John - you don't have to explain which end is up to me. Contrary to your notion that I'm just guy trolling the internet for reading material - I actually have 25 + years in the building/remodeling business. All I'm trying to get through your thick skull is that UPC and local codes are not always the same ( even with in the same country) and local customs may differ in their enforcement of them ! What may be the law of the land in Vancouver may have no bearing in Greenwood SC. Also , let me spell out for you what I mean since you are having trouble grasping this: "plumbing inspects don't mind if the tile guys install Kerdi Drains" [sic] This is not the same thing as saying: The plumbing code is WRITTEN in this jurisdiction to allow the tile guy to hookup plumbing !!!!! What is happening - are you listening John? - is that the inspectors are using their judgement and discretion on a case by case basis like they normally do to move the project along. It's a wink wink nudge nudge situation, you know - social graces, a$$ kissing, politiking, back slapping , ect... Perhaps you don't. You see, the bright ones are not there to be an autobot checking off the boxes of the CODE, they are there to ensure that the public get a safe house. Hooking up the drain PROPERLY ( can be) accomplished by a plumber , homeowner, general contractor, architect, salesman or anyone really. It can also be IMPROPERLY installed by all including the plumber, and a license is no guarantee either way. I AM NOT SAYING THAT IT IS WRITTEN IN THE UPC THAT THESE PEOPLE CAN DO SO ! I am saying that it is not that hard a task or requiring a huge amount of skill or experience - especially the kerdi one. So just about anyone with decent motor skills and a bit of instruction could do it. Am I being clear enough for you? I am also NOT SAYING/ADVOCATING that people should run out and get their ob/gyn or cousin Sally to actually preform the work. Still clear ??? Anyway I'm sure you've seen the opposite happen, crumudgeon inspector shows up and has a longstanding issue/personality conflict with your plumber or sparky so your job gets failed out of hand - doesn't matter if there is anything deficient. We've even run in to instances where the local enforcer won't approve a Kerdi install no matter how many drawings, approvals, letters, or engineering stamps we submit to them- just ain't going to happen! I know that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, but don't worry we didn't use Nobel or Hydroban, simply put in a $200 fiberglass unit and ripped it out after inspection and C.O. and built them a curbless, doorless, walk in. Client wanted Kerdi, so we facilitated that, and the local guy was not going to impede that because he didn't agree with the product or procedure. Are you getting this point ??? He just didn't want to accept a membrane type shower, it wasn't against UPC or Local CODE, he simply wouldn't pass / sign off on it. So our "cowboy ways" made the client happy, and met CODE, it simply wasn't rubber stamped by the building police. Getting this ??? An NO, I didn't forget to mention where this took place , and NO, I'm not going to - so don't ask! And don't try to guess, It wasn't even in our region. Oh , so now you're on board that a homeowner can install the drain in his highrise condo?? What if it's a co-op or condo in which the bylaws strictly forbid the homeowner doing work themselves ? In that case they wouldn't be able to despite the local laws! Then we could debate the merits of the fella that thumbs his nose at the board and undertakes the work himself claiming "it legal". Again - I am not questioning your assessment of how a good shower is generally arrived at or how the UPC is written. What I am trying to point out is that local codes are not the same everywhere, and enforcement is sometimes a grey area, and the indiv. signing off may or may not be abreast of the current code in it's entirety. Then there is the inspector's "interpretation" of the CODE. SO, I think you've got a lot of nerve trying to tell me what's what in my own backyard, especially since you have ZERO experience is this neighborhood.

Dawn, Do not invest good money in an pre-fabricated acrylic shower pan only to butcher it to accommodate your custom needs. Just have your tile guy build a mortar pan, in whatever configuration and size you like. It will need to be clad with tile, but even that can be a relatively maintenance-free endeavor if you choose a porcelain mosaic and use an epoxy grout. Shaughnn

Is this a prefabricated pan or are you building a traditional tile shower? When you say "double Threshold," do you mean it's finished on both sides? You can fabricate what you need out of bricks and mason mix...then tile over it. I like to have a piece of granite cut and polished for the job. No grout lines and very strong. As to the height, the top of the curb should be a minimum of 2" higher than the drain.

I keep revisiting this thread, hoping for a Sign. :) Is it ever acceptable to use a shower pan and create a tile threshold over it, thereby making it higher? As for cleaning the nonskid elements of a shower or tub. I have some wonderful nonskid strips in my otherwise very slippery acrylic tub where I take my showers. Yes, they pick up and hold grime a little too well and you can't just go gangbusters cleaning acrylic. The other day I used some Softscrub and a curved nail brush that fits around a couple of fingers. With very little elbow grease ALL the grime was removed and the shape of the nail brush is very ergonomic.