I’m so proud that with all of my advanced degrees (and the big-bucks it took to get them) I’m NOW smart enough to give a definition of what a shower wall surround is. And if you’re ready for it, here it comes….
A shower wall surround are the walls which surround a shower.
Ok, right now – I KNOW you’re saying, “Wow, isn’t Mike amazingly smart!”
And yes – while I’m being tongue and cheek with this definition of a shower wall surround, there’s actually more to know about them (and how to buy a shower wall surround system and not screw up) than meets the eye. And that’s why I’m writing this article.
And since I’m a guy who leads a nationwide wholesale company which supplies shower wall surrounds, and who also has a bathroom remodeling company in Cleveland Ohio which uses them every day, I plan to give you more insights in this article than the simple definition provided above. And here’s how I’m going to do it.
In Section 1 I’m going to help you know your shower wall surround options.
Then in Section 2 I’m going to give you 10 tips, so you DO NOT screw up and make a bad/uninformed decision if you decide to buy a shower surround.
Let’s dig into Section 1.
Section 1 – Know your shower wall surround options
Because I know options in shower wall surrounds can be daunting I’m going to give you a quick primer about types of surrounds.
Option #1 – Shower wall surrounds which are made in large sheets
When most people think about shower wall surrounds they think of them as products made from large sheets. And while this is true for popular options I’ll outline below – you’ll see when you read on this isn’t the only way you can buy shower wall surrounds. And yes, these big sheets CAN be a pain to bring in the door, up the stairs, and into a small bathroom, but they’re also popular for many reasons.
Cultured marble and cultured granite shower wall panels – These panels are made to order and in the residential market they’re sold in 3/8” thick sizes. They’re built like a rock (because they’re literally a man-made stone). You can find cultured marble and cultured granite walls in up to 60” x 96” sizes (for the back wall of a tub to shower conversion) and they can be made in pretty much any sized panel up to this size (although there are manufacturers who make them bigger than 60” x 96” but they get quite cumbersome). The biggest advantage of these panels is durability. The biggest negatives is they’re heavy (a 60” x 96” panel can weigh 120 lbs.) and their styling is a little long in the tooth.
Acrylic shower wall panels – Most of your ‘bath in a day’ companies use 1/8” thick acrylic wall panels. They come in similar sizes as the cultured stone units – but are lighter and simpler to install. They’re a molded panel – and don’t look very realistic. And while they can be cost-effective (if you buy them in a home center) – if you get them from a professional bathroom installation contractor they’re not always a ‘cheap date’ (especially from the big ‘bath-in-a-day’ franchises).
Fiberglass (or F.R.P. – fiberglass reinforced plastic) shower wall panels – Fiberglass panels are made in standard sizes (and are 1/8” thick) and are the cheapest of the ‘large sheet’ wall panels. They’re used extensively in mass-produced new homes and also in renovations where contractors want to keep costs down by buying these units from a local home center. They’re not very stylish – and are prone to crack, yellow, and be tough to clean.
Image Credit: www.lowes.com
Optical grade high gloss acrylic wall panels – These panels have a sleek, stylish appearance and are 5/16” thick. They create a contemporary look and can brighten a dark room. And the optical grade acrylic process (which has a clear coat in the front and the color in the back) while also an ‘acrylic’ material is far more expensive than ‘standard acrylic sheets.’
Patterned solid surface wall panels – Patterned solid surface shower walls are truly a work of art. However, you’ll pay prices which also fit the ‘work of art’ category. If you want to make a splash (bad shower pun intended) and have a big budget – this is a cool option.
Image Credits: MR Walls
Decorative PVC shower wall panels – These ¼” thick panels are digitally printed on a PVC backing. They come in sheets up to 60” x 96”. They’re super-easy to install and look good because of the resolution of the digital prints. The negative is they have a plastic backing and aren’t as solid as stone or wood backed products.
Marble or granite slabs – Marble and granite slabs can look WON-DER-FUL in a shower. And if you have the money to afford them they can be fantastic. However, given their material cost and weight to install, they’re used mostly in the highest-end homes.
Option #2 – Click-together shower wall surrounds made in modular-sized sheets
A newer concept (in the United States that is) in shower wall panels are ‘click together’ shower wall panels. They are similar to the click-together flooring which is growing like wildfire.
