How to Frame a Shower Pan Base

In some cases this may not be possible, such as in the case where the shower wall studs may impede upon the plumbing supply and drain lines. As a result you may have to adjust the location of some of the shower wall studs.

After framing the shower wall studs, it is important to install 2×6 blocking in between each wall stud to frame the shower pan base area. The 2×6 blocking should be positioned in between the shower wall studs such that a smooth shower base well is created.

The 2×6 blocking acts as a form for the mortar shower pan, as well as a nailing surface for attaching the flexible shower pan membrane liner to. The shower pan membrane liner is sandwiched in between two layers of mortar to form the finished shower pan base. In addition to framing in the shower wall studs and 2×6 blocking, it is important when framing a shower pan base to have a strong and stable subfloor surface. Typically a subfloor is created out of ¾ inch tongue and groove plywood.

It is wise to install another ½ inch or ¾ inch exterior grade plywood over the subfloor to create a 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch thick subfloor surface.

Including additional plywood over the subfloor material when framing a shower pan based is even more critical if the existing subfloor has been structurally compromised, such is often the case when plumbing drain pipes are installed.

Finally, it is important to include a shower pan curb on the outside edge of the custom ceramic tile shower unit. You can either use a length of 4”x4” material or simply laminate 2 or 3 lengths of 2”x4”s together to create the shower pan curb. Make sure the shower pan curb is fastened securely to the subfloor using either long screws or 16 penny nails. With the shower pan curb installed the framing in of the shower pan base is complete.

You can then move on to the next stage of building your custom ceramic tile shower, installing the mortar shower pan.