A walk-in shower is the most requested single upgrade in the bathrooms we renovate across Toronto and the GTA. It changes how a bathroom looks and how it functions, and when it's built properly, it lasts decades without issues. Built poorly, it leaks into the subfloor within a few years. The difference is the waterproofing, and that's where our Wedi Pro Certified installation matters.

We design and build walk-in showers of every type: curbless barrier-free showers with linear drains, classic shower enclosures with low-profile curbs, large-format tile walls and floors, frameless glass enclosures, built-in niches and benches, rain shower heads, steam systems, and everything in between. Every shower we build starts with proper waterproofing and ends with clean, precise tile work and a finish that looks like it was always meant to be there.

Walk-in curbless shower installation by Chris Tile & Renovations Toronto

We serve all of Toronto and the GTA including Mississauga, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Oakville, and Burlington. Whether you're converting a tub to a walk-in shower or building a completely new shower as part of a full master bathroom renovation, we handle the entire project from demolition through final glass installation.

CURBLESS DESIGN

What Is a Curbless Shower?

A curbless shower, also called a barrier-free or zero-threshold shower, has no step or raised curb at the entry. The bathroom floor transitions directly and seamlessly into the shower area. Water is managed by a sloped floor that directs it toward a linear drain running along one wall or a central point drain, depending on the design.

Better Aesthetics

Removing the curb makes a bathroom feel larger and more open. Large-format tile running continuously from the bathroom floor into the shower without interruption is one of the most popular design choices we build, and for good reason — it looks right.

Accessibility

No step means no trip hazard and no barrier for mobility aids. Curbless showers are the foundation of accessible bathroom design and are required for aging-in-place renovations. We are Adaptiv Home and BuildABILITY certified for this work.

Easier Cleaning

No curb means no grout lines at the base of a curb trapping mold and soap scum. Curbless showers are genuinely easier to keep clean than traditional curbed enclosures, which is a real quality-of-life improvement.

Requires Expertise

A curbless shower only works if the waterproofing and slope are done correctly. Water must drain toward the drain, not toward the bathroom. The floor needs precise slope — typically 1/4 inch per foot — and the waterproofing must extend beyond the visible shower area. This is not a forgiving build and requires an experienced installer.

OUR PROCESS

How We Build a Walk-In Shower

Every walk-in shower we build follows the same process. No shortcuts, no skipped steps:

1

Demolition and Assessment

We remove the existing tub or shower, strip back to the studs, and assess the subfloor, framing, plumbing, and any moisture damage from the previous installation. In older Toronto homes we often find issues that need addressing before waterproofing begins. We document everything and update you before proceeding with any additional scope.

2

Plumbing Rough-In

Shower valve, drain location, and any supply line modifications are completed before any waterproofing or substrate work begins. For curbless showers with linear drains, drain placement is critical and is set at this stage. We work with licensed plumbers on any plumbing that requires permits.

3

Wedi Pro Waterproofing

We install Wedi board throughout the shower — walls, floor, niche, and ceiling if required. Wedi is a rigid foam board with a waterproof surface that eliminates the need for a separate membrane. All joints and seams are sealed with Wedi joint sealant. The system is pressure-tested before any tile goes down. This is the most important step and the one most contractors skip or cut corners on.

4

Tile Installation

Floor tile is laid with precise slope toward the drain. Wall tile is laid from the floor up with consistent grout joints and proper offset patterns. Large-format tiles, subway tile, mosaic accents, herringbone patterns — we work with any tile format you choose. We set tile in polymer-modified thin-set rated for wet areas and use unsanded or epoxy grout for the floor depending on joint width.

5

Fixtures, Niches and Glass

Shower valve, rain head or handheld head, and any body sprays are installed. Built-in niches are finished with tile or a contrasting material. The frameless glass enclosure is templated and installed last once tile is fully cured. We work with glass suppliers for custom frameless panels and hardware to match your design.

Walk-In Shower Features We Build

Every shower we build is custom. Here are the features and options our GTA clients typically choose from:

Large-Format Tile

24x48, 24x24, 12x24 and larger tile formats. Fewer grout lines means a cleaner look and easier maintenance. We handle large-format tile installation with leveling systems for perfectly flat walls and floors.

Frameless Glass Enclosure

10mm tempered glass panels with minimal hardware. Frameless glass is the most popular enclosure choice for walk-in showers because it showcases the tile work and keeps the bathroom feeling open. Custom templated to fit your shower exactly.

