Walk In Shower (wetroom), Trying to build one - Looking for some tips

[wau5]

Thank you guys, at least you told me straight up that making it from ply is total crap, not like other guys who just who will say- try and see and think to themselves- that idiot is in for a surprise

 

[Ajax123]

thanks well..I'm still in a planing process for a week before I get some time off to actualy get on with it, It's not like I don't want to make it perfect and make it to last- I actually do hence doing my research on how to actually do it.

I have watched some more YT videos ( again USA ones, as seems like everyone in UK just uses the already made formers or the plastic tubs) and I see they use a mortar bed which they just make themselves making the level as needed instead of a former.
I guess I could up my budget if i had small/standard size area which I want to convert and buy the cheaper formers not those branded ones, however due to odd size of it It would cost me an arm and a leg to do it that way..

I don't see why it should cost you an arm and a leg. My shower is 1200x1500 and I am designing a seat into it so her indoors can sit and shave her toes... I could no find a standard centre drain former at 1200 x 1500 so have gone for a 1200x1200 former and will use an extension piece using 20mm construction board. I am also going to extens it slightly to the side under the door so the tiles extend beyond the shower door. Deffo not standard. That plus 16 10mm construction boards (marmox) cost me less than £300. The nuance boards were the most costly bit at just under £100 each but they are cheaper than the tiles we wanted and for me much faster to install. If you decide to build your own shower base with sand and cement make sure you put fibres and a water reducing plasticiser in it to help avoid cracking.

As I said the whole thing, bear in mind for me this is a back to brick renovation...I forgot to include the cost of a new window in the list above... the shower is just under £2k which I think is pretty cheap.

buy aggressively, buy sensibly and don't skimp on quality e.g. use 18mm plywood for the base not 12mm as I was advised would be sufficient in topps tiles... LOL... I haven't bought anything from them in the end.

 

[Dumbo]

I don't see why it should cost you an arm and a leg. My shower is 1200x1500 and I am designing a seat into it so her indoors can sit and shave her toes... I could no find a standard centre drain former at 1200 x 1500 so have gone for a 1200x1200 former and will use an extension piece using 20mm construction board. I am also going to extens it slightly to the side under the door so the tiles extend beyond the shower door. Deffo not standard. That plus 16 10mm construction boards (marmox) cost me less than £300. The nuance boards were the most costly bit at just under £100 each but they are cheaper than the tiles we wanted and for me much faster to install. If you decide to build your own shower base with sand and cement make sure you put fibres and a water reducing plasticiser in it to help avoid cracking.

As I said the whole thing, bear in mind for me this is a back to brick renovation...I forgot to include the cost of a new window in the list above... the shower is just under £2k which I think is pretty cheap.

buy aggressively, buy sensibly and don't skimp on quality e.g. use 18mm plywood for the base not 12mm as I was advised would be sufficient in topps tiles... LOL... I haven't bought anything from them in the end.

I wouldn't ask anyone in topps for advice as I don't expect they have ever done the job . Just regurgitating what they've heard somebody else say .

 

[Ajax123]

I wouldn't ask anyone in topps for advice as I don't expect they have ever done the job . Just regurgitating what they've heard somebody else say .

the buy who used to run my local Topps where I used to live owned a car parts shop previously... used to make me laugh. I guess everyone has to work somewhere eh.

 

[Dumbo]

If a better job came up pc world he would probably be there next week

 

[Old Mod]

Thank you guys, at least you told me straight up that making it from ply is total crap, not like other guys who just who will say- try and see and think to themselves- that idiot is in for a surprise

Whilst we enjoy enthusiastic and passionate posts
@wau5 , this is a family show!
Language Timothy!!

 

[Rich Midge]

I used to watch a programme called Holmes on Homes bit like that programme with nick Knowles. Can't remember what it is called . Anyway always going around fixing

Holmes on Homes, great show! If ever anyone was belt and braces it's Mike Holmes.

 

[Dumbo]

Holmes on Homes, great show! If ever anyone was belt and braces it's Mike Holmes.

Watch him strengthen a floor once . Pretty British standards . Also did you ever see that heat Matt that was templated for and it was pretty much cable between 2 sheets of scrim. Stuck down with c2 then latexed over. No cables coming up through latex there .

 

[wau5]

ok what do you guys say about building the frame/everything from 18mm wpb plywood as my floor is on wooden joists so I'm not really sure how stable a cement pour/shape would be, but laying all the plywood construction in a fiberglass so it's more stable and totally waterproof?

 

[Chalker]

Just make sure you get a good waste.
Google Harmer drains.

 

[Paul Bleasdale]

Buy low level resin shower tray and save yourself a great deal of trouble