On the tile shower project I asked the questions about I finaly talked to the wife and she said “does it have to be tile”?
I am going to talk to her about the Sterling Vikrell units. I have not seen a whole unit, but the bases are nice and heavy.
And it is a monolithic product unlike the fiberglass.
Any other brands to look at?
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Replies
I bought the predicessor to Vikrell, when it was made by Corning -- a LOOOOONG time ago. In my case it was the bathtub unit--tub and 3-piece surround. The unit has survived very well, no cracks after 20 years of service. And, really hard service at times! I really like it.
I also have the cheaper, spray-up unit in another bathroom. It just doesn't seem as durable, but it is still holding up after 15 years.
Solid surfacing like corian. Full slabs of granite make outstanding showers. This Miracote stuff I push from time to time could even be used as a concrete shower, stained and sealed after.
Doesn't have to be plastic...
I was going to mention SS.Don't think that that marble is their style..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
SS?
That'd be something to keep clean, wouldn't it?
There is alwasy the Jail Look.All walls, floors ceiling, toilet and basin stainless steel welded and ground down until it was on monolithic unit.And a fire hose. Cleanign done in 3 seconds on a slow day.But in this case SS ment solid surface..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I believe they are made or owned by Kohler. I did a shower stall 48x32. Used the Swanstone shower pan (solid surface) and one of the best of its kind. Then did the walls and ceiling with AZEK. Bead board up 36", capped. Done with 5/4 AZEK but done today would probably use IPE. Balance of walls and and ceiling with AZEK sheets goods. Client and I both loved the look. Basically indestructable and water proof.
Azek in a shower... Hummm.... Did you paint it? Seems like the beadboard might create a place for mold/mildew to land? Got a pic?
"Seems like the beadboard might create a place for mold/mildew to land?"Certainly no more than a tile shower..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Personally, I never paint Azek and mold has not been an issue to date. I put it in as 1/2x5 pcs. The bead board now comes in 4x8 sheets. Has been used for 18mos. now.
Bill
I have done alot of the Vikrell showers and tub/showers.
For remodeling they are the ticket. Base goes in then the walls snap together. No caulk.
Most guys around here foam the base down to keep it from creaking.
My unit that is 18 years old is starting to stay dirty looking. Had to keep it real clean looking.
Alot of showers and baths with dirty contruction stuff and 3 boys. Family of 6 means alot of showers.
Rich
I just started to consider a Vikrell unit this past week. Curious what you mean by foaming the base in place? My initial impression is that they look like a nice unit.
TFri
Expanding foam. Great stuff red can.
Get base ready, put the whole can on the floor area.
Set base in place and put a bucket of joint coumpound in the center.
Or some plumbers fill the tub with water.
I don't think the manufactor endorses this plan. But most guys in this area do it this way.
My 18 year old tub creaks with every step. No foam.
Rich
I did go through the Sterling instruction and they say that it is not needed, but you like you can use sand mix.I know that they specificaly said not to use plaster. Don't remember what else..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
We've had a 4-piece pressure-molded fiberglass unit for 30 years, and it's still holding up fine (though slightly iron stained). Made by a unit of what used to be Corning, but I understand that that unit has been passed around several times.
We originally picked the unit because it would have been impossible to get a 1-piece unit into the bathroom, but I really like the texture and precision molding a lot better than layed-up FG units.