Tile Shower Installation in Portland, OR

Custom Tile Showers. Curbless & Walk-In. Tub-to-Shower Conversions. Waterproofed Right — Slope, Membrane & Drain. Flood-Tested Before Tile. Licensed OR #241979 | WA #VRESHCL776ND.

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A tile shower is the one place in a house where a hidden mistake becomes an expensive one. Everything you see — the tile and the grout — sits on top of what actually keeps the water out, and when the waterproofing under it is missing, incomplete, or done wrong, water wicks into the wall and floor and quietly rots framing and grows mold for years before anyone notices. VResh builds showers from the waterproofing out: a proper slope to the drain, a continuous waterproof membrane system, and a flood test of the pan before any tile goes on. Then we tile it clean, with balanced layouts and waterproofed niches — with epoxy grout available as an upgrade where you want the most stain and water resistance.

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01.

Owner-Supervised Always

Vlad is on every shower project, start to finish

02.

Waterproofed Right

Proper slope, a continuous membrane, and the correct drain

03.

Flood-Tested Before Tile

The pan holds water overnight before a single tile goes on

04.

Curbed, Curbless & Conversions

Tub-to-shower conversions, with waterproofed niches and benches

05.

Licensed & Insured

OR #241979 | WA #VRESHCL776ND

06.

Written Estimates Only

Scope and cost confirmed before any work begins

Five people standing next to a white work van outside on a cloudy day, smiling and talking. There is a window frame leaning against the van, a ladder, and trees in the background.

(503) 272-6436 — Call or Text, Available 24/7

We answer calls and texts at any hour. For storm damage, active leaks, or structural emergencies, calling directly is the fastest path to a response.

Shower Styles We Build

Standard Curbed Shower

The classic tiled shower with a curb at the entry to contain water. It is the most straightforward to build and waterproof and fits the widest range of bathrooms and budgets.

Curbless, Barrier-Free Shower

A shower with no curb, so the floor runs flat into the shower for a clean, open, walk-in look that is also aging-in-place and wheelchair friendly. It requires recessing the floor framing and usually a linear drain, and precise waterproofing, so it is a build where technique really matters.

Tub-to-Shower Conversion

Removing a little-used tub and replacing it with a larger, more usable tiled shower is one of the most popular bathroom updates we do. We handle the plumbing changes, framing, waterproofing, and tile to turn that space into a shower you will actually use.

Niches, Benches & Details

Recessed niches for bottles, a built-in bench or corner seat, curbless linear drains, and accent tile bands all get waterproofed as part of the shell, not added as afterthoughts. A niche or bench that is not properly waterproofed is just another place for water to get in, so we build them into the membrane system.

What Keeps a Shower Dry: Slope, Membrane & Drain

A tile shower does not stay dry because of the tile. It stays dry because of three things underneath it, and all three have to be done right. This is where a shower is truly built.

Slope

The shower floor has to slope evenly to the drain so water always runs off instead of pooling. That starts with a pre-slope under the waterproofing, not just a slope in the tile, so any water that reaches the membrane also drains. A flat or reverse-sloped pan is one of the most common reasons old showers hold water and fail.

Waterproofing membrane

Behind and beneath the tile, we install a continuous waterproofing system — either a bonded sheet or liquid membrane over the correct backer, or a traditional pan liner over the pre-slope. The membrane, not the grout, is what actually keeps water out of your walls and floor. It has to be continuous and correctly sealed at every corner, seam, niche, and the drain.

Drain

The drain has to match the waterproofing method — whether that is a bonded-flange drain paired with a sheet membrane or a clamping, weep-hole drain paired with a pan liner. Getting the drain and the membrane to work together is what makes the whole assembly watertight, and it is a detail that budget installs routinely get wrong.

We Flood-Test the Pan Before Any Tile

We plug the drain, fill the pan with water, and confirm it holds overnight. If it holds, we tile. If it does not, we find and fix it then — not after your bathroom is finished. It is the step that proves the waterproofing works while a problem can still be corrected easily, and it is exactly the step budget installs skip.

Why Old Showers Leak

If your shower is showing these signs, the problem is usually behind the tile, and a surface fix rarely lasts. Knowing why helps explain why we build the way we do.