Rather than lugging in large shower wall sheets – which can damage walls, ceilings, because they’re cumbersome to maneuver through tight spaces, and be difficult to cut and install – click-together wall panels are modular and can be installed by one person (vs. the two person installation of large sheet products). Here’s popular varieties of click together panels sold in the United States today.
Laminate shower wall panels – These 3/8” thick panels have a high-pressure laminate top surface, applied over a marine grade plywood (the same stuff used on ships), with a vapor barrier in the back. They’ve been a staple of nicer showers in Europe for over 41 years. And they’re growing fast in the United States. What’s nice about these panels is since they’re not molded (like acrylic, fiberglass, and cultured marble panels mentioned above) they’re a lot more realistic looking. And as a matter of fact, one manufacturer from Norway makes them in over 600 pattern patterns since expensive molds aren’t required to create new patterns! That’s a crazy-big selection!
SPC wall panels – SPC wall panels (also known as stone plastic composites) are 1/8” thick and cost-effective to make. They have less substantial click-lock mechanisms than laminate panels but are low priced.
SMC wall panels – SMC wall panels (also known as sheet molded compounds) combine the strength of stone with aggregates and resins. They come in various sizes (from 20” x 96”, 36” x 96” to 60” x 96”), are 1/8” thick, and can not only save installation time – but come in a wide variety of patterns. They’re more expensive than SPC, but cheaper than laminate wall panels.
Option #3 – Shower wall surround you put together in small pieces
The oldest, and best-known shower surrounds are those made of ‘small pieces.’ And before you wonder what those are – they’re tried (and not always as true as you might think) options of tile, stone, and glass tiles.
What’s cool about individual piece products is the selections – and patterns styles are virtually unlimited. They can be laid in different patterns, can use different color grout joints between them, and/or have decorative borders. So, what options are possible with small piece shower surround systems? Here are the most popular ones I’m sure you’ve seen.
Tile shower surround – Tile surrounds are a leading product used in shower surrounds. And while grout options have gotten better (like urethane and epoxy grout)– and the styles are unlimited – their main drawback is tile showers take a long time to install (‘er high cost) and are difficult to maintain.
Image Credits: www.fireclaytile.com
Stone shower surround – Just like the tile surrounds -you need even a higher skill level for a stone shower – but it’s really unique. Stone showers are seen mostly in high-end homes because of cost.
Image Credits: www.lushhome.com
Glass tile shower surround – Glass tiles add sheen and shimmer to a bathroom and they’re simple to clean. The drawback on glass tiles (like tile and stone showers) is that they’re NOT a cheap date, and they also have those evil grout joints!
Section 2 – 10 tips so you DO NOT screw up buying a shower wall surround
If you’ve been considering a new shower system (and shower wall surround) to upgrade from your dirty and yellowed fiberglass one-piece tub/shower – or your moldy tile shower walls – but F.O.S.U. (the Fear of Screwing Up) has stopped you dead in your tracks, the 10 tips below will help you get over these fears, without a trip to the psychiatrist.
Tip #1 – Do NOT jump on the first option your contractor shows you
Over the years I’ve heard some outrageous prices contractors have charged to either replace a shower surround – and thought, “I can’t believe how little value this owner got for their money (‘er, in plain-speak, they got ripped off!).”
And let’s face it – with some of the slick high-pressure selling which goes on in the one day bathroom market (where they try to tell you the pricing is ONLY good today, so you MUST BUY NOW!) – these high-pressure sales practices lead to bad decisions.
So, do this before signing on the bottom line. Do your research into product options (like you’ve seen above) and get quotes from 2 to 3 companies.
Many of the large one day bath companies actually use a cheaper acrylic system but charge more than their small to medium sized competitors who often sell higher quality products (but have less overhead and far less name recognition).
DO NOT BE PRESSURED into signing a contract from a well-known company with a slick sales approach!
Tip #2 – Ask how tall the wall panels will be. Will they reach the top of your 8’ ceiling?
A big reason people choose grout free shower surround panels is to minimize maintenance. However, some buy PVC, FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), or Fiberglass surrounds which don’t reach the ceiling (and you STILL have the maintenance hassles inside your shower alcove).
