From purchase to installation, are you interested in learning about the costs associated with walk-in showers? Get all the details you need in this ultimate guide from USA Shower And Bath.

Walk-In Shower Cost Guide

You might have wondered what the big deal with walk-in-showers is. After all, you can walk into the bath and shower combination you already own. Over half of all people in the United States shower daily. 

You may be among that percentage of people, and it may help to know that walk-in-showers help makes the task easier. Unlike the traditional bath and shower combo, you can walk into these units. 

The shower you currently possess may require extra work – lifting your legs above the tub’s edges to get inside. There’s also the added benefit of added durability and ease of maintenance. 

But you might wonder, “How much does a walk-in-shower cost?” Something so convenient must come with a hefty price tag. Bathroom remodeling can get expensive, but that’s not helpful. 

You want to know the specifics of how much this particular type of bathroom remodel work can cost. Luckily, this helpful guide provides walk-in-shower pricing and types of walk-in showers and discusses shower brands. 

How Much Do Walk-In-Showers Cost?

How much your walk-in-shower costs depends on what kind you’re purchasing. National averages for walk-in showers are $2,000 to approximately ten grand. That may or may not include installation.

If you’re installing the shower yourself, the process may not cost much more than what you paid for the unit itself. A professional installation can run you from $700 to $2000 extra – the price difference depends on your plumbing.

Can You DIY Install A Custom Walk-In Shower? 

Creating a shower from scratch is costly, even if you do it independently. Part of the issue is many people trying to do DIY work may not have the proper skill for the job.

It’s also possible to mess something up and spend more to fix the issue. There are various other considerations to think about when DIY installing a custom walk-in-shower: 

• Construction costs
• Entry and accessibility
• Form and function

Each of these points is an integral part of designing your walk-in shower. You don’t have to create a million-dollar masterpiece, but there are a few key points all shower design must abide by and consider.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS

There is a lot that goes into constructing walk-in showers. You may have to gut walls to make room for the new shower or access pipes. You’ll need to add waterproof sheeting to the walls and floor of the shower space. 

Water-resistant drywall is a must, and the tiling (or cladding) must also be waterproof. 

ENTRY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Shower design requires plenty of logistical thinking. Think of how you’re going to “close” the shower. Do you want a sliding door, or will a curtain do the job? 

You have to design the shower where it’s easy to walk inside. It’s also good practice not to build the shower floor so high off the ground that it’s too hard to access from the bathroom floor. 

FORM AND FOUNDATION

Building your shower to accommodate its space is a good idea. For example, glass is a good option for dark, small spaces. Glass enclosures allow light to enter the area. 

Ideally, the shower will look good and function properly. You should design the walls, base, and shower head, so they contain spraying water – especially if you’re going for an open door. 

The best placement for shower heads is 69 to 72 inches (5.8 to 6 feet) off the ground. The shower head needs to be high enough so the water can envelop you (and everyone else in the household). 

A good height shower control placement is 48 to 52 inches (4 to 4.3 feet) from the shower floor. Four feet is the perfect height so people can comfortably reach the knobs. 

But Is DIY Installation Possible? 

Now you know some of what’s involved in designing and building a custom walk-in shower. Great, but is it possible for you to make one yourself? 

You can construct a walk-in shower on your own. Technically, you can perform any bathroom renovation yourself, but you need the skill or an incredible willingness to learn and follow directions. 

There are ways to make the installation easier. Consider speaking to an interior designer for design assistance. An interior designer can help map out your shower’s dimensions and aesthetics. 

The internet is also a valuable resource. Find videos of people installing their custom showers and read articles with helpful information. You may be surprised by how valuable online resources are. 

If you’re not confident in your skills, there’s no shame in asking for assistance or hiring someone to do the job for you. 

Walk-In Shower Sizes

Technically, you can have a walk-in shower be whatever size you please if it fits in the space. However, walk-in showers come in four general sizes. Here’s what to expect if you’re looking to build one of these showers: 

• Small showers: 34 by 34-inches or 36 by 36-inches
• Medium-sized showers: 48 by 36-inches or 48 by 48-inches
• Large-sized showers: 60 by 36-inches
• Alcove tub replacement sizes: 60 by 30-inches or 60 by 32-inches

If you’ve got a smaller-sized bathroom, you may want to consider a walk-in shower. Tubs take up space, and there’s no need for one if you don’t take baths too often. 

A 34 by 34-inch shower is more than enough for smaller bathrooms. The most you’ll pay for showers this small depends on the type of shower. A small 34 by 34-inch prefabricated shower may cost as little as $450. 

