Tile or a prefab shower system?
Much of the bathroom advertising in San Antonio is for one-day bath systems: acrylic or composite panels and a pan, set in place of the old tub. A tiled shower is the other path. Neither is the right answer for every bathroom. Here is how they compare.
On this page
Side by side
| Prefab system | Tiled shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in shower cost | $2,000 to $8,000 | $5,000 to $20,000 |
| Typical install | Short: panels cut to fit | Longer: waterproofing, tile, grout cure |
| Look | Limited colors and patterns | Any tile, any size or shape |
| Cleaning | Few or no grout lines | Grout needs sealing and cleaning |
| Plumbing changes | Often none, if the valve stays | Easy to add while the wall is open |
| Hides problems? | Can, if set over a bad wall or floor | Demolition exposes them |
Costs from Fixr, March 2025, national ranges.
When a prefab system makes sense
- The walls and floor are sound and the valve works.
- You want the bathroom back fast.
- You care about easy cleaning more than custom looks.
When tile makes sense
- You want a curbless shower, a bench, a niche or a size the panels don't come in.
- The house is old and you want to see what is behind the walls.
- You are moving the valve or drain anyway.
Questions for a one-day bath salesperson
- Does the price include a new valve, or reuse the old one?
- What is done about the wall and floor under the panels?
- Who is the licensed plumber, and is a permit pulled?
- Is the price the same if I decide next week? Under Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 601.051, you may cancel until midnight of the third business day after you sign. Section 601.002 applies that right to purchases over $25 made through a personal solicitation away from the seller's place of business.
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab walk-in shower | $2,000 to $8,000 | Fixr, Mar 2025 |
| Custom tiled walk-in shower | $5,000 to $20,000 | Fixr, Mar 2025 |
| Tub-to-shower, ceramic tile walls | $6,000 to $12,000 | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
Questions San Antonio homeowners ask
Do acrylic showers look cheap?
Some do, especially with fake grout lines. Newer panels in plain or stone-look finishes can look clean. Ask to see an installed one, not just a sample.
Can a prefab shower go over old tile?
Some systems are marketed that way. Over sound, flat tile it can work; over loose tile or a damp wall it hides the problem. Ask what the installer does if the wall is not sound.
Which is easier to keep clean?
A prefab system, because it has few or no grout lines. Large-format tile with narrow grout lines comes close.