In most cases, a fiberglass shower will need to be replaced after 10 or maybe 15 years at the most. If you use lots of harsh or abrasive cleaners and chemicals, the shower is likely to wear out and need replacing even sooner.
Generally speaking, a fiberglass tub or fiberglass shower has an average lifespan of about 15 years, depending on how well you maintain it. If you use harsh cleaners or are careless about dropping things in your fiberglass tub or shower, it probably will have a lifespan closer to 10 years instead.
Fiberglass is a thin material that actually wears down with frequent use. It does not retain heat well and is more prone to fading, staining, cracking, and scratching. Fiberglass tub repair kits are available, but you may need to refinish the entire bathtub for excessive damage.
Shower: A grouted, tiled shower will likely last longer than a fiberglass or acrylic shower — up to 20 years, as long as it is properly cleaned and maintained. Showers made of prefabricated fiberglass or acrylic usually last up to 10 years. Also, prefabricated pans tend to develop stubborn, yellow stains over time.
However, since acrylic is longer lasting than fiberglass, and is less likely to need repairs, it may prove to be a better investment in the long run. On the other hand, fiberglass showers cost very little compared to all the other options out there, so if you want something cheaper, then fiberglass is the way to go.
Don't use super abrasive scrubbers or cleaning agents on fiberglass, since it could scratch or damage the surface. Don't use bleach! Don't ever mix ready-made cleaning products. Always read the labels and follow the instructions.
Con: Acrylics have finite lifespans. You'll need to replace all those custom fixtures and panels within 10 to 15 years. That doesn't mean thermoplastics have shorter lifespans than every other alternative, though, so weigh up the durability of your material options side by side.
Showering the right way
Avoid taking excessively long showers or baths that can strip away oils from your skin's outer layer. Keep showers at about 10 minutes and be sure to apply a skin moisturizer afterward.
Acrylic and Fiberglass Showers
These showers are prefabricated and usually made of a solid piece of material that has been molded into shape, and this solid construction helps ensure that they shouldn't leak.
If you're looking for material that'll be low on maintenance and super-easy to clean, acrylic shower walls are your go-to solution.
Natural stone: Toilet bowl cleaner is too harsh for natural stone enclosures (slate, marble, granite) and will permanently etch the surface. Fiberglass: Fiberglass shower enclosures do not withstand repeated cleanings with harsh chemicals.
No long-term health effects should occur from touching fiberglass. Eyes may become red and irritated after exposure to fiberglass. Soreness in the nose and throat can result when fibers are inhaled. Asthma and bronchitis can be aggravated by exposure to fiberglass.
Most manufactured shower stalls (made from fiberglass or acrylic) cost anywhere from $700 to $3,000 to install. You can find prefab models made from lightweight plastic for as little as $300. These showers are: Relatively affordable.
Use an appropriate waterproof or moisture-resistant backing material behind grouted tile or stone or segmented plastic or fiberglass tub and shower surrounds. Appropriate materials include cement board which has a cementitious core and glass mats on both sides to strengthen the board.
It is relatively stronger than the traditional ceramic and metal tubs and more beautiful, too. However, with constant use and abuse, it will eventually incur cracks, scratches and get chipped off as well.
Push Test: Gently push on the sides of the tub. If it feels flexible and has some give, it is likely fiberglass. Acrylic tubs are more rigid.
Most cracks in acrylic and fiberglass showers happen in the pan (the area where you stand). This area gets the most wear and tear because the weight of standing on it makes it flex slightly and after a while this weakens the area and causes it to crack.
Drywall on its own is not suitable for use in bathrooms because it is prone to absorbing moisture and thus losing structural integrity. Besides being structurally compromised, wet drywall can allow moisture into your house's framework and cause long-term damage to your home.
This usually occurs between the floor and wall joints of the shower recess. Up to 90% of showers built onto a stud wall will eventually leak because a gap will occur between the tiled wall and the shower recess floor.
Tile Shower: Tile showers are renowned for their durability and can last 20 years or more when properly maintained. The key to their longevity lies in the materials used and regular upkeep. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are often chosen for their resistance to water damage and staining.
"There really is no difference in regards to skin benefits whether you shower in the morning or the evening," Castilla says.
Most professionals recommend updating your bathroom every 7-10 years, especially if you plan to make it a permanent family home. This may not always involve replacing the shower, but it's a good idea to assess whether the shower needs to be replaced after about 10-15 years.
While the specifics of your new shower will determine how much you'll pay, the average cost of an acrylic shower is around $3000, compared to the average cost of a tile shower, which is around $8,000. Even though those exact numbers can vary, acrylic is almost always a cheaper option than tile.
A: Acrylic shower panels generally have a lifespan of around 15 years. However, high-quality materials and proper maintenance can extend this up to 25 years.
DO NOT USE acidic or abrasive materials on acrylic shower walls or shower glass, including harsh chemical cleaners and steel wool. To disinfect your shower, use a diluted bleach solution of 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water.