You can have walk-in showers built smaller still. The smaller you can construct a shower is 30 by 30-inches. If you wanted a 32 by 32-inch tile walk-in, you’d pay about $4,000 to $8,000. 

You’re paying more for customization and labor costs if you opt for a small tile shower. 

How Much Does a Master Size Walk-In Shower Cost? 

Master bathroom walk-in showers range from 30 by 36-inches or a much larger 48 by 48-inches. Many master-sized showers are large enough to accommodate two people. 

The average cost for a master bathroom shower is $5,100 to $16,500.

Types of Walk-In Showers 

There are a plethora of walk-in showers you can choose to suit your needs. We’re going to focus on a few of the most popular kinds for the sake of this article. Here are some of the most popular types of walk-in showers: 

• Glass-enclosed showers
• Prefabricated showers
• Walk-in shower and steam room retreat
• Luxury showers
• Doorless showers
• Walk-in showers for the elderly
• Walk-in tub showers

Prices also vary according to tile choices, which is something else we’ll discuss later in this section. For now, we’ll begin with the start of the list and work our way down. 

Glass-Enclosed Showers and Costs

Glass encasements are popular because they are a seamless transition between the shower and the rest of the bathroom. Glass is light and airy, making it great for smaller areas as it creates the illusion of open space.

Glass doors also show off the wall and floor design. The typical cost of glass encasements is about $900 to $2,200. The prices include the average cost of materials and labor.

On average, a person can spend up to ten grand on a basic glass enclosure. For the average American, more decorative glass showers may cost between $16,000 to $20,000. 

Installing walk-in glass showers isn’t easy. These aren’t the showers you’d want to try installing yourself. One way to save money on your glass shower is to hire a bathroom remodeling company. 

Prefabricated Showers and Cost

You could opt for the cheapest type of shower, a prefabricated shower kit. Prefab showers cost around $850 to $2000. 

“Prefab” refers to items created at off-site factories or workshops. Prefabricated walk-in-showers are so cheap because they come ready-made. All that needs doing is installing the shower in your bathroom.

Glass encasement showers are technically “prefab” wherein the manufactures precut glass according to customer specifications. What makes prefabricated showers different is that the entire thing comes premade.

You’re taking a factory-made shower stall and inserting it into your bathroom. Glass-enclosed showers have decorative tiles, seats, and other unique inclusions made to customer specifications. 

Walk-In Shower and Steam Room Retreat and Prices

Steam showers are a fancy addition for homeowners looking to pamper themselves. The lowest steam showers may cost $3,100 to $10,500.

The price increases from a standard shower installation because steam room retreats require extensive effort. Steam rooms need more room, insulation, electrical and plumbing, and waterproofing. 

A big part of the cost comes from the shower seat. You can choose corner seats, folding teak seats, and built-in benches. A shower seat alone can be $25 to $950. 

Walk-In Steam Room Shower Vs. Sauna

While we’re on the subject, we should discuss the merits of choosing to build a walk-in shower steam room vs. a sauna. Both are extensive renovations, but there are reasons to choose one over the other. 

Price is not one reason you’d choose between a steam room or sauna. You can expect to pay about the same price for either, so don’t expect the cost to sway your opinion. Both cost about $3,400 to $10,100.

There are plenty of differences, pros, and cons between a steam room and a sauna. We’ll spit each category into lists to demonstrate what perks you get with each home addition and what’s different.

Steam Room Shower Specifications

• Utilizes moist heat
• Achieves 100% humidity
• Can reach temperatures of 110° to 115°
• Shower steam rooms take up to 10 to 20 minutes to heat
• Made of tile or other non-porous materials
• Uses specially outfitted 240V circuits

Sauna Specifications

• Utilizes (mostly) dry heat
• Achieves less than 10% humidity
• Can reach temperatures of 120° to 195°
• Saunas take up to 15 to 45 minutes to heat
• Made of wood
• Power source depends on the type of sauna

One thing of note is that steam rooms use moist heat and are generally more humid. Saunas take more time to warm and reach higher temperatures.

These differences significantly affect how helpful you may find a steam room or sauna. Now, we’ll move on to the pros and cons of steam rooms and saunas.

