Save don’t skimp on your tiled shower
So you’ve decided to invest in a tiled shower. While you might be looking to minimize costs for your project it is critical that you make informed decisions that don’t sacrifice quality or workmanship. Here are 5 tips on how to go about this:
1) USE A SHOWER TRAY OVER SCREED:
While this would often be considered an upsell in quality, a shower tray, especially in a renovation is also a cost saver. The shower floor needs to be formed to a waste location and this is typically done by a concrete screed. While raw materials are cheaper or similar to a tray it is a very labor intensive install and can cause costly down time. A shower tray can be installed very quickly and depending on the system can be waterproofed as soon as 30 minutes after installation.
2) CAREFULLY CONSIDER DRAINAGE OPTIONS:
Channel drain options are becoming more and more popular however this method can incur unnecessary expense. A typical set out will have a drain running from wall to wall. Consider researching standard widths from suppliers and finish the drain 50-100mm short from each wall to accommodate a standard width drain and the tiler will tile around it. With a point or centre drain ask your builder what is involved in moving the waste location to accommodate your new shower. If extensive work is required look at custom shower tray options to work with your existing waste position.
3) USE LARGE FORMAT TILES:
Avoid the temptation of using small mosaic type tiles in your shower where ever possible. The purchase price per square meter might be within your initial budget however to lay small tiles requires a lot more grout and labor to install which is often overlooked. Remember the more grout the more cleaning as well.
4) SHOWER PANELS OVER DOORS:
If you have the luxury of a larger shower area, consider installing a single panel of glass with no hinging or sliding door, just an open entrance. Glass cost is worked out per square meter so you are saving here as well as not having to pay for any door hardware such as hinges, handles or rollers. Less moving parts can be more kid friendly also.
5) STANDARDIZE YOUR GLASS SHOWER HEIGHT
Whichever way you decide to go with your shower glass, a panel or door, consider working to a height of 1960mm. This size is common in the industry among many suppliers to be considered a standard size. This may finish short of your wall tiles but will often line up with a standard door height so does not look out of place. Standard sizes are more often readily available for install and more competitively priced.
BY: JEROME CAPPER
CREST SHOWERS - MANAGING DIRECTOR