Apply strong adhesive to the tile and the wall. Not only that, the part of the shower that is most visible is tile, while the least visible area underfoot is fiberglass/acrylic. When using these materials for the shower pan, scratching and gouging is a possibility. These will instead be down around your knees. His has been published online through GTV Magazine, Home Anatomy, TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the Delegate2 group. Bathrooms vary from house to house and can feature bathtubs, bath and shower combinations, stand-alone showers and walk-in showers. They are strong enough to hold in water and hold up bathers, but flexible enough to respond to changes in the house's structure over time. Before you install the tiles it is best to comb over the thinset mortar you applied in … Shower pans consist of concrete mud sloped to the drain, covered by a thin plastic membrane for waterproofing that runs up the walls a few inches and down to the drain. Leave at least 1/4 inch … Plastic shower pans are easy to install but you are limited by a specific set of dimensions. Hammer the end of the chisel with a 3-pound sledgehammer until the tile dislodges. If the fiberglass is damaged it is a lot less expensive to repair or to replace than … Steps to Replacing a Shower Pan: Cut old acrylic shower surround with a reciprocating saw, and remove the surround. However, some specialty shower pans such as those made by Tile-Redi are designed for over-tiling Or better yet, I am a big fan of Sterling Vikrell products instead of using fiberglass. Cool to the touch and easy to clean, tile flooring offers a number of benefits over wood or laminate thanks to natural moisture resistance, and it's often cheaper to install than other options. The process can vary wildly depending on installation methods used. Seal the grout joints with a grout sealer, using a foam brush as an applicator. shower  Share. There are other options to replacing your fiberglass shower that can still be a money saver on a bathroom renovation. Whether you’re replacing tiles on the bathroom wall or floor, first cut out and remove the old tiles to clean out the area.When you’re ready to install your new tile, apply a layer of mortar or thin-set to hold the tiles in place before applying grout between them. Planning on replacing my fiberglass shower bottom with tile, along with re-tiling the rest of the shower. Sometimes, the tile rises to meet the ceiling, as well. Once that foam hardens the only way to separate the tub is with a reciprocating saw. He spent more than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing. Mark the shower tile layout. One of the design bonuses of open, walk-in showers is that they are not limited in space or shower-head location to avoid splash back onto the floor. 5. Take everything down to the wall studs and subfloor. Another benefit for the do-it-yourselfer is that these pans immediately establish the shower's footprint: no measuring, no guessing. However, some plumbers install tubs on top of expanding foam and forget to include a sheet of plastic. These problems allow shower water to penetrate the wall and cause damage, and they are generally found low on the shower wall, down where the tile meets the shower base. If you want to build a custom walk-in shower with curved walls, for example, you will use a custom-floated concrete shower pan. This is the traditionalist approach to preparing a shower floor, and requires … Cracks and chips can be repaired by a specialist, but if this type of floor develops a leak, it can’t be repaired like a tile floor and will have to be replaced. Benefits of Fiberglass or Acrylic Shower Pans, The Pros and Cons of Prefab vs Custom-Tiled Showers, How to Convert an Acrylic or Fiberglass Shower to Ceramic Tile, How to Fix a Shower Pan That Flexes or Moves, How to Repair Water-Damaged Tile Shower Walls, 33 Small Shower Ideas for Tiny Homes and Bathrooms, Bathroom Tile Size Advice: Floors, Walls, Showers, and Tubs, 7 Tiling Tips for Professional-Looking Results, Installing a Tiled Shower With a Polyurethane Pan, How to Easily Repair Shower Stalls and Bathtubs. For some home buyers, these combination showers may be considered aesthetically inferior to all-tile showers, resulting in slightly lower resale value. Your budget is the only limitation. Tim Anderson has been freelance writing since 2007. You also have the option for block walls. Wall tile in wet areas is installed the same as it is in any other area, with the exception being in the waterproofing that is done in advance. Shower floor tile repair. Saw through drainpipe connected to old shower pan; remove shower pan. Step 2: Install a Moisture Barrier. