Tile shower or acrylic insert?
Bath Fitter, Re-Bath and similar companies install molded acrylic systems. We build tiled showers. Both are fair choices; here is how they differ, so you can pick the right one for your bathroom.
| Tiled shower (what we build) | Acrylic insert | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tile set over a waterproof membrane (we use Schluter Kerdi) on new backer board. | Molded acrylic wall panels and a tub or shower base, made to fit, usually installed over or in place of the old surround. |
| Look | Any tile, size, pattern or colour. Niches, benches and curbless entries are built in place. | The styles, colours and accessories in that company’s catalogue. |
| Time on site | About 2 to 5 days, depending on the job. | Often one or two days; that speed is the main selling point. |
| How you get a price | Send photos; we send a written, itemised price, usually the same day. | Typically an in-home consultation, with the price given at the visit. |
| What it costs with us | Tub to walk-in shower: $5,800–6,500 on our recent jobs. Full price list on our cost page. | Ask for a written quote and compare it line by line. |
| Repairs later | A cracked tile or worn grout can be fixed in place. | Damage to a panel usually means replacing the panel. |
| What is behind the wall | Old walls come out, so rot or old leaks are found and fixed before the new shower goes in. | Depends on the installer; when panels go over the old surround, what is behind it stays hidden. |
Bath Fitter and Re-Bath are trademarks of their owners. We are not affiliated with them. Their products and prices change; check with them directly.
Which should you pick?
Is a tile shower more expensive than an acrylic insert?
Usually the tile shower costs more, because it is built in place by hand. Our tub-to-walk-in conversions have run $5,800–6,500. Get written quotes for both and compare what each includes.
When is an acrylic insert the better choice?
When speed matters most, for a rental or a home you are about to sell, or when the existing walls are sound and you just want a clean refresh.
When is tile the better choice?
When you want a specific look or layout, a niche or bench, a curbless entry, or when the old shower has leaked and the walls need to come out anyway.
Compare with a real number
Send photos of your bathroom and we’ll send a written tile price to put next to any other quote.