Don’t be a victim of this problem. Ask how tall the shower surrounds are and if they’ll reach the top of your ceiling.
Tip #3 – Don’t buy a shower wall surround which looks fake!
While it’s nice to buy shower surrounds which get rid of the hassle of maintaining grout joints – it can also be a letdown if the molded wall panels you purchase look…. well…. like molded wall panels!
They look fake. You know it. Your friends and neighbors who visit know it.
And if you’re wondering how you can get the ‘best of both worlds’ – a wall surround system which is low maintenance AND looks realistic – here’s 2 options:
Option 1 – Buy a natural product like tile and stone and then invest in the best grout to minimize maintenance (urethane or epoxy grout are smart choices). Or ….
Option 2 – Look for wall panels which are NOT made in a mold. One smart selection is 3/8” thick laminate shower wall panels which have faux grout joints which are a different color than the tile/stone looks on the surface. They’re made with a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. They’re not molded.
Tip #4 – Don’t assume you have to use tile and stone (and pay the price) if you have a custom sized shower.
Too many people go into their local home center, see the standard sizes offered in grout free shower surround panels and assume they’re stuck with a higher maintenance, higher cost, tile shower.
However, nothing could be further from the truth.
And while there are shower surround materials which only come in standard sizes (like fiberglass and FRP) – there are others like cultured granite and laminate wall panels which can be custom made to size – or cut to any size you like (and you can learn more about custom shower kits in the article below).
As a matter of fact – given the size flexibility of these materials you ARE NOT only limited to using them only in the shower alcove. Use them for your bathroom walls (so you NEVER have to paint again – and YES I’ll say that again – you NEVER have to paint again!). Or use them as wainscoting behind your vanities or toilet.
Tip #5 – Don’t assume you need big burly guys/gals to install them, or that it would be impossible to DIY the job.
While you WILL need big burly guys/gals to install cultured marble, cultured granite, or real marble or granite slabs – there are many other options which aren’t back-breaking to install (or anxiety provoking that you’ll get them in the home, and into the bathroom, without them being broke).
Tip #6 – Don’t be a victim of choosing the wrong pattern. Look for suppliers offering a visualizer tool AND free samples.
I’m going to come clean. I have the UG-LIEST carpet runner going into my basement known to man (or woman). And why do I have this ugly carpet runner you might ask? We’ll it’s because I only saw a very tiny sample and didn’t realize the pattern was as God-awful as it is!
So, how can you not be the victim of this error with something you see much more often than when I see the carpet leading into my scary basement (but that’s another subject)?
Well, here’s two things you can do:
Use a bathroom visualizer which shows the ‘full pattern’ of your walls and also how the walls coordinate with the shower pan and glass door you may be considering.
Get samples and view them in the light/context of your bathroom. As you know, how things look on a computer screen or iPad (in a bathroom presentation) are not necessarily how they’ll appear in your home (after they’re installed and it’s too late to put in something different). Be careful. Get actual samples and put them into your room and next to your floors and paint to see if they work.
Tip #7 – Don’t stand for pre-molded accessories built into the cheaper shower surround walls which don’t suit your needs.
While manufacturers who make shower surrounds with pre-molded ‘accessories’ (like shelves for shampoo, shower seats, or plastic towel bars) are trying to be thoughtful and pack a lot of function into their standard molded surrounds, have you ever noticed the following problems with these units?
The shelves are too shallow and with the slightest bump you hear ‘plop’ as your shampoo bottle hits the shower floor (or lands on your foot – ouch!).
The shower seat(s) eat up the shower and make it uncomfortable for those who shower standing up to have room to move around.
You’re worried a loved one whose mobility isn’t good is to going to use the cheap plastic towel bar like it’s a grab bar and take a nasty fall in the shower.
In most cases it’s best to add shower accessories to the wall panels vs. getting the ‘shower accessories included’ and pre-built onto the molded wall surrounds.
Or add a fold down shower seat which won’t gobble up the room all the time – even if the seat is only needed occasionally (for example, for those shaving their legs).
