Designer Talk: Making Shower Wall Decisions

When performing a bathroom remodeling project one of the biggest design items is the choice of shower wall materials.  There are several different products available and each one has specific considerations for homeowner. But which one will be best for you? Let’s take a look at your choices, and their pros and cons:

Man-Made or Acrylic Shower Surrounds

A base starting point for shower wall materials is man-made or acrylic panels.  Good examples of this product that we use regularly in client homes are The Onyx Collection (shown in Midnight, above) and Kohler’s  new line of shower walls, Choreograph.  Shower panels are great options because they have no grout lines, are easy to clean and maintain, and have a relatively fast installation time.  Lots of accessories such as grab bars, seats, and ability to include accent textures and tiles are included with each product.

Tile Shower Surrounds

The other popular options are ceramic, porcelain (as seen above), or glass tile, which are also man-made materials, but they come in a full array of colors, sizes, textures, and patterns.  Tile showers can range from very cost effective to big budget depending on the type used. Installation time can take longer because of more prep involving creating a waterproof membrane to mount the tile on, and some of the more intricate designs require a skillful touch.

Tile is relatively low maintenance – a good cleaning with a soft cleanser once a week keeps them shining bright. And don’t let grout maintenance scare you away from selecting tile; Mosby likes to use a grout product from TEC called Power Grout that is permanently stain resistant and never needs to be sealed.  So throw that grout scrubbing toothbrush away!

Stone Shower Surrounds

Last, but by far, not least is a stone shower.  Stones like slate, granite and marble (shown above) can be in tile or slab form.  Stone conveys sophistication and elegance, a way to treat yourself. They typically carry the highest investment level due to material costs, and will have the highest maintenance, as well.

To properly care for stone, it should be squeegeed and cleaned after every use, avoid using acidic products or hair dyes because stone is absorbent, and most important of all is making sure it’s properly sealed at installation and re-sealed every few years.  But the luxe look that is created is stunning, so if the maintenance is no big deal, then go for it!

As I start my collaboration with a client for a bathroom remodel, we discuss needs and wants, and what’s not wanted. The answers to these questions make it easier to narrow down which shower material will work best for you.

If you’d like help with your St. Louis bathroom remodel, I’d be happy to help. Give me a call at 314.909.1800 or contact me here.

Why Work with Mosby Building Arts?

If efficiency, knowledge and quality craftsmanship are of the utmost importance, then Mosby is the partner for you. We are a design build firm that handles every aspect of your remodeling project from beginning to end. All team members needed to complete your project (designers, architects and production crews) are under one roof to provide time and monetary efficiencies, quality control, and seamless communication throughout.

Custom Bathroom Remodeling

Start your bathroom remodeling project with Mosby’s certified designers and architects. They begin the design process by learning about your exact needs and desires. Be it a hall bathroom, a master bathroom or an accessible bathroom, our designers will make sure it looks the way you desire and performs above and beyond your expectations.

Learn more about custom bathroom remodeling here.

Semi-Custom Bathroom Remodeling

A semi-custom bathroom remodel from Mosby is ideal for those with a standard sized bathroom that needs remodeling but does not require extensive changes to the footprint of the space. Our process is streamlined for maximum efficiency, which means a beautiful new bathroom could be yours in just 1-2 weeks. 

Learn more about semi-custom bathroom remodeling here.

Home Remodeling Peace of Mind

There’s no need to deal with multiple companies, or the frustration of the left hand unaware of what the right hand is doing. Mosby takes the guesswork out of home remodeling by planning the work and working the plan. You will know the scope of work and price before the first hammer swings. And the work will be done with a commitment to excellence and your happiness. All of Mosby’s remodeling work is backed by our 10-year workmanship warranty.