Kohler Cast Iron Shower Bases - Experience with Drilling to Set Glass?

7 years ago

Hello! I have 2 Kohler Cast Iron shower bases. I'd like to use custom frameless glass enclosures on them. I have had two glass companies take a look and have received different feedback on how to attach the glass.

My strong preference is clips as opposed to a U channel. I am using these clips in my other bathrooms that have solid surface curbs. Both glass companies say they can drill into the cast iron and use clips but one seems completely comfortable with it and the other seems to be trying to talk me out of it without actually saying no.

I am obviously nervous about cracking a finished product that would be virtually impossible to fix. I don't know anything about how safely one can drill into cast iron?

Has anyone done this before or have any experience with anything similar? Many thanks in advance for any help :)

Featured Answer

MongoCT

7 years ago

Drilling through porcelainized cast iron?

I use an angle grinder or something similar to first abrade/cut through the porcelain. The tool and the cutting edge depends on the surface orientation; flat, inside corner, outside corner, etc.

It's a personal preferance to not drill directly upon the porcelain surface.

There is no cracking/chipping/flaking of the porcelain, it simply abrades it away.

Then drill through the cast iron.

Hit the bare metal with epoxy or primer to seal the metal. Prevents potential rust down the road.

Then attach clip.

Again, a personal preference.

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Comments (12)

odin08075
7 years ago
We have a kohler cast iron shower base and custom frameless glass doors. Clips were used, drilled into the iron base, my husband watched over them when they drilled it. Husband now tells me (6 years latter) that he was afraid of the porcelain cracking particularly since the contractor was not prepared for when the drill bit finally went through and the drill slammed into the base. Never-the-less, all is well and 6 years latter it still looks as perfect as the day it was put in. I would without a doubt use the Kohler cast iron pan if ever we do another bathroom reno.
elgable21 thanked odin08075
elgable21
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
odin - thank you so much for sharing your experience with me! I have noted the potential problem of the drill finally letting lose and hitting the base when drilling! I don't mean to press my luck :)... but I don't suppose your husband knows anything about the type of drill bit they used, etc.?
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cat_mom
7 years ago
We had a glass door/fixed panel installed onto the Kohler cast iron shower receptor (pan) in our guest bathroom. No problem.
elgable21 thanked cat_mom
elgable21
Original Author
7 years ago
Odin or cat_mom: would either of you be willing to share a photo?
grannysmith18
7 years ago
Slightly off topic - so many people rave about the Kohler cast iron shower pans. I'm very open to all suggestions - what's so great about them, aside from the obvious, no grout lines to clean? Aren't they slippery? I assumed I'll be using tile for the new shower floor, but I'm happy to consider something else that's nice. The current shower has a pan the builder put in that's pretty hideous and gets dirty - sort of a rubberized plastic?, I don't know what it is - but in all fairness, it's never leaked or had mold that couldn't be removed.
cat_mom
7 years ago
The Kohler cast iron shower pan has no-slip grips. I didn't find it to be slippery when we used it during our upstairs bath renos, and I don't think my parents do when they use it during their visits.
southofsa
7 years ago
Ditto what cat_mom said. Not slippery.

Lisa
Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
The ones I have seen in the stores seem very "grippy" rather than slippery. My fear is that I would drag my foot and trip, not slip and fall. Check around at Kohler dealers near you (or anywhere you may visit). I have been able to see two in person. They do sinktops in some of the same colors, so if you want to see some of the available colors, you may be able to view them in a sink/counter combo if they do not have a shower base.
enduring
7 years ago
I have a Kohler pan and was afraid of having the pan drilled. I put in french doors that are attached to the alcove side walls. I have sweeps at the bottom edge that I remove from time to time to clean and slip back on. I do get leakage out the side edges of the glass when I use the hand held shower, so I have picked up sweeps for that too, that the shower door company provides if needed. I haven't installed them yet. I am hoping they are side enough to cover the gap.
elgable21 thanked enduring
odin08075
7 years ago
You may be able to zoom in on this photo. For the OP, my DH does not remember what drill bit was used.
elgable21 thanked odin08075
elgable21
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you @MongoCT. I REALLY appreciate your specific input. I will put it to good use.

@enduring - I've had the same thoughts for sure. Glad to hear your real life experience of that option!

@odin08075 your shower looks beautiful. It is wonderful to have a visual to go with your explanations. It was very generous of you to take the time to share it!

Kohler Cast Iron Shower Bases - Experience with Drilling to Set Glass?

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