Custom Tile Showers in Dr. Phillips, FL

Bathrooms from the 1970s through the 1990s

Dr. Phillips is an unincorporated community in southwest Orange County, known for the Sand Lake Road dining corridor, the Bay Hill golf community and the lakes along its western edge. Much of its housing went up between the 1970s and the 1990s, with newer infill and rebuilt homes mixed in. That gives the area a very recognizable set of bathroom designs.

Homes from the late 1970s and 1980s often have cultured-marble vanity tops and shower walls, small square tile with wide grout joints, and a separate stall with a low ceiling soffit. Homes from the late 1980s and 1990s frequently feature a large corner whirlpool or jetted tub on a raised tiled deck, surrounded by windows, next to a modest shower stall with a framed door. Those tubs take up a lot of floor space, can be hard to step into and are often the first thing homeowners want gone.

Removing a deck-mounted tub usually frees enough room for a much larger walk-in shower, sometimes with a separate freestanding tub if you still want one. Because these homes are typically on slabs, we map the existing drain lines and check the slab before finalizing the layout. A shower built under a window also needs careful detailing, so we plan the window sill, waterproofing and glass together.

Hard water, humidity and older showers

Showers that are twenty to forty years old in this climate have had a long time to absorb moisture. Central Florida’s hard water leaves mineral film on glass and fixtures, and humid summers keep grout damp. When we remove older stalls we sometimes find that the original pan or backer board has failed, so we account for that possibility when planning.

A new Luxive shower is built on a continuous waterproofing membrane with a properly sloped floor and a drain matched to the layout. Larger porcelain tile reduces grout maintenance, high-performance grout resists staining, and coated low-iron glass is easier to keep clear. Our waterproofing guide describes each layer.

Orange County permits and community rules

Because Dr. Phillips is not its own city, remodel permits for most homes here go through Orange County. A project that moves plumbing, changes walls or adds electrical work for lighting or heated floors is the kind of job that typically needs one, and we confirm what applies to your address.

Bay Hill and many neighborhoods around the Sand Lake area have HOAs. Their rules usually focus on exteriors, but contractor parking, working hours and dumpster placement are often covered. Condominiums in the area may also require insurance certificates before work begins.

Cost and getting started

Tub removal, plumbing changes and glass size have the biggest effect on budget for a Dr. Phillips primary bath. Read the custom shower cost guide, review our pricing, and contact us to set up a consultation.