Have you thought about purchasing a glass block shower but ended up putting it off because it was difficult to figure out the right shower base or the general contractor told you the project could not be done? If so, you're not alone. There are many criteria that can effect your decision to choose the correct pan and contractor(s) for the shower project. Some of these factors might include:
o Your desired finishing material for the shower floor o The need for accessibility o Whether the project is in new construction or remodeling o If you have flexibility in size and shape of the base o Cost of the base.
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Here are 7 steps to consider in selecting the right glass block shower base and contractors and suppliers to get it right the first time:
Step 1 - Evaluate your flexibility in design, size, and shape - In determining the right base keep in mind that there are standard and custom shower bases. Here is a basic explanation of both:
Standard shower bases are preformed and premade. Their size, shape, and design cannot be altered. The most commonly available ones are made of acrylic and fiberglass. Their main advantages are they are produced in larger quantities and generally have lower prices. Their main disadvantage is their size and shape cannot be changed, they are sometimes difficult to get into existing bathrooms, and there are few designs that will accommodate a tile or marble floor.
A custom shower base is usually constructed at the project site (as is the case in a mortared mud set pan or a waterproof wedi closed cell polystyrene base which is frequently built by the tile trade), or in some cases is prefabricated (some companies can prefabricated solid surface cultured marble or a wedi closed cell polystyrene base). The advantages of these pans is they can be built at the site (sometimes getting a preformed unit through the door can be a challenge) and can be finished off with tile or marble, and in the case of the wedi system is 100% waterproof. The principle disadvantage of a mortared pan is if it's not done right it can cause water damage leading to mold or mildew problems (and the expensive cost to redo the pan and entire shower). The main disadvantage of a wedi waterproof system is the initial purchase price is higher than standard or custom mud set units.
Step 2 - Determine how you want to finish the shower floor of your glass block wall project - With acrylic or fiberglass shower pans the floor is made of acrylic and fiberglass which most commonly come in white, almond, or biscuit colors (decorator colors might be available from some manufacturers but are generally limited). Some of these bases are preformed with non-skid type surfaces. If you'd like a custom tile or marble finished floor you'll need to choose either a mud set, ready for tile wedi style pan, or cultured marble base for your project.
Step 3 - Will a roll in shower or accessible design be needed? When purchasing a shower base and walls think not only about your current needs, but also about your future requirements as well. Bathroom safety and accessibility are key factors in a thoughtful design of a glass block shower stall or enclosure. Most standard acrylic or fiberglass pans have a threshold to step over that make it difficult for wheelchair access. If a roll in or fully accessible shower is required the mud set or wedi style bases can be custom designed with ramps for improved accessibility.
Step 4 - Measure your bathroom door opening to ensure a premade base will fit through the door - A prefabricated shower base is not of much value if it doesn't fit through your door. In most new homes this is not an issue because the pan can be brought into the space before framing is completed, but in remodeling projects getting the unit through the door can be an issue. Measure your door opening before buying the base.
Step 5 - Finding a glass block shower wall and base supplier and determining the selection of sizes and shapes available - Where to sources bases for block showers is sometimes not as easy as consumers would like. Consider the following sources of supply:
Acrylic bases - These units can be sourced through glass block specialty suppliers - even with the prefabricated wall sections to match the base - or from some home center chains.
Mud set pans - In most cases tile setters will create this base in a multi-day process at the job site. Work with a tile setter or block specialty contractor to lay out the size and design of the shower before the mortared mud set base is created (this will ensure that your base is properly designed for your block walls).
Wedi fundo waterproof shower pan and curb - This system can be site built by a tile contractor or prefabricated as one section and shipped nationwide by a Wedi glass block shower base specialist.
Step 6 - Get a quote on your shower base and glass block walls at the same time. Don't assume the lowest initial purchase cost is best- Get the pricing on your base and your walls together. It is important to make sure that the pan and the walls will work together since the blocks cannot be cut (the blocks are available in 2" increments with finished shapes for rounded, angled, and finished ends to accommodate many designs). Make sure that the base will be wide enough (most blocks require either 3" or 4" wide curbs) to accommodate the blocks as well. Although fiberglass bases tend to be cheapest they are generally not designed with the thickness of glass block walls in mind.
Step 7 - Keep long term quality and structural integrity in mind - A shower base failure caused from a cheaply made fiberglass pan or an improperly installed mud set pan can be very costly (usually when the base fails it can cause water damage and will result in needing to remove the entire shower walls and the base and also may impact your tile walls and surrounding floor). Don't skimp on the base. Make sure it is a quality unit that will stand up over time.
Now that you're equipped with these 7 steps you're ready to order your shower base for a glass block wall.
Glass Block Shower Base and Pan Options For Structure and Longevity
Mike Foti is President of Columbus Glass Block, Cleveland Glass Block, Mid America Glass Block Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron & Vice President of Eastern Glass Block New York & New Jersey - nationwide factory direct suppliers & installers of glass block shower walls, bases, custom laser etched glass blocks and colored glass blocks. Glass block shower base designs and prefabricated acrylic and waterproof wedi bases are available for nationwide shipment as well.
Nationwide 877-668-5888
shower pan
glass block shower
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