I hear what you are saying about the expense of tile. A nice shower unit will give you a better bang for your buck and you won't have to clean grout! After shopping for plumbing the better part of 2010, please don't limit yourself to the big box. Go to the plumbing suppliers in your area (all of them if you can) - they almost always have attached showrooms. If any eyebrows are raised, tell them your contractor sent you. Anyway, they sell a ton of these units and will have some in every price category. You will see many models not available at Lowes, and more importantly, will be able to see them installed. The prices are usually comparable for the same items.

As for the shower curtain, I used one this way for a long time with no problem and never thought about a door. In fact, you might not ever put up a door since cleaning glass is a hassle and you can change the whole look of a room with a new curtain.

Thanks Catherine, I will do as you sugested. I am glad to hear this about the curtain because I originally wanted a curtain so I could change the look of things in the room. Terri

I went with a curbless shower + shower screen.

1. All Tile: Created from scratch by tile installers. Your own imagination is the limit. The pan (or floor) is also tile.

2. Tile With Pan: Because tile pans are difficult to create, DIY tilers often use one-piece prefabricated tile pans. This also keeps the angle of drainage consistent.
3. Single-Piece Prefab Units: Expensive, but seams are reduced or eliminated altogether. Keep in mind that single-piece units may be difficult to get into an older home with limited access.
4. Corner Multipiece Prefab Showers: Relatively inexpensive units which have two walls of glass and allow for maximum light. You can either pair up the glass walls with two tiled walls or use prefab wall unit panels.
5. Multi-Piece Prefab Shower: These multi-piece wall units are easy to get through doors and easy to install.

Thanks everyone. David you shower & bathroom look very nice. Trust me if I had more money Greencleaning it would all be fancy tile...maybe some day but for now we will have to go with a multi piece prefab shower unit & tile on the bathroom floor. I am not complaining, compared to stained carpet & a tiny little shower this is gonna be a lot better.

When you find what you are looking, be sure and post pics..I'm not interested in tile shower and so I will be very interested in your three piece shower surround.
I'm interested in the different material that will be easy cleaning. Good luck with your search.