Two Common Approaches for Installing a Corner Shower Unit
By Mark J. Donovan
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Installing a corner shower is an ideal way to maximize the space in a small bathroom. Corner showers are also commonly installed in large bathrooms where there is a large and separate spa tub. In most cases, where there is a separate tub in the bathroom, it is the corner shower unit that is most commonly used.
There are two basic approaches when it comes to undertaking a corner shower installation project. You can either install a prefabricated fiberglass corner shower unit or build a custom one. There are pros and cons with each approach. |
Prefabricated Corner Showers
One major advantage of prefabricated fiberglass corner shower units is that there are numerous manufacturers of corner shower units, and they each offer a wide array of sizes, shapes, styles and colors. A second advantage is that fiberglass corner shower units are also relatively inexpensive compared to full blown fiberglass tub/shower units or alternatively building a custom corner shower.
| The major con associated with prefabricated corner shower units, is that they can be difficult to carry in and install in existing bathrooms. This said smaller fiberglass corner shower units are commonly squeezed through doorways and stairwells on bathroom renovation projects.
Custom Corner Shower Installations Installing a custom corner shower offers a number of benefits, however it does involve significantly more work and money. Most custom corner showers are built using ceramic tile and a mortar shower pan. Both take time and money to install. |
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One key advantage is that the size of your corner shower is not limited by the size of your doors and hallways. It is only limited by the size of your bathroom, your budget and creativity. As a result, custom corner shower installations are ideal for bathroom renovation projects.
| Another key advantage of building a custom corner shower is their pure elegance and beauty. A ceramic tiled shower looks gorgeous in bathrooms and prospective homebuyers love to see them.
As already suggested, the cons associated with installing a custom corner shower is that it takes significantly more time and money. First, the corner shower needs to be framed. Then a mortar shower pan needs to be installed. Concrete backer board has to then be attached to the wall studs. Finally the shower area has to be tiled. A custom corner shower installation project can take a couple of weeks or more to complete. |
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It is also imperative to build the mortar shower pan properly to prevent leaks. A leaky shower floor will inevitably lead to mold and mildew growth as well as rot. If interested in learning more about installing a mortar shower pan, see my “Shower Membrane Liner Installation Ebook”. This Ebook provides step-by-step instructions, along with pictures, on how to build a mortar shower pan.
A derivative alternative to building a custom corner shower is to install a fiberglass shower pan into a framed out corner shower area. With this approach, you can avoid the cost and time of installing the mortar shower pan.
For help on your bathroom remodeling project, see my Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to prospective bathroom remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive bathroom remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the project.
Related Information
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