Tile Ready Shower Pans

Tile ready shower pans are the alternative to the traditional built-up mortar base with a waterproof membrane. The traditional method of building a shower requires skill to properly slope the masonry base and careful attention to install the membrane without damage. You can get a video showing how to build a traditional shower pan at this link... Also the challenge is to seal from the waterproof membrane to the drain. And the normal shower drain has drain holes below the surface of the shower floor that take water from the waterproof membrane. These holes can clog. Tile ready shower pans ideally solve all these problems.

After installation the tile ready shower pans are ready for ceramic tile setting. All sloping to the drain is done. The drain is sealed and the corners and edges of the pan are waterproofed. You will want to check local building codes for approval of whatever system you choose.

The traditional shower building methods work perfectly if done correctly and are especially suited for custom sizes. But especially for repetitive jobs like apartments or hospitals, the tile ready showers make a lot of sense. One disadvantage of tile ready showers is cost. Installation is potentially faster but cost is high. In some cases you could have a shower pan built the traditional way for just the cost of the ready made shower pan. So look carefully at cost. Also some systems come in standard sizes and aren't easily changed.

Here are three systems to consider.

The Tile Redi system is a polyurethane pan with an integral drain. Standard pan sizes are available with built in curbs and side shields. Sets in a mortar base. After leveling and attachment is ready for tile installation. Note the prices carefully.

The Schluter system includes a pan with material to build foam curbs and sealing material for the entire shower wall plus matching adhesives. Also includes a matching drain. This system is better suited for odd size showers and has the distinct advantage of sealing up the entire wall. Pan sets in a mortar base and after installation is ready for tile application.

Finally the Wedi system from Germany uses foam panels with adhesive to build showers of any size. Foam boards also are used on the walls for a completely waterproof shower. Again the pan is set in a mortar base and is ready for tiling the morning after installation. Not available everywhere in the U.S.

The conventional method of building showers works fine but in some applications consider tile ready shower pans. Get more details about shower pans at our article at this link...