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