Or get a professionally installed grab bar with backing so it’s safe and secure, but also its stylish enough to double as a towel bar (and it won’t look like it was yanked off the walls of a truck stop or hospital room and slapped into your bathroom!).
Tip #8 – Don’t assume a home center (with those ‘oh-so-helpful’ – sarcasm intended – smock people who turn over like the dandelions in your lawn) are your only option for shower wall surrounds.
I’m not sure why so many people (contractors and consumers alike) buy low-quality shower surrounds from a home center, then go on to complain about their performance. Perhaps it’s because they don’t realize there’s other options, or it’s the ‘path-of-least-resistance’ way to buy.
What you may not know is you could get your shower surrounds from bathroom products specialty companies. These companies have Shower Specialists who, unlike a person in a home center isn’t expected to know what they’re talking about with 35,000 SKU’s (stock keeping units).
Or you could buy from a certified bathroom remodeling company which is knowledgeable and active in their remodeling or building associations and will supply and install for you.
Or if you’re looking to age in place (or need an accessible shower for someone with limited mobility), there’s even specialized home access contractors who are knowledgeable about how to safely build bathrooms for people with medical challenges.
Bottom Line: Don’t settle for a home center to buy your shower surrounds.
Tip #9 – Don’t go in blind and know nothing about the installation – even if you have no intention of installing the walls yourself!
While the saying ‘ignorance is bliss’ has its place, I’d argue it’s place IS NOT when you’re investing thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars in a bathroom remodel.
And let’s face facts – while there are highly qualified bathroom installers, there’s also hacks who’ll take your money, install it wrong, and shortly thereafter you’ll be left holding the bag (or worse yet, you’ll end up paying for a BOBO – buy one bath remodel, then you ‘get to’ buy another!
So, how can you protect yourself against this problem?
Watch shower wall surround installation videos on how this job is done. At least have an idea of the correct installation process to make sure your bath remodeling crew is doing it properly.
Tip #10 – Make sure you’re getting a complete shower surround kit
Remember assembling toys for the holidays for the kids (or your grandkids now) and you get to the end and find those infuriating words (BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED!).
You know they’ll be excited to play with the new toy, and YOU want to make sure it’s working correctly (no one wants to disappoint a little one at the holidays) and finding batteries, even in the ‘junk drawer’ you’ve been intending to organize for years, can be tough when the clock is ticking down.
So, you may be asking why I’m bringing up this bad memory right now?
Well – installing shower surround wall panels can resemble this previously bad toy-putting-together experience. You see there are SO many shower surround material options which DO NOT come with the sealant or grout needed to put them together. Or they don’t come with the trim profiles to finish the edges.
Make sure you don’t get to (what you think) will be the end, only to not know the correct sealant to buy – or you can’t find a trim profile which’ll finish the ends AND looks good.
Ask your supplier (or installer) if you’re getting a manufacturer approved shower surround system with ‘the works!’ And ask if they supply a complete shower replacement kit to make sure the shower pan and glass doors are designed to work with the walls.
So, do you feel better you now know more about shower wall surrounds and how to NOT make a mistake in buying a system?
If I did my job right you not only know the simple definition of a shower wall surround (which are walls surrounding a shower – duh!), but more importantly you also got a ‘survey course’ in the wide range of options – AND practical tips to NOT screw up when buying one.
And while I hope this has started you on the right path, I realize I didn’t specifically give you recommendations for your shower – because I don’t know your exact situation.
However, here’s what I’d like to offer next.
If you’d like input on your job call 877-668-5888 or get a Free Design Consultation. Or if you’re looking for a bathroom remodeling contractor in your area – comment below and we’ll see if we’ve got a dealer in your town to assist you.
And lastly – thanks for reading this article – and putting up with my wacky personality. Basically, the older I get the more I like to laugh along the way as I’m dishing out advice.
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
Mike Foti
Bill – our team can assist you with materials if you’re replacing an alcove tub. Call us at 877-668-5888 – or here’s a link to possible products to use in this project – https://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/product/shower-replacement-kits-alcove-showers/
Bill
Replacing alcove tub surround.
Bill Pequignot
Any dealers and installers near Wilmington NC or Myrtle Beach SC ? I am located between.
Bill – call us at 877-668-5888 – we do have dealers in your area