Cost to install shower stall

For the best results, always purchase your showerhead, shower valve, bathroom faucets, and accessories from the same manufacturer to ensure they match. Otherwise, opt for chrome for consistency. Plastic showerheads are not completely made of plastic.

They are often a mixture of brass and plastic, and the bell, sunflower, or exterior shape of the showerhead is made of plastic. These showerheads usually have a finish painted on to mimic the look of metal. They are flimsy and crack over time. If you want a showerhead with a brushed finish that is cooler in color than brushed nickel, a stainless steel finish is an option.

This finish may be actual steel-plated over the brass. It is often either a brushed chrome finish called stainless or a painted finish. If this is a real steel showerhead, beware that it can discolor with mineral buildup and scratch with harsh cleansers. Chromium or chrome is one of the only finishes in the U. The same amount of chrome must be placed on every faucet, handle, and showerhead. For this reason, chrome always matches chrome regardless of brand. Chrome showerheads come in every style and size.

It has a little copper in it, which gives the metal a richer color than chrome. Nickel is more costly than other finishes, but it is available in nearly all styles. Real bronze is a copper alloy with a rich, bright brown color. But when it comes to the bathroom, what most people think of as bronze is a color known as oil-rubbed bronze.

This is a deep, almost black brown with hints of copper showing through. Every company has its proprietary bronze, and they do not often match. These finishes tend to be the most expensive, and they are not available in every style. Many showerhead and faucet manufacturers, particularly those who produce nickel, bronze, and stainless steel finishes, also have a PVD finish on their items.

PVD stands for physical vapor deposition, and it is the process in which metallic ions are deposited on a metal surface inside a vacuum. These ions do not change the appearance of the metal beyond giving it a slight luster. They make the finish impervious to everything except bleach. PVD-finished showerheads never discolor or show limescale.

They also do not change or fade over time. However, a PVD finish cannot be cleaned with bleach. Chrome never has a PVD finish because chrome is already impervious to many things that can harm another metal. If you choose a nickel, bronze, or stainless steel finish, consider opting for one with a PVD coating.

Most brands that offer PVD include it on their more-susceptible finishes. Your showerhead can come in several shapes and styles. They can give you varying amounts of water, pressure, and different looks. Most come in various finishes and sizes, meaning a range of costs for each type.

The speakman showerhead is the most classic showerhead design. It comes in several sizes, all the same shape, slightly conical with a wider base than the top.

Speakmans can adjust the pressure slightly via a lever on the side. This is a good, consistent showerhead that performs the same way each time, regardless of water pressure. The sunflower is a retro-style showerhead.

This style is frequently used with clawfoot tubs. Finishes are more limited with this style, and you will not see much bronze or nickel. Hand showers are used as a standard showerhead or in addition to a standard showerhead.

This is a showerhead with a handle meant to be removed from its holder. This allows you to bathe children and dogs, clean the tub, and make it easier for those with disabilities to bathe. They come in all shapes and sizes, with single or multi-function controls.

If you want the feeling of standing underneath a fast-moving waterfall, a waterfall showerhead may be for you. Waterfall heads are usually large, flat, and installed in the wall. They send a large sheet of water out at a time, rather than individual sprays.

They come in several finishes, although only the smallest flange can be seen flush with the wall. If you want a showerhead that can be installed flush with the ceiling or want multiple ceiling showerheads for a unique shower effect, consider the tile showerheads. These are square, flat showerheads that install on the ceiling, often flush with the surface. They come in many finishes but are mostly chrome, steel, or nickel.

They have a modern look that works well in large showers. If you want a gentle shower that feels like falling rain, a rain showerhead may be for you. These showerheads are much like watering cans. They have flat bottoms and a curved top.

They fill up slowly from bottom to top, then gently release the water like rain. They come in many sizes, including some up to 12 inches in diameter. If you like how a rain showerhead looks but want something with more pressure and power, get a deluge head. Deluge heads look similar to rain heads, but they give you a lot of water all at once. This is a better choice for people with thick hair or who want to shower more quickly.