Steam Room Pros and Cons

Pros

• Reduces stress
• Helps people relax
• Decreases exercise recovery time
• Relieves joint and muscle pain
• Helps with allergies and congestion
• Utilizes less space

Cons

• Can dehydrate users over extended periods (longer than 15 minutes)
• Can make arthritis worse
• Is prone to growing fungus and mold

Sauna Pros and Cons

Pros

• Reduces stress
• Helps people relax
• Decreases exercise recovery time
• Relieves joint and muscle pain
• Best for arthritis
• May help with chronic fatigue

Cons

• May lead to dry skin
• Not recommended for people with heart conditions
• May result in reproductive issues in men

Moist heat offers more health benefits than dry heat, so it makes sense that steam rooms provide more health benefits. Moist heat opens blood vessels which improve circulation and can help heal soreness. 

A walk-in steam room shower also has the benefit of taking less space. A sauna requires a separate dedicated space. You don’t have to worry about adding an area to your home or knocking out walls with a steam room. 

Which you choose is ultimately up to your personal preference. But carefully consider the pros, cons, differences, and your health issues. 

Luxury Showers and Cost

Luxury showers abide by one criterion: being large enough to accommodate two people comfortably. If you’ve got a huge, decorative shower, it’s a luxury model.

Other standard criteria of luxury showers are fancy accommodations, like steam rooms. Wet rooms also count as luxury walk-ins.

A wet room is an open-plan bathroom with no distinction between the shower and other parts of the room. Doorless showers contribute to wet room floor plans. 

You may figure that luxury showers are costly bathroom renovations. You wouldn’t be wrong – the lowest you’d expect to pay for a luxury shower is about $5,500. Higher-end luxury showers cost about $18,100. 

Whatever kind of luxury shower you choose, you’ll potentially pay about the same as you would a steam room. 

Doorless Showers and Costs

A doorless shower is what it says – a shower without a door. You’d probably think the lack of doors makes these bathroom renovations cheap. You wouldn’t be quite right in your assumption. 

A doorless shower can cost as low as $2,100 and as much as $7,100 (Plus installation). Higher-end doorless walk-in showers can reach over five grand in costs. Doorless showers are not a job for unskilled DIYers. 

Doorless showers need good planning behind their construction. You’ll likely need an additional two feet (24-inches) for whatever size doorless shower you decide on. You don’t want to get the rest of the bathroom wet. 

For example, if your walk-in shower is 36-inches, you’ll want to add 24-inches to that measurement. It’s best to have six feet of adjacent open space by the shower entrance; you’re liable to get this area wet. 

There are a few extra things you should consider when pricing your doorless shower: 

• Waterproofing the bathroom, which costs $520 to $800
• Bathroom ventilation fan, which costs $400 to $550

You’re liable to get water on your bathroom floors and walls with a doorless shower. You’ll want to invest in extra waterproofing to prevent molding and fungal growth. 

Two ways to get your bathroom waterproofed are bathroom renovators or waterproofing experts. A bathroom renovator may charge around $60 per hour. Waterproofing experts cost about $30.

The ventilation fan is to remove excessive steam. Fans prevent humidity from hanging in the air and eventually condensing onto the walls. The fan will help keep mold from growing if you don’t waterproof your bathroom.

Walk-In Showers for the Elderly

Walk-in showers are an excellent choice for elderly homeowners because they offer easier accessibility. You can walk in, turn the dials, and proceed with your shower. 

Much of what makes a walk-in shower secure for older homeowners are the safety features. Low ledge height is one such safety feature. “Ledge height” measures how high off the bathroom floor the bottom of the shower is. 

The ledge height is usually no more significant than 3-inches to decrease the risk of falling. Many showers modified for seniors include things like:

• Grab bars
• No-slip flooring
• Shower seats
• Anti-scald faucets

Showers for senior use have grab bars in and around them so the user can safely enter and exit. Even if people don’t use the grab bars too often, they may become handy in case of a potential slip or fall.

The no-slip flooring is an extra precaution to keep users from falling. No-slip falling may come as grooves (or other traction engravings) or slip-proof mats. 

Shower seats are helpful for those who find standing for long periods challenging or have poor balance. Shower seats enable elderly homeowners to bathe independently and are handy for sudden unsteadiness. 

The final feature, anti-scald faucets, keeps boiling water from harming the user. Anti-scald faucets work two-fold; they prevent burns and stop falls and slips from users attempting to move from the hot water. 

Walk-In Tub Showers

A walk-in tub shower is a bathroom renovation that features a tub with a water-tight door and a showerhead or shower encasement. Walk-in tub showers are a variation of walk-in showers with seats. 

