A shower remodel is one of the most transformative parts of a bathroom project. The style, layout, and features you choose affect comfort, accessibility, maintenance, and resale value. For Solid Remodels & Restorations clients, the goal is always the same: a shower that looks great, performs reliably, and fits the way you live—not just what’s trending on a showroom floor.
Main Types of Showers
Most residential projects fall into a few core shower types, each with specific advantages.
- Alcove (three-wall) showers: These fit between three walls, often replacing a tub-shower combo. They maximize use of a tight footprint and can be built with a prefabricated pan and walls or fully tiled for a custom look.
- Corner showers: Designed to fit into a corner with glass on two sides, they’re common in smaller bathrooms where every inch counts. Using low-profile or modern pans keeps the space feeling open.
- Walk-in showers: Typically larger, with glass panels and no tub, they create an open, spa-like feel. Built-in benches and recessed niches are popular additions for comfort and storage.
- Curb-less / level-entry showers: These remove the threshold at the shower entrance, using a carefully sloped floor and often a linear drain to keep water contained. They are ideal for accessibility, aging in place, and a clean modern aesthetic.
Within these structures, you can choose between prefabricated pans and walls, or fully tiled, custom-built systems. Prefab options may install faster, while custom systems provide more flexibility in size, layout, and finishes.
What Makes a Custom Shower “Custom”?
Custom showers allow you to tailor nearly every element—layout, tile, glass, and fixtures—to your needs.
Design decisions usually include:
- Layout and size: Oversized walk-in vs. space-efficient corner; single user vs. room for two.
- Glass style: Frameless, semi-frameless, or framed glass; fixed panels vs. hinged or sliding doors.
- Features: Benches, foot rests, niches, grab bars, and accessibility elements such as wider entries or level floors.
- Fixtures: Rainfall heads, handheld sprayers, body sprays, and digital controls for temperature and flow.
Behind the tile, the structure matters just as much as the look. Proper slope, pan selection, and waterproofing systems are critical to prevent leaks and long-term damage.
Key Considerations When You Remodel Bathroom Showers
A shower remodel should fit into the broader plan of your bathroom and home. Instead of focusing only on tile and glass, Solid Remodels & Restorations walks clients through several strategic questions:
- Who will use this shower? If accessibility is a concern now or in the future, curbless entries, wider openings, and secure blocking for future grab bars are smart investments.
- How important is maintenance? Large-format tile and fewer grout lines, frameless glass, and quality waterproofing systems can reduce cleaning and maintenance over time.
- What are the moisture and ventilation needs? Proper exhaust fans, rated for wet areas and sized for the room, are essential to control humidity and protect finishes.
- What’s the plumbing strategy? Keeping drains and supply lines close to existing locations can help manage cost; moving them opens design options but increases complexity.
A good contractor will also coordinate ceiling treatments, lighting (including wet-rated fixtures where needed), and heat retention so the shower feels comfortable, not drafty.
How This Ties into Your Remodel with Solid Remodels
For Solid Remodels & Restorations, shower design is integrated into the entire bathroom project:
- Evaluating existing framing, plumbing, and subfloor conditions before recommending a shower type.
- Advising on the right balance of custom features and budget—where to splurge (waterproofing, glass, fixtures) and where to simplify.
- Coordinating tile, glass, and fixture selections so the shower complements vanities, flooring, and lighting.
- Managing details like niches, bench height, drain placement, and waterproofing systems to protect your home for the long term.
Rather than offering DIY tips, the focus is on professional planning and execution—because in a wet area, small mistakes can become expensive problems.
If you’re ready to explore new shower options—from efficient alcove replacements to fully custom walk-in designs—contact Solid Remodels & Restorations! Our team of professional home remodel contractors will help you design and build a shower that looks beautiful, performs reliably, and fits your life for years to come.