What goes into a custom tile shower
A real custom shower is a system: a properly sloped pan, a waterproof membrane on every wet wall, sealed seams and corners, reinforced niches and benches, and tile that is set, grouted, and caulked in the right places. We do all of it under one roof so nothing gets blamed on “the other trade.”
- Shower pan preparation with proper slope to the drain
- Sheet or liquid waterproofing membrane on walls and floor
- Reinforced shower niches with sloped sills
- Shower benches and curbs waterproofed before tile
- Schluter-style trim at exposed edges
- Color-matched silicone in all change-of-plane corners
- Mosaic shower floors set to follow drain slope
Shower tile materials and styles
Porcelain is the workhorse — durable, low-maintenance, and available in everything from subway to large-format slab looks. Marble and natural stone give a high-end look but need sealing. Mosaic floors are common because their flexibility follows the drain pitch. Glass and patterned tile work beautifully as accent strips and niche backs.
Waterproofing is the most important part
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Water finds the membrane behind them. We use either a sheet membrane system or a quality liquid membrane, depending on the build. Either way, the system is tested, the seams are reinforced, and every penetration — valve, niche, bench, curb — is sealed properly.
Layout details that separate good from bad showers
Where the niche lands, how cuts fall at the ceiling, whether mosaic on the floor matches the drain location, and whether grout joints align between walls — these are the things people notice for years. We plan layout on the wall in pencil before any tile is set so the finished look is intentional.
Repairing failed showers vs. rebuilding them
If a shower is leaking, regrouting alone usually will not fix it. The membrane behind the tile is doing the work, and if it failed, the only honest repair is to open the wall and rebuild it correctly. We are upfront when that is what a shower actually needs.