Walk-in tub showers aren’t specifically for older people but are often in the homes of elderly homeowners. Walk-in tub showers are helpful for:

• Those who can’t stand for long periods
• Those prone to dizziness
• People who want walk-in showers with seats
• People that share showers or baths with others

A walk-in tub shower will cost interested homeowners about $2,000 to $10,200. The nice thing about walk-in tubs is that different models don’t differ much (if at all) in price. 

For example, hydrotherapy and air jet walk-in tubs cost the same as a tub and shower combination. Hydrotherapy walk-in tubs come with water jets that deliver messages to your muscles. 

AirJet walk-in tubs work much like walk-in hydrotherapy tubs, except they release tiny bubbles to massage users instead. 

Can You Convert Tubs to Walk-In Showers?

You can convert your tub into a walk-in shower, but you’re probably wondering how much that will cost. The typical cost of turning a tub into a walk-in shower is $2,200 to $11,450. 

The range in cost depends on what additional features you want your new walk-in shower to have. The bigger and more luxurious the shower, the more you’ll pay.

Adding or modifying existing plumbing may run you $650 to $1,600 per fixture (not including faucets). You may want to let a professional team handle the job if it’s a custom build and you don’t have good DIY skills.

Labor costs can be $1,090 or more. A person with good DIY abilities could save well over a grand in labor fees if they can accomplish the conversion themselves. 

We mentioned the merits of attempting a DIY installation vs. hiring a contractor earlier. If you’re not confident in your skills, don’t be afraid to ask for help or hire a contractor. 

Walk-In Shower Brands and Models

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably interested in purchasing a walk-in shower – that or you’re curious about the item. Whatever your reason, you might be interested in knowing about different walk-in shower brands. 

The list contains the following:

• Best walk-in shower brands on the market
• Walk-in shower models at Lowes
• Walk-in shower models at Home Depot

This list aims to inform you of the top picks among walk-in showers. We also want you to know about shower models in two of the best hardware stores in the United States. 

Best Walk-In Shower Brands

There are a lot of great brands when it comes to walk-in showers. Here are the ones we think he will find the most impressive:

1. American Standard

Perhaps the best thing about the American Standard brand is its adherence to ADA compliance standards. The ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990. 

The ADA is a wide-ranging piece of legislation, but in American Standard’s case, it means that they build their products to accommodate people customers with disabilities. 

American Standard walk-in showers offer anti-scald faucets and slip-resistant bases. If you’ll recall, we mentioned these features were standard components in showers for older homeowners.

American Standard White Rectangular Alcove Shower Kit (Lowes)

If you’re looking for an American Standard shower, consider the ADA-compliant 30 by 60-inch White Rectangular Alcove Shower Kit with Integrated Seat. You can purchase this model at Lowes. 

The shower kit comes with:

• Wide contoured seating (22.5-inches wide by 16.5-inches long)
• Slip-resistant floor
• Hinged water-tight door
• Wrap-around grab bar to assist in getting in and out of the shower 

You can easily install the left drain and prefabricated shower kit over tile or drywall. Customers can choose between the store and curbside pick-up or home delivery. The shower base and drain come with the kit. 

The American Standard’s White Rectangular Alcove Shower Kit will cost $1,900. Visiting Lowe’s website lets you download the kit installation instruction manual if you DIY install the shower. 

2. Dreamline

Dreamline has manufactured and sold premium shower products for over 20 years. Dreamline offers products that provide a sleek, modern, and luxurious appeal. 

The best thing about Dreamline walk-in shower kits is there are so many models you can select. Dreamline offers everything you’ll need to assemble your dream shower. 

Shower bases, doors, hinges, shower panel systems, and back walls are all available for you to construct the perfect relaxing luxury getaway. 

Dreamline 36 by 49-Inch Alcove Shower Kit With Semi-Frameless Sliding Door (Home Depot) 

The alcove shower kit comes from Dreamline’s “Infinity Z” line of showers and tub sliding doors. You could best describe the Infinity Z doors as a “classic aesthetic with a modern twist.” 

The Infinity Z door combined with the Dreamline SlimLine shower base creates an elegant, low profile that looks great in your bathroom without overpowering the space. 

Your kit comes with:

• Infinity Z doors (1/4-inch thick)
• Door hardware (bronze finish)
• SlimLine shower base (slip-resistant floor, colored black)
• Lifetime warranty

Usually, this shower kit is $830 at Home Depot. You can find the Alcove Shower Kit with Semi-Frameless Sliding Door on sale at Home Depot online for $770. 

One thing you should know about Dreamline’s products is they’re not DIY-friendly. You’re better off getting this walk-in shower kit installed professionally. 