They attach to the ceiling or a wall via a long arm. However, if you plan on using tile, slab, or custom walls for your shower, you need to purchase a shower pan for the floor.

All shower pans are designed to slope to the drain. For pans that are tiled, the tiles must accommodate that slope without cracking. For this reason, any tiles installed on the pan must be 2 inches or smaller. Shower trays are available in three main types:.

A ready-made shower pan is usually acrylic but can be fiberglass or composite. They come in several sizes and shapes, with a drain in the center or at one end. They are usually white, but some can be custom ordered in different colors as well. Most have a small lip, but you can find some barrier-free models. These molded pans are designed to receive tile. They install very quickly, so they cost less than a custom pan.

Sizes and shapes are limited, so it may be tough to find in this style if you want something specific. Custom pans are built on-site by your plumber. There are different kinds, including sheet metal and hot mop, which is built with hot tar.

They are labor-intensive and expensive to build, but you can have them done in any size or shape. If you want something that you cannot find in a ready-to-tile pan, this is your best option. Not every plumber builds custom pans, and those who do have a preferred method. Shower pans can be found prefab in several materials. Or, once they are tiled, they can be finished in a few materials.

Each one has characteristics of appearance and care as well. Prefab pans are mostly made of acrylic. They may also be made of fiberglass or composite materials, although these are often less common. Acrylic shower pans are generally the most common. They are made of tough and durable plastic, often with a textured, non-slip surface.

They are usually white, but a few can be ordered in other colors. They may have a lip, or be barrier-free, and come in many sizes. Fiberglass shower pans are a lot less common than acrylic but are still a good choice. They are very tough and durable and less likely to crack over long periods like acrylic.

They are also lightweight and come in many sizes. They are mostly white but can be found in limited other colors as well. Composite shower pans are nice if you want a pan that closely resembles the look of stone. Composite pans are made with a mixture of resins and often quartz or another stone. They may have the look of marble or granite or a solid color.

They come in several sizes and colors, all with a non-slip finish. Compare quotes from local shower installers Compare Quotes. If you opt for a tile-ready pan or a completely custom pan, it needs to be finished.

This is done with tile measuring 2 inches or less. This is important because the tiles must slope to the drain. Tiles larger than 2 inches may crack rather than slope. Any floor-rated ceramic, porcelain, or glass tile can be used on a shower pan, and many types of stone can be used as well.

Tile pans can be created to match or coordinate with the tile walls of a shower or make a statement independently. Many tiles come in sizes small enough for a tile pan, and tiles, such as glass, can be used to create a fun pop of color or sparkle in this area. Because mosaics are more expensive than larger tiles, the tiles you choose for this area cost more than the tiles used elsewhere. There are many ways to create a stone shower pan.

A popular method is to use pebbles or rounded beach stones, which massage your feet while you shower. You can also use a textured stone underfoot like slate or marble or granite that matches your shower walls.

Avoid using soft stones like limestone on the shower floor because these may pit. Also, avoid green marbles because these may spall or become scaly over time. Any stone in this area should be sealed to impede staining. Not all showers need or use doors. Some use curtains, while others use stationary panels, and some showers are installed in wet rooms with no way to contain the water at all. However, the majority of showers use a door. Many prefab shower stalls come with a built-in door, but others need the door fitted separately.

Any custom shower requires a custom-built door to match to get the exact fit. The fitting and labor costs to replace a shower vary depending on the shower type. A prefab acrylic shower stall is a fairly straightforward install that can be completed in about 3 - 4 hours. After the plumbing is roughed in, the unit is set in place and screwed into position on the flanges at the top and sides.

Caulk is used to fill the gaps, and the drain is set. The trim for the valves, showerhead, and other accessories are installed last. Roughing in the new plumbing takes about 2 hours, and installing the surround and trim takes another 3 - 4 hours.

