Caveat emptor (which in Latin means "let the buyer beware"). In the building of a glass block shower (or a shower of any type for that matter) this statement could not be truer than it is today. With contractors scrambling for work and trying to undercut one another with price some are tempted to cut corners after they've been awarded the work. The easiest place some contractors find to save their money (not yours) is in the areas most population don't see and don't know a lot about (it's in the buildings of what's behind the terminated stock - the shower base and wall backboards).
Don't let yourself come to be another statistic in the millions of dollars spent each year in replacement and repairs of showers. Get knowledgeable, get it done right the first time, and don't decree for cheap materials. Waterproof (or at the least use water unyielding materials) your shower to keep it functional and beautiful.
Shower Wall
This article will supply 5 1/2 practical steps to ensure a successful shower task the first time.
Step 1 - agree your shower base - It all begins with the foundation - in this case your shower pan or base. This is unmistakably a spot where the cheapest solution may be just that - cheap and potentially problematic in the long run. Here are some base recommendations depending on your budget:
• Most cost sufficient funds - If money is tight think using the following:
- One piece acrylic base - These bases come preformed, prefinished and pre-pitched and have a one piece building to eliminate water damage concerns through the lowest of the base. The top is made of acrylic which will not crack or yellow like sometimes is seen with fiberglass bases. The drawbacks of glass block showers with acrylic bases is they are ready in exiguous sizes (currently on the store there is a 72" x 51" walk-in shower and a 60" x 32" and 60" x 34" shower best fitted for a tub to shower conversion) and exiguous colors (white and biscuit).
- Mud set pan bases - While some population will look to save money with mortared bases be very rigorous before proceeding with this choice (an improperly constructed "mud base" can be a disaster in the long run if it's not done right). This law is constructed by hand at your task site and is time challenging to complete. The installer must make the right pitch, create the right curbs and waterproofing approach. You are totally dependent on the skill and knowledge of the installer with this coming vs. Prefabricated type facility base.
• Mid-priced funds - Fortunately the options in the middle price point part of the store have grown dramatically over the last 5 years. Here are the 2 most popular:
(A) One piece expanded polystyrene base for a ready for tile application - This base offers the ultimate in flexibility. It can be made into virtually any size or shape (you can even have a curved shower wall on the face of this base - i.e. The footprint of the base does not have to be a rectangle, quadrilateral of angled design). The drain can be located anywhere you'd like to have it which can vital dollars in a remodeling task since you can eliminate the cost of challenging your plumbing. In expanding these bases are made in one piece, are 100% waterproof and they have no seems. They are easy to setup and ready for tile and river rock as well.
(B) Swanstone solid face base - Solid face swanstone bases are also waterproof, ready to setup when they arrive and the top face is terminated out of the box. The drawbacks to this law are exiguous sizes and shapes are ready as standard.
• Most costly base systems - institution designed base systems made of Corian can also be used for your block installation. These bases are terminated at the top and be made to order. Their drawbacks are they are very heavy (which can make them difficult to work with in remodeling projects) are the initial buy price can be face the funds of many.
Step 2 - selecting a wall surround and backer board law - Some solid face wall systems are waterproof (with the irregularity of the seems in the corners) right out of the box. These contain acrylic and Swanstone solid face walls. The Swanstone stock will have a more luxurious look than acrylic - although the acrylic walls do now come in many simulated tile, granite and stone looks.
If you're looking for the flexibility and attractiveness of tile for your shower then selecting the backing material behind the wall will be critical. If you want a waterproof facility you'll want to think using water tight materials like an expanded polystyrene Kerdi board by Schluter or an extruded polystyrene board by Wedi. For a water unyielding (not as quite as good as the polystyrene boards but less expensive) you can use cement backer boards for the buildings behind your tiled walls.
Step 3 - Use premade shampoo niches, angle seats & benches - Why recreate the wheel when you can get shower accessories that are pre-built at the factory? There are many lines of shampoo niches, angle seats, benches and even ladies leg ledges to pick from that are built out of waterproof materials like expanded and extruded polystyrene and acrylic. They will help save time and money vs. Manufacture them by hand on the job site.
Step 4 - agree the right glass block shower wall law - Once again using the right materials for your glass block shower wall(s) will make all the difference. Since there are not a lot of block facility specialists across the country (who are capable of delivering a quality block by block installation) the use of prefabricated wall systems is a safe, and also sound, recipe to choose. Using vinyl stack prefabricated wall sections the blocks are built into manageable wall panels that can be set, anchored to your side walls and then field grouted. This will save you time, money, and vastly heighten the terminated quality of the project. If you want to add some unique style to your task build into the panels colored or frosted glass blocks for a dramatic effect.
Step 5 - For tile showers get the right grout - approximately every town has aftermarket aid associates that do nothing but mend tile grout - that is why so many population hate grout. Spend more up front to eliminate these costly, time challenging and messy aid projects down the road. think the use of a urethane grout for your tile and glass block wall joints up front. Urethane grout is waterproof, ready in buckets that are premixed and ready in a wide range of colors.
Step 5 1/2- If you're still worried call a professional - The reality is there are a lot of challenging components and parts in a shower - a base, wall backer boards, plumbing, and the terminated walls to name just a few. While there may be facets of the task you're comfortable doing yourself it will also be prominent to know when to seek out and bring in experts. Look for a considerable contractors through rating services like Angie's List, the good firm Bureau and/or tap into your collective networks.
Now that you're adequate with these 5 1/2 waterproofing steps you're ready to get started on the construct and facility of your glass block shower wall and base.
Creating a Waterproof Glass Block Walk-In Shower Wall and Base
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