Shower Remodeling in Arlington & Fort Worth
From basic shower upgrades to luxury custom builds — properly waterproofed, precisely tiled, and designed to last the lifetime of your home.
How Much Does Shower Remodeling Cost in Arlington?
Shower remodeling in Arlington typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on the size of the shower, materials selected, and the complexity of the installation. A straightforward shower refresh — replacing tile surrounds on an existing footprint with standard ceramic or porcelain — starts around $5,000 to $8,000. Custom tile showers with niches, bench seats, and frameless glass enclosures fall in the $10,000 to $16,000 range. Premium builds featuring natural stone, steam systems, linear drains, and multiple shower heads can reach $18,000 to $25,000 or more.
The shower is the single most water-exposed surface in your home. According to the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), improper waterproofing is the leading cause of shower failures within the first decade. At Water & Stone, every shower remodel starts with a properly constructed waterproof envelope — because what you can't see behind the tile determines how long the finished product lasts.
Our owner, Juan Campos, has over 10 years of experience building showers that perform. He personally oversees the waterproofing phase of every project — no exceptions.
Shower Remodeling Options We Build
Every shower we install is custom-built to your space, your preferences, and your budget. Here are the most popular configurations we build across the DFW area.
Custom Tile Showers
The foundation of our business. Custom tile showers allow complete design freedom — choose your tile, layout, grout color, niche placement, and accent patterns. We set every tile over a fully waterproofed Schluter-KERDI membrane system, ensuring your shower walls and floor are protected from moisture penetration for decades.
Popular tile choices include large-format porcelain (12x24 and larger), natural stone mosaics for shower floors, and subway tile in classic or modern layouts. We maintain precise lippage tolerances and consistent grout joints throughout.
Frameless Glass Enclosures
Frameless glass shower doors and panels create a clean, open aesthetic that makes any bathroom feel larger. We install 3/8" and 1/2" tempered glass panels with heavy-duty hardware in brushed nickel, matte black, brushed gold, and polished chrome finishes.
Options include single hinged doors, sliding barn-style panels, neo-angle enclosures, and fixed glass panels for open walk-in configurations. Every installation is precisely measured and templated to your finished tile surfaces for a perfect fit.
Curbless & Barrier-Free Showers
Curbless showers eliminate the traditional step-over threshold, creating a seamless transition from bathroom floor to shower floor. This design is both a modern aesthetic choice and a practical accessibility feature for aging-in-place or ADA-compliant bathrooms.
Building a curbless shower requires precise subfloor preparation — the shower floor must pitch toward the drain while the surrounding bathroom floor remains level. We use linear drain systems and Schluter-KERDI-LINE to make this transition watertight and code-compliant.
Steam Showers
A steam shower transforms your daily routine into a spa-like experience. We install steam generators from brands like Mr. Steam and Kohler, integrated with sealed shower enclosures that retain heat and moisture safely within the shower space.
Steam shower construction requires enhanced waterproofing — the entire enclosure, including the ceiling, must be fully membraned. We also install a proper vapor barrier and ceiling pitch to direct condensation toward the drain rather than dripping on the user. Digital controls, aromatherapy ports, and chromotherapy lighting are available add-ons.
Why Waterproofing Defines Your Shower's Lifespan
Every tile shower has two layers: the decorative surface you see and the waterproofing membrane you don't. The second layer is the one that matters most.
Grout is not waterproof — it's porous. Even sealed grout allows moisture vapor to pass through over time. Without a proper waterproofing system behind the tile, that moisture reaches the wall substrate (typically cement board or drywall), promoting mold growth, wood rot, and eventual structural damage.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), water intrusion through improperly waterproofed showers is one of the top 5 homeowner insurance claims in Texas. The cost of remediation — tearing out a failed shower, treating mold, replacing framing — typically exceeds the cost of the original installation.
Our waterproofing protocol for every shower:
- Schluter-KERDI membrane on all wet walls and ceiling (if applicable)
- Kerdi-Band at every seam, corner, and substrate transition
- Pre-slope mortar bed for shower floor drainage
- Kerdi-Drain or Kerdi-LINE drain connection
- 24-hour flood test before any tile installation
- Photo documentation of waterproofing at each stage
This is what separates a shower that looks good on Instagram from a shower that looks good in 15 years.