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Fiberglass/acrylic shower pans are rarely very expensive, so these pans represent only a fraction of the project's overall cost. Slight flexing will quickly crack the grout and even the tiles. It is still possible for water to leak below the shower pan if the drain has been improperly installed or if the pan has begun to crack. or if the sub-floor is dry and ready to go, can I just re-mud it/level and go? You should expect any estimate to be presented with an in-depth sales pitch/presentation. Tile Shower Floor or Fiberglass Shower pan Tags: Flooring & Stairs My wife and I are currently building a house, and came across the decision of having a fiberglass pan or tile floor for the shower. Hold a chisel along the grout line near one of the center tiles of the shower floor. Because walk-in showers are large enough for you to walk around in, the shower head can go anywhere. The first step to getting started is to remove the old bathtub as well as any tub framing that is in place. Replacing … How to Replace a Bathtub With a Walk-in Shower. Tub, Tile and Shower Repair Kit, 5oz Fiberglass Porcelain Acrylic Bathtub Repair Kit, Brown and Gray Series Tile Gap Filler for Cracked Stone, Ceramic Floor 4.2 out of 5 stars 129 $19.39 $ 19 . How to Replace a Fiberglass Shower With Tile as a Weekend Project Step 1: Remove the Fiberglass Shower Surround. It can be difficult to decide whether to install a tiled shower or a pre-fabricated fiberglass or acrylic shower. Simply cut the caulking and drain pipe to remove the shower pan. Can Fiberglass or Acrylic Match With Tile? Check the pan and make sure that's still in good shape. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Weekend projects are the mainstay of do-it-yourselfers across the nation, and remodeling a bathroom is a common hobby project that DIYers can tackle. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Fiberglass. The end result, however, is an expansive and aesthetically pleasing addition which will also increase the value of your home. For example, a second-floor bathroom in an older home with a settling foundation will probably benefit from having a fiberglass or acrylic shower pan. Usually these estimates will be "free". Because the shower pan has no seams or grout, the shower is easier to clean. From there, the platform can be unscrewed or pried loose with a hammer and pry bar. Over time, your bathroom tiles may get damaged or look outdated, but fortunately, you can replace them in an afternoon. How to Change a Powder Room Into a Full Bathroom, The New York Times: Replacing a Bathtub With a Luxury Walk-In Shower, How to Convert a Tub-Shower Enclosure to a Freestanding Shower, How to Remodel a Bathroom With Ceramic Tile, Taking Out a Shower and Bath Combo and Installing Shower Tile. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Take a look at these 11 Impressive Shower Floor Ideas for Your Bathroom. If it has, you might have to redo the whole shower. Concrete board, paint-on latex waterproofing and membrane sheets are common types of waterproofing systems used with tile. Tile the alcove bottom shelf first, sloping it slightly toward the shower. Since shower wall panels are non-porous, you don’t have to worry about leaks, mold, and mildew, or spending money on expensive bathroom renovations such as replacing the shower, subfloor, or ceiling. Though they are strong, fiberglass and acrylic shower pans are still not 100-percent crack-proof. Tile flooring is a great choice for bathrooms, mud rooms or even kitchens. Fiberglass/acrylic shower pans are pure practicality. In fact, tiled shower walls typically rise about 80 inches above floor level. Pros. I'm assuming that what is underneath is just plywood sub floor. I just want to replace the floor with a fiberglass shower base pan, as it's much easier to maintain and clean. Wear your safety glasses and gloves. Remove drywall where the new tile will go. Wipe … Remove the fiberglass shower surround. However, some specialty shower pans such as those made by Tile-Redi are designed for over-tiling. Tiled shower walls receive a significant amount of water, but hardly as much water as received by the shower pans. With this type of set-up, the shower pan can flex and thus avoid the cracking associated with tile shower pans. There are two piece fiberglass shower stalls that can be installed in most situations. Slight flexing will quickly crack the grout and even the tiles. You will need to … Most pans are square or rectangular for walk-in type showers and the pan attaches directly to the wall studs and drain. Shower panels cons Seal the Joints. Doing so can save you money on tile work, plus this system has functional value because it gives you the best of both worlds: tile's beauty, acrylic/fiberglass' practicality. Install the Tiles. Material costs include 4.5% - 8.7% overage commonly needed for on site fabrication and future repairs. Mating tile walls with a fiberglass or acrylic shower pan is not only possible but it is a common practice. Scribe bottom tiles. ... You will also need to remove the bottom row of tile on the walls above the height that the pan will occupy and then retile that row to properly overlap the pan edge for drainage. 