What Shower Material Is Best? (Dayton, Ohio Homeowner’s Guide to Tile, Acrylic, Quartz & More)

If you’ve started researching bathroom updates, you’ve probably already asked this question: “What’s the best material for a shower?”

And the honest answer?

👉 It depends on your goals, your home, and how you actually use the space.

Here in the Dayton area, the two most common options homeowners ask us about are tile showers and acrylic shower systems—but there are a few other materials worth understanding before you make a decision.

So let’s break it down in a real, no-pressure way—just like we would if we were walking your space together.

First, A Quick Note About Pricing

Before we dive in, let’s level-set expectations:

All pricing below reflects wet space replacement only (like a tub-to-shower conversion or replacing an existing shower)—not a full bathroom remodel.

👉 If you’re trying to decide between a full renovation vs just updating the shower, you’ll want to read this next: Wet Space Replacement vs Full Bathroom Renovation 

Acrylic Showers (Most Common… But Not Always What You Think)

Typical Investment: $10,500 – $15,000

Acrylic showers are one of the most popular options—and for good reason.

Pros:

• Low maintenance (no grout to scrub)

• Clean, simple look

• Faster installation timelines

• Great for accessibility upgrades (like tub-to-walk-in conversions)

Cons:

• Limited design flexibility (colors, textures, layouts)

• Can feel more “prefabricated” vs custom

• Doesn’t always add the same resale value as tile or stone

What Most Homeowners Don’t Realize

Many homeowners come to us after meeting with “same-day discount” shower companies.

Here’s what we hear all the time:

• “They told me tile is a nightmare”

• “They said design-build companies are way more expensive”

• “I had to decide that day to get the deal”

But in reality:

👉 Those systems are often priced higher than expected

👉 And they typically don’t include full bathroom finishing work as needed (floor and wall/ceiling patching, touching up paint, moving electric, installing new exhaust fan)

Meaning you could still be left with:

• Flooring that needs patched

• Walls/ceilings that need painted

• Trim work that isn’t addressed

At CC Home Remodeling, we do install acrylic systems—but we approach them differently:

✔ No pressure

✔ Fully integrated into the space

✔ Designed around your home—not a preset package

Tile Showers (The Sweet Spot for Most Homes)

Typical Investment: $12,500 – $18,000

If you’ve been saving Pinterest boards… this is probably what you’re drawn to.

Pros:

• Fully customizable design (tile, layout, niches, benches, etc.)

• High-end, built-in look

• Strong resale value

• Works with any style—from classic to modern

Cons:

• More decisions to make (we help guide this 👌)

• Requires proper installation (this is not a DIY-friendly system)

• Traditional grout can be harder to maintain

💡 Quick note: We often use upgraded grout options that significantly reduce maintenance—so that “tile is hard to clean” concern isn’t what it used to be.

👉 If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the idea of sorting through all of the tile choices, know that you don't have to tackle the design alone if you choose the right contractor. Read Design-Build vs General Contractor: What’s the Difference? Because this is exactly where having a design team matters.

Fiberglass Showers (Budget-Friendly… But Limited)

Typical Investment: $9,000 – $12,000

Fiberglass is typically the most budget-friendly option.

Pros:

• Lowest upfront cost

• Quick install

• Simple and functional

Cons:

• Very limited design options

• “Builder-grade” appearance

• Lower perceived value in resale

• Not aligned with higher-end home updates

👉 This is why we personally don’t install many fiberglass systems—it doesn’t align with our goal of elevating your home through design. If you’re planning to stay long-term or care about resale value, most homeowners choose to invest a little more upfront.

Quartz / Solid Surface Panels (The Best of Both Worlds if you have a bigger budget)

Typical Investment: $18,000+

These are becoming more popular—and for good reason.

Pros:

• Seamless look (minimal to no grout lines)

• Luxurious, high-end appearance

• Low maintenance because its non-porous & permanently sealed

• Clean, modern aesthetic

Cons:

• Higher cost

• Fewer layout customization options than tile

• Material handling requires expertise

• Quartz shower pans can be SLICK WHEN WET

👉 Think of this as the bridge between tile and acrylic:

• Easier to clean than tile

• More custom than acrylic

  
  

Natural Stone Showers (High-End, One-of-a-Kind)

Typical Investment: $18,000+ (often higher depending on material)

Pros:

• Completely unique, organic beauty

• High-end luxury feel

• Strong resale appeal in the right home

Cons:

• Highest cost

• Requires sealing and maintenance

• Not necessary for every home or budget

👉 This is a great option if you’re creating a true spa-like primary bathroom and want something that stands out.

So… What Shower Material Is Best?

Here’s the truth:

👉 There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best material depends on:

• Your budget

• How long you plan to stay in your home

• Your design goals

• How much maintenance you want

• Whether this is part of a larger remodel

Our General Guidance:

• On a tighter budget? → Acrylic (done the right way)

• Best balance of design + value? → Tile

• Want low maintenance + upscale look? → Quartz panels

• Going high-end spa vibe? → Natural stone

• Trying to spend as little as possible? → Fiberglass (with trade-offs)

Still Not Sure What Your Bathroom Needs?

This is exactly where most homeowners feel stuck—and it’s completely normal.

Because the real question usually isn’t just:👉 “What material should I use?”

It’s:“What’s the smartest investment for my home?”

That’s why we always recommend starting with a walkthrough of your space. We’ll help you:

• Evaluate what actually needs to be changed

• Recommend materials based on your goals

• Design a space that fits your home and your lifestyle

Schedule Your Design Session

Want to Go Deeper Before You Schedule?

If you’re still in the research phase, these will help you take the next step:

• Bathroom Remodel Cost Guide (Dayton, Ohio)

• Wet Space Replacement vs Full Renovation

• How to Design a Timeless Kitchen (Without It Feeling Boring) (yes—this applies to bathrooms too)