Shower Stall Guide

Choosing the right shower stall isn’t as easy as you might be imagining it to be, as the options are too many. You could get rid of your old system totally or you may be able to carry on with the existing structure and thus bring down the cost of the project. You may have some specific requirements to be incorporated in its design. You have to find out which shower base and wall combination will best work for you. Then, you have to decide if it’s gong to have a door or not. The choices and requirements are too many.

Here are seven simple steps to help you select the most suitable shower.

Step 1 – At the outset you have to assess the status of your present stall. Find out how sound is its base and the walls. Check the area around the base to find if there have been leakages or if the pan is getting rusted. That’s not difficult because rust is a tell-tale sign, meaning if you find any rust in the said area, the most likely cause is leakage. Next, check the walls minutely to see if tile grout joints are flaking out or if there is any spongy area on the walls. That’s a sure indication that the walls have absorbed water and some part of the structure at their back needs repairs.

If the walls and base are in good condition you may consider using acrylic walls or solid surface surrounds over the existing tile walls.

Step 2 – Assess if you require any special accessories, keeping in mind the short term and long term functioning of the shower. Consider the worthiness of having a barrier free access for accommodating wheelchair in the near future. Explore the possibility of including a shower seat, grab bar, corner caddy or shampoo niche for improved functioning of shower stall. While designing, keep the future in mind.

Step 3 – Choose a shower base – The shower base or pan is the foundation of your project. You get bases in standard or custom sizes. Naturally, standard sizes are more economical. Common sizes are available for most of the different base materials like acrylic, fiberglass, and expanded polystyrene. Popular sizes are 60 x 32, 60 x 30, 48 x 48 and 36 x 36.

Fiberglass bases are the least expensive but their downside is they tend to turn yellowish or develop cracks in the long run. For a more customized look opt for solid surface products like cultured marble, Corian, or Swanstone or consider using an expanded polystyrene base that can easily be finished with tile. The solid surface bases are undoubtedly the most expensive but they have no seams, making them last longer. The expanded polystyrene bases are getting popularity as they prove to be cost-effective and are 100% waterproof at the same time.

Step 4 – Decide on the best wall surrounds for the plumbing and shampoo niche walls. Factors that you need to keep in mind include price, style and durability. Here are some of the popular options:

Acrylic walls – They work out to be quite affordable for a remodeling project provided the existing tile walls are structurally sound. Using them over the present walls makes a very viable proposition and you can have them with the looks of stone or tile.

Fiberglass walls – Fiberglass walls are the most economical and available in standard sizes. Moreover, their installation makes an easy DIY project, bur they are not as long lasting as their counterparts in different materials.

Tile walls placed over a masonry backer board or waterproof extruded polystyrene system – There have been lots of developments of this product over the years with improved technologies for grouting, which you would certainly find much enhanced than what they were a couple of years ago. Tiles are available in a very wide variety of designs and prices too. The only limitation is their installation that needs a lot of time. However, if you can do it on your own, it becomes a very economical proposition.

Solid surface shower walls – These are very durable walls that remain free of mold or mildew and there are no grout joints to cause worry. You can simply glue them or even install them over existing surfaces with butyl tape. These are available in many decorative designs and textures.

Step 5 – Settle on the shape of the walls you would like have inside the bathroom. If the shower happens to be in a corner of the room it would be worth considering having an angled or rectangular designed wall(s). A curved wall design facilitates cleaning if you decide to do away with the door. A wall slightly bowed or angled to the inside helps serve to prevent water from going outside the enclosure.

Step 6 – Make out the type of wall you would like to have. Once again consider the three factors comprising of price, function and style while deciding on the inside walls. Here are a few more popular options:

Straight Framed glass walls – Usually made from thinner variety of glass, these are framed using different metals. The main benefit is that their initial cost is very low but these are flimsier and it’s cumbersome to clean them around the frames.

Straight Unframed glass walls – Thicker glass is used in their case and there is no frame either, like you would have noticed in better hotel rooms. You get them in many designs and patterns. They surely have better looks but are quite expensive.

Rounded or Straight Tiled Walls – These walls work out to be more expensive than framed glass variety but give a more uniform indoors appearance. The main drawback is that they don’t allow the light to pass thru the shower area, thus giving the stall a darker look.

Rounded or Straight Glass Block Shower Wall – For rounded designs glass blocks offer a strong installation with a cost effective design. These days the blocks are available in colored, etched and obscure designs and patterns. The limitation with them is that they give a very fashionable appearance that may not go too well for certain interior designs.

Rounded tempered and bent glass – These walls give a very fresh look and are typically made from a thicker glass to achieve stability but are the most expensive style of interior glass wall.

Step 7 – You need to decide whether to have a shower door or do away with it. The present trend is certainly for the door-less design, but you have to find out if there is enough space to go without the door. Generally, it’s more difficult to go without doors in case of square or angled corner showers. You can have walk-in showers in as small an area as 60 x 34 with a very interesting single rounded wall glass block shower design that can really transform a tub area into a shower.