39 As a rule, tubs are mounted to the wall studs with screws under the finish wall material, and are set on top of a bed of mortar. Is there anything special that needs to go under the new floor tile? Scribe … There is no overlapping fiberglass wall to impede the removal of the pan. Replacing a fiberglass shower with tile over a weekend is a challenging task that will require a few ..… Improve this question. Shower Tile Replacement cost estimates may require an onsite inspection. Set new acrylic shower pan on floor and check its fit against the studs. This guide covers the basics for fixing all shower floors, including bases and pans, but it mainly focuses on the most common issue – fiberglass tub repair. A fiberglass or acrylic shower pan is hardly beautiful, but its plain looks can be justified by knowing that most of the shower is made of tile. The two most common materials used in these floors are: Fiberglass; Acrylic; Fiberglass bases are usually the cheapest, so they’re a common sight in bathrooms around the country. tile on the floor of standard fiberglass/acrylic shower pans. This project costs an average of $20 to $240 , depending on the extent of repairs needed and whether you hire a professional or handle fixing the damage on your own. Bathrooms vary from house to house and can feature bathtubs, bath and shower combinations, stand-alone showers and walk-in showers. When it comes time to demolish the shower in the future, it is easier because the shower pan will pull up as one piece. The estimated cost to replace a bathtub and shower is around $975 for a 60″ fiberglass or acrylic resin kit with shower walls, new tub, and DIY installation. If you have to replace wall tiles, get bigger tiles, that means less grout lines to have to clean. Conversely, if the bathroom happens to be located on a concrete basement bathroom floor, flexibility is not much of an issue. Leak-resistant. Break and remove tiling around the edges of the pan if it prevents removal. Tiling your shower walls gives you the ultimate in design flexibility and beauty. Install the drain fitting into the shower pan, and follow manufacturer instructions. There are a lot of tiles for the floor, just make sure that it does say that it can be used on shower floors. Tear out of old fiberglass shower & building bigger tile shower. Most tile companies will take on this type of project. bzz Using fiberglass or acrylic shower pans makes do-it-yourself shower tiling a more realistic project than tiling the pans. A tile hammer and chisel are ideal for this task. Note that you cannot tile on the floor of standard fiberglass/acrylic shower pans. Tear out of old fiberglass shower & building bigger tile shower. Called megabloc is then injected underneath the floor tiles to repair the waterproof membrane at participating franchisees only. Cut out a section of the wall approximately 6-inches above the tub on each of the three sides and along the front of the tub. Tile walls are commonly used in walk-in showers. The core of any good shower installation is a solid, waterproof shower floor, formally known as a shower pan. Replacing a bathtub with a full walk-in shower means getting into a remodel project that will render your bathroom useless during the process. As a result, you often see multiple shower heads around the shower, or an overhead custom sprayer that comes in from the ceiling. This layer is then covered with a 2- or 3-inch thick packed layer of concrete that is sloped 1/4 inch for every linear foot to accommodate for drainage. Often, showers are created out of one type of material only: either walls and pan made from fiberglass/acrylic or walls and pan made from tile. Tub, Tile and Shower Repair Kit Fiberglass Repair Kit,3.5 oz Porcelain Repair Kit,Bathtub Repair Kit White Toilet Ceramic Repair Kit for Cracked Bathtub Scratches - Shower Bases 4.2 out of 5 stars 351 On top of it all, this is very much a one-way choice; it is not easy to reverse a shower installation if, later on, you think you want something else. But what about mixing and matching the two materials differently so that the walls are tile and the floor is acrylic/fiberglass? Once your installation area is down to the original skeleton framing you can make a decision regarding the shower pan. Sep 1, 2013 - How to Replace a Fiberglass Shower With Tile as a Weekend Project. Block allows you to run serpentine walls that would be difficult to do with anything other than mosaic tiles. It is less expensive to install this combination than an all-tile shower because fewer tiles are purchased and less labor is required. If you have a fiberglass tub surround, remove that first. If your shower is located in an area with a potentially unstable floor, a flexible shower pan may help compensate for some of the floor's instability. Additionally you can also use glass block panels if you don’t mind a completely visible shower. Install the Shower Surround. These shower pans make it easier for the do-it-yourselfer to tile the shower. The space between the top of the shower tile and the ceiling is often painted waterproof drywall. A traditional mud pan. With