Loose or hollow-sounding tiles, grout that keeps cracking, caulk that will not stay put, a musty smell, or staining below the shower are almost always signs the waterproofing behind the tile has failed — not a grout problem. Grout is not waterproof. That is why a leaking shower usually needs to be rebuilt correctly rather than regrouted.

How a Tile Shower Project Works

#
Item
What We Do — And Why It Matters
1
Design and estimate
We plan the shower size, style, tile, niche and bench placement, and drain type, and coordinate any plumbing changes. You get a written estimate with scope and cost before anything begins.
2
Demolition
We remove the old shower or tub down to the studs and subfloor, inspect for existing water damage, and repair any rot or compromised framing we find before rebuilding.
3
Framing, plumbing, and slope
We frame the shower, including recessing the floor for a curbless build, coordinate the licensed plumber for the valve and drain, and form the pre-slope to the drain.
4
Waterproofing
We install the continuous waterproofing system — sheet or liquid membrane over the correct backer, or a pan liner — sealing every corner, seam, niche, bench, and the drain into one watertight shell.
5
Flood test
We plug the drain, flood the pan, and confirm it holds water overnight before any tile goes on. This is the step that proves the waterproofing works while it can still be corrected easily.
6
Tile, grout, and finish
We set wall and floor tile with balanced layouts and clean cuts, grout the tile — with epoxy grout available as an upgrade for extra stain and water resistance — seal where needed, and caulk the changes of plane. We coordinate the glass enclosure and finish the walkthrough with you.

What’s Included in a Tile Shower Installation

Every tile shower with VResh includes the items below. Add-ons and coordinated trades are noted, so there are no surprises on the estimate.

Scope item
Status
What it means
Design & estimate
Included
Size, style, tile, niche/bench, and drain planned
Demolition & damage inspection
Included
Old shower or tub removed; rot and framing checked
Framing & floor recess
Included
Includes recessing for curbless builds
Plumbing coordination
Coordinated
Licensed plumber for the valve and drain
Pre-slope to drain
Included
Even slope so water always reaches the drain
Continuous waterproofing system
Included
Membrane or pan liner sealed at all corners and penetrations
Flood test
Included
Pan held overnight before any tile is set
Niche, bench & curb
Included / Optional
Built into the waterproofing, per your design
Wall & floor tile
Included
Balanced layout, clean cuts, lippage control
Grout & sealing
Included
Standard or epoxy grout; epoxy is an upgrade; sealed where needed
Glass enclosure
Coordinated
Measured and coordinated after tile, by a glass specialist
Permits
As needed
Plumbing or structural changes may require permits

What a Tile Shower Costs in Portland

A tile shower is priced by its size, the waterproofing and drain system, the style, and the tile you choose. A standard curbed shower is the most economical build, while curbless barrier-free showers, larger footprints, custom niches and benches, natural stone tile, and premium glass push the cost up. Because so much of the work is the hidden waterproofing that makes the shower last, we price each build after seeing the space and the plumbing.

What drives the price

  • Shower size and whether it is a new build, a rebuild, or a tub-to-shower conversion
  • Style: standard curbed versus curbless barrier-free with a linear drain
  • Waterproofing and drain system, and any framing or floor recessing
  • Tile choice and layout, plus niches, benches, and accent work
  • Plumbing changes and the glass enclosure

You will get a written, itemized estimate before any work begins — no verbal numbers and no pressure. To price your shower, request a free estimate or call or text (503) 272-6436.

Caring for Your Tile Shower

A properly built shower is easy to keep up, and a little routine care protects the grout and finish for the long run.

Squeegee after showers

Wipe the walls after showers to cut down on hard-water spotting and soap scum, which keeps the tile and grout looking new.

Use a pH-neutral cleaner

Skip harsh acidic cleaners, which can damage grout and etch natural stone tile.

Run the bath fan

Ventilate during and after showers so the room dries out — good ventilation is the biggest factor in keeping mold away.

Keep the caulk fresh

Keep the caulk at the corners and along the base in good shape. A fresh bead where it has aged keeps water where it belongs.

With good ventilation and quality grout, a VResh shower asks very little beyond routine cleaning, and the waterproofing does its job out of sight for the life of the shower.

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What Portland Homeowners Say

VResh Construction has completed more than 500 projects across the Portland metro with a 5.0 rating on Google. The reviews below are pulled live from our Google Business Profile, so what you see is current and unfiltered.

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Serving Portland Metro Area

VResh Construction provides window replacement, siding installation, roofing, dry rot repair and full exterior renovation services throughout the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington.