3. Kohler

Kohler has over 140 years of kitchen and bathroom manufacturing history. You’re probably familiar with Kohler’s plumbing products (like sinks), but did you know you can also purchase walk-in showers from the brand?

Kohler is an internationally famous brand and is well-trusted among people that use their products. Kohler’s reliability and design sensibilities are what make them popular among consumers.

Kohler Levity 24 by 25-Inch Frameless Sliding Anodized Dark Bronze Soft Close Alcove Clear Glass Shower Door (Lowes)

If you’re someone that despises the sound your shower door makes when it closes, the Levity is perfect for you. The innovative design behind the sliding door is so quiet and soft that you can feel the difference when you close it. 

The barnyard-mounted, clear glass doors bypass each other when they open and come with curved towel bars on the interior and exterior. The Levity Shower door kit comes with: 

• Two towel bars (which double as door handles) 
• Assembly hardware

These Kohler Levity doors are 1/4-inches thick, tempered, and come coated in CleanCoat glass treatment. CleanCoat helps repel water to reduce unsightly water stains and make cleaning easier. 

The door width is adjustable if you want a broader or more narrow entry. Kohler’s Levity frameless shower is currently $960 at Lowes. You’d typically pay over $100 more for this shower door set.

4. American Bath Factory

Don’t be fooled by the American Bath Factory’s name; this company is more than the label says. While they’ve sold all sorts of bathtubs for 35 years, the American Bath Factory also sells walk-in showers. 

The American Bath Factory is well-known for its assisted living shower kits. Their beautiful, elegant showers come with grab bars and slip-resistant floors. 

If you’re shopping for walk-in showers with seats, look no further. Many of the American Bath Factory’s showers come with seating. You can purchase their showers in five shapes: 

• Small alcove
• Large alcove
• Corner
• Neo
• Custom

The proprietary “Sistine Stone” is also a key feature in the American Bath Factory’s shower kits. They offer solid stone floors, accessories (like soap and shampoo holders), and shower seats.

American Bath Factory Roma Freedom Grand Hinged 30 by 60-Inch Shower Kit (Home Depot)

The Roma Freedom Grand Hinged Shower Kit is from the American Bath Factory’s “Sistine Stone Freedom Collection.” The Roma Freedom allows buyers to mimic natural stone with the company’s “Sistine Stone” material.

Sistine Stone is the American Bath Factory’s unique blend of polymers, quartz, and pigment. The result is a luxurious walk-in shower accommodating homeowners with:

• Limited mobility
• Disabilities
• Accessibility complications

Sistine Stone is easy to clean and is resistant to stain, mold, and mildew. The shower floor has a no-slip pattern and is leakproof with various protective layers that eliminate the need to hot mop (waterproof) the floor.

The Roma Freedom Grand Hinged Shower Kit includes: 

• Tempered glass doors (3/8-inches thick, ANSI certified)
• Left drain shower base
• Roma mosaic tile walls (desert sand colored)  
• Rectangle shower bench
• Shaving step
• Soap dish
• Two corner shelves (8-inches) 
• Drain
• Glass enclosure
• Bronze hardware

Home Depot has the Roma Freedom Shower Kit for $2800. The kit can be shipped to the store or delivered to your home. You can purchase additional American Bath Factory accessories for further customization.

Frequently Asked Questions About Walk-In Showers

do you still have more questions about walk-in showers and installation prices? You’re a list of frequently asked questions and answers:

Can I put a walk-in shower in my small or irregularly shaped bathroom? 

The great thing about walk-in showers is they fit inside bathrooms of any shape and size. You can find small prefabricated kits or design a custom shower to fit the space. 

Are doorless walk-in showers drafty? 

Doorless walk-in showers can get drafty, but strong insulation minimizes the issue. Glass enclosures help further reduce draftiness.

Can I install my walk-in shower on a wall with windows? 

You can install walk-in showers on walls with windows. However, it’s best to let a professional contractor do the job. You can replace the window with frosted glass or glass blocks for privacy.

Will my walk-in shower use more water than a traditional shower? 

Generally, the water used depends on how long your shower is. Manufacturers design modern showers to use water efficiently. 

Need Bathroom Remodeling Experts? 

Walk-in showers offer plenty of benefits and perks for homeowners looking to remodel their bathrooms. Most people may spend upwards of $10,000 installing a walk-in shower.

However, there are many showers at various price points. What you pay for your shower largely depends on what you want to be installed during your bathroom remodeling. 

If you’re interested in a walk-in shower – or other bathroom remodeling work – contact us for a free quote today!