looking for alternative shower enclosure material

I have two showers that I need to finish. I could do the standard tile or the kind of low end white panel with faux tile look. I don't want to gold plate (cost) and I don't want it to look amatuerish. I would like to use alternative materials . I have considered polycarbonate (multi-wall and/or corrugated). Cost (shipping to Nashville) and making a tight seal around the fixtures are two challenges. I did flat galvalume in a third enclosure and was moderately pleased. Does anyone have ideas for this application.

You could use full sheets of real glass frosted on the back. Another one is have a stainless or aluminum surround fabricated.

What would be the method of adhesion for the stainless and what would be around the edges after putting it up?
Thank you

Any sort of construction adhesive; ie epoxy, liquid nails, etc.

I assume you are asking about the edges for water proofness. If you make the surround tall enought to touch the ceiling then you, then you will not have to worry to much of the top edge. The adhesie should be ample if you put a bead around the inside edge of the whole surround when mounting it. But if you want to be extra careful you can but a bead of silicone around the edge, either at the same spot as mentioned above or mount the surround then seal the edge.

You could go painted walls with clear or frosted lexan sheets.

We just tiled our shower and it was expensive and a lot of work and in hindsight, I think I would have preferred trying the lexan instead.

Frosteg glass or glass with adhesive film on the back side for color. The sign shops have rolls of this stuff in just about any color you can think of - metalics too.

Would the adhesive sticker not prove to be problematic vis a vis the adhesive?

...or would the adhesive on the sticker be adequate in holding the lexan to it, and the construction adhesive to it and the wall.
I'm mid bathroom reno, and we got a steal on some beautiful porcelain tiles...but I would definately consider the lexan in our other bathroom.

Any experiences with the actual coloring of the lexan?
My instinct would be to purchase a clear or slightly tinted one, and then have a 3M manufacturer create a large sticker backing from a dig. image.
Truly a unique tub-surround.

candidone, may I ask what tiles you're using? I'm very close to buying the Refin Avant-Garde for our bathroom, in different textures/colors/sizes. Thanks.

I would think Lexan would look crappy after it inevitably gets scratched. I guess there are ways to polish out Lexan scratches, but it would be a hassle.

check my post in this forum.

http://www.livemodern.com/forums/dwell/materialsmethods/683472242981

the link that is there is for an exterior resin plywood. we are using it on a project up here in northern minnesota so i think it could work well in a shower enclosure.

Jeff