Plumbing Point » shower base

Shower Base Pans

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:51:41 +0000

One of the best ways to get a custom shower base without paying the custom shower base price is by opting for a tiled shower floor. A tile floor is not only more visually appealing than an acrylic one, it is also much cheaper than a stone or stone resin model. One of the first determinations you need to make once you have decide on a tiled shower base is what type of shower base pan you will use.

What Is A Shower Base Pan?

Because ceramic and porcelain tiled surfaces are not completely water repellant, some type of backing surface is needed underneath the tile to prevent water from being able to soak through to the floor underneath. This barrier is referred to as a shower base pan. Essentially, it is a waterproof surface that the tile is installed on top of that prevents the water that is absorbed into the grout of the tile to soak through any further. Since this water has no place to go, it will either evaporate on its own or pool up on the surface of the tile and make its way to the shower drain.

What Types Of Shower Base Pans Are There?

Essentially, there are two types of shower base pans that can be installed underneath a tiled shower floor. Out of these two, one requires professional installation and the other can either be installed professionally or done yourself.

Mortar Pan

The first type of base pan is comprised of a combination of mortar and a waterproof lining. This type of pan is best when a custom shape is needed or there are other construction issues that would prevent the use of a standard size pan. While it sounds simple, the installation process can actually be very complicated depending on the layout of the room, the types of flooring the pan is being built upon, and the way the drainage system is going to work. Because of this, a mortar base pan is not recommended for use in a do it yourself type project.

Acrylic Pan

The second type, ideal for do it yourself home improvement enthusiasts, is basically an unfinished acrylic pan. The pans come in standards sizes and shapes and are simple to install. Once in place, the tile of your choice is simply laid on top of it with an adhesive and grouted. This type of pan is easy to install and requires very few tools and just a basic knowledge of plumbing. It is also the more affordable of the two options since installation charges are eliminated.

Neo Angle Shower Bases

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:50:48 +0000

While corner showers have been on the market for some time now, they are slowly making a very strong comeback as a common feature in many homes. While consumers originally leaned towards a corner shower to make up for a lack of space in the bathroom, more homeowners are beginning to use them as secondary units in master bathrooms that allow for two people to utilize the bathroom at once. Simple enough in their design, a corner shower consists of a shower base, a stall, and either a rod and shower curtain or a shower enclosure and door. The two most common shapes on the market have been square and rectangular for some time, but the demand for the neo angle shower base is rising as more consumers discover the benefits of this innovative design.

What Is A Neo Angle Shower Base?

A neo angle shower base is a five sided base with the two longest sides resting flush against the two bathroom walls the shower is installed on. There are two smaller sides that connect to each of the longer sides at an obtuse angle. The two smaller sides then both connect to the third larger sides which sits parallel to the rear corner of the shower. Aside from the shape, it has all the same characteristics of a traditional shower base. It can be made from a variety of materials, including acrylic and stone resin, and can be found in a range of sizes designed to fit smaller bathrooms as well as larger ones.

What Are The Benefits Of Neo Angle Shower Bases?

The primary advantage to a neo angle unit is the fact that the unique shape is able to provide as much shower floorspace as a traditional square base, however, the blunted front end doesn’t extend as far out as a square base, reducing the amount of usable floorspace being taken up in the bathroom itself. The neo angle shape allows for a large front panel, ideal for housing the shower door. The layout of the base also allows the door to swing fully open without being as obstructive as it would be on a square corner unit.

A neo angle shower base offers a practical and space saving solution for corner shower designs. It also provides a unique visual appearance that lends itself towards a very sleek and clean look, ideal for bathrooms with a wide range of décor themes.

Tile Shower Bases

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:49:59 +0000

If you have decided to install a stand alone shower unit in your bathroom, chances are you are looking for the perfect shower base. One of the most vital components of the shower unit, the shower base has to be long lasting as durable while also being visually appealing. If you are looking for a one of a kind piece but don’t want to pay the increased cost associated with custom bases, a tile shower base may be the perfect choice.

What Is A Tile Shower Base?

A tile shower base is essentially an unfinished acrylic shower base that is sold in a variety of shape and sizes. Unlike traditional acrylic shower bases, these models are only designed to serve as a base piece or support system for a ceramic or porcelain tile overlay. Once the unfinished base is installed, you simply apply the tile of your choice onto the base with regular tile adhesive and grout with a water repellent bathroom grout. Tile shower stalls can also be purchased if you prefer the tile pattern to carry up through the walls of the shower as well.

