Custom tile shower in St. George: 8 decisions to make before demolition

Planning a custom tile shower in St. George, Utah, is easier when the important decisions are made before demolition or framing begins. The tile is the visible finish, but the entry, drain, waterproofing, storage, glass, and fixture locations all affect what must be built underneath it. Use this checklist to prepare for an estimate and reduce last-minute changes.

1. Decide between a curb and a curbless entry

A traditional curb helps define the shower area and usually requires less alteration to the surrounding bathroom floor. A curbless shower creates a flush transition, but the floor assembly needs enough room for slope, drainage, and continuous waterproofing.

Schluter’s curbless-shower guidance describes three general ways to create that transition: recessing the shower floor, using a tray with a ramp, or raising the surrounding bathroom floor. The right approach depends on the existing structure and project design. Choose the entry type early so the installer can inspect the floor and discuss what is realistic before the layout is finalized.

2. Plan the shower around how it will be used

Mark the showerhead, controls, handheld sprayer, bench, niches, door swing, fixed glass, and towel location on a simple drawing. Think about who will use the shower, where they will stand, and how far the spray may travel. A doorless or curbless design also needs enough space and a suitable glass or splash-control plan.

If the project is intended for aging in place or step-free access, tell the designer and installer at the beginning. Overall clearances, fixture locations, blocking, and applicable accessibility requirements need project-specific review; removing the curb alone does not make the entire bathroom accessible.

3. Select the drain with the tile and layout

Point drains and linear drains create different slope and tile-layout conditions. A linear drain may support a single-direction slope and larger floor tile in some assemblies, while a point drain commonly requires the floor to slope toward a central or offset location. The exact drain, grate, tile size, and shower dimensions should be reviewed together.

Schluter’s shower-system overview explains how its bonding-flange drains connect to the waterproofing membrane at the top of the tile assembly. Other approved systems have their own components and instructions. Avoid buying the drain separately from the waterproofing plan without confirming compatibility.

4. Treat waterproofing as a complete assembly

Tile and grout are not the waterproofing layer. The selected shower system should address the pan, walls, seams, corners, curb or entry, plumbing penetrations, drain connection, and any bench or niche. Ask which manufacturer system is being proposed and request that its current instructions be followed as a complete assembly.

This does not mean every shower must use the same brand. It means the specified products, substrate, mortar, sealant, cure times, and connections need to be compatible. Manufacturer documentation should control the installation details, especially when products from different systems are being considered.

5. Size niches and benches before framing closes

List the bottles and accessories the niche must hold, then decide whether you want one large opening, stacked compartments, or a lower ledge. Confirm the niche position against tile layout, wall framing, plumbing, and the planned glass. A bench also affects the waterproofed surface, usable standing area, and tile cuts.

Schluter’s shower guidance lists prefabricated and customizable benches and niches as parts that can integrate with a waterproofing assembly. Whatever product or field-built detail is selected, it should be included in the plan before tile quantities and layout are approved.

6. Approve tile layout and finished edges

Provide the exact tile name, size, finish, and product link—not only an inspiration photo. Discuss the focal wall, pattern direction, grout-joint appearance, niche alignment, and how exposed edges will be finished. Large-format tile, mosaics, natural stone, and highly varied patterns can require different preparation and layout decisions.

Ask whether representative pieces should be dry-laid or reviewed before installation. For natural stone, also request the supplier’s written suitability and care guidance for the exact shower surface where it will be used.

7. Put inspection and testing into the schedule

Before tile covers the waterproofing, the installation should be visually checked for complete treatment of seams, corners, penetrations, and the drain connection. When a flood test is required or specified, its timing must follow the exact membrane manufacturer’s data and the project requirements.

LATICRETE’s waterproofing FAQ shows why a universal wait time is unreliable: cure and flood-test timing varies by product and temperature. Build the manufacturer’s required drying, testing, and mortar cure periods into the schedule instead of promising that every shower can move to the next step at the same time.

8. Send a complete estimate package

For a useful shower estimate, send photos of the existing bathroom, approximate dimensions, the project address, tile selections, fixture and drain choices, preferred entry type, niche and bench requests, glass plans, and desired timing. State whether the project is a remodel or new construction and identify any plumbing, electrical, framing, drywall, painting, or glass work that needs coordination.

Exquisite Tile installs custom tile showers and waterproofing systems for homeowners and project teams in St. George and Southern Utah. Request an estimate and attach your photos or plans before sending. Builders and commercial teams can use the project bid checklist to organize plans, finish schedules, responsibilities, and target dates.