PALM COAST TILE
Tile installation in shower remodels and new showers
People usually call about a shower for one of three reasons. The fiberglass or acrylic unit that came with the house is worn out and they want a tiled shower in its place. The existing tile is dated, cracked or leaking. Or a bathtub nobody uses is coming out to make room for a walk-in shower.
In each case the tile is the last step. A tiled shower is built in layers, and the layers you never see are the ones that keep water inside it. This page explains what goes into the job. If you are redoing the rest of the room too, see bathroom tile installation.
HOW IT IS BUILT
What is behind the tile in a shower
Tile and grout slow water down, but they do not stop it. The shower has to be waterproof before the first tile is set.
The pan and the slope
The shower floor is sloped toward the drain, typically about a quarter inch per foot, so water does not sit. The waterproof layer follows that slope and ties into the drain.
Waterproofing on the walls
Cement backer board holds tile but is not waterproof by itself. A waterproofing membrane goes over it, with the seams, corners and screw heads sealed, and it laps onto the pan so the whole enclosure is continuous.
Curb, niche and bench
Every horizontal surface in a shower, including the top of the curb, the bottom of a niche and the seat of a bench, is pitched slightly so water runs back toward the drain.
Tile, grout and sealant
Walls are tiled first and the floor follows. Corners and the joint between wall and floor get a flexible sealant instead of grout, because those joints move and grout would crack there.
PALM COAST TILE
Choices that are worth making before the work starts
A few decisions change the framing and the waterproofing, so they are easier to make at the estimate than halfway through.
Curb, low threshold or curbless
A standard curb is the simplest build. A curbless entry is possible in many homes but depends on the floor structure and where the drain is, so it has to be planned from the start.
Niche, bench and tile size
Niches and benches are framed before the waterproofing goes on. Large-format wall tile means fewer grout lines to clean. On the shower floor, smaller tile or mosaic follows the slope better and gives more grip underfoot.
FREE ESTIMATE
Planning a tiled shower? Start with a free estimate
Tell us what is there now, whether it is a prefab unit, an old tiled shower or a tub, and what you would like in its place.
COST
What affects the cost of shower tile installation
The cost of tile installation in shower projects is set after we see the space. Two showers of the same size can differ a lot depending on these four things:
Starting point
Replacing a prefab unit means building the pan and walls from the studs. Retiling an existing tiled shower depends on what is found behind the old tile.
Hidden damage
If water has been getting behind the old shower, wet or rotted framing and subfloor have to be repaired before anything new is built.
Size and features
A bench, one or more niches, a half wall or a curbless entry each add framing, waterproofing and tile work.
Tile choice
Mosaics, natural stone, large-format panels and patterned layouts take longer to set than standard wall tile.
AT A GLANCE
Shower tile installation at a glance
What a typical shower job covers. The estimate lists what applies to yours.
F.A.Q
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace a fiberglass shower with a tiled one?
Yes. The prefab unit comes out, the walls are opened to the studs, and a tiled shower is built in its place. One customer described this in a Google review: we removed their pre-fab shower and built a new tiled shower with a seat.
Can you tile over the existing shower tile?
We do not recommend it in a shower. New tile over old leaves you relying on waterproofing nobody can inspect. If the old shower is being replaced because of age or leaks, taking it back to the studs is the way to know what is behind it.
How long before I can use the new shower?
After the tile is set, the grout and sealant need time to cure before the shower gets wet, and the setting materials each have their own cure time. We will tell you when it is ready. If glass is being installed, that is measured after the tile is done, so allow time for it as well.
What tile is best for a shower floor?
Small tile, usually two inches or less, or a mosaic. It follows the slope to the drain without awkward cuts, and the extra grout lines give better footing. Porcelain is the lowest-maintenance choice. Natural stone and pebble floors look good but need sealing and more upkeep.
What happens if you find water damage behind the old shower?
We stop and show you what we found before going further. Damaged framing or subfloor has to be repaired first, because a new shower built over wet wood will not last. We explain what the repair involves and how it changes the job.
CONTACT
Let’s talk about your project
Call or text with the room you have in mind and a few photos. Estimates are free, and we are open Monday through Saturday.
Request a free estimate
WHERE WE WORK
Where we do tile installation in shower projects
We handle tile installation in shower remodels in Palm Coast and across Flagler County, and take shower projects in nearby parts of Volusia and St. Johns County.
Tile installation for bathrooms, showers, kitchens and floors in Palm Coast and across Flagler County. More than 15 years of tile work.