How to Build a Walk-In Shower That Lasts for Years

Introduction

Every custom home today includes at least one walk-in shower. Not only does a walk-in shower create a seamless design transition between bathroom andshower tiles, but it also provides a practical, accessible space for daily use.Zero-entry, also known as curbless showers, combine aesthetics withfunctionality—but there are critical components your builder must get right to prevent water-related issues down the road.

Common problems include water spilling out at the shower entrance, seeping beneath the shower pan, or leaking through the tile membrane. Here’s how Rivendale Homes in Austin, Texas ensures your walk-in shower is built to last.

Foundation

It all begins with the foundation design. Surprising, right? How can a shower start at the foundation? The reason is simple: a walk-in shower stillrequires a proper slope for water to drain efficiently. This slope iscritical—and arguably the most important step in the entire process.

To achieve it, the shower space must be recessed when the foundation ispoured—typically by 3.5 to 6 inches, depending on the design. At Rivendale Homes, our project manager, purchasing team, and foundation contractor reviewarchitectural plans early to identify any showers designed as curdles. This coordination ensures the foundation is poured with the necessary recess, setting the stage for everything that follows.

Fiberglass

Next, we build up the recessed area with a fine cement mix to form the slope toward the drain. This step is essential because drains in custom showersaren’t always centered; they might be placed at the back or along one side, and the slope must accommodate this for proper drainage.

Once the slope is set, we install a custom fiberglass pan. Concrete and cement alone aren’t waterproof, so the fiberglass pan is what truly keeps watercontained. Each pan is crafted on-site by an experienced professional and bonds seamlessly during the curing process. It wraps around the drain to ensureuninterrupted waterproofing—a small but vital detail that prevents leaks.

After curing for 2–4 days, we perform a water test using an inflatabledrain test ball to block the drain, fill the shower with water, and confirmthere are no leaks. A City of Austin residential inspector then verifies theresults. Once approved, we’re ready for tile preparation.

Hardie Backer and Tile

With the fiberglass pan complete, the shower still doesn’t look like a true walk-in—that’s intentional. At this point, the foundation recess and fiberglass waterproofing are in place. The next step is what brings the designate life: tile installation.

The tile installer “floats” the floor to achieve a flush appearance while maintaining a slight slope for drainage. It’s important to note that while the tile and float aid water flow, the actual waterproofing comes from the fiberglass beneath.

For the walls, we use Hardie Backer, a durable cement board. Joints and seams are sealed with an approved waterproofing product such as Red Gard. A common error to avoid is puncturing the fiberglass when installing the wall backer. At Rivendale Homes, we overlap the Hardie Backer with the fiberglass—without penetrating it—and float the walls to ensure they’re perfectly plumb.

Finally, the tile is installed, transforming the space from a recessed, waterproofed base into a seamless, elegant walk-in shower. At this stage, ourdesigners help you select tiles that match your vision, while our purchasing team ensures quality and value. This final step ties together the planning, precision, and craftsmanship that began at the foundation.

Conclusion

Walk-in showers have become a hallmark of modern custom homes, offering both elegance and practicality. But a flawless result requires careful planningand expert execution. At Rivendale Homes, we work closely with architects, ensure proper foundation design, and oversee every detail—from fiberglass installation to tile layout—so your walk-in shower remains as beautiful and problem-free as the day it was built.