Both are good showers. Acrylic goes in in about a day, costs less and has no grout to clean. Tile takes about five days, costs more and gives you any size, color and layout you want. The right one depends on how fast you need the shower back and how long you plan to stay.
Part of our tub-to-shower conversion on the Peninsula.
Call (650) 507-4525 Get an Estimate
2026 prices
from $7,500
1 day
The fastest conversion: a seamless acrylic wall system in the tub alcove.
Not included: Moving the drain; Tile.
from $13,000
5 days
A tile shower in the tub alcove with a low curb and frameless glass.
Not included: Fixtures above allowance.
Line items and what moves the price: tub-to-shower conversion cost in the Bay Area.
| Acrylic wall system | Tile | |
|---|---|---|
| Time on site | About 1 day | About 5 days |
| Shower back in use | Next day | After grout cures, about a week |
| Grout to clean | None | Yes; sealed or epoxy grout reduces upkeep |
| Look | Seamless panels; tile- or stone-look finishes | Any tile, size, color or pattern |
| Niche and bench | Molded shelf or add-on niche | Built-in niche and bench in matching tile |
| Drain | Pan sized to the old tub; drain stays | Center or linear drain, curbless option |
| Repairs | Usually a panel replacement | Individual tiles can be replaced |
| Best for | Fast turnaround, rentals, one-bathroom houses | Long ownership, custom layouts, curbless |
Both options start the same way: the tub comes out, the walls behind it come down to the studs, and a new pan, valve and drain go in. Both get grab-bar blocking in the walls even if you never add the bars. Either way you get a new shower, not a liner fitted over the old tub, and we stand behind the workmanship in writing.
Older one-piece fiberglass units did. Current acrylic and solid-surface wall systems come in tile, stone and plain finishes and are fitted to the alcove. Up close they still read as panels, not tile.
A well-built tile shower over a proper membrane lasts decades, and individual tiles can be replaced. Acrylic panels last many years too, but a deep scratch or crack usually means replacing the panel.
Acrylic. There are no grout lines, just a wipe-down. Tile with sealed grout or epoxy grout is easier than it used to be, but it still needs more attention.
Acrylic is usually back in use the next day. A tile shower is out of service for about a week, plus a few more days before glass goes on.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion by city: Palo Alto · Menlo Park · Atherton · Redwood City · Mountain View · Los Altos · Los Altos Hills · Woodside · Portola Valley
Tell us about the room. We visit the same week, measure, and send a written, itemized estimate within 48 hours.
We answer within 10 minutes, Mon–Sat 7 AM–7 PM.