How Do Shower Remodel Costs Compare Based on Materials Used?

We mentioned already that acrylic falls in the mid-range of shower remodel costs. On the low end, you’ll find fiberglass, which has limited customization options. On the high end, you’ll find luxury natural stone showers and some tile showers.

 Why do all of these shower materials (except fiberglass) have such a big price range? We provide a range to reflect things like standard vs. premium materials, add-ons and accessories, and the overall scope of your project. You can learn more about acrylic shower remodel costs here. 

How Durable Are Acrylic Shower Wall Panels vs. Other Materials?

Does spending more on something like natural stone or high-end tile mean that you’re guaranteed to get more use out of your shower? Not necessarily. Take a look at the lifespan of each of these shower materials:

• Acrylic: 15-20 years
• Natural stone: 15-25 years
• Tile: 10-20 years
• Fiberglass: 7-10 years

While the cheapest option, fiberglass, does have the shortest average lifespan, acrylic can last as long as tile or natural stone.

If price doesn’t make the ultimate difference between your shower lasting 15 years vs. 20+ years, what does? The first thing is the quality of your install. Improper installation increases your risk of product deterioration and water damage, which will shorten your shower’s lifespan quite a bit.

The second is how well you keep up with your shower’s maintenance requirements, which we’ll look at in more detail below.

Which Shower Wall Material Is Easiest to Clean and Maintain?

When you select a shower wall material, you’re not just thinking about cost and aesthetics. You’re thinking about what your day-to-day experience will be with that shower wall material. Ultimately, acrylic really is the easiest shower wall material to clean, taking only a few minutes of your time every week.

To clean acrylic, you really only need a gentle, non-caustic multipurpose cleaner and a clean cloth. Simply wiping down the surfaces with your cleaner will remove most substances, including soap scum and hard water stains.

Fiberglass isn’t much harder to clean, but even gentle cleaners can start to break down the silicone seal that gives it its shine. You’ll start to notice dullness and discoloration no matter how much you clean it.

Natural stone is easy to wipe down, but you will need to commit to stone resealing every few years. Most natural stone is a lot more porous than homeowners realize, and letting that seal fade will lead to moisture absorption and water damage.

Finally, we have tile, and more importantly, exposed grout. Grout is extremely porous, and needs to be resealed frequently. Because most homeowners don’t create a grout resealing schedule and fall behind, they end up with mold growth that can’t be cleaned.

Why Shower Warranties Matter

DIY cleaning is only half of the shower maintenance story. Some problems require professional repairs, and this is where you’re going to want a robust remodel warranty.

While warranties don’t cover standard wear and tear or damage caused by user error, they should cover things like defects and labor mistakes. For example, if there’s a gap between your acrylic shower wall panel and the green board behind it, your shower installer should come back out and fix the problem free of charge.

Whether you invest in an acrylic shower or go with a different material, make sure to review the warranty before you sign any contracts. A good warranty functions as a sort of insurance on your shower remodel cost.

Dive Deeper With Our Acrylic Shower Guide

Acrylic is a popular shower wall option because it’s quite durable and easy to maintain, and it isn’t the most expensive material on the market. We hope this guide has helped you assess how acrylic compares to other shower wall materials.

What’s next? Dive deeper into acrylic shower wall benefits with this guide: Acrylic Shower Walls 101.