Side by side
| Tile shower | Acrylic or fiberglass | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tile and grout over a waterproof membrane and a sloped pan | Molded wall panels and a base, usually 3 to 5 pieces |
| Look | Any tile, size, pattern, niche or bench | Set sizes and styles |
| Cleaning | Grout lines need care (or epoxy/single-component grout) | Wipe down with mild, non-abrasive cleaner |
| Repairs | Replace individual tiles | Acrylic costs more to repair than fiberglass |
| Twin Cities cost | Angi: avg about $2,830 to tile a shower in Minneapolis (tile work) | Homewyse (St. Paul): $865–$1,075 for a 3-piece surround |
Sources: Kohler, MAAX, Angi Minneapolis, Homewyse.
A tile shower is only as good as what's behind it
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Schluter puts it bluntly: the average shower gets more water than the roof of your house every year, so the waterproofing system underneath is what matters (Schluter). Cement grout lets water pass through to the wall behind it (Custom Building Products). That's why a good tile shower has a bonded waterproof membrane (like Schluter KERDI) or a liquid membrane meeting ANSI A118.10, plus a pan sloped to the drain.
Minnesota code detail: Minnesota's plumbing code requires a traditional shower pan liner to run at least 3 inches above the threshold, pitched 1/4 inch per foot to the drain's weep holes, and turned up and fastened over the curb and jambs (Minn. R. 4714.0408).
Acrylic and fiberglass: low maintenance, fewer choices
Acrylic and fiberglass surrounds go in faster and clean with mild, non-abrasive cleaners like dish soap (MAAX). Kohler notes acrylic needs less maintenance but costs more to repair, while fiberglass is cheaper to repair but can lose color over time (Kohler). Some acrylic makers offer lifetime residential warranties, like MAAX on its AcrylX products (MAAX) and Bath Fitter on its acrylic (Bath Fitter). Read the warranty terms for what's covered.
Grout: the maintenance question
Standard cement grout should be sealed. Epoxy grout never needs sealing because it absorbs under 0.5% water, though it takes about 7 days to reach full stain resistance (Laticrete). Single-component grouts are another no-seal option. If you want tile without the grout upkeep, ask for one of these.
Mold and moisture
EPA's rule for mold is simple: control moisture. Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours and keep indoor humidity below 60%, ideally 30 to 50% (EPA). Whichever shower you choose, run the exhaust fan during and after showers.
What it costs in the Twin Cities
- Shower tile: Angi says tiling a shower in Minneapolis averages about $2,830, typically $1,886–$5,240, with installers charging around $15–$35 per sq ft (Angi Minneapolis).
- Tile-ready shower pan: $1,682–$3,212 in St. Paul per Homewyse's calculator (Homewyse).
- Acrylic/fiberglass surround: $865–$1,075 for a 3-piece surround, removal of the old one not included; a shower base is $869–$1,442 (Homewyse, St. Paul) (Homewyse surround, Homewyse base).
- Whole shower: Angi says a shower installation in Minneapolis averages $5,660, with fiberglass or acrylic inserts at $400–$2,000 for the unit (Angi Minneapolis).
Homewyse figures come from its calculator for St. Paul ZIP 55101 (September 2026).
If you're selling
The Twin Cities' midrange bath remodel in the 2025 Cost vs. Value report, which recouped 79.7% of its cost, uses a ceramic tile tub surround (Cost vs. Value scope, Twin Cities data). A clean, well-built tile surround is the standard buyers see. A new acrylic surround is a lower-cost way to refresh a rental or pre-sale bath (see costs above).
Where the money is best spent
- Waterproofing first. Don't save money behind the tile.
- Tile for the bathroom you'll keep; acrylic for rentals, basements and quick turnarounds.
- Upgrade the grout to epoxy or single-component if you hate scrubbing.