Orangevale Marble-Tile Shower Remodel

Name: Oakwood Remodeling Group
Address: Rocklin, CA, 95677, US
Telephone: (916) 907-8782
Price range: $$-$$$

Project at a Glance

Location: Orangevale, CA
Project type: Master Shower Remodel
Key materials: Large-format marble-look porcelain tile; Wood-look porcelain floor tile; Frameless glass enclosure
Contractor: Oakwood Remodeling Group, Rocklin, CA (Lic #1125321)
Permit authority for Orangevale: Sacramento County Building Permits & Inspection

Before & After

BEFORE

Before: Orangevale master bathroom wide view showing glass block shower wall, vaulted ceiling and dated double vanity with tile countertop — The full master bath before — glass block shower wall, tile-top vanity and dated light fixture.

Before: Orangevale master bathroom showing full glass block shower wall with wooden stool and dated vanity — Glass block wall from the vanity side — the bulky partition closed off the room.

AFTER

After: Orangevale master shower fixtures close-up showing marble-look tile, brushed nickel rain head and slide-bar handheld — Close-up of the dual shower system — rain head and adjustable handheld on a slide bar.

After: Orangevale master shower glass enclosure from the bathroom doorway with vaulted ceiling and wood beam — Full enclosure view from the doorway — the half-wall keeps the room feeling open.

After: Orangevale master bathroom showing double vanity area and new marble-look tile shower visible through frameless glass — The existing vanity with the new shower visible through the frameless glass.

After: Orangevale master shower wide view showing frameless glass enclosure, pony wall and vanity area with vaulted ceiling — Wide angle: the open enclosure makes the master bath feel twice as large.

After: Orangevale master shower interior showing built-in double niche, grab bar and tiled bench seat — Built-in double niche, grab bar and bench seat — function without sacrificing style.

The Challenge

The glass block wall blocked natural light, made the master bathroom feel cramped, and the beige tile throughout dated the space. The homeowner wanted a modern shower that opened up the room without a full bathroom gut.

Our Solution

We removed the glass block wall and rebuilt the shower with large-format marble-look porcelain tile carried to the ceiling. A frameless glass enclosure with a half-height pony wall replaced the block partition, keeping the room open while containing water. A tiled bench seat, double niche and grab bar add daily function. The dual shower system — rain head plus slide-bar handheld — upgrades the experience. New wood-look floor tile ties the shower to the bathroom.

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Scope of Work

1Removed glass block shower wall
2Marble-look porcelain tile to ceiling
3Frameless glass enclosure with pony wall
4Built-in tiled bench seat
5Double recessed niche
6Grab bar
7Dual shower system — rain head and handheld
8Wood-look floor tile

Materials Used

✓Large-format marble-look porcelain tile
✓Wood-look porcelain floor tile
✓Frameless glass enclosure
✓Brushed nickel fixtures

Key Features

✓Frameless glass with pony wall
✓Dual shower system
✓Built-in bench seat
✓Double recessed niche
✓Grab bar
✓Tile to ceiling

Questions About This Orangevale Project

Why replace a glass block shower wall with a pony wall and frameless glass?

Glass block is heavy, blocks sightlines and traps light. A half-height pony wall with frameless glass above keeps water contained while letting light pass through, making the bathroom look and feel larger.

Does marble-look porcelain tile require sealing?

No. Porcelain is fired at high temperatures and has near-zero water absorption, so it never needs sealing — unlike natural marble, which requires periodic sealing to prevent staining.

Can you add a shower bench without losing floor space?

Yes. A built-in tiled bench is cantilevered from the wall or built on a curb at one end of the shower. It adds a seating area without narrowing the main shower zone.