Are you planning to convert your tub to a walk-in shower? Making bathroom updates like this can help increase your home value, so you’re making a great investment. One of the most important decisions you’ll make during your remodeling project is the type of material to use in your new shower. Contrary to what you might think, we choose acrylic over tile.
In most cases, homeowners will end up choosing between two materials: tile and acrylic. So, which one is the right choice for your shower? The CareFree Home Pros team is here to help you plan every aspect of your bathroom remodel near Hartford, CT.
Throughout this guide, you’ll learn more about each material, the most important things to consider when making your decision, why so many homeowners prefer acrylic, and how to know when it’s time to schedule your shower replacement.
All About Tile
A mainstay in bathrooms for over 100 years, tile is a popular shower material that comes in a variety of colors and styles. Tile is made when clay is dry processed and it has natural water-resistant properties, which has made it an obvious choice for showers over the years.
However, tile is installed with grout, which is notoriously hard to keep clean and has to be replaced once it starts to break down. Acrylic over tile is a tough decision, but there are perks to both.
All About Acrylic
Acrylic shower walls are made from a type of plastic called polyacrylate. It’s a material that’s been used in bathrooms for about 50 years and it has quickly become one of the most popular materials on the market
What makes it so popular? Well, acrylic is a nonporous material, which gives it great waterproofing properties. Unlike tile, acrylic doesn’t require grout, which is another reason it’s popular with homeowners who are planning bathroom remodeling services.
The Most Important Things to Consider When Choosing Between Acrylic Over Tile
Now that you know more about each material option, you can start to narrow down your decision based on what makes the most sense for your bathroom. As one of the leading CT bathroom remodelers, our team here at CareFree Home Pros is here to help you make the best possible choice even if we think acrylic over tile is better.
Here are the most important things to consider when you’re deciding whether to choose acrylic or tile for your new shower.
The Cost of the Material
Not surprisingly, one of the first things that homeowners ask us about when they’re planning to replace their shower is cost. While the specifics of your new shower will determine how much you’ll pay, the average cost of an acrylic shower is around $3000, compared to the average cost of a tile shower, which is around $8,000.
Even though those exact numbers can vary, acrylic is almost always a cheaper option than tile. When you’re budgeting for your new shower, remember that if you choose tile, you must also account for the price of grout and mortar, which can drive up the cost of your project.
With acrylic, on the other hand, you’ll only have to account for the cost of the acrylic, which can help make it easier for you to remodel your bathroom for a price that fits your budget. Looking for even more ways to save? Check out our special offers to unlock our latest discounts.
Available Design Options
The next thing you’ll want to consider is the design aesthetic you want to create in your shower. As you probably know, tile comes in a variety of different styles, patterns, textures, and colors, so you can create a completely unique shower based on your design preferences.
So, it’s easy to see why tile would appeal to homeowners that have specific design ideas in mind. However, keep in mind that acrylic is also available in a wide variety of style options. That’s right, you can still customize the look of your shower even when you choose acrylic.
With the help of our highly-rated installers, you can create a bathroom that looks like it’s straight out of an interior design magazine for a price that won’t break your budget.
The Durability of the Material
When you decide to upgrade your bathroom, you’re making an investment in your home. By choosing a durable material, you can feel good about where your money is going when deciding between acrylic over tile. Even though tile itself is fairly durable, it’s common for grout to break down over time, leading to inconvenient repairs.
As we mentioned above, acrylic is a nonporous material. As a result, it won’t absorb water, crack, fade, chip, or stain, even after years of daily use. Beyond that, our acrylic products are made with Silver Ion technology, which helps to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
Required Cleaning and Maintenance
The last thing you want to do when you install a new shower is spend all your free time taking care of it. So, before you decide which material to choose, consider how much time you have to devote to cleaning and maintenance. Tile itself is fairly easy to keep clean, but cleaning grout can be a pain.
When it comes to acrylic, cleaning couldn’t be easier. As a good rule of thumb, you can use non-abrasive cleaners or even just dishwashing detergent and water to keep your acrylic shower looking great.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use abrasive scrubbing pads to clean your acrylic, as that can damage the surface. Instead, use a soft cloth to wipe away any areas of soap scum. Because it’s easy to keep clean, you won’t have to scrub away at it like you would grout, so you can spend less time cleaning your new shower and more time enjoying it.
Ease of Installation
The final thing to consider when choose acrylic over tile is how hard it is to install each material. Unsurprisingly, the harder your new shower installation is, the more expensive it will be to complete the project. Once again, acrylic is the clear winner between the two materials.
Installing tile is a long, tedious, and very manual process that requires a lot of skill to do correctly. Installing an acrylic shower, on the other hand, is a much easier job. Your acrylic shower walls will come in one- to three-piece surrounds that are very easy to install.
In fact, most of our new shower installations can be completed in as little as just one day so you can start enjoying your upgraded bathroom as soon as possible.
When to Start Planning Your Shower Remodel
You might know you need to replace your shower eventually, but how do you know when it’s time to stop putting it off and start actively planning your project? If you notice any of the following signs in your current bathroom, you’ll want to replace your shower sooner rather than later.
You Notice Cracks or Gaps
If you notice small cracks or gaps in your current bathtub or shower, it might not seem like anything serious. However, water will eventually make its way into these cracks, which can contribute to leaks in the walls. This can quickly get out of hand, causing the need for expensive repairs.
You See Mold and Mildew Growth
Noticing mold and mildew growth in your shower is never fun, but it’s more than just a cleaning issue. These black spots indicate there is too much moisture stuck in one area, which often means there’s a crack or leak in the shower wall.
If that moisture continues to spread, it’s only a matter of time before your shower will start to erode, which can lead to a more complicated replacement if there is damage to your home behind the shower walls. When comparing acrylic over tile, we have a clear winning.
You Notice Signs of a Leak
The next time you are in your bathroom, pay close attention to see if you notice any signs of a leak. This can be in the form of pooling water near your tub or shower, cracks, or small puddles. These leaks are not only a waste of water, but they can also cause structural damage to your home, leading to expensive repairs.
Stains
While stains in your tub or shower aren’t a sign of damage, they can be unsightly. In most cases, these stubborn stains can’t be scrubbed away, making it feel like your shower is always dirty, even when it’s clean. To help remedy the issue, consider installing a beautiful new acrylic shower that isn’t prone to staining.
Opt for Acrylic Over Tile When You Convert a Tub to a Walk-In Shower
After reading through this guide, we hope you feel confident that acrylic over tile is the best material choice when you want to convert a tub to a walk-in shower. The other important decision you’ll need to make is who to hire for the job. When you do a Google search for “shower or bathtub installation near me” you’ll quickly realize there is no shortage of local contractors out there.
However, there’s no better choice for your project than the CareFree Home Pros team. We have years of experience installing new showers for homeowners like you. While we have shown why we recommend acrylic over tile, we’d be honored to work on any wet bathroom remodeling project you need. Contact us to learn about our lowest price assurance guarantee and to request a free quote for your project!