With the growing market for do it yourself home improvement projects, more and more homeowners are educating themselves on the various tasks in their home that can be completed with just a few tools, a little know how, and a bit of time and labor. These types of projects not only save money on installation costs, they also tend to make future repairs and maintenance easier since the homeowner already knows exactly how each component of the item is assembled. One of the primary rooms that do it yourself enthusiasts tackle most often is the bathroom. Aside from simple plumbing repairs, when it comes to full installations, one of the easier projects to take on involves adding a stand alone shower in addition to a bathtub or on its own during a bathroom remodel or add on. If you have decided to tackle this task on your own, the key to mastering the art of shower installation is knowing the individual parts that are required to install a new shower. The most important of these parts, and the one you should familiarize yourself with the most, is the shower base.
What Is A Shower Base?
A shower base, simply put, if the floor of a stand alone shower. Also referred to as a shower pan or shower tray, the base is the portion of the shower that rests on the bathroom floor and connects the shower itself to the sewage system via the drain incorporated within it. The base is connected to the shower stall on the sides it meets the bathroom wall and the shower enclosure, if present, on the sides exposed to the bathroom. The shower can be installed as the primary bathing area in a smaller bathroom, or as an addition to a regular bathtub in a larger master bathroom. Regardless of its use, the base being used is the same for both applications.
What Are My Shower Base Options?
A shower base can be made of various materials and comes in a nearly endless array of shapes and sizes. Standard sizes are available for a range of needs, however, custom bases can be fabricated as well for a slightly higher price. The primary decision when it comes to selecting a shower base, however, is determining what material to have it made from. The choices range from practical and affordable to luxurious and somewhat costly. There are also several options that lie in between.
Acrylic & Fiberglass Bases
Historically, shower bases were made of acrylic, a plastic like substance that held up well to water exposure, but tended to wear easily over time when exposed to constant use and weight bearing. While acrylic was affordable with regards to price, many consumers also viewed it as cheap with regards to quality. In recent times, manufacturers began mixing the acrylic with fiberglass. This new hybrid material offered the same water resistance while also possessing a much improved durability and warmer ‘feel’ to the touch. The blend still remains affordable and is the most common choice for standard shower bases and stalls.
Corian Bases
An alternative to acrylic fiberglass blends that is actually a form of acrylic itself is Corian. Corian is an acrylic material created and manufactured by DuPont, used primarily in kitchens and bathrooms for countertop construction. It is extremely durable and can be made in a variety of colors, including those that mimic the look of marble and granite surface. Because of the slightly higher visual impact that Corian can have over standard acrylic fiberglass blends, it is slightly higher in cost.
Tiled Shower Bases
For consumers requiring a more traditional look, unfinished shower bases can be purchased that are designed to have tile laid on them after installation. This allows homeowners a greater deal of flexibility when it comes to the overall appearance of the base, giving them a wide range of tile colors and styles to choose from. The tiling process is fairly straightforward and simple for homeowners to do on their own. The benefit of tiled shower bases is the fact that they posses a very traditional bathroom appearance, especially when combined with a tiled shower stall. The best tip to keep in mind when choosing to tile your shower base, however, is to always buy extra tile to ensure you have replacement pieces if repairs are needed down the line. While the tile you choose may be in stock in large quantities today, it could be discontinued and impossible to find a match for in a year or so when a tile accidentally chips and needs replacing. You’re better off spending the extra money now to ensure you have a visually cohesive shower base if you need to make repairs later on.
Stone Resin & Cultured Stone
For consumers who desire a more upscale appearance, cast stone resin and cultured stone surfaces are the ideal choice. Cultured stone shower bases include those made from granite, marble, and limestone. While beautiful and durable in appearance, these are also the most costly of construction materials that can be used. Cultured stone bases also require professional installation, at times, since they are usually cut to fit on sight. The alternative is to select a cast stone resin base. These are made from a mixture of ground stone combined with sand, or similar aggregate, together with a bonding agent. The mixture forms a concrete like substance which is poured into a mold and allowed to harden. The end result is a solid and extremely long lasting substance that is not only much more affordable than true stone, but also nearly passes for true stone in appearance and feel.
How Do I Choose Which Shower Base Is Best For Me?
The biggest factors that should play a part in determining which material suits your needs best is the amount of money you are willing to spend combined with your personal visual preferences. You really need to take both of these factors into account to ensure you are not only staying within your financial means, but also that you are getting a product that you will be happy with for years to come. In other words, you need to cater to your visual preferences as well as your financial ones.
While your practical side may thinks its best to simply go with the most affordable option, if you don’t necessarily like the look or feel of an acrylic fiberglass blend, you will never truly be happy with your new shower. In this case, you may be better off postponing the project for a short amount of time until you can save up the additional funds needed to go with a slightly more costly option that you would enjoy much more. On the other hand, if you prefer the look of cultured stone, but don’t have the budget to accommodate your tastes, it may be best to compromise and go with a cast stone resin. This option may better suit your budgetary constraints while also giving you the general look and feel of the more costly stone bases.
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