We just re-did our main bathroom. We too didn't want the grout cleaning/replacing issue in the future. We had 1.3cm Caesarstone quartz cut to fit and used as a tub surround. It is fairly pricey but if you are hiring someone to do the tiling, it may compare. We have two niches and they used a bit of our vanity granite to put in the bottom and back of the niche, and the quartz for the sides and top of the niches. They were able to cut all the holes for plumbing. A few of the quartz companies carry the thin slabs, but it is often special order and can cost more. For us the Caesarstone was $500 Canadian less per slab than the 2 or 3cm size. Cambria was a higher cost than the thick slabs. Caesarstone only had about 10 colours available in the thin slabs, but we found one that worked (Dreamy Marfil). It's worth looking into at least.

I was going to mention slabs. Glass sheets and acrylics are available as well. You can also look at large format wall tiles. I saw a material called quantum that was large format tile, but I forget if it was for floors only.

http://www.quantumporcelain.com/ is what I saw. Only comes in 2 very neutral colors from what I could tell, but I think they are pretty.

Thanks for your comments silken1 and bahacca. I had been wondering if the quartz companies did thinner wall panels as I thought that would be a slick solution, even if it cost a little more. Looked at the site bahacca referenced and the large porcelain tiles really are appealing. Didn't get into the site to see if they could be applied to shower walls yet. Do either of you know a solution for the bottom of the shower? Bahacca do you (or anyone) have any experience with glass sheets or acrylics?

I don't have experience with the glass or acrylic. I just happened to be researching shower walls like you! Bottom of shower- I saw a could in concrete, but no idea on sealing them correctly. I would think some kind of enamel could be done similar to a bathtub???

Someone mentioned in another thread about a shower pan. That looks like it is solid surface.

There is a simple solution for the floor to minimize grout lines, and it's called a linear drain. If you use one, the shower floor can be in a single plane, and you can use the largest format tiles you want.

Neolith.

As for glass, think of how the scum builds up on your glass shower door. If you did the walls in glass, you'd need to squeegee every time you showered.

I squeegee every timer I shower regardless of what's on the walls! Just takes a couple minutes and saves time in the future scrubbing off water spots.

Kudzu9 do you have any idea if it is really expensive to convert a shower floor from the standard design of floor drain in the middle to on the side? I'm assuming associated costs of re-routing the plumbing.

• It could be relatively easy, particularly if you have wood framing underneath. In my case, I had a cement slab with radiant heat tubing in it, so, instead of breaking up the slab to put the linear drain at one end, I chose to have it in the center where the existing drain was located. My shower is about 5' X 7', and I have two planes sloping slightly from the far ends and meeting in the center. Typical slope for the floor is 1/4" per foot. How much slope you would have is based on whether you center the drain or have it at one of the ends of your shower.

You can have a custom-made shower pan in Corian according to my contractor. I think Trebuchet (Joe) has some good information on fabricating those. Perhaps he will check in.

You can also buy cast iron shower pans in various sizes.

Corian and other solid surfaces make excellent grout-free shower walls. Mold, mildew, and even AIDS can't live on solid surface, that's why architects specify it for operation room walls in hospitals.

Great information everyone. What a wonderful forum to have kind people such as yourselves share your knowledge and help out a stranger. I will pursue your ideas. One last question, I love in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area. Any one know of a great company that routinely does the solid surface installation for showers here? Thanks to all.

I'd find a retail store that sells the products you are considering by using the manufacturer directories. Look at the products in person, ask the sales people pros and cons( if they give no come, leave! No surface is perfect). Then, once you know what material you want, do a broader search for price and install. Ask for references and call them and look at the installs.

Excellent suggestions. Thank you

"Any one know of a great company that routinely does the solid surface installation for showers here? "

Look up Tom Pinske. He's in Minnesota; I visited his shop several years ago. He's very well known in the industry and can probably make a referral if he can't do it himself.