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Discussion Forum

3-piece shower surrounds

TomT226 | Posted in General Discussion on January 28, 2005 02:37am

Planning to rip out a bathtub and replace it with a 4′ shower.  Needs to be at least 75″ tall, taller woulod be better.

Been looking at Sterling and Aquastar surrounds that are 3 piece.  Will most of these units fit through a 2’4″ door?

Any comments on quality of these units, or any other manufacturers that I should be looking at?

Thanks.

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  1. MikeSmith | Jan 28, 2005 03:11pm | #1

    yes, that's why they are 3 piece...

     but ... on your height restriction ... is that because of the shower head  height ?

    the shower head  usually doesn't mount on the fiberglass.   It mounts on the wall above the unit.. and you can mount it as high as you want, as long as the spray will not go over the unit wall

    fiberglass is fine.... acrylic is better...

     we use a lot of Lasco  & Akers... good quality, reasonable prices

    Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore



    Edited 1/28/2005 7:12 am ET by Mike Smith

    1. TomT226 | Jan 29, 2005 02:48pm | #4

      I'm 6'3" tall and I don't like to look over the door.  The shower unit I have now has the head mounted on the glass, which I like.  Makes cleaning easier.

  2. GB2 | Jan 28, 2005 03:44pm | #2

    Hi Tom, as already mentioned, the shower head goes on the wall, but if for some reason you have a low ceiling, make sure you leave at least 4 inches from the shower mount head to the ceiling, otherwise you'll never be able to turn the gooseneck in.

    GB

  3. JamesDuHamel | Jan 29, 2005 09:28am | #3

    I use Lasko and Sterling. I like both.

    And are you talking a 24" (2'0) door, or a 28" (2' 4") door?

    They will definitely fit through a small door, but it will depend on the angle too. Much better if all areas on all sides of the door are free from obstructions (like walls, or lavatories). Then you have plenty of maneuvering room.

    30" doors or bigger, usually not a problem at all.

    Like Mike, I much prefer gel-coat acrylic over fiberglass.

    James DuHamel

    He who dies with the most toys.... Still dies!

    "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?" MARK 8:36

    http://www.godsfreemusic.com

    1. TomT226 | Jan 29, 2005 02:50pm | #5

      It's a 2'4" (28") door.  The opening will be larger as we intend to remove and replace the jambs in the process of putting in a pocket door.

    2. User avater
      Gunner | Jan 29, 2005 04:22pm | #6

      I wish your thread from the old days was still around. The one where you redid the bathroom. That was a perfect article. As someone who's toying with the idea of gutting his bathroom I could sure use it now. Any chance you still have it archived somewhere?Who Dares Wins.

      1. JamesDuHamel | Jan 30, 2005 12:12am | #11

        I'll sure check and see.

        I'm in the middle of a bath remodel right now. I'm about 3/4 way through it. It was a rip out of an old bath and a master closet, then combining the two rooms. I installed a cultured marble 6' whirlpool tub, tiles around the enclosure, and installed drywall on everything (ceiling and walls). Installed a small closet, and a huge L shaped vanity.

        I'll see if I can dig up the old pics and article, and I'll try to get some pics and info on the current bath remodel while I'm at it.

        Bath remodels raren't as bad as they seem. James DuHamel

        He who dies with the most toys.... Still dies!

        "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?" MARK 8:36

        http://www.godsfreemusic.com

        1. User avater
          Gunner | Jan 30, 2005 12:31am | #12

          Thanks. I think the one thing that has me hesitating is we only have one bathroom. So I need to be able to do it fast. Like three days.Who Dares Wins.

  4. DanH | Jan 29, 2005 04:25pm | #7

    We installed a Corning 4-piece fiberglass 4-foot unit 25 years ago. Aside from some very slight rust staining it still looks fine, has never leaked. Total height of wall from shower floor is about 75.5".

  5. Isamemon | Jan 29, 2005 07:45pm | #8

    Around here another , but bit pricer , answr is having the cultured marble guys come in and do it.

    1. allaround | Jan 29, 2005 07:56pm | #9

      The Sterling of today is the Dow-Corning of 10 - 15 years ago. Kohler bought it and re-named it Sterling. The really nice thing about the Sterling is its interlocking design. You can assemble it without caulk and it doesn't leak.

      1. DanH | Jan 30, 2005 02:53am | #13

        Yep, the Corning/Sterling is a very nice design, and not too hard to install. Pretty much idiot proof from the standpoint of seam leakage. The only tricky thing (probably the same for other brands) is getting the drain stub in the right place.

  6. davidmeiland | Jan 29, 2005 10:49pm | #10

    Also check out Florestone units. I think they're better than Lasko. They're manufactured in California... not sure where you are.

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