $700 to change the color of the acrylic shower, use it towards beautifying the space instead.

Since you're going mostly for looks and the shower won't be used much, leave the wood in as long as it doesn't tie you into a footprint that you want to change.

As for cost, it depends on the materials you choose. Tile can be You might venture over to the bathrooms forum and get some more help. See you there. :-)
annzgw
15 years ago
I see you have three choices. Have it recoated, totally remove it and enlarge the bathroom, or remove it and replace with a tiled shower.

Tile cannot be placed over the fiberglass, so if you're on a budget total removal and/or replacing with a tiled shower is going to be the more costly routes.
The least expensive route, in a room where the shower is never used, is to leave the shower and recoat it. DIL has had the recoating process done in her last two homes and it turned out great.

Definitely keep the wood floors!
dan_dhrt
15 years ago
Perhaps I am missing something.

We have the same type of guest bathroom, i.e. it is a 4 piece instead of a 2 piece power room.

We don't like the tile around the shower enclosure either.

In our situation, we are spending money and focus right now on a whole bunch of other energy conservation and renovation projects(per the link below).

What did we do? We simply purchased a very nice shower curtain. If guest are sufficiently nosy to pull back what is obviously a shower curtain, they can do so at their own peril. :-)

Re hardwood in the 'powder room', if I imagine w_anne as you described it, having the hardwood in the power room could look VERY nice depending on the color scheme. We have dard Jatoba Expresso in our kitchen / dining / family room which could look like in the powder room. If it is a lighter shade of brown then the hardwood might not look as nice.

The other issue of course is how confident are you that the toilet leak has been fixed? (I had to bring it up).

Lastly, how powerful is the fan in the bathroom? And is there a timer on the fan? You could (conjecture on my part) down the road have moisture caused issues with the hardwood it all of a sudden your lifestyle changes and the shower is used much more frequently.

I hope that helps.
Dan

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Renovation and Energy Conservation Projects

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