I’ll admit my company wholesales AND installs A LOT of low profile shower pans, so what I’m about to say may be shocking and that is….
Low profile shower pans ARE NOT the right choice for every project!
Yes – you heard that right. The product we sell most IS NOT a ‘one size fits all’ answer for every owner’s bathroom.
And at this point – if you’re not a ‘bathroom geek’ like me (and no, it wasn’t my dream growing up to focus my career on bathroom products and projects. I had my eye on playing second base for the Cleveland Indians. However, I only lacked one thing……the ability to hit the ball!) it’s easy to imagine you may have even more basic questions like, “What exactly IS a low profile shower pan?”
Since everyone reading this has a different amount of knowledge about shower bases I’ll cover this topic in 4 sections
Section 1) What is a low profile shower pan? What are they made of? What sizes can I get? This is the Joe Friday – ‘just the facts ma’am’ – part of the article.
Section 2) When is it a good idea to use a low profile shower pan?
Section 3) When is it NOT a good idea to use a low profile shower pan?
At the end, I’d love your feedback on whether this pan is right for your project and additional questions you have. Let’s dig in.
Section 1) What is a low profile shower pan? What are they made of? What shower pan sizes can I get?
Low profile shower pans are whatever the manufacturer says they are…..kind of….
And what I mean by that is there’s not a one-size-fits-all standard for these bases across different manufacturer’s product lines.
However, generally low profile shower pans have lower thresholds to make it simpler to get into – and out of – the shower. They can be sleek and safe.
Most low profile shower pans have a curb (AKA a threshold) which is 1” to 2.5” high vs. ‘standard height curbs’ which are 4-6” high or ‘one level wet rooms’ which have no curb at all.
Regarding material choices for low profile pans they can be made from any materials that shower pans are built from.
You’ll find them in fiberglass, acrylic, cultured marble, cultured granite, solid surface, and even ready for tile pans come with low profile options.
Low profile pans come in standard (48” x 36”, 60” x 30”, 60” x 32” and 60” x 36” are most popular) and custom sizes in virtually every configuration you can think of.
So, now let’s look at when it’s a good idea to use a low profile shower pan.
Section 2) When is it a good idea to use a low profile shower pan?
Although I don’t have empirical evidence (I’m attempting to use a ‘fancy-schmancy term here so you’ll think I’m smart, I hope it’s working….) to back this up –I’ll tell you intuitively (based on our sales) low profile shower pans are taking off in popularity. And I won’t be surprised if they surpass ‘standard height’ curbs in short orde). You may be asking why? Here’s 5 reasons low profile shower pans are growing faster than political scuffles on ‘X’ (the social media site formerly known as Twitter):
Reason #1 – Low profile shower pans are perfect for aging in place, as an ADA shower pan, or as a wheelchair accessible shower pan
If you (or your parents) love their home and are trying to avoid the exorbitant costs (and loss of independence) of assisted living facilities, the low profile pan can be a key bathroom feature to help age in place. In addition, with a ramp kit (more about this later) they can also be used as an ADA shower pan (which stands for Americans with Disability Act) or for a wheelchair accessible shower.
Since they’re easier to ‘navigate,’ (‘er step over) they’re the #1 choice for age in place showers.
Reason #2 – Low profile shower pans provide a modern look
If you’re looking to build a new home – or renovate your existing bathroom if it looks straight out of an episode of The Brady Bunch (and for those of us with a ‘few’ gray hairs you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about), you know it’s not only important to have a safer bathroom – but also one with an updated look.
And let’s face it, full height curb shower pans are often manufactured from old molds and look clunky and behind the times.
Reason #3 – Use a low profile shower pan if you might need a wheelchair, or handicap shower base down the road by adding a ramp kit
Yes, I’ll apologize if I’m bringing up a sore subject now, but sometimes wheelchairs become an unfortunate reality. And if you put in a shower pan with an integral ramp– it’ll not only look ‘geriatric’ (and I don’t know about you, but the ‘look’ I’m going for is NOT geriatric) – but it can make it hard to resell the home. This is because only 1% of the population is in a wheelchair, and most buyers don’t want ramped shower pans built for a wheelchair user.
A far smarter option is to buy a low profile shower with an add-on ramp kit. With this option you can use the ramp if you need it, and remove the ramp if you’re selling the home, or it’s no longer needed. In addition, bases with ramp kits tend to be less expensive than roll in pans.
Reason #4 – It’s easier to install a low profile shower pan than a one-level wet room
I wish I had a dollar for every owner who LOVE, LOVE, LOVES the look of a ‘one level barrier free wet room’ (where you have no visible shower pan but the bathroom looks to be at one continuous level like you’ll see below).
However, many have found they couldn’t find a contractor knowledgeable about how to build it. Or it was too expensive because their bathroom was on a concrete slab and cutting the floor either wasn’t possible, or no one wanted the dust which would be kicked up in the process.
