Highlands Ranch Shower Remodel: Correcting a Failed Shower Pan
A senior-friendly shower rebuilt the right way — DensShield walls, LATICRETE waterproofing, 24×48 marble-look tile, floating bench, grab bars, and digital thermostatic controls.
Project Overview
This shower remodel in Highlands Ranch, Colorado started as a rescue project. The homeowners, an older couple, had already hired another contractor to build their new shower, but when we arrived to look at the finished work, it was clear the shower pan had not been built correctly. That meant the most important part of the shower was unreliable from the start.
Instead of trying to patch over someone else's mistake, we removed the improperly built shower pan and rebuilt the assembly the right way. Once the foundation of the shower was corrected, we focused on what mattered most to the clients: daily comfort, safer movement, easy access to toiletries, and a clean, modern design that would still feel practical years from now.
The finished shower combines corrective construction with thoughtful accessibility upgrades. We installed a large centered niche, grab bars positioned for better support, a floating bench, digitally controlled thermostatic plumbing, and 24×48 marble-look tile for a sleek, low-joint finish.
Project Details
Location
Highlands Ranch, CO
Project Type
Corrective Shower Remodel
Timeline
Approximately 3 weeks
Investment
Custom corrective remodel
Scope of Work
- Failed shower pan removal & rebuild
- DensShield walls + LATICRETE waterproofing
- Centered recessed niche
- Floating bench + grab bars
- Digital thermostatic controls
- 24×48 large-format tile + mosaic floor
The Challenge
The biggest issue was not cosmetic. It was structural and functional. The previous contractor had built the shower pan incorrectly, which put the entire shower at risk. In wet-area construction, the pan is not the place for shortcuts. When the base is wrong, everything above it is vulnerable, no matter how good the tile may look on the surface.
The homeowners also needed the new shower to work better for them physically. This was not just a style update. They wanted a more secure space with better support, easier temperature control, a place to sit when needed, and a large recessed niche that could be reached comfortably without cluttering the shower floor.
Our Solution
From corrective demolition to a fully waterproofed, accessible shower
Demolition & Corrective Rebuild
We started by removing the failed work so we could rebuild from a clean, dependable starting point. That gave us access to the framing, allowed us to correct the shower base properly, and gave us room to prepare the plumbing layout for the upgraded fixture package.
Wall Preparation & Waterproofing
Once the base was rebuilt, we prepared the shower walls with DensShield backer and treated the critical transitions carefully. The corners and seams were reinforced, and the wet-area walls were protected with a LATICRETE waterproofing membrane system.
This step matters because a tile shower is only as good as the waterproofing system behind it. Beautiful tile cannot compensate for poor moisture management.
Niche, Bench & Accessibility Features
The clients wanted a large niche centered on the back wall, so we framed and finished a wide recessed niche that became both a visual centerpiece and a practical storage solution. We also built a floating bench to provide seating without making the shower feel closed in or bulky.
To make the shower more comfortable for everyday use, we installed grab bars and upgraded the plumbing to an electronic thermostatic control system. That made temperature adjustment easier and helped tailor the shower to the clients' long-term needs.
Large-Format Tile & Mosaic Installation
For the finish materials, we installed 24×48 large-format tile with a marble-look pattern on the shower walls and ceiling. That gave the space a quieter, more luxurious look with fewer grout joints interrupting the surface.
On the floor and inside the niche, we used hexagon mosaic tile to handle the slope at the drain and add a subtle visual contrast. The combination of large-format walls and mosaic details creates a refined, intentional design.
