Choosing the Best Material for Shower Walls: Pros and Cons of Tile Showers

When it comes to bathroom renovations, one of the most important decisions is selecting the best material for shower walls. With numerous options available, the choice can be overwhelming. Two popular choices often stand out – tile shower walls and acrylic shower walls.

Tile Shower Walls

Tile walls have long been a favorite choice for homeowners due to their wide range of colors, designs, and materials. They offer unlimited possibilities for bathroom design and décor. However, they also come with their own set of challenges. Tile walls are prone to cracking and chipping, but with proper care and sealing, they can be maintained. It’s important to note that tile walls are more susceptible to leaks due to the nature of the bathroom, the grout applied, and the shower itself.

Tiles can be wiped down to prevent mold growth and stains. Grout lines should be cleaned with a grout cleaner, and proper sealing is necessary to protect the grout from stains and moisture. One advantage of tile walls is that they can be replaced or repaired without having to replace the entire wall. Tiles offer an unparalleled range of design, pattern, and color options, making them more versatile than acrylic surrounds. You can choose from ceramic, natural stone, glass, and porcelain tiles, offering a wide variety of texture and design possibilities. Tile walls often require a more complex, time-consuming, and messy installation process compared to acrylic walls. While DIY installation is possible, it’s generally recommended to hire a professional for the job. The overall cost of installing tile walls is higher than acrylic wall surrounds when considering factors such as mortar, grout, and special tools.

Pros of Tile Shower Walls

• Repair and Replacement: One advantage of tile walls is that individual tiles can be replaced or repaired without having to replace the entire wall.
• Design Versatility: Tiles offer a wide range of design, pattern, and color options, allowing for flexibility and creativity in bathroom design.
• Sealing: With proper care and sealing, tile walls can be well-maintained and protected against damage.

Cons of Tile Shower Walls

• Durability and Lifespan: Tile walls are prone to cracking and chipping, which can lead to the need for repairs or replacements.
• Leak Susceptibility: Tile walls are more susceptible to leaks  due to the nature of the bathroom, the grout applied, and the shower itself.
• Maintenance: While tiles can be easily wiped down, maintaining the grout lines requires regular cleaning with grout cleaner. Additionally, proper sealing is necessary to protect the grout from stains and moisture.
• Complex Installation: Installing tile walls is generally more complex, time-consuming, and messy compared to other wall surrounds. Hiring a professional is often recommended, adding to the overall cost.
• Higher Cost: The cost of installing tile walls is higher than other surrounds when factoring in the cost of materials like mortar, grout, and special tools.

Acrylic Shower Walls

Acrylic shower walls are large sheets of sturdy material that are attached to a surface using strong adhesive. They offer extensive customization possibilities and can even be designed to mimic the appearance of tiles. Acrylic wall surrounds are known for their durability, making them resistant to scratches or chipping. When installed correctly, an acrylic wall is more likely to last longer than a tiled wall.

One of the main advantages of acrylic walls is their ease of cleaning. Their smooth surface requires only a damp cloth and a quick wipe down. For stubborn dirt and soap scum, a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended. In regard to aesthetic appeal, while some designs can mimic the color and pattern of tile walls, they might not provide the same appeal as real tiles. That being said, acrylic surrounds are generally less expensive than tile walls when factoring in the use of mortar, grout, and special tools. The installation process is less expensive and less time-consuming, making it a more convenient option for many homeowners.

Pros of Acrylic Shower Walls

• Durability and Lifespan: Acrylic wall surrounds are highly durable and resistant to scratches or chipping.
• Longevity: When installed correctly, acrylic walls are likely to last longer than tiled walls.
• Easy Cleaning and Maintenance: Acrylic walls have a smooth surface that is easy to clean with just a damp cloth and a quick wipe down.
• Cost-effective: Acrylic surrounds are generally less expensive than tile walls, considering the cost of materials like mortar, grout, and special tools.
• Convenient Installation: The installation process for acrylic surrounds is less time-consuming and messy compared to tile walls, making it a more convenient option for homeowners.

Cons of Acrylic Shower Walls

• Limited Design Options: Acrylic wall surrounds might offer limited color options. Depending on the remodeling company, they might not provide the same level of design versatility as real tile walls.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Although some designs can mimic the color and pattern of tile walls, acrylic walls might not provide the same appeal and visual effect as real tiles.

Comparing Acrylic and Tile: Key Factors

Now that we’ve explored the features of both acrylic and tile shower walls, let’s take a closer look at the factors that may influence your decision.

• Durability and Lifespan: While tile walls can be maintained with professional-grade sealing and proper care, they are more likely to crack or chip compared to acrylic walls. Acrylic wall surrounds, on the other hand, are highly durable and more resistant to damage, making them a more long-lasting option.
• Cleaning and Maintenance: Acrylic walls are undoubtedly easier to clean and maintain than tile walls. However, the ability to repair or replace individual tiles can be a significant advantage in favor of tile walls.
• Design Versatility: Tile walls offer a greater range of design options, making them a more exciting choice for those looking to create a unique bathroom aesthetic. Acrylic walls, while customizable, do not offer the same level of design versatility.
• Cost and Installation: Acrylic shower walls are generally more cost-effective and easier to install than tile walls, making them a more budget-friendly and convenient option.

Which Material Is the Best For Showers?

