When homeowners begin researching shower wall materials, they often encounter a confusing mix of options: tile, acrylic panels, laminate wall systems, and something called cultured stone.
One of the most widely used cultured stone shower systems in the United States is The Onyx Collection, a manufacturer based in Kansas that produces custom shower bases, wall panels, accessories, and vanity tops.
The system is best known for its cultured stone shower panels — commonly referred to as Onyx shower panels — and its solid cultured stone shower bases, which are manufactured to custom sizes and designed to create a durable, grout-free shower system.
At Bath Pros, we install a variety of shower materials depending on the project, but Onyx has become one of the most common systems we use for custom shower remodels throughout Central New York. This article explains what the Onyx Collection is, how the material is constructed, and how it compares to other common shower systems.
If you’re unfamiliar with the broader category of cultured stone products, we recommend reading our guide on cultured stone shower systems first.
What Is The Onyx Collection?
The Onyx Collection manufactures custom cultured stone shower systems made from a proprietary blend of:
- crushed stone
- polyester resins
- pigments and stabilizers
The mixture is poured into molds and cured into solid surface panels and shower bases.
Unlike thin acrylic panels or fiberglass units, the material forms a dense slab that is typically just over 5/16″ thick once cured.
This gives the panels a more rigid feel and greater durability than many prefabricated shower systems.
The company manufactures their products in Kansas and distributes them through contractors and authorized dealers across the United States.
Typical Shower Sizes and Layouts
One of the biggest advantages of the Onyx system is that most components are manufactured to order, allowing contractors to design showers that fit the exact dimensions of a bathroom.
While the system is customizable, some common shower footprints include:
Alcove Showers
60" L x 30" D
60" L x 32" D
60" L x 34" D
60" L x 36" D
Compact Alcove Showers
48" L x 32" D
48" L x 34" D
48" L x 36" D
Neo-Angle Corner Showers
36" x 36"
38" x 38"
42" x 42"
48" x 48" (custom installations)
Because the bases and wall panels are produced to order, many bathrooms can accommodate slightly larger showers than the original builder-installed units, improving comfort without major structural changes.
Material Thickness and Construction
Many homeowners are surprised by the substantial feel of cultured stone shower systems.
The Onyx Collection manufactures both wall panels and shower bases from cultured stone, a composite material made from crushed stone and polyester resins that cures into a dense, solid surface.
Onyx wall panels are generally just over 5/16″ thick, which makes them significantly more rigid than many thin acrylic or laminate wall systems commonly used in quick-install shower remodels.
The shower base — sometimes referred to as the shower pan — is even more substantial. Rather than a thin molded shell, the base is manufactured as a solid slab of cultured stone typically exceeding one inch in thickness.
This added mass helps the system resist:
- flexing
- cracking
- minor impact damage
The weight and rigidity of the base also help minimize movement in the shower floor, which is one of the factors that can contribute to cracking in thinner shower pans over time. When installed over a properly prepared substrate, the result is a shower floor and wall system that feels solid underfoot and structurally stable.
This cross-section illustrates the dense material composition of the shower base. Because the material is homogeneous throughout, the base is able to maintain its strength and structural integrity over time.
This solid construction is one of the reasons many contractors consider cultured stone systems like The Onyx Collection to be significantly more durable than thin acrylic wall panels.
The Onyx Forever Guarantee
One feature that frequently stands out to homeowners is the manufacturer’s warranty. The Onyx Collection backs its product with what it calls a Forever Guarantee. In practical terms, the company guarantees the material itself indefinitely. If the cultured stone ever fails due to a manufacturing defect, the product will be replaced or reimbursed.
And according to the company itself, the warranty is also transferable to future homeowners, which is uncommon in the remodeling industry.
Of course, the warranty applies to the product itself. As with any bathroom installation, proper installation and waterproofing practices remain critical.
Why Many Contractors Prefer Cultured Stone
Many large remodeling companies rely heavily on thin acrylic wall systems because they install quickly and can be standardized across many projects.
While acrylic systems have their place, cultured stone materials like Onyx offer several advantages.
These include:
- thicker, more rigid wall panels
- custom sizing rather than fixed kits
- fewer seams in many installations
- integrated accessories made from the same material
Because of these characteristics, cultured stone systems are often chosen for long-term bathroom remodels rather than quick surface replacements.
Homeowners comparing shower materials frequently evaluate these systems against other options such as tile or acrylic panels. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on acrylic vs tile vs solid surface showers.
Built-In Accessories and Customization
The Onyx Collection also manufactures a wide range of matching accessories designed to integrate directly into the shower walls.
Common options include:
- corner caddies
- recessed niches
- shaving foot shelves
- soap dishes
- trim moldings
Because these accessories are produced from the same cultured stone material as the wall panels, they blend seamlessly into the finished installation.
How Onyx Compares to Other Shower Systems
When planning a bathroom remodel, homeowners often compare several different shower materials.
Tile showers offer maximum design flexibility but require grout lines that must be maintained and periodically sealed.
Acrylic shower systems install quickly but typically rely on thinner wall panels and fixed sizing.
Cultured stone systems such as Onyx sit somewhere between these two approaches, offering:
- thicker solid surface material
- reduced grout maintenance
- customizable sizing
Another shower wall system that homeowners sometimes encounter is Samuel Mueller wall panels. We cover those products in more detail in our article comparing Samuel Mueller wall panels vs cultured stone systems.
Bathrooms Where Onyx Shower Systems Work Well
Cultured stone showers are frequently installed in bathrooms where durability and ease of maintenance are priorities.
Some of the most common situations include:
- replacing aging tile showers
- compact bathrooms where minimizing seams matters
- neo-angle corner shower installations
- accessible or aging-in-place bathrooms
Because the system is customizable, it can often be adapted to older homes where standard shower kits may not fit properly. Many of the bathrooms we remodel throughout Central New York use cultured stone shower systems similar to those shown in our recent bathroom remodeling projects.
Planning a Shower Remodel
Material selection is one of the most important decisions when planning a bathroom remodel.
Each shower system has strengths and limitations, and the right choice depends on factors such as:
- bathroom layout
- maintenance preferences
- budget
- long-term durability goals
At Bath Pros, we evaluate each bathroom individually before recommending materials. Many of the showers we install throughout Central New York use cultured stone systems like The Onyx Collection because of their durability, customization options, and low maintenance requirements.
Related Reading Material
- How Much Does A Bathroom Remodel Actually Cost?
- Bathroom Remodeling: Hiring a Company vs. an Independent Contractor
- Why We Don’t Hire Commissioned Salespeople
- Bathroom Remodel Timeline Guide — From Estimate to Completion
Considering a Shower Remodel?
Many homeowners researching cultured stone or Onyx shower systems are in the early stages of planning a bathroom renovation. Material selection is only one part of the process — layout, plumbing conditions, and structural factors inside the walls can all influence the best solution.
Bath Pros designs and installs custom shower systems, neo-angle corner showers, and full bathroom remodels throughout Central New York. If you’re comparing shower materials or planning an upcoming project, we’re always happy to discuss what options may work best for your space.
Call Bath Pros at (315) 217-1151 to schedule a consultation.