Choosing an shower pan for your bathroom renovation is essential as the pan form the foundation of the shower area. If you choose the incorrect size for your shower pan, you will encounter difficulty with the plumbing and walls of the bathroom. Additionally, the incorrect choice of pan size will cause issue with the layout of the bathroom.
When choosing a pan size, you must consider how you will use the bathroom. Many person want the largest pan that will fit in the bathroom. However, a compact pan may be better suited for a guest bathroom, while a larger pan can be used in the primary bathroom where there is more space to allow individuals to comfortabley soak in the water.
How to Choose a Shower Pan
A good balance must be found between having enough space to move in the shower and ensuring that there is no gap between the floor and the vanity that will leave the floor area unuseable. The material for your shower pan affect the cost of the pan and the way that it will look. Acrylic shower are common and come in a variety of colors.
Fiberglass is another material for shower pans, and they may be less costly than acrylic shower. However, the advantage of acrylic showers is that the fiberglass pans may fade over time. Solid surface and porcelain pans are more costly and provide a more permanent installation in the bathroom.
Additionally, there are tile-ready foam pans available. These pans allow for tile to be installed on the pan. A slope must be included in every shower pan to prevent water from pooling in the shower area.
If the pan do not slope toward the drain correctly, the water will pool in the corner of the shower. Water will remain in the shower instead of draining. You must choose the location of the drain prior to install the pan.
Center drains are common for showers. However, linear or end drains allow the water slope in only one direction. One-directional slope are common in curbless showers as they allow individuals floors to easily transition into the shower without curbs.
The installation of the shower pan is essential and require careful consideration of details. For example, you should not install acrylic pans directly on the subfloor. The pan may crack due to flexing of the acrylic pan without support from the subfloor.
A mortar bed or foam pan support the shower pan and ensures that the seams do not give way. Additionally, when installing the pan, you must account for the rough-in clearance. There must be space between the pan and the wall stud.
If there is no space between the studs and the pan, you will have to sand the studs to allow the pan to be installed correct. If you are installing the bathroom for accessibility, the ADA require more than just a large bathtub. The ADA requires that the curb be removed from the bathroom.
Additionally, a zero-threshold entry allow for the wheelchair to enter the shower. However, a zero-threshold entry requires a specific linear drain and slope in the shower pan. You must incorporate a precise slope to prevent water from leaving the shower area.
Finally, ensure that the location of the drain is aligned proper and that the rough opening is checked twice. Additionally, the waterproofing of the shower must extend high up the walls as it prevents water damage to the bathroom. If you choose the proper pan for your lifestyle and the available area in your bathroom, it will perform correct.
