I decided to install a pre-formed shower base and then do tile walls. I’m replacing a 36×36 unit. Do the box stores carry any that are any good and what about reinforcing the floor to protect the drain? Is that a matter of setting it in place over mounds of wet cement?
thanks
Listeners write in about ambitious projects and sinking patios before asking questions about old house specialists, attic headroom, and home shops.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
You need to go here to look: http://www.schluter.com
View Image
View Image
"A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985
Gene, do you know how much the kerdi pan costs? Is it possible to tile over them? Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
While I've not used this product, I have used these people and you can find it at the tile-experts.com. As a company they were great to work with, when I purchased kerdi, they had some of the better pricing.
Yes, you tile over the base. My shower was an odd size other wise I would of used this the pre-formed base. I ended up using a mortar dry pack and Kerdi for everthing. It worked well.
Jim, you can see pricing at the tile experts site, but remember that the pricing you see is for kits that contain all the components to do a shower. Those include but are not limited to the sloped pan under-parts, the drain, drain grate, all membrane material for base and sides, etc.
You might look and say, "wow that seems expensive," but you gotta remember, the kit incluces everything you need except thinset and tile to do the job, beginning with the enclosure having an ordinary flat subfloor of ply or OSB, and gyprock walls. No durock, no mudpack, nothing else is needed.
No one here tiles with anything other than Schluter products now. The best thing to do to see how things go together is to spend time at the Schluter site and view the videos, and spend time at the John Bridge forum site.
View Image
"A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985
Actually, I've spent some time at the site. One of the discussions that caught my attention was the rant about the lack of long term warranty by Kerdi for their membrane. We just paid 450 for a custom fiberglass pan and I'm just trying to get an understanding of options. Back in MI, we used the Oatey membranes and I never heard of fiberglass pans. We know that Oatey membranes work because most of them are done on the upper floors and if they leaked, water would be dripping into the basement or ruining drywall. For some reason, Texans don't think Oatey membranes work. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
The best, by far, preformed shower pans I have come across are made by Swanstone. 60x32 Aggregate (finish) $500 worth every penny. Your plumber will say WOW thats a nice base. Attractive, strong, NO bounce, excellent product. FAST, EASY, QUALITY. That size is for retro-fitting a standard tub. They have a wide range of sizes including stuff for ADA.
Edited 8/7/2008 8:32 pm ET by Pelipeth
I'm going to have to check that out. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Those sound good but all I have room for is a 36 x 36 so I'm needing a pre-formed with those dimensions. I recall hearing about there being so much give in the cheaper units that it played havoc with the drain. Probably one of those deals that you get what you pay for.
thanks
You can do a 36x36 fine with the schulter. Get the 48x48 kit and just trim off 6" on each side and you have the 3x3 you are looking for. You need to trim equal from each side since the pan is sloped and the drain is in the center. I did a kerdi shower last year and used that website for my kit. The prices were the best and the service was good, no complaints at all. There is a little learning with the kerdi system but not too much. The only thing I had to worry about was the thinset kerdi coverage area, I was a little too ambitious with how quickly I could put it up.Check out Schulters website, I'm sure they have some videos on the install if not, they have a dvd they'll send you that covers the different projects in pretty good detail. http://www.schluter.com/Honestly, it in not much more work and having done showers with both the pans and with kerdi, there is no question what looks better. Check with schluter to see who is a dealer in your area and you can see it in person. the membrane makes your shower completely waterproof, unlike durock, hardibacker, etc.
Another option other than Kerdi is the Wedi system (see link below). For some reason the link to the US Wedi site was not functioning so I attached the UK one instead. I am in Canada and bought mine locall. It is not as common, but another european product. Not cheap by any means, but waterproof. I would avoid a big box for this type of product. I found a tile shop that carried both and ended up buying everything from them. Best decision I made as they knew all the answers to my questions.
http://www.wedi.co.uk/home.php
Brad
Any decent plumbing supply house should carry the FIAT brand shower pans. Quality product for the money as compared to the Swanstone brand. Set in a product called Structolite. DONE. Works like plaster and sets in minutes, just make sure it's level. Continue with the walls as normal.