These seven steps could help you deciding an appropriate shower stall or enclosure, should you decide to undertake a renovation project. But, if you don’t get encouraged or aren’t too sure of undertaking the planning of this project, it’s best to get in touch with a professional for guidance.

If you are thinking on the lines of having some shower kit for your bathroom, you will find this page interesting. But, at the outset, you should understand that shower kits are the accessories that you need to procure for the bathtub and shower and comprise of handles and spouts, which deliver water. There’s a large variety of shower kits. I’ll show you pictures of some of these and direct you to places offering different kinds of shower kits.

Here, you’ll get links to other items and information on different kinds of showers. You are most likely to find information on a product you might be looking for. You’ll come to know the definition of quite a few terms while looking at different brands, and view some exacting products that could interest and prompt you to have one for you!

What are corner shower kits?

There are many verities of shower kits that you may choose from. A very popular design is the corner shower kit as you can see in the picture on your right. You’ll find them ideal if the size of your bathroom is rather small. I find the one pictured here to be stylish. This awesome design comes from Niagra. But, you may find it costly.

What are shower enclosure kits?

Shower enclosure kits would often be like corner shower kits as shown above but are generally frameless and look better. For instance, look at this one at overstock.com.

This is exceptionally good looking and sits to the side. There’s virtually no frame. I categorize it as one of the most stylish neo-angle shower kits.

Some cool shower stall kits

Or, if you are considering a shower stall kit, look at the variety from Lowe and may opt for a gorgeous looking shower that you can put up in your home. There are many exciting designs on offer from Lowe.

May be you like to have a shower with an odd angle! Here, have a look at the perfect neo-angle shower designed by Swanston.

Rather than having a new shower stall installed, many people consider it worthwhile to have a bathtub enclosure for their shower as it offers economy of space and funds. The size of bathrooms in new houses is generally small to accommodate new shower stall. You should consider all possibilities and make an optimum use of available space while planning for a shower stall. The option of using a bathtub enclosure makes better use of available space while offering the opportunity of choosing from a variety of shower tub doors including hinged, folding and bi fold, sliding or even custom-built. The only kind of shower door that may not be appropriate for a bathtub enclosure would be the neo-angle.

A round or an octagonal bathtub enclosure would need a neo angle door. Such a door wouldn’t close against a wall, but close facing the center of the bathroom. These are available in different designs like hinged, sliding or folding and come with sealing arrangements to prevent water from leaking around the door. The sealing arrangements are generally magnetic. A hinged door is hinged all along the length of the door and sealed, making it as water tight like any other sealed shower tub door.

In case you have a standard sized bath tub, you may have pre-hung or pre-fabricated shower doors, but in case of non-standard size you’ll have to get it tailor made to fit the size of the bathtub. Like any other custom made product, tailor-made door will also be more expensive, as the vendor has to visit your place to take dimensions of the bathtub so that the shower tub doors fit in without any difficulty or cutting of any sort. Generally such doors are required for the bathtubs used by the elderly who like to have shower along with the bathtub.

Many users like to have towel holders on the inside as well the outside of showers. The modern designs of shower doors come with towel holders as well a bar style handle. That makes the opening and closing of shower doors very convenient and has the added advantage of preventing water from dripping outside of shower area as you reach for the towel. The old traditional design of a thin flat piece of metal with a lip that worked as a handle has been replaced by many better-looking designs.

Whether you need to replace the shower door or like to install a new shower stall with your present bathtub, you’ll definitely find the kind of door you are looking for at one of your local retailers. The available variety is quite large and that includes bi-fold doors that entirely change the looks of your bathroom. Having a shower included with the bathtub is a very good practical idea, especially when the space is limited. Make use of the modern designs of shower tub doors and save yourself the money and botheration of having a new stall. It’s a smart and economical proposition.

The neo-angle shower door is a novel idea in shower doors. While the usual shower enclosure comes with doors that go parallel to the back wall of the shower, the neo- angle edition rides parallel to the corner and is principally intended for a corner shower stall. This is a very modern style of enclosure that entirely gives a new look to your bathroom. You may have them even in a frameless design that further highlights the appearance of your bathroom. You could use them as a freestanding stall or as an enclosure for your existing tub.

Some of you may like to replace your old enclosure with this style of door. Please note that normally such doors are rounded or at least curved. So, they would not fit square shaped old enclosures. For having a perfect fit it is very important that the new door has the same style as the old one. The price of a neo-angle door shower varies with its size, style, design and the manufacturer. The price of a new enclosure is slightly more than for replacement doors.

Such bathroom shower doors may have framed or frameless doors. Framed doors would obviously be provided with a frame around the glass but the frameless designs have round edged glass along with a magnetic strip that closes and seals the door to prevent spillage of water beyond the enclosure. It would be worth visiting your local dealer to better understand the features of such a door and to learn how effective is the sealing arrangement.

