Tile vs Preformed Shower Pros? CONs?

[Lin]

I tried to use mirrors to increase my closet space.  It worked but the amount of clothing also doubled, so there was no net gain.  Anyway, tile is too heavy, less tolerant of flexing, and requires extra labor and maintenance.  But then, I generally lean to function over form.

[gumpy]

Anyway, tile is too heavy, less tolerant of flexing, and requires extra labor and maintenance.  But then, I generally lean to function over form.

Have to disagree with most of that.... Weight is minor, when compared to the rest of the conversion. Hardibacker is something like 2 lbs per sq ft. Tile and grout don't add that much more.
Labor for installation can be just as simple or as complex as you desire and when compared to cutting and fitting a prefab fiberglass unit, it might be easier to custom fab than to fit. As stated above, you can build it to fit whatever space you need it to fit. Maintenance is also no more than a fiberglass unit, if properly installed. 

I installed Italian glass mosaic tiles in our custom shower enclosure. Been working great for 4 years now, and probably close to 30K miles. No maintenance necessary and it looks so much better than a prefab unit. Now if I can only get the rest of the interior to look as nice as the shower.

I would do it that way again, in a heartbeat!

craig

[belfert]

Craig's shower does indeed look very nice.

[FloridaCliff]

Michael,

After looking at, and considering my options I went with a 30" x 30" premade shower base with a tile upper and ceiling.

I  used a plywood backing with 1/4 backer board over that.

All of the tile was applied with Type 3 tile mastic and an admix was used with the grout.

The tile is actually floor tile of various sizes in the same color.

The only real drawback to the floor tile is that it was a class 5 (very hard surface) and I went through several diamind bits to cut the holes for the shower controls and head.

Because of where and how I wanted my shower to look, I don't believe any plastic enclosure would look as nice, in my personal situation.

Here a few pictures:






Cliff

[FloridaCliff]

Another view:

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Gentlemen, Thank you all for the great insite. I was worried about the weight issue to start but, not so much now. We will be going with Tile and a 1/2 inch Dura-rock base. You guys showed some wonderful examples of your shower builds. Christi said " I like that one, I like that one, I like that one..." Now that we going with tile, the Boss is looking at styles. All the Best, M&C

[H3Jim]

I used 1/4" not the 1/2" (to save weight) backer board and have not had any issues at all.  I was originally going to put in glass and a glass door, but Gumpy suggested that I use a shower curtain for a while.  The benefits are more space, and the shower area dries faster.  The glass looks better, but I've been very happy with just a curtain.