5 Benefits Of Removing Fiberglass And Installing Tile
If you’re thinking about renovating your shower, you know the possibilities are endless. Perhaps you’re thinking about replacing your fiberglass shower with tile.
Fiberglass showers have been around since the 1970s. While they’re inexpensive and easy to install, they have a short lifespan and can be hard to keep looking new.
More homeowners are opting to upgrade their old showers with traditional tile. Despite being a less new-fangled material, tiles are durable, easy to keep up with, and often more attractive.
If you’re thinking about making the switch, here are 5 more reasons you may want to get tile.
#1 - Durability
A fiberglass shower only has a lifespan of 10-15 years. By the end of that timeframe, it’s often stained, yellowed, and cracked. Few materials in your home show their age as much.
A tile shower, though, can last up to 50 years, depending on the specific material used. That’s 3-4 times as long! If you’re redoing a shower with tile, that’s probably the last time you’ll have to do it.
Tile also looks much better as it ages, provided you clean it regularly. Colored fiberglass can often look dingy and faded after a few years, but tiles retain their color and vibrancy.
Remember that durability varies depending on the material. Speak with tile installation experts to learn more.
#2 - Maintenance
Fiberglass showers look pretty easy to maintain, but soap scum and limescale can build up and discolor the walls. And when you use harsh cleaning chemicals, you can remove the top protective layer and make the problem even worse.
It’s also easy for mold to build up on fiberglass surfaces, too.
Over time, fiberglass becomes brittle and prone to cracking. And unlike with a tiled shower, you can’t just replace one area. Once there’s a crack, you really need to replace the whole shower.
Tile, on the other hand, is easy to clean and maintain. It's naturally resistant to water and soap and often just needs a wipe-down to get it looking good as new.
The tile grout needs a bit of TLC - keep acidic cleaners away from it and avoid harsh scouring pads like steel wool. Simple soap and water are often all that’s needed for grout.
Your tile installers will be happy to show you cleaning techniques that will keep your tile shower looking as good as new for years to come.
#3 - Increase Home Value
Upgrading your bathroom has one of the highest returns on investment of all home repairs. It makes sense - you can’t help but spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom, so buyers want it to be attractive and pleasant.
Buyers also want the bathroom to look clean. What looks cleaner - a dingy, yellowed fiberglass shower or one covered in vibrant tiles? Which shower would you rather imagine yourself in?
If you’re planning on staying in your home awhile, your shower remodel should be focused on your taste. However, there are a few ways to ensure your shower gets you the best value at resale.
- Classic colors: Stick with more neutral tones or on-trend colors. You may like a bright orange tiled shower, but potential buyers probably won’t feel the same way.
- Traditional patterns: Tile showers have an average lifespan of 50 years. Try to plan a design that won’t look tacky or dated in the future.
- Meaningful extras: Bells and whistles are nice but need to make sense. For instance, getting a heated bathroom floor just outside the shower can be a plus in a place like Raleigh.
#4 - Aesthetics
Let’s be honest - for most people, tile is more attractive than fiberglass. And where it really shines is its design flexibility. With a variety of colors, textures, materials, and shapes, it’s easy to get a shower that’s really “you.”
Colors: Whether you like neutrals or bolder colors, there’s a wide range of options to choose from. Grays, whites, and blacks can give a classy and modern feel, or go with your favorite bright shade. Remember that you can select the color of the grout, too!
Patterns and textures: If color isn’t enough for you, you can find tiles with bold decorative patterns that are sure to impress. Rough or smooth textures can also add a lot of visual interest.
Sizes: From small to large, there are tiles of every size. Typically, smaller tiles are used on the shower floor to provide more traction, but you have the freedom to bring your vision to life!
Shapes: Whether you’re in love with subway tile or prefer a rounded shape, there are options for you! While square and rectangle shapes are obviously more traditional (and typically cheaper), there’s a lot to choose from.
Materials: There are a lot of materials out there, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, natural stone, terracotta, and marble. Marble, granite, and natural stone are porous materials that aren’t recommended in showers unless properly sealed. Porcelain, ceramic, and glass are great options if you're looking for materials that are easy to clean.
#5 - Cost Effective
Tile is more money upfront than fiberglass or other shower options. There’s no getting around that. But in the long run, tiles can actually save you money.
Because tiles are durable and water-resistant, they’re less likely to get damaged or stained than fiberglass surfaces. It’s easy to wipe them clean, too.
If a tile chips or cracks, you can just replace that tile - no need to redo the whole shower. That saves you both money and time.
Plus, tiled showers last three times as long as fiberglass showers. When you compare the cost of installation to the years a shower will last, the tile comes out on top.
Make The Switch Today!
Removing fiberglass and installing tile in your shower is a great way to improve your bathroom. You can create a beautiful shower that’s both attuned to your aesthetics and built to withstand decades of heavy use. Give Solace Showers a call today!
Schedule Your Shower Renovation Today!
Solace Showers offer several benefits, from improved accessibility to a modern aesthetic to easy cleaning. Work with a qualified contractor that uses high-quality materials when scheduling shower renovations. At Solace Showers, we’ll make your vision a reality. It all starts with a free shower design consultation! Get in touch with Solace Showers today to help you decide whether a curbless shower is the right choice for your home!
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At Solace Showers, we've built our business on helping clients bring their wildest renovation dreams into reality. Contact us to book a consultation for your custom tile shower design. We look forward to working with you!
