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Shower Bases: Brands to recommend, Brands to avoid?

15 years ago

I was pretty sold on buying a Jacuzzi brand shower base 42" L x 36" D until an online retailer who sells Jacuzzi brand recommended against them saying they have quality control issues and are thin. So now I'm concerned.

Anyone have info to share of brands they recommend? brands to avoid? Who makes a good quality shower base? It's very difficult to find these in stores, I end up relying on pics on the internet and am concerned.

I'm also seeing some cheaper ones with "Gel Coat" then an upcharge for Acrylic. I have no idea what "Gel Coat" is or if I should avoid it.

Any info would be helpful!

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Comments (5)

fixizin
15 years ago
I too would be VERY interested in the real-world skinny on these, both the kind you can tile-on-directly, and the kind that are finished, ready to go. Either way, the PRE-SLOPE and CURB are built-in! And no "membrane" required. BRAVO!

I've "heard" good things about the Swanstone bases (~$300), and for ~$600, the nicer Corian bases, both ready to go, in MANY color choices. You bring your cement-board + tile right down over their side-flanges, caulk the seam, fit the drain spud--DONE. NEXT. (I've heard there are also Corian wall panels, which obviate tile altogether.)

Basically they are bathtubs, with very low sides. You never have leaks from bathtubs, sign me UP!... lol.

I am totally turned off by the time and labor involved in "mudding in" a custom shower base, Kerdi or "traditional"... friggin' membranes, weep holes, which "religion" to follow on curb construction, what kind of whiz-bang grout to use... on and on... I RESPECT the skill involved, but who needs it?
rheal82
15 years ago
is this to make a man made shower if so i wouldn't buy an acrylic base case tile wont bond to it you can buy a kit made out of compressed styro foam heres is a website of the product it one of the best works very well http://www.northlandconstruction.com/product.php?pid=2618
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Wayne Reibold
Original Author
15 years ago
what I'm after isn't to put tile ontop of the shower base, just tile on the tile flange part of it. I'm currently leaning toward a shower base by Onxy -- see http://www.onyxcollection.com/new/stand_shwr_bases.html

Onyx's shower bases are supposed to be super strong like Corian and come in matte or shiny finish (your choice). I personally don't like the matte look (which Swanstone uses on their shower bases).
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rheal82
15 years ago
if thats the product there that you put the link of there i wouldn't put tile on it it cause putting tile you canot have any give or movement in the base at all cause it will not bond the tile will pop off or grout will crack plus if you do decide to do it whit that base you need to scuff the surface where you are gonna put the tile on for a good bond but wouldn't be my choice of put tile on it
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3birdy
3 years ago
@Wayne Reibold - reading your post and the Onyx Showers seem interesting... Did u ever use it? Whats your recommendation?
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