Remodeling your shower: ideas and tips (2023)

FAQs

How much should I budget to redo my shower? ›

Cost to Remodel a Shower

The typical price range is between $3,100 and $10,100, with an average cost of shower remodels around $6,500. The final cost ultimately comes down to the level of finishes and fixtures chosen.

Simply adding a shower to a half bath can increase your home's real estate value by an average of 5.7%, particularly if the number of bathrooms is equal to the number of bedrooms in your home.

Bathroom Remodel Demolition

Perhaps the most physically difficult aspect of a remodel is demolition.

If you're on a slim budget, then having an acrylic or fiberglass shower wall panel is most affordable than installing new tiles. Shower wall tiles are much expensive for both material and labor. It also takes longer hours for the personnel to finish tiling your entire shower wall and floor.

Because they are less laborious to install, surrounds are often less expensive than tile. Some high-end materials, however, such as granite, may be more expensive than tiling with some grades of tile.

On average, it will just take around three to five days to replace your shower. However, if there are other things you want to be done, like re-tiling or installing another handheld showerhead, then expect the process to last longer.

The average walk-in shower in the U.S. measures 60" x 30", though size options can vary widely, typically up to 60" x 42" for a rectangular shower and 42" x 42" for a square one. For smaller bathrooms, most experts recommend a shower enclosure no smaller than 36" x 36".

Installing a shower is tough when you're building up your shower pan and covering walls with tile. While you can do this, most people will want to hire pros for this stage. However, installing a pre-fabricated shower stall may be practical for DIYers. Refinishing your tub/shower yourself can produce acceptable results.

Typically, a true walk-in shower is constructed without a door. But there are no strict rules when it comes to your bathroom. That means you're free to design your walk-in shower to best meet your personal tastes. Fortunately, this aesthetic provides many design possibilities.

Does a walk-in shower count as a full bath? ›

The short and simple answer to whether a walk-in shower is considered a full bath is “no”. It is not. As mentioned previously, a bathroom is considered a full bath only when it has all the 4 components of a sink, toilet, shower and bathtub. If it doesn't include all 4 features, then it doesn't count.

As a result, it's no surprise that bathtubs are one of the most popular features in new homes. In fact, according to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), over 50 percent of home buyers prefer a master bath with a bathtub and a shower as opposed to just a shower stall.

On average, a small complete bathroom remodel can be done in about 23 days under ideal circumstances. Assuming that no work is done on weekends, this translates to about 4 1/2 weeks—slightly more than one month—if the work proceeds uniformly with no breaks.

Practically speaking, you'll want to do the kitchen remodel first because that work will create the most dust and debris, which you won't want to land on new paint or finish jobs. It's always a good idea to isolate any demolition mess by putting plastic over doorways or pass-throughs.

Usually, the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel is labor, tile work, and plumbing. While these areas are superior, there are other aspects like layout changes, shower, etc., that can raise the budget according to your preferences.

Bathtub refinishing is worth the money if your tub is in good working condition. The reglazing process can remove surface imperfections, like scratches, shallow cracks, and stains. But if your tub is old, leaking, or full of mold, reglazing is just a waste of money.

The short answer is yes, shower pans can be replaced without requiring you to replace the entire shower unit. In fact, that's one of the reasons why they're separate components and not structurally connected to the rest of your shower.

Tile Shower Cons

Tile showers do tend to be more expensive than prefabricated showers and take longer to install. Although relatively easy to clean, mold and mildew buildup on the grout that separates tiles can become difficult to clean overtime.

Smaller size tiles also work better for shower flooring because they create better grip opportunities for bare feet. Smaller tiles mean that the installer must include more seams between the tiles and thus a greater amount of grout laid between those tiles.

What is the best size tile to use in a shower? ›

Luxurious shower designs often evolve from tiles that are at least 12 x 12. However, a linear 12 x 24 or 24 x 48 tile can make any wall look like a modern design.

Shower only set up

A shower only setup benefits greatly from having your flooring installed first or concurrently as the shower tiles will generally be placed at the same time as the rest of your bathroom flooring. This means that you need only install the door and the faucet after your bathroom remodeling is complete.

Walk-In Shower Cost by Size

However, it depends on the materials used and whether the kit is prefabricated or custom-made. Although the standard walk-in shower typically costs between $1,000 to $3,000, you have additional options.

Bathtub or Shower: Every 10-15 Years

The lifespan of your bathtub or shower depends on a few factors: the material it's made out of, how often it's used, and whether it has been refinished or reglazed.

The standard enclosure shower sizes are 36 inches wide and 60-inches long. However, there are about a dozen “standard shower sizes” in the US alone. But showers bigger than 48-inches wide or 60-inches long are rare. Longer showers over 48 inches wide are tub-shower units.