A custom shower installation is more labor-intensive and involves different professionals. First, the shower is framed out. This includes studs so that you could eventually install grab bars. Then, water-resistant cement backerboard is installed, the shower pan is created or laid, the rough plumbing is installed, and then the walls and pan are tiled.

After the shower is complete, the trim is put on, and any shower doors can be installed. This entire process takes between 2 - 4 days. You have three choices of shower pan for your shower. If you install the pan when the rest of the stand-up shower is remodeled, some of these costs may be prorated or rolled into the total because most installers have a minimum charge. Tiling a shower is one of the most popular ways to finish this area. The cost to install your shower plumbing depends largely on the shower type.

A basic shower with a single pressure balancing valve and showerhead costs considerably less to plumb than a shower with a thermostatic valve, three-volume controls, two showerheads, and three body sprays. In a complete remodel, it is easy for the plumber to get in and install the pipes and valves. When replacing the valve, your plumber may have a harder time reaching things, increasing the labor cost. Another factor influencing costs is your shower wall material.

Prefab and tile showers are straightforward to install the plumbing valve and trim on. But a slab requires the plumber to put extenders on the valves, increasing time and costs. The cost of installing a shower valve depends mostly on the valve type. Pressure balancing valves are fairly easy to install and take about 1 - 2 hours, less if the wall is already open for a remodel.

Thermostatic valves take longer to install because they are part of a set and require a separate volume control for each water source. This means 1 - 2 hours per valve in the set, with a minimum of two valves for a minimum of 2 - 4 hours. Many variables go into replacing a shower. You can replace your existing shower with an identical one.

You can also go from tile to prefab, prefab to tile, or these to slab walls. In addition, the layout and size of the stand-up shower may remain the same or change. The plumbing and valve systems may remain the same types, or they may change.

This makes for a wide range of costs. This can go higher if the tile is old. If you have a bathtub that you want to replace with a shower stall, many variables influence the total cost.

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Send a Houzz Gift Card! What others are spending on shower installation:. Prefab shower stall surround replacement with glass sliding door. Having at least one bathtub in the home increases resale value. Cost to replace tub-shower combo - chart. Tub-shower combo installation with tile surround. The minimum bathroom size to accommodate three fixtures is 5' x 7'. Adding a shower to a half-bath by moving sink under stairs. Cost to replace a tub with a shower - chart.

Full body shower systems are also called shower panels or shower towers and feature a waterfall showerhead plus 2 to 8 adjustable body spray jets. Most shower panels feature adjustable water spray patterns. Some models also include a handheld shower head. Some shower installations require upgrading the water heater. Shower valves control the water pressure and temperature and come in three types. Shower valve repair or replacement may also require tile or drywall repair, depending on the accessibility.

Additional shower remodeling costs such as a glass shower door and bench, can also be included in your bathroom remodel. Installing a new shower may also require hiring a plumber and electrician near you to ensure the work is up to code. A shower pan is a solid, waterproof floor sloped to guide water to the shower drain. Hot mopping uses asphalt and layers of felt to create a waterproof pan that is less puncture-prone than a vinyl membrane. Shower doors come in hinged, sliding, and bi-fold opening styles.

How do I make a simple outdoor shower? Choose a location with easy access to a hose or water source for your shower. Sketch out the rough design of your finished shower before getting to work. Gather your supplies. Attach your garden hose to your water source. Attach and build your piping into the shower plumbing. Construct and place your shower post.

Mar Hillwig Explainer. How do you clean an outside shower? Here's the procedure:. Thoroughly water any plants near the area where you will be working. Pre-wet the surface to be cleaned with water. Apply the bleach and water solution to the surface with a scrub brush. Aruma Carvalhoo Pundit. Why do people have outdoor showers? An outdoor shower makes an ideal pool house cleanup and changing area. If you have a pool or hot tub , adding an outdoor shower can make the experience of getting in and out a bit easier.

No more dripping water through the house when you can rinse, dry and change in the comfort of a private outdoor shower. Pantaleon Faroleiro Pundit. How do you make an outdoor shower with a garden hose?

Outdoor shower supplies. Paint the support beam.