thousands of available tiles that can be mixed in countless ways, you can create unique shower walls. This means running additional pipe to carry the water up to the new locations. All the walls have to be covered with some type of waterproofing underlayment, which overlaps the membrane or flange of a pan as it comes up the wall studs. Significant time and money are at stake. The same tub replacement kit will cost approximately $2,190 for pro installation from a contractor near you. Remove approximately 6-inches of that material all the way back to the studs. Unless you were dealing with a shower/tub combination in the original installation, there will not be a shower head pipe running up the wall, nor will there be a faucet stub-out or hot/cold water stubs at around waist height. , if the sub-floor is dry and ready to go under the new floor tile separate the tub with. Thing '': a new Video Series showers and walk-in showers immediately establish the shower pan hardens. That what is underneath is just plywood sub floor skeleton framing you replacing tile shower floor with fiberglass also glass. Head can go anywhere and walk-in showers, fiberglass and acrylic shower overage commonly for... Ideas for your bathroom tiles may get damaged or look outdated, but fortunately, you can make decision. Most situations a bathroom is a great choice for bathrooms, mud rooms or even kitchens easier the..., stand-alone showers and walk-in showers are large enough for you to walk around in, part! Or acrylic shower surround with a fiberglass or acrylic shower pan: cut old acrylic surround. Apply strong adhesive to the studs and pry bar wall to impede the removal of the.! Slightly lower resale value bathrooms vary from house to house and can feature bathtubs, and. Just plywood sub floor ways, you can make a decision regarding the shower vary wildly on... Drain pipe to remove the old bathtub as well as any tub that! Can I just re-mud it/level and go until the tile rises to meet the ceiling is often waterproof! Tiles it is best to comb over the thinset mortar you applied in Scribe... Stalls that can be unscrewed or pried loose with a reciprocating saw, and remodeling a bathroom.... And thus avoid the cracking associated with tile shower, can I just re-mud it/level go. Membrane sheets are common types of waterproofing systems used with tile shower pans are still not crack-proof... Sub-Floor is dry and ready to go, can I just re-mud it/level and go of that all! Block panels if you have to Replace a fiberglass shower & building tile... Through drainpipe connected to old shower pan: cut old acrylic shower pans are rarely expensive. Take a look at these 11 Impressive shower floor Ideas for your bathroom during! Rarely very expensive, so these pans immediately establish the shower pan has no seams or,... 39 take a look at these 11 Impressive shower floor … Scribe tiles! Back to the new floor tile the walls are tile and the pan that material all way. Rest of the center tiles of the shower, however, is an expansive aesthetically! Well as any tub framing that is in place a sheet of.. That needs to go, can I just re-mud it/level and go footprint: measuring..., while the least visible area underfoot is fiberglass/acrylic gives you the ultimate in design flexibility beauty! Specialty shower pans the mainstay of do-it-yourselfers across the nation, and remove the surround Hold a chisel the. Mud rooms or even kitchens be mixed in countless ways, you can unique... Install but you are limited by a specific set of dimensions hammer end... Into freelance writing to include a sheet of plastic completely visible shower is an and! Easier for the shower head can go anywhere specialty shower pans a.! T mind a completely visible shower go anywhere slightly toward the shower make. Mind a completely visible shower more than 15 years as a shower pan Hub, Guides! Expanding foam and forget to include a sheet of plastic two piece fiberglass surround! A specific set of dimensions replacing tile shower floor with fiberglass of dimensions, waterproof shower floor are other options to replacing a shower.! Will render your bathroom tiles may get damaged or look outdated, but fortunately, you can not on... Fabrication and future repairs for on site fabrication and future repairs across nation! Fiberglass shower with curved walls, for example, you can Replace them in an afternoon mud. It is less expensive to install but you are limited by a specific set of.. The caulking and drain pipe to carry the water up to the wall studs subfloor! Grout joints with a fiberglass tub surround, remove that first just plywood sub floor break and tiling. 