A homeowner's guide to custom showers, waterproofing, floor preparation, and professional installation in Orange County, California.
At Shoreline Stone & Ceramics, we specialize in luxury bathroom tile remodeling and custom shower construction throughout Orange County and Southern California. With over 34 years of professional tile installation experience, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern waterproofing technology to create beautiful, durable bathrooms designed for everyday living. Based in Huntington Beach, California, our family-owned, owner-operated tile contracting company has been licensed since 2001. We take pride in providing the personal attention, technical knowledge, and meticulous craftsmanship that custom bathroom installations deserve. From traditional mortar-floated shower walls to large-format porcelain tile, curbless showers, custom niches, and heated bathroom floors, our focus is on doing the work correctly from the foundation up.
Custom Shower Construction & Installation
A beautiful shower begins long before the first tile is installed.
Proper preparation, waterproofing, drainage, and substrate construction are essential to creating a shower that performs reliably for years to come.
At Shoreline Stone & Ceramics, we specialize in building custom showers tailored to each homeowner's space, design preferences, and functional needs.
Our custom shower installation services include:
Traditional mortar-floated shower walls
Schluter waterproofing systems
Large-format porcelain and natural stone tile
Curbless and barrier-free shower construction
Linear and traditional shower drains
Custom recessed shower niches
Floating and built-in shower benches
Heated shower floors
Decorative mosaics and intricate tile layouts
Precision tile installation and finishing details
Whether you're remodeling an existing shower or creating a completely new bathroom, we emphasize quality construction methods and careful attention to every detail.
Traditional Mortar-Floated Shower Walls
Time-Tested Craftsmanship for Precision Tile Installation
Traditional mortar-floated shower construction remains one of our specialties. Unlike prefabricated tile backer boards, mortar-floated walls are constructed using cement mortar applied over an appropriately prepared reinforcing system. This traditional installation method allows an experienced tile craftsman to create exceptionally flat, plumb, and accurately aligned wall surfaces. These qualities are especially important when installing large-format porcelain, natural stone, and detailed tile layouts. With decades of experience in traditional mortar construction, Shoreline Stone & Ceramics understands the preparation and craftsmanship required to build a proper foundation for beautiful tile installations. We also install modern tile backer-board systems when appropriate for the project. Our goal is not to promote one construction method for every application, but to select the system that best meets the requirements of the installation.
Schluter Waterproofing Systems
Protecting Your Bathroom Beneath the Tile
One of the most important components of a custom shower is something homeowners rarely see once the project is completed: the waterproofing system. Ceramic and porcelain tiles provide durable, water-resistant surfaces, but tile and grout alone do not create a waterproof shower assembly. Proper waterproofing is essential to protecting the surrounding structure from moisture intrusion.
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics has extensive experience installing modern bonded waterproofing systems, including products manufactured by Schluter Systems.
Depending on project requirements, our installations may incorporate:
Schluter KERDI waterproofing membranes
Schluter KERDI-BOARD wall systems
Schluter shower trays and drainage components
Waterproofed shower niches and benches
Integrated waterproofing at corners, seams, and penetrations
Compatible waterproofing and drainage assemblies
We emphasize manufacturer-approved installation methods and applicable Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. The result is a properly constructed foundation designed to support a beautiful, long-lasting tile installation.
Large-Format Porcelain Tile Installation
Modern Design With Fewer Grout Joints
Large-format porcelain tile has become increasingly popular in luxury bathroom remodeling. Tile sizes such as 24" × 48" and 48" × 48" can create a clean, contemporary appearance with significantly fewer grout joints than traditional smaller-format tile. Fewer grout joints can also simplify routine cleaning and maintenance. However, large-format tile requires specialized installation knowledge. Substrate flatness, proper mortar selection, tile handling, directional troweling, mortar coverage, and precision layout all become especially important as tile dimensions increase.
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics specializes in large-format porcelain installations, carefully preparing surfaces and selecting installation materials appropriate for each project. Our experience allows us to incorporate large-format porcelain into shower walls, bathroom floors, custom benches, and other architectural features.
Curbless Showers & Aging-in-Place Bathrooms
Beautiful Design With Improved Accessibility
Curbless showers offer a seamless transition between the bathroom floor and shower area. Beyond their contemporary appearance, they can provide meaningful accessibility benefits for homeowners planning to age in place. By eliminating the traditional shower curb, these designs can reduce a common obstacle when entering or exiting the shower.
Additional features may include:
Accessible shower entrances
Built-in or floating shower benches
Conveniently positioned recessed niches
Linear shower drains
Slip-resistant tile surfaces
Thoughtful layouts that accommodate changing mobility needs
Constructing a curbless shower requires careful planning. The shower floor must maintain proper drainage slope while integrating waterproofing with the surrounding bathroom floor. Depending on the existing structure, this may require recessing the shower foundation, modifying floor elevations, or selecting specialized shower systems.
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics has experience with the technical construction methods necessary to create custom curbless showers. We also recommend considering waterproofing beyond the immediate shower area to provide additional protection where appropriate.
Explore our detailed guide to Curbless Showers & Aging-in-Place Bathroom Remodeling.
Custom Shower Niches, Benches & Architectural Details
The details often distinguish an ordinary bathroom from an exceptional custom installation. We specialize in incorporating functional and decorative features that complement the overall bathroom design.
Recessed Shower Niches
Custom shower niches provide convenient storage while maintaining a clean, integrated appearance. We carefully consider niche placement, dimensions, waterproofing, tile layout, and finishing details. Options may include decorative accent tile, integrated shelves, and appropriately rated LED lighting.
