You want to renovate your shower to give it a fresh new look. Maybe it’s looking outdated or the mildew has taken over the grout. Maybe you’re just looking for a more easy to maintain shower?
Instead of getting more expensive and harder to maintain tile, consider getting a shower surround. These wall panels are not only easy to install and maintain, but they give you the same watertight seal as tile in your shower and they are cheaper.
What is a shower surround?
A shower surround is a water-tight surface that surrounds your shower. The prefabricated panels are sold, usually in kits, to include the walls and shower pan. Once you have the panels, they are simply attached to the studs on your walls, creating a new shower surface.
While these have a reputation for looking cheap and not lasting very long, there are actually very nice options on the market now that mimic the look and feel of tile or natural stone. You can even get hower surrounds that include shelving for your toiletries.
What are shower surrounds made of?
Shower surrounds are available in many different materials from acrylic and fiberglass to solid surface and even cultured marble! Shower surrounds are usually sold in kits. While the less expensive kits don’t require as much cutting and trimming, more expensive kits do require trimming to give your shower a custom look. In addition, shower surrounds vary greatly in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands.
What kind of shower surround you choose really depends on your aesthetic and your pocketbook.
Acrylic and Fiberglass Shower surrounds in Los Angeles
Acrylic and fiberglass panels attach to the wall in a single sheet. Acrylic shower surrounds tend to be thicker, lightweight, non-porous and have a finish that is easy to clean. The kits come in a wide variety of colors and patterns -- from plain white in gloss or matte or textured, stone-effects.
Fiberglass and acrylic look almost identical, but they do have differences to consider. Acrylic usually has a high-gloss finish and is more durable than fiberglass. Fiberglass tends to be more prone to scratching and fading. Fiberglass is cheaper than acrylic and with proper care, it can look good for several years.
Solid Surface Surrounds
If you’re looking for a more luxe look than acrylic or fiberglass, consider a solid surface surround. Solid surface surrounds are made of different man-made plastic composites. They include engineered stones, such as marble, granite or quartz chips mixed with a glue. Once it hardens, it’s polished smooth.
Solid surface surrounds are more durable than fiberglass or acrylic and, as a result, are more expensive. However, the material is much thicker and consistent throughout. Some are pre-made as kits, but you can also order custom made solid surface surrounds.
Cultured Marble Shower Surrounds in Los Angeles
Another option to consider is the cultured marble surround. These consist of a man-made composite with crushed limestone and glue. The finish is a gel coat, which can resemble real marble or not. The luxurious, high-gloss look is resistant to most shampoos, soaps, hair dyes and make-up, but it will scratch easily.
Laminated shower walls
Still want the look of tile without the hassle of taking care of it, or the cost of installing it? Laminated shower wall panels have the look and feel of tile, without the maintenance. These waterproof panels come in different textures and tile sizes to fit any kind of look you are hoping to achieve -- from contemporary to traditional, mid-century modern and even modern farmhouse bathrooms.
What are some tips for installing a shower surround in Los Angeles?
There are many things to consider when taking on this project. You will want to work with your contractor to make sure you have all your ducks in a row before beginning the installation process.
- Measure your shower: If you don’t know what size shower walls you need, you can end up wasting a lot of time researching and pricing the wrong things. Most kits come in standard sizes. Fiberglass tends to only be made in standard sizes. However, solid surface surrounds are made for your specific color and texture combination.
- Test and sample: You know that you can test out samples of paint. But did you know you could test out a sample of a shower surround?
- Make sure your shower is “just right”: Just because your shower is the size of common shower surround kits doesn’t mean that’s the best size for your project.
- If you’re looking for a lower profile shower pan, you’ll need taller wall panels.
- Know how high off the ground your shower head will be installed before you buy a panel system.
- Add some width. When you measure your existing shower, there may be tile, plaster, cement board, etc. behind the walls that you need to add to get your proper measurement. If you are unsure, you can work with your contractor to get the proper measurement.
If I’m just putting in wall panels, couldn’t I just DIY?
With any large home improvement project, it’s best to hire a professional, especially if you haven’t done a project like this before. Don’t waste your time, money and get aggravated. Hiring a professional will ensure that the project is done on time and on budget. As a plus, your contractor may even have some cool new ideas you haven’t considered for your shower replacement.
While installing a new shower surround may seem like a mysterious process, it doesn’t have to be. Make sure you research what you want and try out a sample before you install. Ensure you know the size that you really need before you buy anything to save yourself the headache of trying to return wall panels. And, as always, with a larger home improvement project, work with a contractor to make sure you get the shower you want.
Looking for a free estimate for your project? Call Los Angeles Bathroom Remodel today at (323) 402-6381.
