Custom Shower Systems Make Luxurious Bathing a Vertical ExperienceSuper Soakers

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McClain attributes much of the growth to a shift away from whirlpool baths. Ten or 15 years ago, it was very important for builders to install whirlpool tubs, he says. "What's really changed is the pace of life. People don't have time to fill up a huge tub, much less sit and enjoy it. Showers make a lot of sense because that's something you're going to use every day."

Manufacturers continue to respond to demands for stand-up luxury with a growing variety of custom shower systems ranging from a few simple body sprays to full-length panels to elaborate, interchangeable systems, and with options for every type of spray imaginable. Steam, color, and sound also are increasingly incorporated to soothe the senses.

Showering in luxury can come at a steep price, however. An entry-level system with a showerhead, handshower, and a valve that allows the user to switch between fixtures can start at about $600 for materials. A full-fledged "vertical spa" with body sprays can run from $700 to $3,000, and adding features like steam, music, or lighting can send costs soaring.

Installation costs also are an issue, says Robert Jiminez, a plumbing contractor in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., who says putting together a complex system can take up to three days. Meanwhile, Jay Mayabb, owner of Plumbing by Jay in Frisco, Texas, says installing a shower system on one wall will usually double labor costs compared to a normal shower, and installing a system on multiple walls can triple the labor costs.

Combining the controls and fixtures of a custom shower into one pre-plumbed and portable unit, shower panels are one way for builders to quickly and easily provide a luxury shower experience or for remodelers to create a custom shower without tearing out an expensive tile job. "Those are going to be quicker to install, and you'll save some money in labor," Mayabb says. But, at a price of $500 to $3,500 for most units, he says it's usually more expensive to purchase a panel than to just have a plumber put the equivalent fixtures on the wall.

Mayabb, who installs almost all of his showers in bath remodels, says that builders and remodelers also need to take the home's plumbing infrastructure into account.