Planning a new shower means choosing more than a wall finish. The shower base, drainage, waterproofing, tile layout, glass and storage all need to work together. A tiled shower gives you room to tailor the shape and finish to your bathroom; acrylic and wall-panel systems can offer a simpler, more standardised surface. The right choice depends on your space, priorities and the scope of the renovation.
This guide compares the main options and walks through the decisions to make before work starts. Tile Church installs custom tiled showers across Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast. See the custom tiled shower service for details of the work Tile Church offers.
Tiled, acrylic or wall panels: what is the difference?
A tiled shower is built from a prepared base and wall surface, with a waterproofing system beneath the tile finish. Tiles, grout, joints and fixtures form part of a complete assembly, so the design and installation details matter. Acrylic shower units use factory-made wall and base components. Wall-panel systems use larger sheets with fewer visible joints. These prefabricated options are less flexible in shape and finish, while tile allows more variation in colour, format, layout and detailing.
| What to compare | Tiled shower | Acrylic or panels |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Wide choice of tile colours, formats, patterns and edge details; can be planned for a particular room. | More standardised sizes, shapes and finishes, with fewer joints in panel systems. |
| Installation | Several coordinated stages, including preparation, waterproofing, tiling and finishing. | Usually a more straightforward installation when the existing space suits a standard unit. |
| Upkeep | Tile and grout need regular cleaning; keep an eye on grout and sealant joints. | Smooth surfaces have no tile grout lines, so routine cleaning can be simpler. |
| Best fit | Useful when layout, finish, storage or integration with the rest of the bathroom is a priority. | May suit a standard layout where a simpler surface and installation are the main priorities. |
There is no one option that suits every bathroom. Compare the whole project rather than the visible surface alone: what needs removing, whether the base or plumbing needs changing, how water will drain, what waterproofing is required, and how the finished shower will be maintained.
Plan the layout, entry and shower base
Start with how the shower will be used. Consider the available floor area, door or screen position, entry clearance, shower head location and the route water will take to the waste. A walk-in or low-entry shower may be possible, but it needs careful coordination of the floor shape, drainage, waterproofing and surrounding bathroom floor.
The tray or base is a key part of that plan. A custom tiled tray can be designed around a particular footprint and drainage position. Tile Church’s custom shower tray service covers bespoke and tile-ready bases, including low-profile and wet-room options. Discuss the floor construction and drainage early, especially if you are changing the shower footprint or aiming for a level entry.
Choose tiles for the room and the way you use it
Think about more than colour. Tile size and shape affect how the floor can follow its falls to the waste, while the wall layout affects cuts, grout lines and the look of corners. Ask about slip resistance for the shower floor, cleaning needs, grout colour and how the shower will meet the rest of the bathroom. A tile that looks right on a sample board should also work for the surface and location where it will be installed.
For a coordinated finish, consider how the shower relates to the vanity wall, bathroom floor and any feature wall. Tile Church also provides mitred tile joints for selected corners and edges where a neat tiled finish is wanted.
Waterproofing sits behind the tile finish
Tiles and grout are the visible finish; they are not a substitute for a correctly designed and installed waterproofing system. Before choosing tile, ask how the substrate will be prepared, which waterproofing system is specified, how corners and plumbing penetrations will be detailed, and how the system will be allowed to cure before tiling. Products used together should be compatible and installed to their manufacturers’ instructions.
Tile Church describes waterproofing as part of its shower work. You can read about its waterproofing service. MBIE’s E3 Internal Moisture guidance explains acceptable solutions for moisture management, including details around junctions and penetrations.
Add storage and finish the details
Built-in niches and shelves can keep bottles off the floor and help the shower feel considered. Decide their height, width and position before tiling so they work with the tile layout and do not crowd controls or screens. Tile Church’s page on shower niches and wall cutouts shows this as a specialist bathroom detail.
Also plan the screen, tapware, corners, transitions and sealant joints. These details affect how the room looks and how straightforward it is to clean. If the shower is part of a larger update, Tile Church’s bathroom renovation page outlines its tiling-focused renovation work.
