Shower Pan Suggetions

[Gomez]

I'm getting ready to renovate the Master Bath. Currently, there is a one-piece fiberglass insert for the shower.

I'll be building a half wall and installing a frameless door/wall for the new shower enclosure.
The glass installer suggested I use a Tile-Redi pan.

I looked online at a few different systems

tile redi
dix systems

I'm leaning towards the Tile Redi.

Any experience with these?

Thanks!

 

[dave1949]

No experience with either. It's really important to get a waterproof seal behind the shower tile surface if you are going to tile the walls. A product like the one I linked should be applied such that it overlaps the inside of shower pan. Of course you don't see that when it's all done.

It's a good idea to put it on the shower ceiling too. Create a waterproof membrane that completely encloses the shower stall.

Shower - Schluter-Systems

Dave.

 

[Pops15]

Products like these are used for two reasons. 1. Cut costs. 2. Speed up the job.
By the time you install the tile-redi unit you'll be right at what a poured mud base would cost so the advantage to using it is in speeding up the project.

If you are planning a DIY project you might want to consider a poured base. Most of the cost is in the labor so you could save yourself a considerable amount of money over the tile-redi unit. There are some good articles online about how to pour a mud base.

Use it if you want to, but you don't need the membrane that Dave linked to. Use 1/2" hardi-backer on your walls. Obviously it will have to overlap the pan. Tile and use a quality grout. Seal the grout! I don't care if the grout manufacturer says the grout doesn't need to be sealed, use silicone sealer!!! You won't have any problems. At least I haven't and I've tiled 180+ showers.

While I'm on the subject of grout......always read the label on tile and grout cleaners. Some of them have acid in them. NEVER use acid based cleaners!!!!! They'll ruin the grout's ability to keep moisture from penetrating.
Pops

 

[woodlandfarms]

I would agree with POP except for one thing. Your skill and ability to create a mudded floor pan. We found this very challenging to do well in our remodel. And we are on a slab. The Schluter system is popular in LA with the high end tile guys. Not sure why but it is the one that seems to be in all the high end tile stores. Wish we had gone with a schluter or comparable, but only for the simple fact we did not have the skillset to make the shower pan.

 

[studor]

I have built several showers over the years using various technologies from mud base, to membrane to preformed. As an amateur I would use the shluter system. The other reason for products like these to emerge is to reduce the skill required to do a good job -- good tradesmen are expensive for a reason. A good mud base is a work of art and unless you really need custom dimensions, probably not worth the learning curve -- JMHO

 

[Travelover]

This is one of the best resources on the web for tile, shower pans, etc.

John Bridge Tile Forum, DIY Tile Advice, Tile How-to Information, Tile Your World

 

[akpilot]

Not real sure about these other systems, I used "Red Guard" and a "dry pack" (very dry pre-mix concrete) base.
It was actually a lot easier than I thought and fairly inexpensive. The "Red Guard" is amazing stuff!!

 

[dave1949]

Not real sure about these other systems, I used "Red Guard" and a "dry pack" (very dry pre-mix concrete) base.
It was actually a lot easier than I thought and fairly inexpensive. The "Red Guard" is amazing stuff!!

Nice shower Akpilot.

It's good to be aware that Hardi-board and like products are not rated as vapor/moisture barriers.

Tiled shower and tub enclosures seem to be one the most common places for moisture and mold problems to get started in the surrounding walls and floor.

If I knew I could have a 99.9% chance of preventing those problems, it would be worth it to me. That may be why the sealing and membrane products are being used.

Dave.

 

[akpilot]

Dave 1949: Red Guard is a membrane, that is very tough, after you roll or paint it on, it sets up like rubber. For extra strength in the corners and around the drain I embed some special fabric. The Red guard it self is kinda expensive, but not when you compare it to buying rubber membranes, glue, etc.

 

[Kays Supply]

I have been installing custom lead shower pans for about 25 years. I have yet to have a leak from one. The main reason for using the lead pan is it can be sealed water tight and made to fit any shape shower you can dream up. When it is installed, you can put your mud bed in it. It will hold 6" of water like a bath tub. The membranes are lapped inside and then hardiboard over that. If you want the absolute best, not cheapest, that is the way.