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Shower stall – custom or prefab?

mwgaines | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 9, 2007 08:00am

I need to install a new shower (appr. 34″x 60″, no tub, nothing extravagant) as part of my whole house remodel. My wife thinks it would save time and money to just buy a prefab shower module and be done with it. She prefers a one-piece module so she doesn’t have to clean mildew from the caulking of a multi-piece unit.

However, I prefer the look of a custom built shower. I think it adds more interest to the room and more value to the home. Admittedly, I have no experience with tiling or building a shower pan. But, I consider myself a “professional diy’er” and really want an opportunity to say that I’ve done this before. My wife says she will support either decision. 

I’ve relied on your judgement many times throughout this project and I haven’t regretted it so far. With that in mind, I’d really appreciate your advice and/or suggestions on this matter.

Is a custom built shower worth the effort, or am I likely to regret not buying the prefab?

Michael

New knowledge is priceless. 

Used knowledge is even more valuable.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    DDay | Jul 09, 2007 08:56pm | #1

    It's really a question of what you want. I would only put in a pre fab in a rental unit or something like that. In my own house, I would want something that looks nice and that certainly isn't a prefab. I would use the kerdi and their drain, etc setup. Thats a really nice system and not much of a learning curve, also the the customer service reps and sales reps are very helpful if you need it. It will cost more but how much depends on what tile you choose. Check out johnbridge for some more info on the kerdi too. I think your wife would like the tile much better if she saw the options she would have.

  2. DanH | Jul 09, 2007 09:39pm | #2

    Note that a single-piece unit is hard to install in an existing structure (hard to physically get it into the building, etc). However, also note that multi-piece units don't necessarily have exposed caulk.

    Also note that the wife is always right. Trumps all other rules.

    Though the rule that trumps that is this: Don't bite off more than you can thoroughly chew and swallow before the wife is ready to leave the restaurant, whether you're leaving or not.

    So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
  3. YesMaam27577 | Jul 09, 2007 09:54pm | #3

    Compromise, and get the oveall look you're looking for. (Note that I am not affiliated with the prduct/company I'm about to recommend).

    Laurel Marble and Tile will sell you a pre-formed, "cultured stone" shower base that already has the tile of your choice installed in the base. (There also may be a number of competing products -- do a little web research.) The base gets fitted with a standard shower drain, just like the prefab units.

    You then build the stall, and tile the walls to match (buying the tile from one of the places that cater to contractors -- that's how you and Laurel Marble end up getting the same stuff). Or tiling with a contrasting color works well too.

    Because it is a china base, it will never leak. Because the drain fitting is standard, repair parts can be bought from Home Depot. Because there is almost no caulk, there will be almost no mildew to worry about, and you can prevent that with proper treatment. Because it looks very much like a custom shower, your home value reacts accordingly.

    And because you did it yourself, the DW might even appreciate it.

     

     

    Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

  4. Hackinatit | Jul 10, 2007 12:10am | #4

    Our local cultured marble manufacturer is busier'n, well, heck installing shower stalls, pans and all, from custom cut slabs. Looks good, no grout, fast, expensive.

    Check your local listings.

    Troy Sprout

    "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should also have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."
    -- George Washington

  5. User avater
    IronDog | Jul 10, 2007 03:07am | #5

    Hi Mike,

    Take a look at this site http://www.schluter.com/.

    They make pre-fab bases and supply material for making custom
    bases as well. I have used it and think it's terrific stuff.

    Good Luck!

    Tom

    You Don't Know.

    You Don't Want to Know.

    You Aren't Going to Know.

  6. andybuildz | Jul 10, 2007 04:40am | #6

    Geezzz...being I already have this loaded in my copy and paste I may as well show you...I used Schluters preformed pan and the Kerdi. Makes things move along really quickly.
    Personally in my own home I'd only do custom but its always a lot of work any way you slice it...but you'll see it every day for years so...

     

    "Even if embryonic stem cells are absolutely good for nothing at all how can anyone in good conscience be against using them for research given that they are going to be destroyed anyway"?  J.Hayes

    http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra

    http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

     
  7. Kivi | Jul 10, 2007 02:22pm | #7

    In our previous house I installed a custom shower with tumbled marble, 2 shower heads etc... , and absolutely it was worth the effort. We loved having showers in it. I certainly never felt the same way about the other bathrooms that had 1pc shower units in them. When it came time to sell, everyone ooh'd and ahh'd about the shower room ( never heard anyone say that as they entered the bathrooms with the 1pc units).

    However, the 1 pc units are far easier to clean, and do not require any maintenance. This may be an issue to the person assigned to those tasks.

  8. mwgaines | Jul 10, 2007 03:10pm | #8

    Thanks to all of you for the very helpful comments on Kerdi and and the pre-tiled bases. I think you've convinced me to custom build my shower. Don't be surprised if you get a lot more questions when that project gets underway. :)

    Michael

    New knowledge is priceless. 

    Used knowledge is even more valuable.

    1. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Jul 10, 2007 03:44pm | #9

      One other method to consider, a little of both.   I did a simple bath remodel last year using a multi-part corner shower unit and a 12X12 porcelain tile floor.  To feature the tile, I cut some 6X12s for the base and some 4X12s as trim around the shower unit. 

      Of course I'm prejudiced but I thought it looked very nice, particularly considering the short amount of time it took to add the features. 

      The debate, or complaint, will always come down to maintenance time.  If I were you, I'd be very careful to explain the difference to DW, before settling on a custom job.  Otherwise you'll be the one, cleaning the tile and the grout, about once a month, for the rest of your natural life.  ;-)

       

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