Installing a fully tiled shower can greatly enhance the look and feel of a bathroom. However, tiling a shower is not a small project, and it does come with a significant cost. In this article, we will break down the factors that influence the cost of tiling a shower and provide typical price ranges so you know what to expect for your tiled shower project.
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Cost Factors
There are several key factors that will impact the total cost of tiling a shower:
- Size of the shower – Larger showers require more tile and tile installation labor.
- Type of tile – More expensive tile materials like natural stone or glass tile cost more than ceramic or porcelain.
- Tile pattern – Intricate tile designs take more time and skill to install.
- Niche and bench inclusion – Adding recessed shelves and built-in seating increases material and labor costs.
- Shower pan – A mortar bed or pre-sloped shower pan is required prior to tiling.
- Additional waterproofing – Extra membranes may be recommended for a watertight install.
- Tile installation labor cost – Prices vary based on your location and the tile setter’s skill level.
We will take a closer look at each of these cost factors:
Shower Size
The size of your shower directly impacts the amount of tile and installation time required. Larger showers require more materials and labor hours to fully tile the walls and floor. Showers are measured by the total wall space and floor area.
Some typical shower sizes include:
- Standard 60 inch x 30 inch shower – Approx. 25 sq ft
- Medium 66 inch x 36 inch shower – Approx. 35 sq ft
- Large 72 inch x 48 inch shower – Approx. 50 sq ft
For example, tiling a standard 60 x 30 inch shower requires about 25 square feet of wall and floor tile. However, a larger 72 x 48 inch shower has over 50 square feet of tile space. The larger shower could cost nearly double in tile materials and installation time alone.
Tile Type
Tile comes in a wide variety of materials, shapes, sizes, patterns and quality grades. The type of tile you select has a direct impact on cost. Some popular shower tile options include:
- Ceramic – Made from clay and baked. Budget-friendly option starting around $1 per square foot.
- Porcelain – Denser and more durable than ceramic. Starts around $2 per square foot.
- Glass – Made from cut glass pieces. Ranges from $15-$50 per square foot installed.
- Mosaic – Small tiles mounted to sheets. Starts around $5 per square foot.
- Stone – Natural stone like marble, travertine or granite. Ranges from $15-$50 per square foot installed.
Glass, stone and ceramic/porcelain with intricate designs cost more. Simple white ceramic tile provides an affordable option starting around just $1 per square foot.
Tile Pattern
Creative tile patterns and designs require more cutting and careful installation which increases labor time and cost. Standard vertical and horizontal installations are the most affordable route. Here are some common tiling patterns:
- Stack or brick pattern – Simple off-set rows, budget-friendly install.
- Herringbone – Rows of tile form a v-shape, moderate install difficulty.
- Subway – Brick pattern with grout lines, easy install.
- Mosaic – Small tiles forming patterns, labor intensive.
- Decorative insets – Cut tile shapes like curves, bench tiles, borders and niches.
For the lowest installation cost, stack, brick or subway patterns are ideal. For more design appeal, many homeowners opt for herringbone or mosaic patterns. Decorative insets, borders, bench seating and niches can also be tiled, but the custom cutting and placement results in higher cost.
Shower Niche and Seat
Tiling in a recessed shelf niche and/or built-in tiled seating are great added features in a shower. However, the niche and bench do increase project costs. A niche provides storage space for bath products. The niche requires waterproof backing and trimmed tile edges. Bench seating offers a place to sit while showering. The bench base must be waterproofed and tiled to match the walls.
On average, adding a shower niche and bench seating could add $500-$1,000 in labor and materials to your project cost. These features are optional, but appreciated extras.
Shower Pan
A proper foundation is required prior to installing shower wall tiles. A mortar bed or pre-fabricated shower pan with built-in slope and drainage must be installed. This prevents water from pooling and helps it drain properly.
Options include:
- Mortar bed – A sloped bed of cement-based mortar that requires several days to fully cure. Costs $10-$25 per square foot in materials and labor.
- Prefabricated shower pan – Pre-sloped pans made of acrylic, fiberglass or vinyl. Costs range from $200 for basic models up to $1,500+ for large custom pans.
A mortar bed allows you to slope the shower floor exactly how you’d like, but involves more labor. Prefab pans are quick and convenient but provide less customization.
Waterproofing
Waterproof membranes provide an extra layer of protection between your shower pan and tile. At minimum, water resistant polyethylene plastic or roofing felt paper should be installed to cover cracks. For optimal waterproofing, Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) shower pan liners or liquid membranes like RedGard® are recommended.
Basic water resistant underlayment paper costs around 50 cents per square foot. High quality CPE liners average $2 per square foot. Liquid waterproofing membranes cost $1-$2 per square foot including labor.