Accessibility & Comfort Features
Designed for safer, more comfortable daily use
Grab Bars
Positioned for better support and stability during daily use
Floating Bench
Seating without bulk — comfortable and space-efficient
Digital Controls
Electronic thermostatic system for precise, easy temperature adjustment
Large Centered Niche
Easy-reach storage that doubles as a visual focal point
Project Gallery
From failed shower pan to a beautifully finished, accessible space
Technical Standards & Materials
Built to code with industry-standard waterproofing and construction methods
- ANSI A108.13 for bonded waterproof membrane installations
- TCNA guidelines for movement joints to reduce tile stress
- CTEF shower slope standard: 1/4" per foot to drain
- Georgia-Pacific DensShield manufacturer specifications
- LATICRETE shower-system waterproofing at all transitions
- DensShield backer board — walls and ceiling
- LATICRETE waterproofing membrane system
- 24×48 marble-look large-format porcelain tile
- Hexagon mosaic tile — shower floor and niche interior
- Digital thermostatic plumbing controls
- Grab bars and floating bench for accessibility
The Results
This Highlands Ranch shower remodel solved two problems at once. First, it corrected a failed installation that should never have been left in place. Second, it transformed the shower into a safer, more comfortable space designed around the way the homeowners actually live.
The finished shower feels open and modern, but it is also practical. The large niche keeps products organized. The floating bench offers support without crowding the room. The grab bars improve confidence and stability. The digital thermostatic controls simplify everyday use. Most importantly, the shower now has the kind of waterproofing and construction approach that should have been there from the beginning.
What Our Clients Say
Carol & Dennis P.
Highlands Ranch
“After a terrible experience with another contractor who left our shower pan wrong, South Denver Tile Experts came in and rebuilt everything the right way. The grab bars, bench, and digital controls make our shower so much easier to use. We finally feel safe and comfortable in our own bathroom.”
Janet M.
Centennial
“We had a similar situation where our previous contractor cut corners on the waterproofing. These guys tore it out and did it properly with DensShield and LATICRETE. The large-format marble tile looks absolutely stunning — you would never know this started as a corrective project.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about corrective shower remodels and large-format tile installations
Because the shower pan was built incorrectly. In a tile shower, the pan and waterproofing are what protect the structure. If that part is wrong, the safest decision is often to remove the failed work and rebuild the shower correctly instead of covering the problem with new tile.
Yes. A large part of professional shower remodeling is recognizing when previous work is not reliable, removing what cannot be trusted, and rebuilding the assembly so the homeowner is not left with a hidden leak or premature failure.
Corners, seams, and penetrations are some of the most vulnerable parts of any wet-area installation. Manufacturer guidance for DensShield calls for proper waterproof treatment at wet-area joints and fasteners, and LATICRETE sealing products are designed specifically for seams, transitions, and changes in plane in showers.
ANSI A108.13 is the recognized tile-installation standard for load-bearing bonded waterproof membranes used beneath thin-set ceramic tile and stone, and TCNA lists that standard as current.
Without proper slope, water does not move efficiently toward the drain, which can lead to drainage problems and long-term moisture issues. CTEF notes that shower slope should be built above the framing and should provide a quarter inch per foot to the drain.
Yes, when they are installed correctly. Large-format tiles can create a clean, modern appearance with fewer grout joints, which many homeowners prefer for both design and maintenance reasons. They also require careful layout and substrate preparation to keep the finished walls flat and visually balanced.
Absolutely. This project is a good example. The grab bars were integrated into a clean modern layout, and the floating bench gave the clients a useful place to sit without making the shower feel heavy or cramped.
A large centered niche improves storage, reduces clutter, and creates a strong visual focal point. In this shower, it also made everyday use easier for the homeowners because products could be reached comfortably from a standing or seated position.
No. Georgia-Pacific guidance states that DensShield should not be used as a shower pan base or in shower floors and curbs, which is one reason the underlying shower construction has to be approached carefully and built with the correct materials in the correct locations.
Related Services & Resources
Shower Remodeling Highlands Ranch
All shower remodeling services in Highlands Ranch
Bathroom Renovation
Complete bathroom remodel and tile installation
Shower Pan Repair Denver
Corrective shower pan rebuilds and waterproofing
Where to Browse Tile
Looking for large-format tile, mosaic, or shower materials? Browse these retailers:
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