When designing any type of shower you have to consider what the entire area will look like. Whether you are using a shower enclosure design or building the simple bathtub/shower combination you have to consider the type of materials and design it will have. The most common choice is ceramic.
The ceramic shower design uses tiles to create the right look for your bathroom. These were first used in bathrooms around the same time that indoor plumbing was invented. At first they were imported from Europe and other countries. But now ceramic is a common material that is used not just for home improvement – but also to make figurines.
What makes the ceramic tiles so appealing is that they come in a variety of colors and textures. They are also considered to be the easiest and most affordable materials. However, this price will vary depending on the style and quality of the tiles. In between each tile is cement grout which helps to secure them in place.
Preventing Design Flaws
While it is important to know what colors to use for your bathroom we feel it is much more important to know how to design a fully functional shower using ceramic tiles. The one flaw that this design has is that it will leak when you do not use the right materials for the liner membrane. The shower is designed with a masonry shower pan that is used to keep the shower waterproof and framed to the foundation.
Wood
Our first thought is to use pressured treated wood because it looks great and it may have the qualities it needs to work well in the shower. The problem with this is that it will soak up any water that touches it, shrink, and possibly move from the foundation. When this happens it will crack the tiles and you will have to pay extra to remove the framing and repair the tiles. Instead use dry wood.
Blocking The Base
One of the best types of support you can use for the liner is to brace it using blocks. These blocks are installed in between each of the wall studs that are located on the bottom of the pan. All you have to do is cut the 2” wood pieces and place them in between the studs to create a solid wooden box.