4 Shower Wall Options
One of the most desired areas to be upgraded is a bathroom shower remodel. Because after years of daily use it is just worn out. Now it requires constant cleaning, and just looks out of date. It is time to seriously consider what your available options are since you are ready to tackle this DIY project.
Disclosure. This post may contain links to products or companies that pay a commission to DIYRemodelGuy.com, at no cost to you, if you decide to make a purchase through these links. Compensation or commissions help fund our work in bringing DIY remodeling ideas and tips to you.
Priority #1 – Bathroom Shower Remodel
Remodeling the shower is the #1 topic for most DIYers when talking about their bathroom remodel. Some have an old, worn out prefabricated unit and others have small tile that has seen a better day; replacing them is the best option. The two prevailing desires are for it to look good and be easy to clean. The good news there are 4 main choices when considering a shower remodel.
For purposes on this post I will go with the assumption that the shower pan (shower floor) will be a prefabricated one piece unit. These installation-ready shower pans are less expensive and easier to install in a DIY bathroom remodel. They are easy to clean, durable and won’t discolor like the old school ones we’ve all seen in apartments and older homes. The standard color is white so they will blend well with the other plumbing fixtures that are white like sinks and toilet.
10×30 Tiles on Walls 
Elongated Subway Tile on Walls
Tile Showers
Tile showers are very common and desired by most DIYers remodeling a bathroom. With a little patience you can learn quickly how to lay your own tile. Like most projects it really is about the preparation; you’ll want to have everything needed ready at time of installation.
The are some great tiles out there especially ones in a larger format. Popular large tiles come in 12×24, 10×30 and 12×36. Their big dimensions minimize the number of grout lines but are still reasonable in size to handle fairly easily. The color spectrum is large so fear not, there will be loads of choices. Consider selecting a tile with texture.
1st Timer
If this is your first tiling project try to stay with either a porcelain or ceramic tile. Natural stone tile looks great, but it takes some expertise. A procelain tile with rectified edges will allow for very small grout lines. No matter what tile you select read the instructions that come with it, some may require sealing prior to applying the grout.
Tech Note: A rectified tile is one that has squared edges. During manufacturing it goes through a mechanical process where the edges are straightened and made perfectly square. Additionally, the tiles are made truer in size so tiles to line up during installation providing for smaller grout lines (between 1/16″ to 3/16″).
The larger format tile still allows for decorative accent tile to be added to your new shower. It can be installed at the back of the niche, or as a picture frame or as a horizontal band or vertical strip. You’ll definitely want to spend some time online looking at options. Finally, a reasonable budget range would between $500 to $1,200 for your tile and grout. Just keep in mind you’ll have to get the material to your house so the size of the tile does matter.
12×36 Tile Installed Vertically, Stone Accent From Floor to Ceiling. 
8×48 Woodgrain Tile Installed Horizontally
Grout & Grout Lines
No matter what tile you select, I would suggest using a grout that already has the sealer in it. Grout is like cement, it needs to be sealed to keep water from absorbing unless you select one that has the sealer additive. So a regular sanded or unsanded grout will need to have a sealer applied to it after drying. Whereas a grout with sealer in its formula does not need it applied after.
I have mentioned large format tile above, but almost any tile you select will less grout lines than your existing smaller tile. For example, I have used 4×10 and 4×16 tiles many times (still better than the 2×2 or 4×4 tiles that was there originally. Plus the issues that you are most likely experiencing with your existing 20+ year old shower (mold, mildew, grout discoloration, etc.) won’t be an issue with your new tile shower and presealed grout.
Design Note: Keep in mind that with tile you’ll have to get it to your house in your own vehicle. Large format tiles present their own delivery challenges, so be aware. If you break it you own it.
Quartz Shower Walls
The option is use quartz slabs for your shower walls is very enticing. First it is a great way to avoid grout since none is needed. During fabrication The slabs are cut to fit based on the size and shape of your shower. They will have seams but since the quartz slabs are tightly fit together there is no gap and they are hardly noticeable. If you have quartz countertops in your kitchen check out the seams there.
Slabs come in many colors so there is a wide selection. Anything from a solid color to brilliant designs. Just like tile, you can vary what is used in the shower to create accents. For example, you might possibly use a slab with more design on it for the back wall while on the side walls you use a slab that is a complimentary solid color.
