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Are a shower base and shower pan the same thing?

3 years ago

I'm redoing my bathroom and a little confused. Are a shower bases like these: https://www.us.kohler.com/us/browse/bathroom-showering-shower-bases/_/N-2d8r meant to be tiled over or are these actually what your feet stand on. I thought these didn't need tile over them but I see people posting about putting tile over them. Also, can anybody recommend a high end base (thing that you actually stand on that doesn't need tile) that doesn't have anti-slip strips on it?

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

User
3 years ago
One stands on a pan, one uses a base as a substrate.
Nancy in Mich
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Kohler calls its ready-to-install, complete, shower-ready pans that need no tile - acrylic, acrylic over concrete, and cast iron enameled - BASES. Here

OP, I am going to guess that if the description discusses the finish or color, they are not to be tiled.

Could it be that the people you were seeing discuss putting tile over their bases were talking about tiling the walls above their Kohler bases? That is a common practice. All the bases on the page that you linked to are complete bottom-of-shower pieces.

I have a solid surface base from Transolid that does not have strips on it. It was cut to resemble 2" tiles, so that there is not a solid sheet of plastic, that can get slippery, underfoot. Solid Surface is a term that indicates that there is a plastic composite material that is the same through-and-through, so if it should ever get chipped or scratched, there is no different colored substrate. The surface can be repaired or sanded if needed. They are more heavy, reliable and expensive than the acrylic bases and last pretty much as long as the cast iron bases. Look for Swanstone, Corian, Transolid and other manufacturers. If there is a surface treatment like a gel to make it shine, it is not solid surface. Here is mine:
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We returned the acrylic pan that we'd originally ordered. First, we had been told it was fiberglass (it wasn't), and second, the moment the wrapper was opened, and I saw that there were no non-slip grips, I said it had to go back. Risk of cracking, scratching, etc. aside, risk of slipping on it was a huge strike against it. We'd planned to have a nice, and SAFE shower in the guest bathroom for both sets of visiting (and aging) parents. We paid a little more $ (a few hundred dollars, that's all), and got a Kohler cast iron shower receptor with integrated non-slip grips. Well worth the extra few bucks, and well worth the peace of mind with regards to safety, aesthetics (it looks nicer than the acrylic pan), and longevity.
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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.
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PRO
Innovate Building Solutions
2 years ago
The terms shower base and shower pan are often used to mean the same thing. Now there are 'ready for tile' shower pans which you tile over - and also 'grout free shower pans' (like those made of acrylic, fiberglass, cultured stone, solid surface etc.) which are options to the tile shower pan (or tile shower floor).

I'll include an image showing a stone shower pan (this one in a gray color) which doesn't need to be maintained at the surface. And I'll also give you a link to over 70 blog posts talking about shower pans and shower bases (including grout free - and tile grout pans) for you to learn more. Good luck with your project! Mike

Low profile and grout free shower pan

Articles about shower pans and base

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