Custom Shower Benches
Built-in and floating shower benches can provide comfort, convenience, and architectural interest. Depending on the design and construction requirements, benches may be finished with porcelain tile, natural stone, or fabricated slab materials. Proper structural support, waterproofing, and drainage are essential considerations.
Linear Shower Drains
Linear drains can complement contemporary shower designs and may allow the shower floor to slope in a single direction. This can make it possible to incorporate larger-format tile into the shower floor, reducing the number of grout joints compared with traditional mosaic installations. Proper drain selection, waterproofing compatibility, and floor slope are essential to successful installation.
Heated Bathroom Floors & Shower Floors
Everyday Comfort Beneath Your Feet
Radiant heated tile flooring adds comfort to bathroom spaces, especially during cooler mornings.
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics has more than 20 years of experience installing electric radiant floor heating systems, including NuHeat products.
We also have experience with Schluter electric floor-warming systems.
Depending on the project, radiant heating may be incorporated beneath:
Bathroom porcelain tile floors
Natural stone flooring
Custom shower floors using approved systems
Other compatible tiled surfaces
Heated flooring systems require proper planning, substrate preparation, electrical coordination, and installation in accordance with manufacturer requirements. When incorporated into a custom bathroom remodel, radiant heating provides an additional level of comfort without compromising the finished design.
Our Approach to Quality Tile Installation
The Foundation Matters Just as Much as the Finish
At Shoreline Stone & Ceramics, we believe exceptional tile installations begin with proper preparation. What lies beneath the tile is just as important as the finished surface.
Our installation approach emphasizes:
Substrate Preparation: Evaluating and preparing surfaces to meet the requirements of the selected tile and installation system.
Waterproofing: Selecting compatible waterproofing assemblies and carefully treating seams, corners, transitions, and penetrations.
Professional Setting Materials: Using appropriate mortars, membranes, and grout products for the installation.
Precision Layout: Planning tile placement to achieve balanced layouts, consistent joints, and carefully finished transitions.
Industry Standards: Following applicable TCNA installation methods, ANSI standards, and manufacturer requirements.
Attention to Detail: Maintaining clean cuts, accurate alignment, and thoughtful finishing throughout the project.
Our goal is to create installations that are not only beautiful when completed but also constructed for dependable long-term performance.
Why Choose Shoreline Stone & Ceramics?
Experience, Craftsmanship & Personal Attention
Choosing the right tile contractor is one of the most important decisions in a custom bathroom remodel.
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics offers homeowners a combination of traditional craftsmanship, modern installation knowledge, and decades of hands-on experience.
Over 34 Years of Experience
Our professional tile installation experience dates back to 1992, with California contractor licensing beginning in 2001.
Family-Owned & Owner-Operated
We are a small company that prioritizes quality craftsmanship, personal attention, and detailed installations rather than high-volume production.
Specialized Custom Shower Expertise
Our experience includes mortar-floated shower construction, bonded waterproofing systems, large-format porcelain, natural stone, curbless showers, and custom architectural details.
Professional Installation Standards
We emphasize appropriate TCNA and ANSI installation methods and manufacturer-approved materials.
Quality From the Foundation Up
We understand that proper preparation and waterproofing are essential to a successful bathroom installation.
Clear Communication
We work closely with homeowners, designers, general contractors, and other trades to help projects progress smoothly.
Custom Bathroom Tile Installation Throughout Orange County
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics is based in Huntington Beach, California, and provides custom bathroom tile installation services throughout Orange County and select surrounding Southern California communities.
Our service area includes:
Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Seal Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Woods, and Long Beach.
We specialize in residential projects where craftsmanship, technical expertise, and attention to detail are priorities. Whether you're planning a luxury bathroom renovation in Newport Beach, a curbless shower in Laguna Beach, or a custom porcelain tile installation in Huntington Beach, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a custom shower different from a standard shower installation?
A custom shower is designed and constructed around the specific dimensions, layout, materials, and functional requirements of the bathroom. Features may include custom waterproofing assemblies, mortar-floated walls, linear drains, large-format porcelain, recessed niches, and built-in benches.
Are mortar-floated shower walls better than cement backer boards?
Both systems can provide excellent foundations when installed correctly. Mortar-floated walls allow an experienced installer to create highly accurate, flat, and plumb surfaces. Modern backer-board systems offer other advantages, including reduced weight and installation efficiency. The appropriate method depends on the project's requirements.
Can large-format porcelain tile be installed on shower floors?
Yes, when the shower design, drainage configuration, tile characteristics, and installation system are appropriate. Linear drains can accommodate single-plane slopes, making larger-format tile installations possible in certain shower designs.
Are curbless showers suitable for aging in place?
Curbless showers can improve accessibility by eliminating the raised entrance curb. When combined with appropriate floor surfaces, benches, grab bars, and thoughtful layouts, they can support homeowners who want to remain comfortable and independent in their homes.
Do tile and grout make a shower waterproof?
No. Tile and grout are not substitutes for a properly designed waterproofing assembly. A shower must incorporate an appropriate water-management system beneath the finished tile.
Can radiant heating be installed inside a shower?
Yes. Certain electric radiant heating systems are approved for shower installations when installed according to the manufacturer's requirements and applicable electrical codes.
Let's Build Your Bathroom the Right Way
A custom bathroom remodel is an investment in your home's comfort, functionality, and long-term value.
At Shoreline Stone & Ceramics, we bring decades of experience, traditional craftsmanship, and modern installation expertise to every project.
Whether you're planning a complete custom shower, a luxury porcelain tile bathroom, or an accessible curbless shower, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your vision.
Shoreline Stone & Ceramics
Family-Owned Custom Tile Contractor
Huntington Beach, California
California C-54 License #873846
Call (714) 724-1400
Email: Jeff@tileartisan.com
Experienced craftsmanship. Proper preparation. Beautiful results.