A walk-in shower can completely transform your bathroom. It adds a sleek, modern appearance while also improving the space’s accessibility and convenience. However, it’s important to invest in the right walk-in shower when you’re planning a bathroom remodel. Going with the wrong one can lessen the return on your investment and dampen your excitement about the project. So, how do you choose the right walk-in shower? How should you go about finding one that flawlessly blends style with comfort and convenience while providing exceptional long-term durability? From the professionals at Tundraland, here are five signs to look for as you figure out how to tell if a walk-in shower is high quality:

1. Strong Waterproofing Behind the Surface

Considering how troubling water damage and lingering moisture can be for your bathroom, one of the most important features of a high-quality walk-in shower is proper waterproofing. While tile and grout work to create an eye-catching finish, they aren’t fully waterproof on their own, as water may penetrate the small gaps and cracks if there’s no protective barrier beneath the surface.

So, how do you make sure your walk-in shower is well equipped with waterproof features? It often comes down to the installation. Professional installations tend to include waterproof membranes behind your walls and underneath your flooring to prevent moisture from reaching the structural components of your shower. With this hidden layer protecting against mold growth, rot, and general moisture and water damage, you can feel good about the performance of your new walk-in shower over the years to come.

2. Reliable Drainage & Floor Slope

Think about this: You’ve just invested in a stunning new walk-in shower. It flawlessly ties your bathroom’s aesthetic together and makes for a perfect fit within the room’s layout. What’s the easiest way to dampen your delight in your new shower? Being forced to take your shower ankle-deep in standing water. Poor drainage is the easiest way to spot a low-quality shower. Part of that comes down to the shower itself, but it’s also down to the design, as your shower should be installed with a carefully calculated floor slope that directs water to the drain to avoid issues with standing water.

That floor slope shouldn’t create any noticeable unevenness under your feet. Rather, it should be just enough to get the water flowing where it’s supposed to go. The right slope and proper drainage is a strong indicator that your shower’s design was planned out thoroughly and that your installation was completed with experience and effectiveness.

3. High-Quality Materials & Finishes

It should come as no surprise that the materials used to create your walk-in shower have an impact on the quality of the shower as a whole. High-quality materials are going to come together to form a shower that both looks great and offers exceptional durability. Premium porcelain tile, natural stone, solid-surface panels, and other moisture-resistant materials are all worth considering because of their aesthetic and durability, as well as their resistance to moisture over time.

There’s an eye test you may be able to conduct with the materials at hand in your walk-in shower, but this also comes down to a matter of feel. These materials should feel substantial and sturdy—not flimsy and lightweight. Their finishes should resist corrosion and tarnishing over time, and the glass panels used for your enclosure should be made from tempered safety glass and designs to handle daily use.

4. Strong & Durable Hardware

In addition to materials, the hardware featured throughout your walk-in shower also plays a role in the quality of the bathing area. The showerheads, controls, handles, hinges, drain covers, and mounting brackets should all be built to provide durability and smooth operation.

Generally speaking, solid metal components can provide better longevity than plastic alternatives. With that said, though, it’s important that your hardware is designed to withstand exposure to moisture—it can’t rust and corrode over time. Rather, your hardware should be able to maintain its appearance and functionality over time, keeping up a great look for your shower while also delivering an easy, stress-free showering experience.

5. Excellent Ventilation & Moisture Control

You don’t need us to tell you that your bathroom is one of the areas within your home that will naturally produce the largest amounts of humidity. That makes ventilation extremely important for your walk-in shower’s design. Even the best materials within your shower may deteriorate at a more rapid rate if moisture accumulates and goes unchecked without proper ventilation.

A well-designed bathroom should have an effective exhaust fan that can remove humid air efficiently and keep it from creating the conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Signs of good moisture control include reduced condensation on mirrors, dry surfaces after your shower has been in use, and minimal-to-no growth of mold and mildew.

The Right Team to Call for a Walk-In Shower Project

When you’re looking to transform your home’s bathroom with a high-quality walk-in shower, there’s no better team to partner with than ours at Tundraland. We’ve proven time and again to be the right choice for homeowners who are looking for both quality showers and reliable installation work. We offer sleek, modern, and stunningly designed walk-in showers from industry-leading manufacturer Jacuzzi, which is a step in the right direction, for one. But the customization process we offer the homeowners we work with and the overall high-level workmanship we bring come installation day are what will help complete the experience and deliver you the high-quality walk-in shower you’ve been looking for at your home for years.

Start Planning Your Walk-In Shower Project Today

If now is the right time for a walk-in shower project at your home and you want to partner with the professionals at Tundraland for a job well done, contact us today to get started with a free quote.