Short answer
A shower pan (a one-piece acrylic or fibreglass base) is cheaper, faster and has no grout to clean, but only comes in set sizes and looks more basic. A tiled shower floor can be any size or shape, curbless, and matched to your bathroom floor, but costs more and needs proper waterproofing. A linear drain lets the floor slope in one direction, so you can use large tile and a curbless entry. A centre drain needs slope in four directions, which suits smaller tile or mosaics.
Shower pan vs tile at a glance
| Shower pan / base | Tiled shower floor | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher (slope, membrane, drain, tile labour) |
| Install time | Fast | Longer (build, flood test, tile, grout) |
| Sizes and shapes | Standard sizes only | Any size, shape or layout |
| Curbless / barrier-free | Limited low-profile options | Yes |
| Look | Plain, one colour | Matches or complements the room |
| Cleaning | Easiest: no grout | Grout to clean (epoxy grout helps) |
| Grip | Textured base | Small tile and grout lines give good grip |
| Main risk | Cracking if not fully supported underneath | Leaks if waterproofing is done poorly |
How a tiled shower floor is built
The floor is sloped to the drain, with a mortar bed or a pre-sloped foam tray, then covered in a waterproof membrane bonded to the drain, flood tested, and tiled. The tile and grout on top are the finish, not the waterproofing (see how to waterproof a shower).
Linear drain vs centre drain
| Linear drain | Centre (point) drain | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor slope | One direction (a single plane) | Four directions toward the middle |
| Tile size | Large tile works, even the same tile as the bathroom floor | Smaller tile or mosaics, or carefully cut large tile |
| Curbless entry | Ideal; place the drain at the back wall or the entrance | Possible but harder |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Look | Clean, modern line | Classic; tile-in grates available |
Which should you choose?
- Budget, rental or basement bathroom: a quality shower base is a sensible choice.
- Main or ensuite bathroom renovation: a tiled floor usually adds more value and looks finished.
- Aging in place or accessibility: a curbless tiled shower with a linear drain.
- Large-format tile everywhere: a linear drain lets the floor tile carry into the shower.
Cost in Ottawa
For typical price ranges on tiled showers, including floors, walls, niches and glass, see how much it costs to tile a shower in Ottawa.