Both acrylic and tile shower walls come with their own set of pros and cons, and the best material for your shower walls will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, budget, and available space. Acrylic shower walls are a durable, affordable, and low-maintenance option, making them an excellent choice for many homeowners. However, if design versatility and the ability to repair or replace individual tiles are important factors for you, tile walls might be the better option.

In the end, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each material and consider your specific needs and priorities before making a decision. Regardless of your choice, a well-designed and properly installed shower will undoubtedly enhance the overall appeal and functionality of your bathroom. West Shore Home® is the leading expert in bath and shower remodeling across the United States, and we’d love to help you find your perfect shower. Our trained design consultants can assist you in choosing the best addition for your home and our efficient installation team can get it installed in as little as one day.

Additional Shower Wall Options

There are tons of different options on the market for shower walls, making it difficult to choose what’s right for your bathroom. Your bathroom is a space to make your own, just like any other room in your house. You may find yourself looking for a different look or more functionality, which is when knowing your options becomes important. The main shower wall types are: glass tile, stone tile, ceramic, and acrylic.

Glass Tile

Glass tiles are exactly what they sound like, they are translucent tiles that give an extra shine to your bathroom. They come in small tiles that when added together in a pattern will create the base for your wall. Glass tiles give your bathroom a sleek look that may be harder to achieve with other materials. Due to its fragile nature, glass is not typically recommended for shower flooring, but can make a great statement piece on shower walls.

Glass is a sustainable option for your shower, as you can use recycled materials to build your design. Similarly, your glass shower wall can eventually be recycled into something else should you want to renovate later. It tends to be more resistant to chemicals from cleaning supplies and bacteria buildup, making it a cleaner option than some of its competitors.

Though glass tile is beautiful when used for shower walls, it is the most fragile and scratch-prone of the options available. Like any other glass furniture or item, you run the risk of cracking or scratching your glass shower, leaving a costly bill to fix the mess. Beside the potential cost to fix any damage, glass is expensive in general to incorporate into your bathroom. Some opt for glass accents instead to compromise on the cost.

Pros: Shiny, Unique, Easy to Clean

Cons: Expensive, Brittle, Easily Damaged

Stone Tile

Stone tile uses natural stone to create a modern design. It looks beautiful in your shower, and typically incorporates slate, marble, or granite. Using stone tile in your shower incorporates a natural element, resulting in a spa-like and perpetually cool environment. There are many ways to incorporate stone into your shower, on the walls being one of them.

Choosing the right type of stone to use in your shower can make or break your experience with the material. There are options for rougher or smoother stone, one being better for the wall and one being better for the floor. Wherever you use stone, you will need to ensure you are sealing the material at least once a year. Considering on the design you choose, you are constantly dealing with soap, hair, grime, and other unwanted things in the cracks and crevices. This makes sealing extremely important but, ultimately, this will be a problem in your stone shower wall regardless.

Pros: Strong, Natural Texture

Cons: Expensive, Easily Stained, Hard to Clean, Slippery

Ceramic

Ceramic tiles tend to be a bit larger than glass or stone tiles, making your shower wall look a little different than traditional tile. Ceramic is similar to porcelain, so the same material that a toilet is made out of. It is a very classic shower look and can be seen in many homes. This has its pros and cons. Many see ceramic as an outdated style in the bathroom. It is widely used and not very unique, adding little to no re-sale value. Additionally, ceramic tile attracts mold and scum in the grout lines. You add more cleaning onto your list, leaving you in a similar situation as stone tile.

Though not very unique in nature, ceramic is customizable to your needs. Whatever design you wish to have for your shower can be achieved with ceramic tile, including curved walls and large tile flooring. With more design comes more complexity and more costs. Though ceramic tiles can be customized, the material is very complex and requires expert installation to achieve your desired look.

Pros: Inexpensive

Cons: Dated Styling, Complex/Involved Installation

Acrylic

Acrylic is a versatile material that is impact resistant, structured, and fully customizable. In a shower, it is cut in one large piece to fit your shower wall using a sheet installation process. Your acrylic shower wall can be designed with laser edged tile, marble, and other patterns. The material creates a glossy finish and is easy to maintain. Because of its antimicrobial nature, you won’t have to worry about scrubbing as you do with other materials.

Though you might lose some of the style you’d get with stone or glass, acrylic will last you for far longer. It is scratch-resistant and much sturdier than glass or ceramic. Plus, acrylic retains more heat than other materials, giving you a comfortable bathroom experience. Your non-slip acrylic shower pan will keep you warm and safe, two very important features.

Pros: Slip-Resistant, Mold-Resistant, Variety of Color & Texture Options, Inexpensive, Easy Installation

Con: Nothing Notable

OUR SHOWER WALL RECOMMENDATION

We recommend acrylic as the best shower wall material. Acrylic is the best system to use for shower walls because it is the safest, least high maintenance, and easy to install, meaning your shower could be done in as little as one day. Acrylic is one of the most durable materials used in the shower construction industry, and for good reason. It is guaranteed not to chip, peel, crack or fade over time, and it is highly resistant to mildew or mold.

West Shore Home® prefers using acrylic material for our showers because it is the best for you, your home, and your wallet. We offer different styles and textures that can make your shower match your vision. In addition, our showers can be made with customizable accessibility features such as low or no barrier entry, built-in seating options, and grab bars.

If you are interested in a new shower, we guarantee acrylic is the way to go. Set up a consultation or get a free quote for your new shower with West Shore Home!