Why Hire a Professional for Shower Remodeling?
Shower remodeling involves waterproofing, plumbing, tile setting, and glass installation — trades that require precision and experience to get right.
Proper Waterproofing
DIY shower tile often fails within 3 to 5 years because homeowners apply tile directly to cement board without a waterproofing membrane. We install Schluter-KERDI systems that create a continuous waterproof envelope — the same systems used in commercial construction.
Precise Tile Setting
Professional tile installation eliminates lippage (uneven tile edges), maintains consistent grout joints, and ensures proper drainage slope. Large-format tiles and natural stone require specialized tools and techniques that go beyond standard DIY capabilities.
Code Compliance
Shower remodels involving plumbing modifications require permits and inspections in Fort Worth and Arlington. We handle all permitting, ensure GFCI protection on nearby circuits, and verify drain connections meet current Texas Plumbing Code requirements.
Correct Drainage Slope
Shower floors must pitch at a minimum of 1/4" per linear foot toward the drain. Improper slope causes standing water, accelerated grout deterioration, and potential water intrusion beneath the membrane. We verify slope at multiple points before tile installation.
Glass Measurement
Frameless glass panels require precise templating after tile is installed. Measurements taken before tiling rarely account for tile thickness variations, thinset buildup, and grout joint widths — leading to gaps, misalignment, and costly re-orders.
Long-Term Warranty
Our shower installations are backed by our workmanship warranty. Schluter systems carry their own manufacturer warranty when installed by trained professionals. DIY installations void manufacturer warranties on most waterproofing products.
Recent Shower Remodeling Projects
We had our outdated tub/shower combo replaced with a custom tile walk-in shower. The attention to waterproofing was incredible — Juan showed us every step of the membrane installation before they started tiling. The finished product is stunning. Worth every penny.
More Bathroom Services
Full Bathroom Remodeling
Complete bathroom renovations from demolition to final walk-through. Plumbing, tile, fixtures, and vanities — all managed under one roof.
Walk-In Shower Installation
Open-concept, barrier-free, and ADA-accessible walk-in shower designs built for comfort, safety, and modern aesthetics.
Tub to Shower Conversion
Replace your unused bathtub with a spacious walk-in shower. More room, better accessibility, and a modern look.
Shower Remodeling FAQ
A typical shower remodel in Arlington takes 7 to 14 business days from demolition to completion. Simple tile replacements on an existing footprint may be completed in 5 to 7 days. Custom builds involving new plumbing, curbless floors, or steam systems typically take 2 to 3 weeks. The waterproofing and flood-testing phase alone requires 2 to 3 days before tile work begins.
Absolutely. Many of our projects involve upgrading only the shower while leaving the vanity, flooring, and other bathroom elements in place. This is a cost-effective way to modernize your bathroom — especially if the shower is the primary pain point. We protect all surrounding surfaces during construction and match transitions cleanly to your existing finishes.
Porcelain tile is the most popular and practical choice for shower walls — it has extremely low water absorption (less than 0.5%), is highly durable, and is available in virtually unlimited colors, sizes, and finishes. Large-format porcelain (12x24 or larger) is our most requested shower wall tile because it creates a clean, modern look with fewer grout joints. Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate) is a premium option but requires sealing and more maintenance. Ceramic tile is a budget-friendly alternative but is slightly more porous than porcelain.
Every custom tile shower requires a waterproofed shower pan beneath the tile. We build our shower floors using either a traditional mortar bed with Kerdi membrane or a pre-fabricated Schluter-KERDI-SHOWER-ST tray system. The floor must slope at a minimum of 1/4" per linear foot toward the drain. Installing tile directly on an unprepped surface without proper waterproofing will lead to water damage — this is the most common failure point in DIY and low-quality shower installations.
Frameless glass doors are the preferred choice for most modern shower remodels. They create a cleaner aesthetic, are easier to maintain (no metal frame to trap soap residue and mildew), and visually open up the bathroom space. Framed or semi-frameless doors cost less and work well in smaller bathrooms or guest baths. We install both types and can help you choose based on your design goals and budget during the consultation.
Ready to Upgrade Your Shower?
Schedule a free in-home consultation. We'll assess your current shower, discuss your options, and provide a detailed estimate with transparent pricing.