Bathroom Shower Selector
Answer four quick questions and get a matched shower type, the right kit and enclosure, and a fast cost estimate. Works for walk in showers, corner showers, shower stalls, and tub to shower conversions.
Last updated June 2026 · Cost figures reflect 2026 US averages from cited industry sources.
Key Takeaways
- The four main shower types are walk in showers, corner showers, prefab shower stalls/kits, and tub to shower conversions. The right one depends on your bathroom size, current setup, budget, and style.
- A tub to shower conversion costs about $3,000 on average, ranging from $1,500 for a prefab kit to $15,000 for a custom tiled walk in shower.
- A corner shower is the best fit for a small 5x7 bathroom or a half bath getting its first shower, because it tucks into a corner and saves floor space.
- You can paint shower tile with waterproof epoxy paint as a budget fix, but it lasts only a few years compared with new tile or a shower surround.
- All glass shower doors and panels must be tempered safety glass, which is required by building code.
Find Your Shower in 4 Steps
Pick one answer in each step, then tap Show My Shower.
Your shower
Estimates are rough US ranges for planning only. Real prices change with your region, materials, glass, plumbing moves, and labor. Always get local quotes.
Shower Types at a Glance
Each option below uses a shower pan, walls or a surround, and an enclosure with tempered glass shower doors or a glass panel. Here is how the main shower types compare.
Shower Parts You Will Choose
Whether you buy a shower kit or build custom, your shower is made of a few key parts. Here is what each one does.
Common Shower Questions, Answered
Can you paint bathroom shower tile?
Quick answer: Yes, you can paint shower tile using waterproof epoxy paint made for wet areas. Clean and sand the tile, prime it, then apply two thin coats. It is a low-cost refresh that lasts a few years, not as long as new tile.
Yes. You can paint shower tile, and it is one of the cheapest ways to refresh a tired shower. Use an epoxy paint made for wet areas, not regular wall paint. First clean the tile well and scrub off any soap film or mildew. Lightly sand the shiny glaze so the paint can grip. Wipe off the dust, then roll on a bonding primer. After the primer dries, apply two thin coats of waterproof epoxy paint and let it fully cure before you run water.
Painted tile is a short-term fix. It usually holds up for a few years in a shower, while new tile or a fresh shower surround lasts far longer. If your tile is cracked or the grout is failing behind it, paint will not solve the real problem. In that case a new shower kit or a tub to shower conversion is the better spend.
5x7 bathroom with a walk in shower layout
Quick answer: In a 5x7 bathroom, place a 32-by-60-inch walk in shower (or a 36-by-36-inch corner shower) at the far short wall, with the toilet and sink along one long wall. Use a single fixed glass panel instead of a swinging door to save floor space.
A 5x7 bathroom is a classic small layout, and a walk in shower fits well if you plan it right. The trick is to place the three fixtures so nothing blocks the door. Put the shower at the far short wall, then line up the toilet and sink along one long wall. A 32 by 60 inch walk in shower or a 36 by 36 inch corner shower both work in this footprint.
Use a single fixed glass panel instead of a swinging door so you do not lose floor space to the door swing. A low curb or curbless entry makes the small room feel open and is easier to step into. Light tile and a clear tempered glass panel keep the space bright. If the budget is tight, a corner shower stall kit gives you a finished shower fast.
How to add a shower to a half bathroom
Quick answer: You can add a shower to a half bathroom if there is room for at least a 32-by-32-inch corner shower and a plumber can run a drain to the spot. A prefab corner shower kit is the cheapest option, and it turns the half bath into a three-quarter bath.
You can add a shower to a half bathroom as long as there is room for at least a 32 by 32 inch corner shower and a plumber can run a drain to the spot. Adding a shower turns a half bath into a three-quarter bath, which can lift home value. The most affordable route is a prefab corner shower kit, since it comes with the pan, walls, and shower doors ready to assemble.
The main cost driver is plumbing. If the half bath sits near an existing wet wall with water and drain lines, the job is much cheaper. If the drain has to travel across the room or through the floor, costs rise. Have a plumber check the layout before you buy any kit, so you know the drain can reach your chosen corner.
Bathroom tub to shower conversion cost
Quick answer: A tub to shower conversion costs about $3,000 on average, according to 2026 US cost data, and typically ranges from $1,500 for a basic prefab kit to $15,000 for a custom tiled walk in shower with frameless glass.
A tub to shower conversion costs about $3,000 to $15,000 in the US. The big swing comes down to whether you go prefab or custom. A basic conversion that drops a prefab walk in shower or shower kit into the old tub space runs roughly $3,000 to $7,000. A custom tiled walk in shower with a frameless tempered glass enclosure and a rain shower head runs about $8,000 to $15,000 or more.
What pushes the price up: moving the drain, adding a curbless pan, premium tile, frameless glass shower doors, and new valves. What keeps it down: reusing the existing plumbing spot, choosing an acrylic shower kit, and keeping a standard fixed shower head. A midrange bathroom remodel recoups roughly 60 to 80 percent of its cost at resale, according to industry Cost vs. Value data, though experts suggest keeping at least one bathtub in the home for family-buyer appeal. Use the selector tool above to get an estimate matched to your size, setup, and goal, then collect two or three local quotes.
Shower Cost & Fit Comparison
A quick side-by-side of the main shower types so you can match one to your room and budget.
| Shower Type | Best For | Typical Size | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower Stall / Kit | Tight budgets, fast jobs | 32–48 in alcove | $1,200 – $4,000 |
| Corner Shower | Small baths, half baths | 32–42 in square | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Walk In Shower | Open look, easy access | 32–60 in wide | $3,500 – $15,000 |
| Tub to Shower Conversion | Replacing an unused tub | 30 x 60 in tub space | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Custom Tiled Shower | Spa feel, any size | Made to fit | $8,000 – $20,000+ |
Ranges are US planning estimates. Glass type, tile, plumbing moves, and local labor change the final price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint bathroom shower tile?
What shower fits a 5x7 bathroom?
Can you add a shower to a half bathroom?
How much does a tub to shower conversion cost?
What is the difference between a shower kit and a custom shower?
What is a shower pan?
Do I need tempered glass for a shower enclosure?
What size shower head should I choose?
Is a walk in shower better than a tub?
What is the smallest comfortable shower size?
Sources & References
Cost ranges on this page are drawn from 2026 US home-improvement cost data and cross-checked across multiple industry sources. Figures are national averages for planning only; your actual price depends on region, materials, glass, and plumbing changes.