Edidiong Kaminska, MD, the recommended maximum shower time is about 5 to 10 minutes. This is enough time to cleanse and hydrate the skin without overdoing it. “Our skin needs water, just like our bodies, but if we over- or under-do it, then it may have consequences,” she adds.

The International Residential Code deems 30” by 30” as the smallest permissible footprint for a walk-in shower. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends a larger size; 36” by 36”, to be exact. The most common rectangular walk-in shower sizing is 36” by 48”.

But, is it possible to replace an electric shower yourself? The answer is yes. It's not the easiest job in the world, but with plenty of preparation, care and attention it is possible.

Install a Shower Splash Guard

Splash guards are small, triangular-shaped rubber fins that are placed along the corners where the shower wall meets the floor. They're typically glued in place or attached with self-adhesive strips and can stop water from leaking out the corners of the shower.

How Big Should a Doorless Shower Be? A doorless shower layout requires a larger footprint than a standard tub or shower stall. Building codes may specify that a standard shower stall must be a minimum of 36 inches by 36 inches while the average doorless shower is about seven feet by four feet with many much larger.

How do I keep my doorless shower warm? ›

Doorless showers simply don't retain heat as well as those with doors, and they can even feel cold at times. However, you can install a heated shower floor to help counteract this undesirable effect and keep the space cozy and warm while you're rinsing off.

Best Colors for Resale Value

Currently, painting your bathroom light blue can increase the value of your home by $5000. A light blue hue invites a calm, serene, and relaxing environment that compliments almost any decor or design style. Light yellow, cream, beige, and gray are also favorites of prospective home buyers.

"Generally, going with neutral colors like shades of white, beige, taupe, and grays lead to a faster sale," she shares. "Neutral colors are also more appealing to potential buyers because many want the creative freedom of a blank canvas to add their personal touches to when looking for a new place to call home.

These types of bathrooms do exist, and they are referred to as quarter-bathrooms. These quarter-bathrooms are quite rare simply due to the fact that they contain only one of the 4 main elements of a bathroom. The most commonly seen are those that contain a shower and are typically found at beaches or pools.

As opposed to a traditional full bath, a three-quarter bath is usually characterized by an efficient combination of standing shower, sink and toilet. This simple but useful design is often used for guest bathrooms, and it can add tremendous utility and value to your home.

How much does it cost to tile a shower? It costs about $25 per square foot to tile a shower, which includes the cost of the tiles, installation and other materials. In total, the average cost to tile a shower typically falls between $450 and $1,000.

Do you get cleaner in a shower or a bath? First, let's address the obvious: Showers are cleaner than baths. If your priority is finding a way to thoroughly cleanse your entire body, a shower is the way to go. Showers evenly distribute water over your body and whisk contaminated water out of sight.

Consider upgrading your countertops, faucet, and sink for maximum impact. You also might want to extend your vanity to include double sinks, particularly in a master bathroom. And, if you're looking for the highest ROI, opt for granite countertops with a modern sink and faucet design.

“There absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home. When you sell, you're also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers,” she says.

Should I replace my toilet during a remodel? ›

If you are doing a home remodel or redesign, it's the ideal time to change the toilet. With an abundance of choices, the toilet can actually accentuate the design and appearance of your home.

On average, the cost to install a toilet ranges between $400 and $800. One-piece toilet labor costs range from $100 to $300. Two-piece toilets cost slightly more to install than one-piece toilets because of the additional labor. A two-piece toilet typically costs $200 to $300 to install.

Most plumbers agree that an average toilet can last around 50 years. However, this is only when the toilet is well maintained and gently used. If it was improperly installed or frequently misused, it may not last as long.

Remodeling a bathroom yourself can be a rewarding but complicated experience. Completing your project successfully will require detailed planning and a fair amount of DIY know-how. You'll need to decide on design, contractors, fixtures, tile and more. Find out what you need to know while renovating a bathroom.

To prepare for your remodeling project, you will need to measure and record all room dimensions. For this phase of the project, be sure that you have basic measuring tools, such as a tape measure, compass, level and architect's scale.

5×7 Bathroom Remodel Cost Guide for 2023. Interested in remodeling a small bathroom and looking for a price estimate? A small bathroom or 5×7 space will cost anywhere between $4000-10,000 depending on the complexity of the remodel and material choices.

Should you paint before or after bathroom remodel? ›

In general, the painting will almost always be one of the last steps in the renovation process. If you want to paint yourself or you are completing a home renovation yourself, we recommend painting once all major structural and functional work is done, but before new flooring or carpet is installed.

You might be wondering why it's so pricey, and whether or not it's worth the investment. There are many reasons why a bathroom remodel may cost more than you think, including: inefficient layouts, complex plumbing systems, outdated design features and materials, high-end fixtures and appliances.