What Are The Benefits Of A Tile Shower Base?

Aside from the fact that tiled surfaces lend to a very traditional bathroom décor, the primary advantage of buying a tile shower base is the ability to customize the appearance to your personal tastes and color schemes without having to pay the price for a custom base. As you can tell from walking into any home improvement or flooring tore, the selection of tile on the market is seemingly endless. Tiles suitable for bathroom applications come in an array of colors, textures, patterns, and sizes. Tile shower bases can be done in solid colors, using one type of tile, or in patterned designs, using two or more different types and colors of tile.

The other benefit of tile shower bases is the fact that they are typically easy for most homeowners to do on their own, without the need to pay for any professional installation charges. Unlike regular floor tile, bathroom tile is typically much smaller and somewhat thinner, eliminating the need for any heavy duty cutting equipment when fitting pieces together. Bathroom tile can usually be trimmed to size with just a standard pair of tile clippers.

With a little imagination and some basic knowledge of tile application, you can have a work of art on your shower floor in just a matter of hours.

Acrylic Shower Bases

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:49:10 +0000

The key to manufacturing the ideal shower base is to find a material that is not only durable, but visually attractive as well. A long lasting product typically won’t sell very well if it is unattractive. Likewise, a beautiful product is somewhat pointless is it won’t hold up to normal wear and use. Acrylic, in its various forms, has been used to creates shower bases since they began to be manufactured on a large scale. The exact composition of the acrylic shower base over the years, however, has changed significantly to suit consumer demands and durability concerns.

Early Acrylic

The first acrylic shower bases were designed to be affordable in price and very basic in design. The acrylic being used resembled a thick plastic and was known for its low price and, unfortunately, for its cheap feel. The basic acrylic shower bases also tended to wear very easily and crack under slight pressure.

Acrylic Blends

In order to resolve the durability issue, manufacturers began to combine the acrylic with fiberglass in order to improve its weight bearing capacity and increase its lifespan. While pure fiberglass bases had been sold for a time, consumers complained about their rough texture. By combining the fiberglass and acrylic, the overall feel of the base became less plasticized while also becoming smoother to the touch, a perfect compromise for consumers needs. In essence, by blending the acrylic with fiberglass, manufacturers were able to address most of the concerns buyers had for each substance on its own while also being able to keep the overall price of the shower base low enough to where it was considered affordable enough for the general public.

Corian By DuPont

In order to take the acrylic shower base to the next level of design and style, manufacturers began to utilize Corian, an acrylic material designed and produced by DuPont, originally used strictly for bathroom and kitchen countertops. The material was not only very durable and highly scratch resistant, it was also able to be produced in a variety of solid colors as well as color blends resembling stone surfaces such as marble and granite. Corian shower bases allowed consumers to have the appearance of a costly stone shower base at a fraction of the cost.

As technology continues to advance, the method of creating shower bases from acrylic will most likely continue to advance as well. With these continued advances, manufacturers will be able to further increase the lasting ability of the bases while also improving the overall appearance.

Fiberglass Shower Bases

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:52:21 +0000

One of the most common material used in shower base construction is fiberglass. Noted for its durability and frequent use in water environments, it is an ideal material to use when making a base for a shower floor that will prevent water from soaking through to the sub-flooring beneath. A fiberglass shower base is also extremely affordable and simple to install, perfect for homeowners who prefer to do their own remodeling projects.

What Is Fiberglass?

Fiberglass, also known as glass fibre, is essentially a plastic polymer that has been reinforced with fine glass strands or fibers. While the plastic creates the durability of the material, the glass fiber reinforcement gives it a greater strength and load bearing capacity. The material we refer to as fiberglass today was invented in 1938. Russel Games Slayter created the material during his employment with Owens-Corning. It was originally intended to be used solely as an insulation material, but its applications in other areas developed over the years. In order to improve the strength of the fiberglass even more, carbon fiber is being used in more advanced applications. Due to its extremely high cost, however, its use is currently limited to commercial and industrial applications.

What Are The Benefits Of Fiberglass Shower Bases?

Fiberglass is an extremely lightweight and durable material, able to handle applications requiring a waterproof material. It is also very affordable and easy to mold, which makes it ideal for use as a shower base material. While come consumers may not care for the slightly rougher texture of pure fiberglass bases, it can also be blended with acrylic for a smoother feel. Fiberglass bases are also easy to work with and don’t necessarily require a professional installation unless there are other obstacles that need to be dealt with during the installation.