Most slabs are offered in a 2cm thickness (approx. 3/4″). While this is much thicker than you need, it is a standard size used most often. Some quartz manufacturers offer slabs in a 1cm thickness (approx. 3/8″). But, it might be a bit more expensive so check with your supplier. Standard slabs can range from $500 to $2000 with the typical hall bathroom shower will need two. Also, you’ll have to check with your local countertop granite/quartz fabricator for their costs. I have seen these range from $40 to $70 per square foot.
Photo courtesy of Cambria 
Photo courtesy of Silestone
Quartz Slab Fabrication
Unlike tile, you cannot install this yourself. Quartz is cut to size and installed by a fabricator. The wall preparation is similar to installing tile in that is should have a waterproof wallboard behind it. As a DIYer you would be responsible for the demo, plumbing, installing the shower pan, and prepping the walls for the quartz. Still plenty to be done by you to complete the bathroom shower remodel.
Composite Wall Panels
Sometimes referred to as solid surface wall panels, this wall covering like quartz comes in large slabs referred to as panels. Also, they can be of an acrylic material like Corian, or they can be a composite material which is just a way to reference component materials that have been combined to create a new material. But, in each case these materials will come in panels that can be cut to size in the field giving you the ability to install them yourself. Prices range from $1,100 to $1,900 with several variables making this a good option for your bathroom shower remodel.
Tech Note: Many of these wall panels can be specific formulations, or proprietary materials created and used by large companies. Sterling Plumbing has its Vikrel which is a mixture of fiberglass, acrylic, resins and other fillers. Corian is a solid surface material created by DuPont that has acrylic properties. Serica is Kohler’s proprietary composite material which uses crushed stone with a fiber stand reinforcement. Ok, too much information.
These wall panels come in a variety of colors and patterns depending on the manufacturer. For example, the Choreograph shower panels by Kohler come in plain white, a vein cut Dune or in Sand Bar among other colors so they can pair to have all three walls matching or use your back wall as an accent and the side walls in white for a more modern look. Another product called FlexStone comes in colors like Calypso which is a grey on white marble look while their Calabria is more of crushed stone look in beige. This brand comes with trim in a corresponding color also.
Flexstone – Calabria 
Flexstone-Calypso 
Choreograph – Dune 
Choreograph – Veincut Dune
Cool Accessories
Check out the available accessories that the manufacturer offers. Some will include shampoo niches, tall niche lockers, benches, etc. Some has multiple finishes to match your plumbing fixtures. And still, others have trim detail for edges. Prefer to have some shelves added, they are available also.
Prefabricated Shower Walls
These shower walls arrive ready to install so they will be the easiest shower improvement for the first time DIY bathroom remodeler. For your standard alcove (walls on 3 sides) shower it will have 3 panels: back wall and 2 sides. They will come in specific sizes to fit the shower pan. Note that I said specific sizes, so you’ll need to be sure about the dimensions, there is no cutting of these shower walls. Prices range from roughly $500 to around $900.
These work well in the typical hallway bathroom where you are replacing the original shower or tub of standard dimensions. Prefabricated shower walls like these are sometimes referred to as retrofit. Additionally, for your convenience each of the panel wall systems will come with a corresponding shower pan options.
Waterproof & Color Stable
With this type of wall system there is no grout. Once installed the panels and shower pan are waterproof by design. They are easy to clean. Unlike older versions they are manufactured to be color stable, so if cleaned properly won’t discolor over time. Also, since the are a molded design they can include decorative design detail and and shelves. This is by far the easiest of the wall options to install for a bathroom shower remodel.
Tech Note: Since these wall panel systems are molded and size specific they cannot be cut or trimmed in the field. Also, it is most likely that if you have a window in the shower area that these cannot be used. Be sure to double check your measurements.
This can seem like a daunting project. But no worries, take a deep breath and tackle it one step at a time. Because your new shower is definitely worth the effort. Enjoy the remodel experience.
Disclosure. This post may contain links to products or companies that pay a commission to DIYRemodelGuy.com, at no cost to you, if you decide to make a purchase through these links. Compensation or commissions help fund our work in bringing DIY remodeling ideas and tips to you.
More Great Reads
Even more DIY Remodel information can be found on my website DIYRemodelGuy.com including Tile Shower Gone Wrong. Another popular remodel post is Mood Boards & Design Inspiration. And for those of you who can’t get enough information check out the various posts under bathroom remodeling.
