Renovating your Bathroom: What you need to know

Sep 27, 2021

Bathroom renovations are always exciting; who hasn’t dreamed of having a shower just like one in a five-star hotel? The possibilities are endless and it is easy to get lost. We have therefore summarized what you need to know about the various types of showers to help you choose one for your new bathroom.

Shower format

To begin with, showers come in standard sizes, but it is also possible to make anon-standard shower. When talking about standard sizes, prefabricated showers available everywhere in renovation centres and big-box stores come to mind.Generally, prefabricated showers are available in the following sizes:

32’’x 38’’
36’’x 36’’
36’’x 48’’
38’’x 38’’
48’’x 48’’
38’’x 60’’
48’’x 60’’
48’’x 72’’
60’’x 60’’
72’’x 72’’

Don’t forget that the standard sizes mentioned above apply to the base of the shower, the door and glass panels. They are the most common shower sizes on the market.

Shower types

Once the size of your shower has been determined, it is time to choose what type of shower you want. At this step, there are two possibilities:

Prefabricated showers
Free standing showers

Prefabricated showers

If you choose a prefabricated shower, there are two major types: modular and one-piece. As the name suggests, prefabricated showers are made of prefabricated elements, including the walls and base that fit together.

One-piece showers, as the name implies, are made of one piece and include three walls and a base. They are often made out of acrylic or fiberglass. They are more difficult to install due to the fact that it is one big piece which limits any possible adjustments on site. Since they are not very popular, there are relatively few sizes available.

Modular showers are available in many different styles. You have lots of choice! They are called modular because they come in several pieces.

Square or rectangular: No matter the shape, this type of shower is very popular due to its modern design and linear look. Installing it in a corner helps to save space in a small bathroom.
Neo-round shower: The neo-round shower is intended to be installed in a corner. Perfect for small spaces, the curved door combined with the straight lines of the walls offer a classic, timeless look.
Neo-angle shower: This type of shower can be installed with three walls as well as in a corner. Due to its shape, it is perfect for tight spaces.

Free-standing showers

The so-called free-standing shower has walls made of tiles and/or glass. The base can also be prefabricated or tiled. More expensive than a prefabricated shower, due to the cost of the tiles for the walls, the free-standing shower remains the most popular. It can be installed in any area in the bathroom. Its advantage over the other types of showers is its uniqueness. It can be personalized both in terms of shape and appearance.

An increasingly popular type of free-standing shower is the Italian shower (or roll-in shower). It is appreciated for the fact that its base is even with the bathroom floor; there is no step or curb when you enter the shower. To build this type of shower, it is essential that the drain be recessed into the floor which allows for the same floor level everywhere else. Therefore it may be necessary to modify the existing structure to be able to install the slope required for the drain.

With free-standing showers, it is important to have a well-installed waterproofing system to avoid moisture and/or mold problems.

Shower bases

There are three types of shower base: the single, the modular and the tiled.
The single base is made of acrylic and/or fibre glass and is intended for installation with a standard size free-standing shower.
The modular base acrylic and/or fibre glass and is intended for installation with a modular shower. Given this, no matter what the size, you will easily find a base.
The tiled base is, as its name implies, made with tiles. It is the most expensive due to the cost of material sand labour required for its installation.

Drains

The least interesting element of the shower to choose, it is nonetheless essential because it drains the shower water and helps you avoid damage! According to the size of your shower and the placement of your pipes, certain drains can’t be used unless you undertake major renovations.

Centre drain: This type of drain is found in the centre of the shower and requires four slight slopes to facilitate drainage.
Off-centre drain: Often used with neo-angle, neo-round and rectangular showers, the off-centre drain is not centered in the shower. Depending on its location, it will require one or more slopes.
Linear drain: Generally installed along a wall, the linear drain can be adapted to multiple configurations.Requiring only one slope, the linear drain adds a more esthetic touch than the other drains.