topic Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP in Community Chat

Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

FiddleDeeDee — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 22:51:36 GMT

Yes, I know this isn't the HOME forum but this is usually where I hang out AND you advice-wise, you all are pretty good so....

My parents home is being turned into a rental. The MB has a large shower, all ceramic. There is a small leak. It's the original everything in perfect condition save this small leak which is at the base of the shower, near the shower pan. The home is 60 years old, a center hall colonial that they took very good care of until their deaths. My contractor went in and here are the recommendations:

1) Take the shower down to the studs and rebuild using 3 panels of molded plastic walls and pan, new metal features, paint and done.

2) Take the shower down to the studs and rebuild using new water/mold resistant drywall, rebuild to ceiling with all new ceramic and a ceramic tile floor, new metal features, paint and done.

There is a price difference; first is $4000, second is $6000 (going rate, not disputing the cost). Which would you choose and why? Other bathrooms are all ceramic, if that matters. I'm having other work done but for some reason, this is proving to be a difficult choice. TIA!

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

kaydee50 — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 23:02:03 GMT

#2 IMO, ceramic tile is more durable and attractive than the "plastic" walls. I had fiberglass in the MB of a previous house and it did not hold up well.

I also like the idea of the tile going all the way to the ceiling.

Good luck!

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Somertime — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 23:03:25 GMT

I would chose the second at a cost of 6,000.00. It is consistent with the previous construction of the shower. Since your parents took such pride in their home, why cheapen it with using plastic.

Normally the plastic is a drop in with inserts for the soap. shelf, etc. It would stand out like a sore thumb and would be very obvious that this was the less expensive option.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

jackthebear — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 23:11:22 GMT

@Somertime wrote:
I would chose the second at a cost of 6,000.00. It is consistent with the previous construction of the shower. Since your parents took such pride in their home, why cheapen it with using plastic.

Normally the plastic is a drop in with inserts for the soap. shelf, etc. It would stand out like a sore thumb and would be very obvious that this was the less expensive option.

go with the ceramic tile, if you decide to sell in a couple of years will look better. and could be more appealing to potential renters who might buy

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

ALRATIBA — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 23:11:39 GMT

Personally, I'd choose #1 for the simple reason: easier to keep clean.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Janey2 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:21:50 GMT

I would choose a tile shower,but I would get more estimates. Unless it is a huge shower the price sounds too high.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

FiddleDeeDee — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:25:11 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
I would choose a tile shower,but I would get more estimates. Unless it is a huge shower the price sounds too high.

@Janey2 I have and his price is right where it should be for the area. I'll add in that the quality of his work is excellent; I'll gladly pay for that.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

RedTop — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:38:36 GMT

I would go with ceramic tile walls, but choose a non-slip molded pan option for the shower floor. This is what we did in August when we removed the tub from our main bath.

Those vinyl shower surrounds look cheap, they don't age well, they crack, chip, scratch and stain in time. The $2000 price difference will also mean a big difference in buyer interest in the house, period. No one buying a house wants anything that looks CHEAP in the master bath.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Sage04 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:19:21 GMT

@FiddleDeeDee wrote:
Yes, I know this isn't the HOME forum but this is usually where I hang out AND you advice-wise, you all are pretty good so....

My parents home is being turned into a rental. The MB has a large shower, all ceramic. There is a small leak. It's the original everything in perfect condition save this small leak which is at the base of the shower, near the shower pan. The home is 60 years old, a center hall colonial that they took very good care of until their deaths. My contractor went in and here are the recommendations:

1) Take the shower down to the studs and rebuild using 3 panels of molded plastic walls and pan, new metal features, paint and done.

2) Take the shower down to the studs and rebuild using new water/mold resistant drywall, rebuild to ceiling with all new ceramic and a ceramic tile floor, new metal features, paint and done.