You may opt for a neo-angle shower door in either clear glass, frosted glass or glass with some design etched on it. The frosted and etched glass is often preferred for the added privacy you get while bathing

Bathroom being a very important room of your home should be styled to match the rest of your home, be it traditional or modern. The beauty of neo-angle shower door is that it fits both the styles. They go to compliment the looks of any style of bathroom and give it an entirely new look. However, you should consider the shape of your tub while choosing a suitable neo-angle door for shower. Round or octagonal tubs would find a perfect match in neo-angle shower doors.

It will be desirable to contact your local retailer or consult a contractor and have their suggestions while thinking of having a neo-angle shower door. You can get the specifications needed for any bathroom product from the retailer and even if he is not dealing with that, he can direct you to some other source for getting the required information. Another helpful tip would be to carry with you the size of your shower opening so as to ensure the perfect fit in your bathroom. As neo-angle shower doors are made in standard sizes only, you may have to get one tailor made for your bathroom if its size is very small.

Before positioning a new bathroom fixture, whether it’s a corner shower, shower stall or an enclosure for bathtub you have to think of a couple of factors. Planning helps easy installation and saves a lot of time. Take account of all the needed tools, pipes and fittings before starting the installation.

Having bought a corner shower kit, carry a physical examination of all the components. Handle the wall panels with care. Though made from heavy plastic, they may be fragile. The installation instructions are simple to follow. Make sure you have the glass side panels along with the glass door. First you install the floor drain followed by side panels. Then you install the corner piece that extends to the right.

The above step is important as it ensures that you’ll get rest of the shower components positioned properly. Then, you may proceed with the rest of the installation. Care needs to be taken that plastic does not get damaged. It will be helpful to use wood blocks underneath the panels as a preventive measure. Next, you should install components of the showerhead and finally the glass panels. The door is installed at the end. That completes the installation but the job is not over yet. Finish the walls around the glass enclosure, taking care to install moisture resistant drywall to prevent moisture and formation of mold.

The installation of a shower stall is relatively easy; as the modern installations come with fittings that go right over the existing plumbing and that make the job easier. First of all you have to install the entire piping. Then, position your shower stall in place so that the flange sits against the wall studs and rests on the provided supports. Now you can screw the enclosures tightly and check that it is secured properly.

Next on line is the installation of drain connections, including hot and cold water pipes and the showerhead fixture. Having finished with that, you should get your plumbing checked to ensure correct installation. Now, you get ready to start water supply and check for leakages, if any. And, don’t forget to include moisture resistant dry wall around the shower to prevent mold. In the end you install showerhead, spout and handles. That completes the installation of your shower stall.

Perhaps the installation of a new small bathroom shower is the easiest, as long as you take care that you have all the needed tools, fittings and plumbing equipment in place.

Once have taken care of that, the installation of a new small bathroom shower should be over in less than 24 hors. It’s nice to include a small bathroom shower in your bathroom, as it is convenient to use and doesn’t occupy much space.

This article is intended to help you decide whether a shower enclosures or bathroom shower stall would better suit your bathroom. Generally you get enclosures with doors only and their tracking. Enclosure kits comprise of only the necessities for enclosing a bathtub for the purpose of a shower. Bathroom shower stalls on the other hand, are freestanding fixtures that offer optimum utilization of available floor area in any bathroom. Both add to your bathing experience but the most important factor to be considered is the available space. Many stalls are sold in kit form that includes floors, walls and all the materials required for installation. You can fix them in a corner or against one of the walls.

You may get bathroom shower stalls in fiberglass. As these are lightweight, they need not remain permanent fixtures. You can thus shift them to a basement for good use while renovating the bathroom. These are also available in acrylic but they are a little heavier than the fiberglass. Their installation is very convenient as they are generally provided with all the necessary items needed for their installation except for the water pipes and drain. You may visit a couple of dealers and seek their help and ideas for choosing the right materials and bathroom shower stall. Often, they are in a position to offer solution to your specific needs, depending upon the size and shape of your bathroom.

The factors affecting the price of shower stalls and enclosures are: the size of enclosure or stall, the material used for its construction and the design. They may have well affordable prices, but the custom built variety can understandably be costlier. You may find it desirable to visit some of the local dealers to acquaint yourself with different models and for comparing prices. That ultimately helps you decide for something within your budget. Generally, fiberglass shower stalls and enclosures work out to be economical but the acrylic variety is preferred for durability and longer use. But, you may need to consider other features too.

Some of shower enclosures have walls of granite or marble. These are tailor-made to suit customer’s requirement and are offered with only the walls, without any installation accessories or floors. These are good for enclosing the bathtub with the intentions of having a shower and you have to make arrangements for the rest of the installation materials. As such, their installation is best entrusted to a professional tile fitter. These may be used for corner bathroom shower stalls but it’s not desirable to be using them on showers with a window. Granite or marble enclosures should be avoided in old design of houses that have a window over the bathtub.

If you are inclined to having a shower in your bathroom, you have to decide the style of shower, fix a budget for that and look around for the most suitable product available within your budget. Apart from the cost of the equipment you need to get an estimate for its installation from a general contractor. Unless you are an experienced hand with such jobs, it will be worthwhile to get the installation done from a professional; else you might cause irreparable loss to your new shower or enclosure.