I think the reason this isn't normally done is due to waterproofing issues. Generally when you get a tile guy who knows what the heck they are doing to build a shower with a bench for you, they build the bench INSIDE the of the shower pan out of masonry (CMU most of the time) and it becomes like one big monolithic unit. If you are doing this with a shower base, you obviously can't do it that way. That said, I had a similar condition, just not the neo-angle shaped shower base. I did not want to deal with 1) finding a competent tile guy who I trusted enough to build a second floor shower base for me after we gutted this bathroom due to a leak in the first place and 2) deal with having to clean grout in the shower base (in my experience it's the grungiest part of the shower) but I did want a bench. What I did is probably not approved by all of the tile guys on john bridge, I'm not sure what the ones around here will think, but I think it will work. We basically built the bench out of regular 2x framing, sheathed it with 3/4" plywood and then 1/2" durock and then waterproofed the whole thing with Kerdi membrane. It's pretty much rock solid though. The bottom of the bench acts as the 4th wall, and then it turns back to make the bench and then continues upward. I don't have great pictures, but here's the best one I have: I don't think this is a smart thing to do with anything other than kerdi for your waterproofing - the chances of a catastrophic failure are just too high. I think the big thing that tile guys might disapprove of is the potential lack of rigidity of the wood frame bench cracking the grout and/or tile. I don't know if this is an even bigger issue with larger tile, I'm sure someone will weigh on on it though. I just know the princess (moi) wanted what she wanted and this was the only way she could have it ;). We just overengineered the heck out of the bench. BTW I saw a neo-angle shower with the bench at once side in a display at an Expo store once and I thought it was the nicest neo-angle shower I've ever seen.

Those GRIF form bases look really cool! I like our Corian counters in the kitchen, I think Corian would be an excellent choice for a shower base. We installed a Swanstone base in our shower about 3 years ago. It has been very easy to maintain, but I guess I can't speak to long-term durability. The shower is used every day, currently by 4 people while we remodel the other bathroom. I'd say it still looks as nice, today, as it did when we installed it. I like the raised non-slips more than etched (our new Kohler Villager cast iron tub in the other bathroom has etched nonslips and they feel like chalkboard to me -- I'll probably stick the bathtub mat over them when the remodel is done). I'd go with Swanstone again if I had to make the choice. We also have the Swanstone solid surface shower niche, and that is a piece of cake to maintain.

If it has no slope it doesn't meet code. You'll get a red tag if you're caught installing it.

Hi, anyone from Vancouver Canada? I have been trying to find a source for a Corian solid surface shower pan but am having a difficult time finding one. I've called a few bathroom supply stores and went to a few Home Depot and they only have the ugly acrylic ones and only in white, Corian.com does not even mention this type of product so why is that? If it's such a great product why wouldn't they advertise it?