DIYbanter - View Single Post

yourname

wrote:
If you have never done this job, its a pain in the *ss.

Step two is not to use the local Lowes or HomeDepot for
the shower base. Any decent plumbing store will have a
larger selection of good acylic/fiberglass shower bases.

The one I put in is 5 feet wide (as big as a normal bath)
and was around 400.00 for it. Real nice heavy unit that
should last for MANY years to come.

Tom

Leonardo wrote:

We have decided that we are going to live in our current house for the
duration, so 'My Big Plan' is to Seniorize the house. I've just
completed all the lighting upgrades and I'm now moving on to the one of
the big ones. I will be tossing the shower/tub surround unit and
building from scratch a fully enclosed, floor to ceiling shower only,
with a low or no stepover, in the same space using the existing plumbing
layout. There is one hitch (so far). Those stock size, overpriced box
store fiberglass floor pans won't work for me. I need a custom dimension
floor.

So far its been suggested that I use a cement board underlay then trowel
out some kind of mix on top to get the slope to the drain, then tile.

Someone tried to describe a method where a waterproof membrane is put
down first... I didn't really catch what he meant.

The framing under the surround was properly built up to support the
current unit, so weight shouldn't be an issue

I'd appreciate hearing your ideas

Lenny

installed a tiled, no step shower ~2 years ago. radiant floor, plywood
sub floor. built up the rest of the floor by 1 1/2 inches, then the tile
guy used a Schluter system. Be aware the drain needs to match the
membrane. This system is actually pressed into the mortar, up the walls
and across the floor. There is then an orange dimpled product[now sold
at the despot] that goes down before the tile. Works well so far.

Just remember, for no step you still need a slope to the drain, so the
whole floor must be modified. My bath is 14 ft deep, so it wasn't a
problem. I put a small [3/4] step at the door, which you don't notice,
then a 4 foot ramp up the other 3/4, 5 ft level[where the sink is] and
then the shower starts sloping down to the drain. Tiles are cut for relief.

Ours is wide open, no curtain, no door, just keep a towel on a hook and
it takes care of the splash. Looks very cool.