What Is an Acrylic Shower?

The Facts

• An acrylic shower is a pre-formed shower stall that is installed in one or multiple pieces. This includes showers with built-in acrylic bath tubs and those that use shower pans in conjunction with acrylic sheets to cover the walls. These pre-built shower structures feature a fiberglass or wood frame for structure, which is coated with the acrylic. The sheets of acrylic that surrounds the shower either come in one large piece that is seamless but harder to move, or in panels that require you to seal the seams between them.

Benefits

• The light weight of the acrylic shower surround allows you to move the pieces of the shower easily when installing and removing it. Cast iron tubs are heavy and require a dolly to get it in and out of the bathroom. Once installed, the acrylic cleans quickly with a rag and an acrylic-safe cleaner. These showers are less expensive than custom built tile enclosures. The wide range of colors and styles allow you to create a bathroom you'll enjoy using.

Disadvantages

• Some acrylic showers don't have appropriate support below the surface, allowing the bottom of the shower to flex and possibly crack as you use it. Acrylic enclosures without a gel-coating are prone to cracking in the corners where the material was stretched the most during the molding process. This type of acrylic is also soft enough to scratch during regular use. Installing the highest quality acrylic shower you can afford helps prevent these issues.

Repairing

• When cracks and scratches do occur in an acrylic shower, repairing and refinishing remains relatively easy. Applying a sealant like silicone caulk around the edges of the shower enclosure keeps water from reaching the walls behind it and rotting the wood. Filler covers any scratches and chips in the surface and permanently bonds to the surface through heat. Applying automotive wax to dull or worn acrylic showers helps them look new again.