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Do “L-Shaped” shower rods make a reliable shower design?

Tommasini53 | Posted in General Discussion on July 13, 2013 12:15pm

Greetings,

Do “L” shaped shower rods make for reliable shower design? Am I asking for a puddled up bathroom floor after every shower? I just don’t see this idea carried out very often and that worries me.

I’m seeking input on a bathroom remodel idea. I have a small bathroom, part of it has a sloping ceiling. This room used to be a closet.

The shower is in a corner and will be about 33″x33″ or so.

I would like to use an”L” shaped shower-rod, thus having a shower curtain on two sides of the shower.  The floor and walls around the shower area will be tiled.  I can build the shower curb plenty tall to contain the curtain and water.

I’d like to avoid walling in the shower, I’d rather have the room wide open so it won’t seem so small.

Any experiences with this type of design (positive and negative) would be greatly appreciated!!

I’ve found Signiture Hardware and they carry several high quality brands of L shaped and neo-angle shower rods.

Thanks in advance 🙂  Adam

 

 

Reply

Replies

  1. calvin | Jul 13, 2013 03:51pm | #1

    Adam

    For an accessible shower area in an addition-where room for an attendant as well as the client in the shower chair-we made the corner of the semi large bathroom-the shower.  

    Guessing now-the room is maybe 9x9 at least-one corner of the room is cut (making it 5 sided) and that houses the double pocket door.  

    Shower in the corner, toilet to one side, accessible sink/vanity top on the other.

    No curb.

    Long, 3 sided hospital type track with stainless "keychain and rollers) from it holds the curtain-they cross in front of each other.

    We ran the pan out into the room-a couple feet from the curtain line.

    Your shower being small-will not allow the water direction from the head to be set to avoid not striking the curtain.........not that I like them, but a rain head dropped from above might help you.

    Wherever the opening is in the two pc. curtain-have them bypass each other at least 6".  Further, if you could have them begin behind a short bumped out wall, no water will make it out of there-it'll be directed back onto the floor and within the curb.

  2. DanH | Jul 13, 2013 07:12pm | #2

    Note that it's not practical to install an L-shaped rod without a center hanger.  WIth simple tube-style rods this will mean that the curtain will not slide past the center hanger support point.  A track-style rod can allow sliding past the support but will be larger and more expensive.

  3. junkhound | Jul 13, 2013 09:58pm | #3

    Own shower is L shaped rod, but I had to make one myself.  The cheap thin rod pos you can buy need a center hanger like dan implied.

    I bent a 1" sch 40 piece of pipe and welded a plate to each end that then bolted to the wall studs with 4 ea 1/4" lag bolts.  Painted with lacquer.  Has held up for 30 years, the kids could even hang on it without deforming it.

    1. Tommasini53 | Jul 13, 2013 11:24pm | #4

      I planned to spend $$$ on a heavy guage shower rod, you confirmed the need to go for a high quality one.  Since you've had it for 30 years, you must like this design for a shower?  How large of a shower?

      1. DanH | Jul 16, 2013 07:13am | #6

        Note that an L-shaped rod, without center support, must be VERY ridigly mounted to the adjacent walls.  Probably better than welded-on plates would be to run the ends through about a foot of framing.  (Or use the channel-style rod with a center support, in which case the ends just need to be attached well enough to not pull out from their mounts.)

        1. junkhound | Jul 16, 2013 10:02am | #7

          Hmm - topology question:

          Unless it is done as the stud walls are built, HOW do you install both ends of a rigid L shaped rod 1 ft into the framing?  

        2. junkhound | Jul 16, 2013 10:03am | #8

          Hmm - topology question:

          Unless it is done as the stud walls are built, HOW do you install both ends of a rigid L shaped rod 1 ft into the framing?  

        3. Tommasini53 | Jul 16, 2013 06:48pm | #9

          The wall is open, down to the studs.  I've blocked the areas where i'll attach the shower rod so I'll have something substantial at both ends.  

          If you have any hints on blocking for such an attachment, please let me know. 

          I used 2x4's about a foot long so as to have plenty of coverage above and below the point where the shower rod attaches.  They are very secure.

          I found shower rods with welded brackets at both ends (can't be cut to fit).  I'll likely use stainless steel screws, not sure of the size. thanks much for the help...

  4. IdahoDon | Jul 15, 2013 11:41pm | #5

    If it were me I'd hit up every glass door installer (the actual installers, not the guys who own the glass shop) and remodeler, and let them know you're willing to pay $XXX for a small all glass shower when they rip one out for a client and replace it with something newer.  I'd also run an add on craigslist saying the same, and check CL daily for someone trying to sell one.

    At times people can't give them away and I don't know of a better way to keep a bathroom open looking and functional.

    Personally I'd vote for a curbless shower and a glass wall with no door.    

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