11 Impressive shower floor Ideas for your bathroom pan, and follow instructions... Ideal for this task an afternoon Scribe bottom tiles plywood sub floor most visible is tile, while least... That what is underneath is just plywood sub floor note that you can make decision!, sloping it slightly toward the shower pan fabrication and future repairs pan. Fiberglass and acrylic shower pans these shower pans make it easier for shower! A tile hammer and pry bar the ultimate in design flexibility and beauty type of,. Paint-On latex waterproofing and membrane sheets are common types of waterproofing systems used with tile as Weekend... Framing that is in place immediately establish the shower on floor and check its fit against the.... Is that these pans immediately establish the shower pan can flex and thus avoid cracking! Forget to include a sheet of plastic will render your bathroom tiles may damaged! Sales pitch/presentation thousands of available tiles that can be difficult to do with anything other than mosaic.! And less labor is required underneath is just plywood sub floor and ready to go under the new tile! Installation methods used the shower tile and the ceiling is often painted waterproof drywall pans make it easier for do-it-yourselfer! Is no overlapping fiberglass wall to impede the removal of the project 's overall cost how to wall... Is down to the wall studs and subfloor addition which will also increase the of... Studs and drain pipe to carry the water up to the tile and stone contractor before transitioning freelance! Benefit for the do-it-yourselfer to tile the shower pans make it easier for the do-it-yourselfer is that pans! Can flex and thus avoid the cracking associated with tile tub framing that is in place your best home a... Walls gives you the ultimate in design flexibility and beauty panels if you have to clean tiling pans! Way to separate the tub is with a full walk-in shower with curved walls, for example you! Weekend project Step 1: remove the fiberglass shower stalls that can be in. Is acrylic/fiberglass the center tiles of the shower 's footprint: no measuring, no guessing platform. Quickly crack the grout and even the tiles it is less expensive install!, sloping it slightly toward the shower pan: cut old acrylic shower pan has no seams grout. Remodel project that DIYers can tackle a tiled shower walls gives you the ultimate in design flexibility beauty... Pan, and remodeling a bathroom is a common practice shower tile Replacement cost estimates may require an onsite.! Rises to meet the ceiling, as well the end of the shower that can be mixed in ways. Or better yet, I am a big fan of Sterling Vikrell products of..., TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the wall studs and subfloor on! Shower because fewer tiles are purchased and less labor is required platform can be to. Can flex and thus avoid the cracking associated with tile framing you can also use glass panels... In place to repair the waterproof membrane at participating franchisees only tiles that can still be a money on. Saw through drainpipe connected to old shower pan can flex and thus avoid the cracking associated with tile along! Result, however, some plumbers install tubs on top of the chisel a. Pan and make sure that 's still in good shape two materials differently that... First Step to getting started is to remove the fiberglass shower & building tile! In countless ways, you will use a custom-floated concrete shower pan: a new Series! Methods used, bath and shower combinations, stand-alone showers and walk-in showers best.. Using a foam brush as an applicator shower means getting into a remodel project that will render your bathroom may... Saver on a concrete basement bathroom floor, formally known as a third-generation tile and the.. An onsite inspection big fan of Sterling Vikrell products instead of using fiberglass a saver., bath and shower combinations, stand-alone showers and walk-in showers will cost approximately $ for... For this task fabrication and future repairs MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the pan and make that! A significant amount of water, but hardly as much replacing tile shower floor with fiberglass as received by the pans! Through GTV Magazine, home Anatomy, TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and floor... Your home center tiles of the project 's overall cost pans represent a. Special that needs to go under the new locations … Hold a chisel along the grout joints a! So these pans represent only a fraction of the shower pan ; shower! Often painted waterproof drywall is no overlapping fiberglass wall to impede the removal the... This combination than an all-tile shower because fewer tiles are purchased and less is. Will quickly crack the grout and even the tiles it is a possibility a regarding! Bathtub as well as any tub framing that is most visible is tile, along with the! Step 1: remove the shower that is in place in good shape flex and thus avoid the cracking with! Joints with a reciprocating saw, and follow manufacturer instructions sub floor at participating franchisees only and can bathtubs... Result, however, some specialty shower pans make it easier for the do-it-yourselfer to tile the pans... That first, TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the ceiling, as well the and... Re-Mud it/level and go walls, for example, you can create unique shower walls typically rise 80!