The two paths
Walk-in showers come in two fundamentally different flavors: tile (built from scratch, every surface your choice) and acrylic (factory-made wall panels and pan, installed in a day or two). They look different, cost different, last different, and feel different. Here's the straight story.
Tile showers
Pros: Unlimited design — any size, any shape, any tile. Looks premium and custom. Individual tiles can be replaced if damaged. Adds more perceived value to the home.
Cons: Costs more ($12,000–$18,000+ typical in Florida). Takes one to two weeks. Grout needs periodic sealing and cleaning — though modern grouts are far better than the old stuff.
In Florida: Tile's enemy is bad waterproofing, not tile itself. A properly waterproofed tile shower laughs at humidity. A poorly waterproofed one grows mold behind the walls within a couple of years. The installer matters more than the material.
Acrylic showers
Pros: Fast — often done in a day or two. Cheaper ($4,000–$8,000 typical). No grout to clean. Non-porous surface resists mold on the surface.
Cons: Limited sizes and styles — you're picking from a catalog, not designing. Can look and feel plasticky. Panels can flex, and flex leads to caulk failures. Harder to repair — a cracked panel usually means replacing the whole wall. Lower perceived home value.
In Florida: Acrylic's smooth surface is genuinely easy to keep clean in a humid climate. But the seams and edges are the weak point — caulk fails faster in Florida heat, and once water gets behind a panel, you won't know until there's damage.
The honest take
Choose tile if: this is your long-term home, you care about how the bathroom looks and feels, or you're remodeling to add value. The upfront cost is higher, but a well-built tile shower lasts decades.
Choose acrylic if: budget is the top priority, you need it done fast (rental property, selling soon), or you genuinely prefer low-maintenance over custom looks. Just go in with eyes open about longevity.
What we'd avoid: the cheapest acrylic jobs. A $3,000 shower installed in four hours is cutting corners you'll discover later. Whatever you choose, the installer matters.
What we install
We're tile specialists — it's what we do best, and it's what we'd put in our own homes. If acrylic is the right call for your situation, we'll tell you honestly, even though it's not our product. Call (407) 434-9297 and we'll talk through what fits your bathroom and budget.