Walk-In Shower Kits vs. Custom Shower Design: Which to Choose and Why

You know that you’re ready for a shower remodel, but you haven’t decided what approach you want to take. What you do know is that you want real value for your money. You want something that looks nice and is easy to use, easy to clean, and built to last. What you don’t know is what type of shower remodel will check those boxes.

At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we’ve completed over 20,000 bathroom remodeling projects, a whopping 90% of which have been walk-in showers. Today, we’re going to walk you through one of the most common considerations customers start out with: whether or not to go with a walk-in shower kit or a custom-designed, custom-built shower. Read on to answer questions such as:

- What is a walk-in shower kit?
- What is custom shower design?
- When should I invest in a walk-in shower kit?
- When should I invest in a custom shower?

What Is a Walk-In Shower Kit?

First, let’s talk about what a walk-in shower kit actually is. Sometimes referred to as a shower insert kit, a walk-in shower kit includes:

A pre-formed shower base with the matching drain plate and cover
Wall panels, typically made from materials like fiberglass
A glass shower door and accompanying hardware
Additional hardware

Pricier shower kits may come with accompanying accessories, like a grab bar or seat.

Believe it or not, these shower kits don’t typically come with everything you’ll need to build a complete shower. For example, they come with a lot of the necessary hardware, but not the installation tools. They also don’t come with a showerhead or shower handle.

Should you install a walk-in shower kit yourself? If you are an experienced plumber who has built showers before and have all the tools on hand, sure. If not, we recommend hiring a professional.

What Does Custom Shower Design Entail?

As we’ve established, a shower kit comes with a lot of the components (although notably not all of the components) that you need to build a one-size-fits-all shower. Now, let’s talk about custom shower design.

Custom shower design starts with an in-home consultation, where you’ll work with a consultant to pick everything from your shower wall colors to your shower accessories. Your consultant will balance their own expertise with your specific household needs to help you create a walk-in shower that works best for you.

With custom shower design comes custom installation. Your installer will do everything from demolishing your existing shower (or tub and shower, if you’re getting a tub-to-shower conversion) to repairing and updating your bathroom to installing your shower materials. Before installing components like grab bars or seating, your installer will work with you to make sure these features are positioned at the exact height and angle to best serve you, specifically.

Benefits of a Walk-In Shower Kit

The biggest benefit of a walk-in shower kit is the cost. Because you’re not getting any customizations with a shower-kit, you’re looking at lower material costs (although not necessarily lower installation costs).

A walk-in shower kit might be the right choice if:

You’re remodeling a bathroom that isn’t used as frequently (like a guest bathroom)
You’re remodeling your bathroom before selling your home and just want something cleaner and newer to the buyer
You’re remodeling a rental property (and again, just want to provide something cleaner and newer)

Drawbacks of a Walk-In Shower Kit

There can be a real inconvenience to choosing a walk-in shower kit. For example, they only come in standard sizes (e.g., a shower base of 32”-32” or 32”-60”). If you’re replacing a tub or shower with dimensions outside of these standard sizes, you may end up paying more to move a wall or extend your flooring.

Walk-in shower kits also aren’t the best choice if you’re remodeling your bathroom for accessibility reasons. Shower kits tend to have higher shower base thresholds. Plus, even the shower kits that come with a seat or grab bar don’t let you install these components wherever you want. You’re confined to a pre-set design on top of those pre-set dimensions.

Finally, walk-in shower kits tend to be less durable. Yes, you might pay less upfront, but if you’re planning to stay in your home for the long-term, you’ll probably find yourself replacing your shower sooner with an insert kit.

Benefits of Custom Shower Design

The biggest benefit of custom shower design is, of course, the ability to customize. With customization, you don’t just get the exact aesthetic you’re looking for. You also get the exact dimensions you need, as well as the type and location of storage accessories and safety features that work best for your needs.

A custom shower might be the right choice if:

You need an accessible shower after a surgery or to increase independence while aging in place
You are redesigning your primary bathroom shower with the goal of improved aesthetics or increased function (or both!)
You are willing to pay more for a shower that will last longer

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Drawbacks of Custom Shower Design

There’s really only one downside of a custom shower when compared to a shower insert kit. A custom walk-in shower will undoubtedly cost more than a shower insert kit. You can find out more about ZINTEX walk-in shower pricing to get a sense of what that might look like.

That said, the higher price tag does come with increased value. For example, it’s not a guarantee that your shower kit will come with a warranty, whereas your custom shower will come with both labor and product warranties. Plus, your custom shower will likely be constructed from higher quality materials (with a better fit for your home), meaning it will last longer.

Looking for a Bathroom Remodeling Company for Your Custom Shower? Learn More About ZINTEX Remodeling Group

Walk-in shower kits have their place, but at ZINTEX Remodeling Group, our focus is 100% custom-designed, custom-built showers.

Want to learn more about what that process looks like with ZINTEX? Take a look at our walk-in shower service page to discover things like available design features, price points, and more.

Common Questions

Everything else you might be wondering.

Do walk-in shower kits take less time to install than custom showers?

Not necessarily. We are able to install 90% of our custom showers in 1-2 days. A walk-in shower kit takes about the same amount of time to install. Despite having fewer individual components, walk-in shower kits still require demolition and waste removal, potential plumbing and structural upgrades, and careful adhesion to install.

Are walk-in shower kits as durable as custom showers?

No. Walk-in shower kits that get daily use typically last 5-7 years before showing signs of wear and tear or failing to meet a household’s changing needs. Custom acrylic showers last a minimum of 15 years, and more likely 20+ with proper care.

Can I retroactively customize a walk-in shower kit with things like grab bars?

It is not safe to attach a weight-bearing feature like a grab bar to an existing fiberglass shower. Fiberglass is thin, which means that it’s not only likely to crack if you try to drill into it, but it also can’t safely hold your weight as you use the grab bar. You should always install safety features like grab bars during your actual custom shower installation, which ensures that the grab bars are held in place by reinforced support beams behind the shower wall.

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