The Walk-In Shower Remodel Part 1: A Step-by-Step Guide
neill • October 9, 2025
The Remodel Revealed: The Ekon Bath Walk-In Shower Process
I'm often asked by clients what the secret is to a flawless bathroom, and honestly, the answer is always the process. A walk-in shower-only remodel is a focused, impactful renovation, and we've broken down our approach into simple phases so you know exactly what to expect from the moment we step into your East Texas home.
Phase 1: Preparation, Demolition, and Rough-In
This is the foundational stage where we protect your home and ensure the long-term structural success of your new shower space.
- Initial Protection: We treat your home like our own. We implement meticulous floor protection along all walking paths and utilize HEPA vacuum filtration systems and plastic sheeting barriers to minimize dust migration.
- Surgical Demolition: We carefully remove and dispose of the existing shower enclosure, base, and surrounding tile to expose the underlying frame.
- Framing & Safety Blocking: Any necessary framing adjustments, like creating a curbless entry or constructing a new pony wall, are completed. Crucially, we build into the pre-existing Stud Framing...adding precise blocking inside the walls now to securely hold grab bars, niches, and future accessories.
- Plumbing & Electrical Rough-in: Our team adjusts all in-wall and under-floor plumbing lines to accommodate the new shower drain location and performs any rough-in for new fixtures (showerhead, controls) and electrical wiring.
Phase 2: The Waterproofing (For Our Tile Showers)
This is the most critical phase for a long-lasting, stress-free tile shower. It's the assurance that your investment is protected.
- Backer Board Foundation: We install Schluter Kerdi Board on the walls to create a solid, water-resistant surface that is ready for your chosen finish.
- Waterproofing Membrane: We apply a continuous, sealed waterproofing membrane over the entire surface, creating a barrier that prevents any water from penetrating the walls or the wood behind them.
Phase 3: The Finishes and Final Fixture Installation
This is where your vision comes to life and the bathroom truly begins to take shape.
- Wall Installation: We install your chosen wall finish. For our Single Panel (Non-Tile) clients, we install the seamless, low-maintenance panels and coordinating shower base that will be the centerpiece of your new shower, including built-in niches and accessories. For the tile showers, our team meticulously installs each piece per the design layout request.
- Shower Floor & Fixtures: New flooring is installed in the shower space. We then install your shower fixtures (showerhead, temperature valve, etc.), along with any integrated accessories and grab bars.
- Custom Glass Enclosure: The final, elegant touch is installing the custom-manufactured 3/8-inch tempered frameless glass system. For the cherry on top, we also apply a 5-year ceramic coating to the interior glass surface to minimize water spotting and maximize maintenance ease.
By breaking down the process into these deliberate phases, we remove the mystery of a renovation. Our goal is to ensure you feel confident and excited at every step of your walk-in shower remodel.
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Can you turn a 1980s bathtub into a luxury Art Deco shower? Yes. By combining custom architectural arches, high-flow plumbing for 13 water outlets, and specialized "aging-in-place" safety features, you can transform a dated bathroom into a spa-like "rainforest" sanctuary that increases home value and personal comfort. The Vision: More Than Just a Bathroom When I first met Griff Hubbard through the Rotary Club of Longview, I knew his project would be special. Griff is a man of history, particularly railroad history, and his home reflects that soul. He didn't just want a new shower; he wanted the "crowning achievement" of his home—a space that felt like an Art Deco rainforest. To truly understand Griff’s vision, I did something most contractors don't: I listened to his railroad history podcasts. This allowed us to build a design that wasn't just functional, but deeply personal. Engineering the "Rainforest" Experience The centerpiece of this transformation is the "Rainforest" shower system. To achieve this level of luxury, we had to overcome significant technical hurdles: 13 Water Outlets: We installed a massive array of body sprayers and the largest rain head Ekon Bath has ever commissioned. High-Volume Plumbing: Most older homes aren't built for this much water. We coordinated with specialists to ensure the water pressure and hot water capacity could handle the "rainforest" flow. Custom Art Deco Hardware: When standard handles didn't fit the 1920s aesthetic, we sourced custom hardware and even had a machine shop create a bespoke Art Deco drain cover. Design Details: Where History Meets Luxury Griff’s bathroom is a masterclass in Art Deco design . We replaced the standard square shower entry with a striking architectural archway . This creates a sense of "arriving" at a destination rather than just stepping into a shower. We also prioritized "Aging in Space" —a core value at Ekon Bath. While the shower looks like a high-end spa, it secretly includes reinforced support behind the walls for future safety features, ensuring Griff can enjoy this sanctuary for the next 40 years. The Ekon "Red Carpet" Experience At Ekon Bath, we believe the process should be as beautiful as the result. For Griff, that meant: Daily Cleanliness: We vacuumed and dusted every single afternoon so Griff could live comfortably during the renovation. Above and Beyond: To finish the job, we didn't just clean the bathroom; we power-washed his back patio to leave his entire home better than we found it.
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