Portland Metro — Oregon

Portland, OR
Oak Grove, OR
Cedar Mill, OR
King City, OR
Happy Valley, OR
Clackamas, OR
Milwaukie, OR
Gresham, OR
Wood Village, OR
Scappoose, OR
Sandy, OR
Newberg, OR
Estacada, OR
Lake Oswego, OR
Beaverton, OR
Hillsboro, OR
Tigard, OR
Sherwood, OR
West Linn, OR
Oregon City, OR

Southwest Washington

Vancouver, WA
Battle Ground, WA
Woodland, WA
Camas, WA
Ridgefield, WA
Washougal, WA
Kalama, WA

Extended Service Areas

Longview, WA
Kelso, WA
Salem, OR
Seaside, OR
Lincoln City, OR
Long Beach, WA
OUR FAQS

Tile Shower FAQs — Portland Homeowners

How do you waterproof a tile shower?
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We build a continuous waterproofing system under and behind the tile: a pre-slope to the drain, a bonded sheet or liquid membrane over the correct backer (or a traditional pan liner), and a drain matched to that method, all sealed at every corner, seam, niche, and penetration. Then we flood-test the pan before tiling. The waterproofing, not the tile or grout, is what keeps water out of your walls.
Do you flood-test the shower before tiling?
+
Yes, every time. We plug the drain, fill the pan with water, and confirm it holds overnight before any tile goes on. It is the only way to prove the waterproofing works while a problem can still be fixed easily, and it is a step budget installs usually skip.
Why did my old shower leak?
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Almost always because of the hidden waterproofing, not the tile. Common causes are no pre-slope, no membrane behind the tile, tile set over ordinary drywall, or a niche that was never sealed. Grout is not waterproof, so a shower relying on grout to stay dry will eventually leak. That is why a failing shower usually needs to be rebuilt, not regrouted.
Can you build a curbless, walk-in shower?
+
Yes. A curbless, barrier-free shower gives a clean, open look and is friendly for aging in place and wheelchair access. It requires recessing the floor framing and usually a linear drain, plus precise waterproofing at the flush transition, so it is a build where doing the hidden work right really matters.
Can you convert my tub into a shower?
+
Yes, tub-to-shower conversions are one of our most popular bathroom updates. We remove the tub, handle the plumbing and framing changes, waterproof the new shower correctly, and tile it, turning an underused tub into a larger, more usable shower.
What kind of grout do you use in showers?
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Epoxy grout is a popular option in showers because it is essentially stain-proof and water-resistant and holds up better than standard cement grout in a wet environment. We offer it as an upgrade over standard grout, and combined with the waterproofing underneath it keeps the shower looking good for years.
Can you add a niche and a bench?
+
Yes. Recessed niches for bottles and a built-in bench or corner seat are popular, and we build them into the waterproofing system rather than adding them on top. A niche or bench that is not fully waterproofed is a common leak point, so we treat them as part of the shell.
Should I regrout my shower or rebuild it?
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If the tile is sound and only the grout or caulk is cosmetically worn, regrouting or recaulking can refresh it. But if tiles are loose, the grout keeps failing, or there is any sign of water reaching the structure, the waterproofing has failed and a rebuild is the honest, lasting fix. We assess and tell you which you actually need.
How long does a tile shower take to build?
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A tile shower is a multi-step build with cure and test time between steps, so it typically takes one to two weeks depending on size, style, and any plumbing or framing changes. Curbless builds and tub-to-shower conversions are on the longer end. We give you a realistic schedule with the estimate.
Does the glass enclosure come with it?
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The glass is measured and installed after the tile is complete, usually by a glass specialist we coordinate with, since custom glass is templated to the finished opening. We fold that coordination into the project so it is handled, not left to you.
What tile can I use in a shower?
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Porcelain and ceramic are ideal for showers because they absorb little water and are easy to maintain. Natural stone is beautiful but porous, so it needs sealing and gentler care, and we will point out where a stone-look porcelain gives the look with less upkeep. We help you choose for both looks and performance.
Does a new tile shower add resale value?
+
A well-built tile shower is a major selling point in a bathroom, and a tub-to-shower conversion or a modern curbless shower can be a strong draw for buyers. Just as important, a shower that is waterproofed right protects the home from the hidden water damage that scares buyers off.