Fiberglass is also used to create the backing support for tiled shower bases. The fiberglass or fiberglass and acrylic blend is molded into the basic shape of the shower base and allowed to harden. The base is then installed on the floor of the shower and the ceramic or porcelain tile is laid onto it with tile adhesive. The tile is the grouted and allowed to dry. The tile provides a traditional looking surface with a wide variety of color and style options, while the fiberglass backing or base provides a support structure and prevents water from soaking through the tile and reaching the subfloor beneath.

Overall, a fiberglass shower base is versatile, durable, long lasting, and, most importantly, extremely affordable and easy to install without professional assistance.

Shower Base Installation

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:58:05 +0000

One of the most costly rooms in a home to remodel or renovate that a homeowner can take on is a bathroom. With a little research and a few tools, however, it is also the one room that contains several tasks that are fairly straightforward enough to accomplish on your own. One of these tasks is repairing or renovating a corner shower. Depending on which type of shower base you have chosen, the shower project can often be done with minimal effort, eliminating the need to pay a professional installer. The most difficult aspect of the project is the shower base installation, but once that has been accomplished, the remaining shower components are fairly easy to replace.

Which Shower Bases Can Be Self-Installed?

Acrylic shower bases, fiberglass shower bases, and fiberglass and acrylic blend shower bases are three most common bases used for self-installation projects. They are all available in a variety of shapes and sizes, which means finding the correct fit for your bathroom and shower area is fairly straightforward. Tiled shower bases are nothing more than unfinished acrylic or fiberglass bases that are installed the same way the finished models are and then set with ceramic or porcelain tile. As long as you have a basic knowledge of tiling procedures, this method is fairly simple as well. Corian, on the other hand, is a much harder substance to work with, even though it is simply another type of acrylic, and must be installed by a professional. Cast stone resin shower bases can also be installed with fairly minimal effort, however, true cultured stone bases also require the services of a professional installer.

What To Do Before The Installation

Regardless of the material you choose, there are several steps to take before beginning the installation process. If you are hiring a professional to install the shower base for you, make sure to get at least two or three quotes from reputable service providers. This will help ensure you are paying a fair price for quality work. If you are looking to tackle the project yourself, make sure you do your research first. Check to see that you have the proper tools needed for the job as well as the basic knowledge of plumbing, and tiling is applicable, before you attempt to take on the project yourself. If you are uncomfortable with any of the installation steps, it may be best to look into having a trained installer handle the project for you. Too many homeowners often find out too late that is is much more costly to have a professional fix a plumbing job you have tried to do yourself than it is to hire them to do the job in the first place.

Corner Shower Bases

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:39:02 +0000

The primary component of a corner shower unit that determines its shape and size is the shower base. Made from a variety of materials, a corner shower base is the building block needed to provide form and substance to your shower unit.

Corner Shower Base Shapes

Corner showers can be formed in a wide array of shapes to suit the space requirements of the bathroom as well as the consumers personal preferences. Square and rectangular units are the most common, but more unique shapes are beginning to gain in popularity. If the space in the bathroom is extremely limited, a triangular base can also be utilized. For consumers seeking a more unique design, a quadrant shower tray could be an option, with two long sides flush against the wall, two small side panels, and one long front panel. Shower enclosures can also be found with curved front panels, creating a more flowing effect in the bathroom. Aside from standard shapes available on the market, shower bases can be custom made in any shape possible, with as many sides as the consumer wishes.

Corner Shower Base Materials

The two most common materials for corner shower bases are acrylic and stone resin. Each material is unique in its appearance and each has their own benefits. The choice between the two materials depends primarily on budget as well as personal preference for feel and appearance. While acrylic is the more affordable option, resin stone tends to be more attractive. Both materials are very durable and will withstand years of use. While acrylic tends to have a warmer feel to it by touch, it still retains somewhat of a plastic feel as well. Stone resin, on the other hand, is slightly solder to the touch, but mimics the feel and appearance of cultured stone. Both acrylic and stone resin can be found in a variety of colors, however, acrylic tends to come in a selection of solid colors while stone resin tends to come in color combinations that present the true color mixtures of stone in nature.

Regardless of your choice of base materials or base shapes, the infinite combinations of choices guarantees that any consumer will be able to choose the exact combination of materials and designs to best suit their needs.

Shower Bases

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:37:33 +0000

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.