Tile Installation Labor
A professional tile setter charges between $5-$10 per square foot for labor. Simple tile patterns in standard showers average $5-$6 per sq ft. Upgrades like niche shelving, intricate patterns, natural stone and glass tile drive up installation prices closer to $8-$10 per sq ft.
Tile installation requires skill to perfectly level, cut, arrange and grout the tiles. An experienced tile setter with positive reviews is worth the higher hourly rate. Consider the total size of your shower and type of tile to determine the projected labor costs.
Total Installed Shower Tile Cost
While material and installation costs can vary greatly, here are some ballpark figures on average total installed costs to tile a shower:
- Basic 30 inch x 60 inch ceramic tile shower – $1,000 to $2,000
- Medium 36 inch x 66 inch ceramic tile shower – $2,000 to $3,500
- Large custom 48 inch x 72 inch designer tile shower – $4,000 to $6,000+
As you can see, the total cost rises quite a bit for larger showers and upgraded tile selections. In the next section, we will break down the costs in more detail.
Cost Breakdown by Material
Below is a cost breakdown of the required materials to install tile in a 35 sq ft medium-sized shower. Prices are based on mid-range options:
| Material | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tile (porcelain) | $350 ($10 per sq ft) |
| Thinset mortar | $50 |
| Grout + sealer | $60 |
| Waterproofing membrane | $70 |
| CPE shower pan liner | $70 |
| Pre-sloped shower pan | $400 |
Total Material Cost: $1,000
This covers mid-grade porcelain tile, waterproofing, standard shower pan and other supplies. Upgrade to glass mosaic tile, natural stone or larger sizes and material costs easily reach $2,000-$4,000.
Cost Breakdown by Labor
Based on the 35 sq ft shower example above, here is a cost estimate for professional labor:
| Task | Time | Labor Rate | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition | 2 hours | $50/hour | $100 |
| Install shower pan | 2 hours | $50/hour | $100 |
| Waterproofing | 3 hours | $50/hour | $150 |
| Tile setting | 20 hours | $60/hour | $1,200 |
| Grouting | 5 hours | $60/hour | $300 |
Total Labor Cost: $1,850
This is based on rates of $50 per hour for a helper and $60 per hour for an experienced tile setter. Actual rates vary by location and contractor.
Total Shower Tiling Cost
Based on the estimates above, the total cost to tile a 35 sq ft porcelain tile shower is approximately:
- Materials – $1,000
- Labor – $1,850
- Total Cost – $2,850
Keep in mind this is a roughly estimated cost for a medium-sized shower with mid-range porcelain tile. Costs could be higher or lower depending on specific factors.
Cost Saving Tips
If your budget is tight, here are some tips to save on your tiled shower installation:
- Select standard white ceramic tile instead of stone or glass.
- Install tile using a simple stack or brick pattern.
- Avoid extra features like a niche or bench seating.
- Use a basic tub/shower surround instead of tiling walls.
- Install tile yourself if you have DIY experience.
- Provide your own tile and materials instead of contractor supplied.
Even with budget tile and DIY labor, make sure proper waterproofing methods are used. Avoid cutting corners that could lead to leaks or water damage down the road.
Factors That Increase Shower Tiling Cost
On the higher end, there are several factors that can dramatically increase the cost of a tiled shower:
- Large custom size – Over 50 sq ft tile space.
- Natural stone tile – Like marble, granite, travertine or limestone.
- Glass tile – Made of glass pieces or mixed with stone.
- Mosaic patterns – Intricate tile designs requiring specialized skill.
- Multiple niche shelving – Recessed shelves for toiletries.
- Built-in seating – Tiled shower benches or corner seats.
- Decorative borders – Bullnose, chair rail and decorative insets.
- Steam shower – With waterproof lighting, glass doors and steam generator.
Upscale tile showers with all the bells and whistles can cost $10,000 or more. Carefully select tile finishes and features based on your budget.
Hiring a Shower Tiling Contractor
We strongly advise hiring a professional tile installation contractor rather than taking on the project as a DIY. Here are some tips for finding the best shower tiling company:
- Review online ratings and reviews.
- Verify they are licensed, bonded and insured.
- Ask to see photos of past shower tiling work.
- Get at least 3 detailed quotes for cost comparison.
- Ask about providing your own tile and materials.
- Check that warranties are included.
A top rated tile setter or remodeling contractor will provide beautiful results you’ll enjoy for decades. Be sure to get every quote and agreement in writing.
Conclusion
A fully tiled shower can greatly enhance your bathroom’s aesthetic. With many sizing, tile and design options available, installed costs typically range from $2,000-$5,000+ on average. Keep costs down by using simple tile patterns, budget-friendly ceramic and handyman labor for installation. We recommend getting quotes from at least three contractors before moving forward to compare costs. With careful planning and smart material selections, you can design a beautiful new tiled shower that fits your budget.