You could have quartz or granite thin sliced for your shower walls.

Corian, Swanstone, and Transolid make solid surface showers. Should they ever get a scratch or scuff, it can be sanded out because the color goes all the way through the material. You can do a search on any of those brands and see our long discussions. One good discussion is on the thread titled, ”Kohler Choreograph?”

Even though Choreograph was not a true color-through-and-through product, we discussed and showed pictures of our solid surface showers in that thread.

Large Format Tile? 48 x 48

https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile?prefn1=size&prefv1=48%20x%2048

https://www.dekton.com/usa/what-is-dekton/

I've used tile as large as 30"x60" for shower walls. Installers hate it though...

@HALLETT & Co.why do installers hate large format tiles for shower walls?

does a large format tile for shower wall require special treatment for install?

Not Hallett &Co, but I know that each tile is heavy, is very expensive and so making a mistake in cutting one will cost a lot, need flat and square walls for good installation, and few tilers have experience with them yet. You need a REAL tile setter, not just anyone.

phinney48-

It can be done, but it's going to be très cher compared to a normal, tiled shower.

Exactly Nancy. Mine ended up buying a new saw on my second job that specified it. Looks great though.

@hunt597 - Short video on super-size porcelain tile installation. Special equipment, special training. Now just imagine trying to do this in a residential setting...even if it's a new build. Tiles are very thin, one little "bump" and they shatter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yv-jXxJUd4

We used Swanstone in three of our b athrooms. we love it.

I was in a tile store this week and was told even the 24 x 48 porcelain tiles would cost more to install. No clue yet if that means 20% more expensive, double the price, etc.

I wanted the same thing as you, but ended up going with 12x24 porcelain tile that looks like marble, with tiny grout lines and grout color that matches the white in the tile so it all blends together. It looks awesome, and has a whole lot less grout that my old 4x4 tile shower. :) Cost and difficulty in finding anyone who was capable of installing were the obstacles to slab (or really big tile).

Personally looking at the solid surface options, they look boring old style to me. Maybe there are modern design available and I need to go out and find them. Wife wants porcelain panels all the way to the ceiling but again can't find anyone around who has expertise on the installation.

@mpar would you be able to post a picture of your shower please . we're contemplating the large format tile as well. thx

@hunt597 Thanks for asking. Here are a couple of photos - the project is not completely finished yet, but hopefully enough to get a sense of the tile size (12x24, picked the closet match grout color from grout samples).

@mpar that looks very nice. Our existing master bath also has a window like yours. Right now I am thinking tile that whole wall.

@Bobby A We considered tiling the whole wall (there is a tub going in under the window), but the reason I decided against it is that it's easier to decorate (and re-decorate later) with art, window treatments, towel bars, paint, etc when you don't have to drill holes in tile. It would definitely look beautiful, but I'm terribly practical and know that I like to change things up periodically. :)

My tile guys had no problem working with their normal gear to install 30" x 30" tiles.

@mpar, thank you for posting. The tile walls look great!

A lot of the quartz manufacturers make slabs for cladding in thinner thicknesses than the ones used for countertops. I know Silestone and Dekton are two brands; there are others.

They are more difficult to install because the walls have to be perfectly straight.

I've had cultured marble shower walls in 2 homes now and they're practically maintenance free.

@mpar gorgeous shower. would tou mind sharing the tile you used? thanks.

@tapasnut Thanks! The tile is called Jewel Bianco Statuario. https://www.statementstile.com/jewel

@chiflipper, watched the video from RAK Ceramics you linked. Yeah, that's not happening in my small tract house bathroom. :P But they did put grout at at the floor joint line?

@CKT, can you share your cultured marble shower wall source?

@tartanmeup - Just search engine "cultured marble manufacturers near me" and pick the closest location. Both Lowe's and Home Depot offer cultured marble BUT, you have no control over the quality of "their" installer.

Thanks, @chiflipper. Closest is 5 hours away. I'll check my local Home Depot but I doubt they offer this product.

@tartanmeup - Also check local cabinet shops, they often offer cultured marble sink tops and can also do showers. Put on your best "innocent face" and ask HD (kitchen department) who they use for their quartz / granite countertop fabrication / installation - then contact that firm directly.

Bobby A, Swanstone used to have dozens of colors. They have cut back, but still have a variety of colors with swirls and specks. Click on “download” to see a better quality of picture. Send for some samples if any look interesting.

https://swanstone.com/en/collections-and-finishes/materials-and-finishes/finishes

Quartz in 1cm thickness. Cambria, Caesarstone and others have this. I did my shower in Cambria quartz.

I also wanted solid surface shower walls, but not the cheap plastic or fiberglass. I couldn't find anything nearby and ended up with 12x24 porcelain on the walls, with 1/16" grout lines, and a cast iron shower pan.

When the glass company rep came out to measure for the shower door, I overheard him chatting with the plumber about a job the glass company had recently done...glass shower walls. Not just on the open sides, but against the drywall sides. He said the homeowner painted or decorated the wall then the glass company came in and installed glass on all 4 sides of the shower. Oh, what terrible timing! My tile had just been completed or I would have been all for this idea!

Thanks Nancy.

We ended up with 2' x 2' porcelain tile and 2" hexagonal porcelain floor tile.