Understand the project scope and quote
Shower costs vary with the size and shape of the space, the condition of what is behind the existing finish, the base and drainage, tile selection, glass and the amount of demolition or other work needed. A small change to an existing shower and a full rebuild are not like-for-like jobs, so broad online price ranges can be misleading. Ask for a written quote based on the scope discussed and inspected.
Tile Church’s No Hidden Costs Guarantee says its quote sets out the agreed scope, labour, materials and subcontracted work. It also explains that if an unforeseen issue or a requested change affects the work, Tile Church will discuss the options and provide a revised quote or variation for approval before proceeding. Ask how any assumptions, exclusions and possible concealed conditions will be handled on your project.
Check building consent before work begins
Do not assume that every shower replacement has the same consent requirements. In New Zealand, the answer depends on the work involved and the building. MBIE says all building work must comply with the Building Code, even where a consent is not required, and recommends checking with the local council if you are unsure whether an exemption applies. Changes involving structure, plumbing, fixtures or a new wet-area build-up can affect the assessment. Confirm the requirements with your council or an appropriately qualified building professional before work starts.
See MBIE’s current consent guidance. Its 2024 shower determination dealt with a particular set of circumstances; it should not be treated as a blanket rule for every tiled shower.
Allow for the stages of the work
A tiled shower typically involves more stages than fitting a standard unit. Depending on the project, the sequence may include removing the existing shower, checking and preparing the substrate, forming or installing the tray, completing waterproofing, allowing required curing time, tiling, grouting and fitting the screen and fixtures. The programme depends on site conditions, the work included and product instructions. Ask your installer which stages are included and when the shower can be used again.
Keep the finished shower in good condition
Regular cleaning helps keep tile and grout looking good. Use cleaning products suitable for the tile, grout and sealants, and follow the product care guidance. Keep the room ventilated after showers and check grout and flexible sealant joints periodically. Cracked grout, loose tiles, damaged sealant or signs of moisture outside the shower should be assessed rather than simply covered up. Tile Church’s guide to moisture and mould prevention has further wet-area maintenance advice.
A quick decision checklist
- Do you need a standard footprint, or a shower shaped around your room?
- Is a walk-in or low-entry design important, and can the floor and drainage support it?
- Do you prefer tile choice and integrated details, or fewer joints and simpler surface care?
- Have you planned the base, waste, screen, tile layout, slip resistance and storage together?
- Have you checked consent requirements and agreed the project scope in writing?
- Do you understand the waterproofing stages, curing requirements and care instructions?
Frequently asked questions
Is a tiled shower better than an acrylic shower?
It depends on your priorities. Tile gives more choice over layout, colour and detailing, while acrylic and panel systems offer a more standardised finish with fewer grout lines. Compare the full scope, maintenance and installation requirements for your bathroom.
Does a tiled shower need building consent in New Zealand?
There is no safe one-line answer for every project. Consent requirements depend on the building and the work being done. Check MBIE’s current guidance and ask your local council or an appropriately qualified professional before starting.
Are tiles and grout waterproof?
The tile finish is only one part of the shower. A tiled shower needs an appropriate waterproofing system beneath the finish, with corners, junctions and penetrations detailed correctly.
How much does a tiled shower cost?
It depends on the size, existing conditions, demolition, tray and drainage, tile and screen choices, and other work in the bathroom. Request a written quote based on your actual site and agreed scope.
Can I add a niche to a tiled shower?
Yes. A niche can be planned into the wall, but its size and position should be decided before the waterproofing and tiling stages so the detail fits the layout and wet-area system.
Plan your shower with Tile Church
Tile Church works across the Wellington region and Kāpiti Coast, including Wellington, Lower and Upper Hutt, Porirua, Paraparaumu and Waikanae and Ōtaki. View the project gallery for examples of completed tiling, or contact Tile Church to discuss your bathroom and request a quote.