| Tile ready shower pans are a modern alternative to | | | | The Tile Redi system includes a polyurethane pan |
| traditionally built shower pan liners for ceramic tile | | | | with a built-in drain. Standard pan sizes come with |
| showers. Traditional pans require masonry skills and | | | | built in curbs and side shields. The pan sets in a |
| some art for several of the construction steps. Tile | | | | mortar base supplied by the builder. Level the unit |
| ready pans require skill too, but not as much skill. Also | | | | and attach all the pieces and it's ready for tile |
| the newer designs go in faster since there is no cure | | | | installation. Check the prices! |
| time for masonry liners. | | | | The Schluter system has a pan with material for |
| The new design shower pans are ready for ceramic | | | | foam curbs and sealing material for the shower wall |
| tile setting as soon as they are installed. The drain is | | | | plus matching adhesives. The Schluter also includes a |
| built in to the base pan and the slope is built into the | | | | matching drain. This system is better suited for odd |
| pan. Check local building codes for approval of | | | | size locations and has the large advantage of sealing |
| whatever system you choose. | | | | the entire wall. The pan sets in a mortar base and |
| The traditional shower methods work great if done | | | | after installation is ready for tile. |
| properly and are especially suited for custom sizes. | | | | Lastly, the Wedi system from Germany uses foam |
| But the newer systems are perfect for custom sizes | | | | panels with adhesive to build any size shower. Foam |
| too and are especially good for multi-unit installations | | | | boards make up the walls for a completely |
| like apartments or hospitals. The disadvantage of tile | | | | waterproof shower. The pan is set in a mortar base |
| ready showers is cost. Installation is faster but cost is | | | | and is ready for tiling the morning after installation. |
| consistently higher. In most cases you can get a | | | | Conventional masonry construction of shower pans |
| traditional shower pan built for just the cost of the | | | | builds ceramic tile showers that will last for decades |
| ready made shower pan material. So look carefully at | | | | at a reasonable cost. Tile ready shower pans do |
| cost. | | | | have advantages in some situations. |
| Consider these three systems. | | | | |