And this is where a low profile shower pan can ‘come to the rescue.’ They can be simply set on the subfloor – and Wala – you’re ready to roll (or ‘roll in’ – bad pun intended) with a time-effective to install age in place shower.
Reason #5 – You can use a door…. or go ‘doorless’ (kind of) with a low profile shower pan
With a low profile shower pan you have flexibility to use a shower door or to go without one.
However, if you do go ‘doorless’ with curtains to keep the water in, then make sure to use a low profile shower pan which either (A) isn’t too low (I’d suggest the 2 ½” or taller low profile pans) or (B) includes a ‘collapsible threshold’ (AKA a ‘water stopper’) to keep most of the water inside.
So now that we’ve looked at the reasons it IS a good idea to use a low profile shower pan – let’s check out when it’s NOT a good idea to use them.
Section 3) When is it NOT a good idea to use a low profile shower pan?
Despite the fact my company stocks a ton of low profile pans, they aren’t the ‘cure’ for all your shower problems. Here’s 2 situations where I’d recommend against using them.
Reason #1 – Don’t use a low profile shower pan if you’ve got a ‘teeny-tiny’ shower
When I think of the term ‘teeny-tiny’ I think back to the character Roseanne Roseannadanna of Saturday Night Live fame so I couldn’t resist including a clip below (just for a ‘little’ laugh – pun intended).
Now – getting back to the subject at hand. The reason I don’t recommend using a low profile shower pan (generally) with a small stand up shower is there’s very little place for water to pool inside the pan if the drain gets clogged.
However, if you do want (or need) a low profile, or roll in 36” x 36” shower pan – I’d also invest in waterproofing the bathroom floor so if the pan does overflow you won’t have a disaster on your hands with the ceiling below.
Reason #2 – Don’t use a low profile shower pan if you’ve got water jets coming out the wazoo!
Image Credits: www.Kallista.com
If you’re planning multiple messaging jets in your shower – and the water will be flowing faster than a water hydrant on a summer day (exaggeration intended), then it’s safer to have a deeper shower pan. And if you keep the low profile pan, consider a shower pan with a linear drain to drain water faster.
And finally in this last section let’s dispel a few myths (and half-truths) about low profile shower pans so you’ve got the ‘straight scoop’ (as opposed to the crooked scoop) if you want to go this direction.
Section 4) What are the myths and half-truths about low profile shower pans?
Myth #1 – There’s less selection of low profile shower pans in stock
Since low-profile shower pans are growing quicker than the weeds in my lawn after the rain we’ve had this April and May, it’s really not a problem to find them in stock because they’re popular (and the inventory turns). And this is especially important if you need an accessible shower for a family member who is coming home from the hospital and needs a shower modification ASAP.
Myth #2 – Low profile shower pans only come in ‘stock’ sizes and in white
Nothing could be further from the truth. You can get low profile shower pans in custom sizes, with custom drain locations, and they’re available in 51 colors in one manufacturer’s line! So, if you need a custom shower pan (even a low profile pan designed to work with a cool glass block shower wall) it’s not a problem if you work through the right supplier (and did I mention that could be us? Yes, that’s a shameless plug…..sorry!).
Myth #3 – You can’t install a heating system inside a low profile shower pan. Yes, this is true, and not true!
If the idea of a heated shower floor during your cold Wisconsin or Minnesota winters sounds wonderful to you – you may want a low profile pan but assumed you couldn’t get a heated floor with it. And I’m here to tell you this can be true…. or NOT!
You see if you choose a premade ready for tile shower pan you can also incorporate a heated floor. However, keep in mind with this comfort feature is you’ll also get the ‘pleasure’ (sarcasm intended) of cleaning grout joints.
Myth #4 – Low profile shower pans can also be called barrier free shower pans
By definition low profile shower pans have a ‘curb’ (AKA threshold), so unlike a barrier free shower pan (which doesn’t have a curb) they’re not the same thing. Now it is possible to ‘fake out’ a low profile pan with an optional ramp kit to make it barrier free, but that’s the exception to the rule.
Myth #5– Low profile shower pans, and the walls surrounding them, MUST be made of the same material
This IS NOT true! While you do need to be careful to properly waterproof where your low profile shower pan meets your wall surrounds, you can use different materials in the shower pan and wall surrounds.
And since I’m a big fan of blowing up grout (grout is evil IMHO) – I’d suggest using a ‘grout free shower pan’ (and acrylic, fiberglass, and solid surface are popular options) along with ‘grout free wall panels’ like you’ll see in the image below.
So, now’s it’s time to make a decision. Is a low-profile shower pan right for your project? How can I (or my team) help you make this decision?
After reading this article, do you think a low-profile shower pan is a smart option for your shower remodel or new home? Why or why not? Please comment below.
Lastly, if you’re a remodeler or builder and want advice on remodeling products, industry trends, marketing and sales tips to grow your business (and cut day to day hassles), read Innovate Builders Blog. It’s packed with ideas you can use now to make money in your business.
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
