What shower base should I choose?

Whether you’re shopping around for your home or you’re looking for a practical option for a commercial bathroom, there is an array of options for shower flooring. Also known as a base, this part of your shower serves as a foundation and leak guard. A high-quality shower base should be slip-resistant as well as resilient against soap and grime.

Here are the top 4 shower flooring options for safety and comfort.

1. Epoxy Shower Base 

Epoxy shower base

Seamless and waterproof, epoxy makes for an excellent option to line your shower floor. This material is great for creating a variety of beautiful looks. It comes in many different colors and textures. Contrary to what you might assume, it’s not slippery! There are different types of grit you can add to the solution to create a surface that provides grip.

Application is a relatively easy, quick process. You can fit the liquid material into oddly shaped showers so it works well in bathrooms of all shapes and sizes. Since there are no seams and epoxy is naturally antimicrobial, this type of shower base is easy to keep clean making it a great choice for commercial locker rooms and homes alike. 

Get in touch with Epoxy Colorado for more information on epoxy flooring solutions!

2. Tile Shower Base

Tile shower base

Tile offers a classic look and feel that many homeowners prefer. It’s a great way to create a cohesive look with the tiles on the walls and bathroom floor. Due to the cost and maintenance needs of this material, it tends to be a more expensive option.

Tile and grout are not inherently waterproof. That means you’ll need to install a waterproof material below the tiles and coat them with a protectant. While this coating should protect the grout, it will still eventually stain and need consistent cleaning to look its best. If well maintained, the tile can last up to 20 years.

3. Stone or Pebble Shower Base 

Pebble or stone shower base

If you’d like to go for a more nature-inspired, spa retreat look, a stone or pebble base might be for you! They are naturally slip-resistant and offer a soothing feel under the feet. You can choose to go with stones and pebbles ranging in size.

From river rocks to terrazzo, there are so many fun options to explore with this type of shower flooring. But keep in mind that this is a fairly high-maintenance material. Over time, hard water and soap can create a film on the stones. The grout will also need regular cleaning just like with tile shower bases.  

4. Molded Shower Base 

fiberglass shower pan

A molded shower base is a ready-made, easy-to-install option. You might also hear them called fiberglass shower pans. This type of flooring option is made from polyester resin mixed with woven glass fibers in a shower floor-shaped shell. To install, you place the shell on top of adhesive or small mounds of mortar to secure it in place.

This is by far the cheapest option. But you’re limited by the available pan shapes. They also don’t last as long as the options above. Even with consistent cleaning, fiberglass shower pans will stain due to exposure to mineral deposits.   

Which Option Is Best For Me?

Each one of the shower bases above is a top-tier option. At the end of the day, evaluate how much you want to spend upfront, how much time you want the installation to take, and how much upkeep you want to be responsible for. Every situation will be different. A high-traffic commercial shower might be better suited for an option that’s easy to clean such as epoxy. But maybe you want something a bit more traditional looking; so you go for tile. Just be sure you’re okay with all the potentially negative aspects of each option and pick the flooring that will serve you or your business best!

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