So I have the rough plumbing for shower at 16″ from the drywall with about 27″ parallel to the wall. I would like something a little larger than a 32×32 freestanding stall. Going to menards/lowes tomorrow to see if I can find something retangular, but can anyone guide me to feasible plans for homebuilt in place systems? Thinking wood with fiberglass like an inside-out boat and remember overhearing this discussed before, maybe here, but can’t access it.
TIA
Tom Trueb
Delphi, IN
Replies
I make homemade showers all the time-they are really quite easy.
The curbed ones are the easiest, with a pre-slope, then a membrane liner, then the final setting bed. Always use a 2 part clamping type drain. The Tile Council of America has some guidelines for the both the walls and floors. Cost will be about $200 for the mortar and membrane. Add backerboard and tile to that.
If you want an easy curbed shower, a receptor unit is the easiest, a slab of synthetic stone or plastic which is slipped onto a receptor type drain stub. Cost runs about $200-500 for a variety of units. Add backerboard and tile to that.
The easiest curbed shower is a pre-fab unit which includes plastic walls and the floor--it just slips in. Cost is $300-600 for the whole unit.
Curbless is fairly impossible unless you want to spend big bucks for a Schulter Kerdi system. Schulter.com and their video will guide you through that, but basically you have to Kerdi most of the floor and pretty much all the walls. Big bucks.
I don't think much about homemade tar paper, fiberglass and epoxy, or other half-assed systems. The problem with these systems is that they leak, especially around the drain, and you really need a two part clamping drain to assure a good seal. If it leaks, you have framing damage, waste good tile and labor, and have mold issues.
The shower is the most expensive square footage in the entire house, bar none--and an improper installation can cause 3-4 times the cost in damages to framing and to your health. Treat that installation with respect.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Brother in law built a shower with 3/4" veneer oak and west system glue (epoxy). That was 15-20 years ago never had a problem, its doable just like building wood boat.
good luck