Installing a new shower can be a headache even for the most experienced designer or DIY remodeler. You may find out all too quickly that you need to take out an entire wall or redirect the plumbing before you can even begin to install the new unit.
To make matters worse, a shower install can oftentimes uncover major issues we didn’t know about before: faulty (or worse, corroded) plumbing, poor ventilation, unlevel floors, water damage…
What started out as a weekend job now turns into week-long ordeal.
While it may seem best to expect the unexpected when it comes to remodeling, there are quicker, easier alternatives to the headache of a traditional shower install.
Enter the shower pan.
A shower pan is a single-piece unit that fits into a shower alcove. Once the unit is level and safely screwed into the wall, the shower walls can be built around it. This solution makes for an easier install and a range of customization options for both safety and aesthetics.
Here’s 4 reasons to consider a shower pan for your next bathroom remodel:
Increased Safety Options
Out of the 235,000 people who visit the emergency room for bathroom-related injuries each year, nearly two thirds of them are injured entering, leaving or bathing in the shower. For multi-family homes with a diverse range of ages, needs and abilities under one roof, this is a huge safety concern.
Shower pans can be easily customized to fit those needs. Low-barrier curbs and beveled thresholds can help prevent children, the elderly, or those with mobility issues from tripping and injuring themselves, while providing easier wheelchair access. In contrast to smooth, slippery tile surfaces, an anti-slip gel coat can help prevent the dangerous falls that might happen in the bathroom.
More Customization
Shower pans can come in a variety of sizes and designs to fit your tastes, preferences and needs. You can choose low-barrier, no-step or beveled thresholds for easier access. Drains can be placed anywhere for better aesthetics or ease of use, or a magnetic trench drain can be installed for easier cleaning and maintenance. You have the freedom to design your own shower walls. Bestbath also offers a variety of molten stone designs that are both cost effective and aesthetically pleasing.
Faster Installation
A shower pan can easily become a DIY, one-day install. Without the time-intensive curing process involved in building tile showers, the time you’ll spend on the installation of a shower pan will be far less in comparison. Bestbath’s shower pans come ready to install, pre-leveled at the factory so there’s no need for mud setting.
Easier Maintenance
Once a shower pan is installed, it can be easier to maintain. Traditional showers typically have a supportive substructure underneath to help channel water into the drain, preventing any water that might seep through the grout from leaking into the floor.
Over time, these structures can give out, develop cracks or holes, and turn into a leak that rots the floor underneath. With proper sealing, a shower pan can eliminate this issue and the need to install a base underneath.
Another big pain to maintain for traditional tiled showers? Grout. The small spaces between tiles can be nearly impossible to clean properly. To make matters worse, the harsh chemicals in most cleaning products and the substances in our water supply can further contribute to the staining and deterioration of grout. In contrast to a tiled shower, a shower pan has no grout to clean, maintain or worry about.