Linear Drain

A linear drain runs along one wall of the shower and allows the floor to slope in one direction only, making large-format tile much cleaner on the floor. Also the best option for curbless barrier-free showers. We supply and install Schluter, Infinity Drain, or equivalent.

Rain Shower Head

Ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted rain heads in a wide range of sizes and finishes. Often paired with a handheld on a slide bar for versatility. We rough in for the rain head during plumbing and set the valve position for optimal reach and coverage.

Built-In Niches

Recessed tile niches for shampoo and soap — no shelf brackets, no caddies. We build niches into the wall during framing and waterproof them as part of the Wedi system. Single, double, or full-height niches depending on your preference.

Built-In Bench

A tiled bench built into the shower, either running the full width of one wall or as a corner bench. Popular in larger showers and essential in accessible bathroom builds. Waterproofed and tiled as part of the full shower system.

Steam Shower

We build fully sealed steam showers with steam generator, ceiling slope to prevent condensation dripping, and continuous tile seal. Steam requires a fully enclosed shower with a door that seals properly. We design and build the enclosure to support steam from the ground up.

Heated Shower Floor

In-floor radiant heat under the shower floor tile. We install electric mat systems set in the proper mortar bed and test before tiling. Combined with heated bathroom floors it makes the whole space genuinely comfortable year-round.

Walk-In Shower Cost in Toronto (2026)

Pricing depends on the size of the shower, the tile you choose, the glass enclosure, and whether it's a standalone conversion or part of a larger bathroom renovation. Here's a practical breakdown:

Shower Type What's Included Price Range
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Remove tub, Wedi waterproofing, standard tile, semi-frameless door $8K – $14K
Custom Walk-In Shower Wedi waterproofing, large-format tile, frameless glass, rain head, niche $15K – $25K
Curbless / Barrier-Free Linear drain, continuous floor tile, Wedi, frameless glass, all custom $18K – $30K
Steam Shower Sealed enclosure, steam generator, ceiling slope, full custom tile and glass $22K – $40K+
Shower in Master Bath Reno Walk-in shower as part of a complete master bathroom renovation See master bath pricing

Tile selection significantly affects price. Imported large-format tile, specialty stone, and custom patterns cost more than standard selections. We'll walk you through options during your free quote. Book yours here →

Frequently Asked Questions

A basic tub-to-shower conversion with standard tile and a semi-frameless door starts around $8,000 to $14,000. A custom walk-in shower with large-format tile, frameless glass, rain head, and niche typically runs $15,000 to $25,000. A curbless barrier-free shower with a linear drain runs $18,000 to $30,000. Tile selection, glass hardware, and shower size all affect the final number. We provide a free in-home quote with a full line-by-line breakdown. Book yours here.

A walk-in shower is a general term for any open shower you walk into without a tub enclosure — it may or may not have a curb at the entry. A curbless shower specifically refers to a shower with no threshold or curb, where the floor transitions directly from the bathroom into the shower area. All curbless showers are walk-in showers, but not all walk-in showers are curbless. Curbless showers require more precise waterproofing and floor slope to function correctly, and are preferred for both aesthetic and accessibility reasons.

We use Wedi waterproofing systems and are Wedi Pro Certified installers. Wedi is a rigid foam board with a factory-applied waterproof surface. It installs directly over the framing and eliminates the need for a separate cement board and membrane layer. All joints are sealed with Wedi joint sealant and the system is tested before tiling begins. It is one of the most reliable waterproofing systems available for shower construction and the reason our showers hold up long-term.

A tub-to-shower conversion typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. A custom walk-in or curbless shower as a standalone project takes 1.5 to 3 weeks. When the shower is part of a full master bathroom renovation, the total project runs 3 to 5 weeks. The waterproofing and thin-set need proper cure time before the next step proceeds, which is a step we never rush. The glass enclosure is typically installed last once tile is fully cured, and usually arrives 1 to 2 weeks after being templated.

Yes, and this is actually one of the most popular layouts in master bathroom renovations. A freestanding soaker tub alongside a separate walk-in shower is a common request in the GTA's larger homes. We build this layout regularly. The shower gets proper waterproofing, tile, and frameless glass, and the tub sits on a finished tile floor with the proper drain and supply lines. The two elements complement each other well and the combination photographs better than either alone.

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