There is a price difference; first is $4000, second is $6000 (going rate, not disputing the cost). Which would you choose and why? Other bathrooms are all ceramic, if that matters. I'm having other work done but for some reason, this is proving to be a difficult choice. TIA!

@FiddleDeeDee #2 for sure. You can check out the large ceramic tiles (12X24) or something like that. Ceramic makes it looks so much better and people prefer that.

If there is a door involved, avoid the sliding doors. To me they are too much of a problem.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Trailrun23 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:54:44 GMT

I would choose #2 since it will look better and hold up longer. $6000 sound super cheap compared to the estimates I have been getting lately to do a tub to shower conversion. $23k is the lowest I have found. I don't think the plastic enclosures last and they do look cheap. The newest ceramic tile look right now is the picket fence or scalloped patterns. There are lots of new looks in ceramic tile. DS just did four bathrooms in her new home and she did picket fence for the basin backsplash and scallop for one shower and one full bath surround. Gorgeous.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

eddyandme — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:36:13 GMT

I would choose the molded plastic shower. Less maintenance and to clean, just steam

clean it 'cause using cleaning liquids will just gunk it up. A tile shower is a much harder surface to keep clean.

So in the long run you'll save time, problems and money.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

eddyandme — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:42:24 GMT

Forgot to mention tile is out nowadays.

Even the new kitchen backsplashes have switched to smooth-service products - you can probably see samples online from various companies.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Twins Mom — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:43:26 GMT

I would choose tile option, selecting large tiles that make cleaning easier. It will look neat and clean but updated. The plastic pieces are easy to clean but tend to sound cheap and not solid.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Sage04 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:54:40 GMT

@eddyandme wrote:
Forgot to mention tile is out nowadays.

Even the new kitchen backsplashes have switched to smooth-service products - you can probably see samples online from various companies.

@eddyandme maybe tiles are out where you are but not here in Atlanta.

I have been in so many new builts looking to see what's happening because we flip houses and that gives us many ideas.

If you say small tiles are out, that could be true. Porcelain and ceramic large tiles are still going strong and they are done from floor to ceiling.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

sunshine45 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 02:20:33 GMT

#2 for sure!

we recently remodeled bathrooms in our 2nd home at the beach and did almost exactly what you described in those bathrooms. they were about 40 years old with no major remodeling done to them. then we did a major remodel and removed the bathtubs and went with showers and more for both. have not regretted it.

beautiful tiles are not out at all here in our area.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Lucky Charm — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 02:19:23 GMT

For my own baths, I'd want the tiles.

For a rental, I'd hope that occupants would take care with keeping clean and using bathroom ventilation as so needed.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

rockygems123 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 03:39:54 GMT

@FiddleDeeDeeTile sounds like the better option but have you considered porcelain over ceramic tile? Worlds of difference in looks and durability.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

FiddleDeeDee — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 03:47:01 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@FiddleDeeDeeTile sounds like the better option but have you considered porcelain over ceramic tile? Worlds of difference in looks and durability.

@rockygems123 Honestly, I believe they are porcelain tiles. I just call them tiles because they're tiles, lol. When he redid our 3 bathrooms in another house, he used porcelain tiles. He pulled in a much more modern look (one that I would never have chosen for my own home but again, it was a rental) and the feedback was how everyone viewing the home LOVED how modern/updated it was. He was an architect in his native country but language barrier and education requirements here prevent him from doing his craft; he decided to become a contractor/remodel work and let me tell ya, the skill and quality.....over the top! Since this house is far more traditional, we're going to keep it simple and white.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

FiddleDeeDee — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 03:51:33 GMT

I thank ALL OF YOU for responding; I truly do. I posted this same question on another forum and the overwhelming vote was for the plastic insert shower. Here, it's for the tiles. I am still not sure which way to go on this though both forums have made great points supporting either choice.

Re: Which would you choose regarding MB shower? ROP

Mindy D — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:09:28 GMT

I would go with 2, however, it's not necessary to tile the shower walls completely to the ceiling of the shower.