Home Improvement

Renovating Your Bathroom? Don’t Forget This Key Detail

A lot goes into a bathroom remodel, including this key shower component

Is it time to renovate your bathroom?

When your tub, shower, and toilet start showing their age, it’s time to start looking for replacements.

During your renovation, you can make plans to create your dream space.

Instead of a room you only use to shower at the start or end of the day, you can design a luxurious and relaxing retreat.

However, during the planning stages don’t forget about replacing the shower base pan.

The Difference Between a Base and a Pan

As you are browsing through catalogs and wandering through the aisles at home improvement stores, check the shower base pan inventory.

Not sure what a pan is for a shower or if it’s the same as a base? It pays to know the difference.

While both provide essential drainage, they are two separate shower components.

The base funnels water to the drain underneath the shower. The pan also helps drain excess water, however, it is also what you stand on in the shower.

The pan is the visible part of the shower. Think of it as the shower floor.

Since the pan is visible, you want to include one you love in the bathroom remodel.

Finding a Great Pan for Your Shower

One of the best places to shop for a pan is at Dreamline.

A Dreamline shower pan is designed to last for years, with minimal maintenance outside of regular cleaning.

You can shop for the company’s shower pans online or in-store. Some major home improvement retailers carry the manufacturer’s products.

Why choose a Dreamline shower pan?

Along with durability, you can find pans to fit almost any size and shape shower.

Whether you have a square, rectangular, or a shower with multiple angles, you’ll find a pan that works for you.

Best of all, you can cut down on bathroom remodeling expenses by purchasing a kit. The kit includes the pan and shower walls.

It not only makes installation a little easier, but you also don’t have to worry about the pan matching the walls.

You get a uniform appearance that looks great in any bathroom.

Choose a Material

While shower bases are typically comprised of concrete, materials used in shower pans can vary.

The material that’s best for your bathroom typically depends on your taste and budget.

Acrylic pans are the most affordable. However, you can also go with fiberglass, stone, metal, or ceramic.

Some materials are more difficult to care for than others. It’s something else to consider. If you want a wipe-and-go type of shower pan, acrylic is often the best choice.

Stone, metal, ceramic, and fiberglass require a little more care.

Installation

The pan is installed on top of the shower base before adding the walls.

Since the shower pan is a single piece, installation is relatively straightforward.

However, the pan does need to line up with the shower drain so it’s always best to work with a professional plumber.

A professional plumber will install the pan and take care of any additional details so you can enjoy your newly renovated shower.