Long time lurker, first time poster, great topics, love the forum.
I need the benefit of your experience on re-doing a shower enclosure in my master bath. It is a standard, square 36′ three sided shower with a fiberglass (?) pan and a glass door. The walls are tiled, and I have recently discovered that they leak and have been doing so for some time (rotting studs behind–not pretty). Since SWMBO hates the tile I am thinking about doing a rebuild to just do this once and do it right.
My question has mainly to do with what to replace this with. Very curious about a corian/swanstone type system (pan and three walls) where there would essentially be a single unit, but don’t know much about cost or how this would look in a few years. I have a good amount of experience with floor tile, but not walls, but this is an option. Don’t really care for the acrylic-type systems, but willing to listen. Your thoughts on how these type enclosures age as well as cost and install would be greatly appreciated. Worried I am being seduced by the idea of having a seamless shower to virtually eliminate the possibility of future problems.
Replies
in yur heart and mind....
what would you like...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
We installed a 4-piece Corning fiberglass unit downstairs 23 years ago. (Gee, has it been that long?) Still looks fine (just a hint of rust staining on the back wall), and no leaks. I showered there every morning up until about 4 years ago (when I started showering in the gym most mornings).
This unit was designed with interlocking pieces. A raised rib in the pan fits into slots on the bottom of the wall panels, and the wall panels likewise have tongue&groove connections between them. Pretty foolproof, once you have the pan properly placed.
Not sure you can get this unit any more, though.
Tile looks nice and can be more durable when properly installed, but assuring proper installation is difficult.