What Is a Prefab Shower Stall?
They can be installed by a professional crew or by an experienced do-it-yourselfer.
Homeowners often choose multi-piece units for this very reason.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Tip
Home improvement centers usually stock a few basic shower stall kits in the store.
For a greater selection, you’ll need to special-order the unit.
Multi-piece prefab units are in flatter boxes that are easier to stock.
The Spruce / Wren McDonald
What Are Prefab Shower Wall Kits?
A wall kit is an alternative to a full bathtub or shower kit.
It is an excellent option if your bathtub is in good shape and doesn’t require replacement.
A wall kit includes only the alcove wall panels, not the bathtub or shower pan.
The panels can be molded with simulated grout lines for afaux-tile look.
Higher-end wall panels made with solid surface materials can closely mimic the look of marble or granite.
Carpenters construct the alcove’s structural frame and wall it in withcement board panelssuch as Wonderboard or Durock.
Tilers then step in and finish the tile or stonework.
The shower door must be custom-ordered to size and installed by the carpenter.
A custom tile or stone showerexudes luxuryin a way few prefabricated shower units can approach.
Do-it-yourselfers may use a hybrid option: installing a prefabricated shower pan and finishing the walls with custom tiling.
Just note that youll have limited designs and must ensure the prefab shower can fit through your door.
Prefab showers are more compatible with new construction-sized entryways than older homes.
you could install a new shower from start to finish in a single day.
Custom-tile showers often take a week or more, even in the hands of a skilled pro.
Prefabricated showers are much cheaper than tiled shower stalls, often by hundreds of dollars.
Prefab kits generally offer fewer design options than tiled shower stalls and may need to be special-ordered.
A prefabricated shower is a much better choice in a home with structural floor issues.
However, one-piece units sometimes don’t work for remodeling because their size prevents them from passing through doorways.
Fewer seams mean easier cleaning and less likelihood of leaking.
Prefabricated showers are also easier to keep clean than ceramic tile showers, which have many grout lines.
Common Pitfalls
Though easy to clean, prefab showers can quicklydull from soap scum.
The only other options are total replacement orrelining.
Recycled tile looks as attractive as from-scratch tile and costs roughly the same.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles come in thousands of colors, patterns, and sizes.
Since these showers are built from scratch, an infinite range of design options is possible.
Plus, you might build atile showerto fit any available space.
Con: Installation
Another downside of custom-built showers is installation difficulty.
A custom tile shower, especially with ceramic bathroom floors and stone countertops, will be a selling advantage.
These lines will be prone to mildew, cracking, and possible leaking unless they areregularly sealed.
A large ceramic tile shower puts hundreds of pounds on a floor structure.
The floor may flex and break the grout joints or tiles.
DIYers may choose a middle option: mating a fiberglass/acrylic shower pan with tile walls.
Shower pans, in particular, can leak over time if they have not been perfectly installed and maintained.
Wall tiles can also leak if grout lines aren’t maintained and regularly sealed.
Another cost saver is buying tiles in bulk from a home improvement retailer.
Consider a popular but classic-looking tile, like white subway tiles, that never goes out of style.
Prefabricated stall showers are a good option if you need something fast and less expensive.
However, they are not as durable or customizable.
A prefabricated shower stall is easier to clean because it usually has one panel without grout lines.
The material is smooth, non-porous, and does not attract mold or mildew.
How Much Does Shower Remodeling Cost?HomeAdvisor.
