| How to install shower pan liners is the critical skill for | | | | size or custom layout for your shower is possible. |
| building a trouble-free shower. You do have several | | | | Fiberglass or Acrylic Liners |
| options for installing a shower pan. Read on to learn | | | | Your local building supply store stocks shower liners |
| the basics of shower liner installation and some of the | | | | ready to install. These pans are easy to install and |
| different options for building a long-lasting shower. | | | | can be used with matching walls or with tile walls. |
| The Traditional Way | | | | Choose fiberglass or acrylic materials for different |
| If you want a ceramic shower, the traditional way is | | | | looks and quality. The advantage of these shower |
| still the most common way to build a shower pan. | | | | floors is ease of installation and ease of cleaning. But |
| The traditional way is masonry construction. A | | | | custom sizes are much more expensive and may not |
| masonry base is built and the ceramic tile is set in | | | | be available in the layout you need. Fiberglass shower |
| place over the masonry base. This method requires | | | | floors also are easy to scratch and damage and do |
| some skill and even art. But if you understand the | | | | wear over time. Ceramic tile cannot be installed over |
| basics, a handy person can install a shower that | | | | standard fiberglass or acrylic shower pans. |
| works right on the first try. | | | | Tile Ready Shower Pans |
| Over a sold sub-floor you build two layers of mortar | | | | If you want a traditional looking ceramic tile shower |
| and then set the tile over the top layer. The drain is | | | | without the construction of the traditional shower |
| a special drain with two layers of drain holes. The | | | | pan, choose one of the tile ready shower systems. |
| first mortar layer is poured and sloped to the bottom | | | | And these are systems. Most include wall and ceiling |
| drain holes. After that first layer dries, a waterproof | | | | component liners as well as floor liners. Most tile |
| vinyl sheet is installed on top of the first layer. This | | | | ready shower pans include a vinyl pan with a built in |
| sheet is the real key to waterproofing the floor. The | | | | drain. The pans are built over a masonry base or |
| sheet is run up the shower walls and glued to the | | | | over foam support. |
| shower drain base. Over the waterproof membrane | | | | The advantage of these systems is the ease of |
| goes the top mortar layer. The tile is installed over | | | | installing. The skill level is less than the traditional |
| this layer and grouted in place. | | | | construction. Plus installation is faster since no waiting |
| The vinyl membrane is necessary because ceramic | | | | is required between layers. The downside is cost. The |
| tile and grout are not waterproof. The grout | | | | kit often costs as much as a completed traditional |
| especially soaks up water and doesn't stop water at | | | | installation. Manufacturers of tile ready systems are |
| all. | | | | Tile Redi, Schluter and Wedi. Check your area for |
| One big plus of traditional construction is that any | | | | installers. |