Shower Remodeling in Boise, ID: Costs, Ideas & Options

The cause is structural, not cosmetic. A cast iron or acrylic tub sits on the subfloor and flexes slightly with the weight of a bather — a movement that is imperceptible to the eye but is enough to crack any sealant applied in the joint between the tub rim and the tile above it. No caulk product, applied to the existing installation, will permanently resolve this problem because the movement that breaks the sealant continues. The only permanent solution is to eliminate the tub-to-tile junction entirely — by converting the space to a walk-in shower with a properly waterproofed tile shower pan — or to remove and reinstall the tub with a genuine structural sealant system that accommodates the movement. In most Boise homes where this problem has been occurring for years, the more cost-effective and functionally superior solution is the walk-in shower conversion, which also addresses the underlying moisture damage that has typically accumulated behind the failing joint.

Schluter KERDI is a polyethylene sheet membrane waterproofing system that is applied to the shower substrate before tile is installed. Unlike the older approach of relying on cement board and tile grout to manage water, KERDI creates a genuinely impermeable barrier between the tile assembly and the wall framing. When properly installed — with lapped and bonded seams, corner reinforcement, and sealed pipe penetrations — water that penetrates through grout joints reaches the KERDI membrane and drains down to the shower floor rather than migrating into the wall cavity. In Boise specifically, we use KERDI on every shower because the discovery conditions we encounter during shower demolitions — framing damage from years of moisture infiltration through failing tile and grout — demonstrate clearly that alternative approaches are inadequate over the lifespan of a Boise shower. The system carries a limited lifetime warranty and is the industry standard for bonded waterproofing in residential shower applications.

In a single-bathroom home, yes — retaining at least one bathtub is strongly recommended for resale purposes, as a significant portion of home buyers (particularly those with young children and many first-time buyers) require a tub. In a two-or-more-bathroom home, the resale impact of converting one bathroom's tub to a walk-in shower is generally neutral to positive in Boise's current market, provided the shower is a quality installation rather than a budget product. The National Association of Realtors and most Boise-area real estate professionals report that a beautifully executed walk-in shower in the primary suite — large-format tile, frameless glass, quality fixtures — is more positively received by buyers than a retained original tub in that same space. If you have only one bathroom, we would strongly recommend retaining a tub or specifying a freestanding soaking tub as part of a remodel that also adds a separate walk-in shower.

The right tile size depends on the shower's physical dimensions, the visual effect you want, and the complexity and cost you're prepared for. In smaller showers — under 36 inches in any dimension — large-format tile (24x48 or larger) can look proportionally overwhelming and is technically challenging to install with proper lippage control in a tight space. 12x24 or 4x12 subway formats work well in modest-sized showers and install efficiently. In larger primary suite showers — 42 inches or wider — large-format tile creates a clean, spa-like appearance with fewer visible grout lines. For shower floors, smaller format tile (2x2, penny tile, hexagon) allows the floor to slope properly to the drain without significant lippage at tile joints; large-format floor tile requires exceptional substrate flatness and is typically reserved for linear-drain installations where the floor slopes in a single plane. We discuss size, format, and substrate requirements in every design consultation and can show you installed examples of different formats in Boise homes to help inform your decision.

For most Boise shower remodels, the shower is out of service for 7–12 business days from demolition start to glass installation. The schedule breaks down roughly as: 1–2 days for demolition and substrate inspection, 1–2 days for any substrate remediation required, 1–2 days for waterproofing membrane installation, 2–3 days for tile installation (waiting for thinset cure between floor and wall sequences), 1 day for grouting, 1–2 days for glass installation after tile is complete. First water-on cannot happen until the shower is 100% complete including all glass, hardware, and fixture installation. For homes with multiple bathrooms, the out-of-service period is a practical inconvenience. For single-bathroom homes, we coordinate with the homeowner to explore temporary shower solutions — gym memberships, family stays, portable shower units — during the project window. We confirm the expected out-of-service schedule in writing before the project begins.

A shower remodel in the Boise area typically costs $6,000-12,000 for a standard tub-to-shower conversion with tile, $10,000-18,000 for a mid-range custom walk-in shower, and $18,000-30,000+ for a luxury shower with premium tile, frameless glass, and multi-head fixtures.

A typical shower remodel takes 2-3 weeks from demolition to completion. Simple tub-to-shower conversions with panel systems can be faster. Complex custom tile showers with specialty glass take longer. Design and material ordering before construction adds 2-4 weeks.

Walk-in showers are preferred for daily use, accessibility, and modern design. However, having at least one bathtub in the home is recommended for families with young children and for resale value. Many homeowners convert a secondary tub to a shower while keeping one tub elsewhere.

Waterproofing. Every square inch of the shower — floor, walls, curb, niches, and bench — must be properly membraned to prevent water from reaching the framing and subfloor. Proper waterproofing prevents leaks, mold, rot, and structural damage that are extremely costly to repair.

Absolutely. Modern accessible shower design uses curbless entries with linear drains, decorative grab bars in matching finishes, teak fold-down benches, and the same premium tile and glass as any custom shower. The result is a beautiful shower that happens to be accessible.

Small mosaic tiles (2x2 or penny rounds) are the traditional choice because they conform to the shower pan slope and provide grip with many grout lines. Large-format tiles with linear drains are increasingly popular for a modern, seamless look but require precise slope and installation.

Yes. We coordinate all plumbing work through licensed plumbers. This includes drain relocation, supply line modifications, valve installation, and fixture connections. All plumbing work is permitted and inspected per local code requirements.