Type 3 Shower: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When you hear Type 3 shower, a standard residential shower system with a sloped, waterproof pan and tiled walls, commonly used in new builds and renovations. Also known as slope-floor shower, it’s the go-to choice for most homeowners because it’s durable, affordable, and easy to maintain. Unlike Type 1 or Type 2 showers—where the pan is integrated into the floor or uses a pre-molded base—a Type 3 shower is built on-site with a custom slope, usually made from cement board or a similar substrate, then covered in waterproof membrane and tile. This design gives you full control over the slope, drain placement, and finish, but it also means the quality depends heavily on how well it’s installed.

What makes a Type 3 shower work isn’t just the tiles—it’s the waterproofing, the layering of membranes, flashing, and sealants that prevent water from seeping into walls and subfloors. If this step is rushed or skipped, you’ll deal with mold, rot, or ceiling leaks down the line. Most contractors use liquid-applied membranes like RedGard or sheet membranes like Kerdi, but not all do it right. You need at least two coats on the walls and floor, with extra attention around the drain and corners. The shower pan, the sloped base that directs water to the drain is another critical piece. It should slope at least 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain, and the drain itself must be properly sealed to the pipe. A poorly sloped pan means standing water, which invites mildew and makes cleaning a nightmare.

People choose Type 3 showers because they’re flexible. You can use any tile you want—large-format porcelain, natural stone, even mosaic accents—without being stuck with a generic pre-fab base. They also work well in remodels where you’re dealing with uneven floors or existing plumbing that can’t be moved easily. But they’re not for everyone. If you’re not planning to stay in your home for more than five years, a simpler pre-fab unit might save you money upfront. But if you want a shower that lasts 20+ years without repairs, a well-built Type 3 shower is the smart play.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real-world examples of Type 3 showers in action: how to tile them without cracks, how to fix a leaky drain without tearing out the whole thing, and why warm white tiles and matte finishes are trending right now. You’ll also see what bathroom flooring and vanity colors pair best with these showers, and how smart features like heated floors or steam systems can be added without compromising the waterproofing. Whether you’re building new or fixing an old one, the guides here cut through the noise and show you exactly what works—and what doesn’t—based on actual installs and homeowner results.