Freshen up on your shower design options
Shower pans in standard shapes and sizes are readily available at home improvement stores.
They come in many different materials, including fiberglass and acrylic.
Shower pans range in price from $150 to $3,500 or more.
If you’re planning for a bathroom remodel or you want to convert a tub to a walk in shower, you may be wondering if you can use a prefabricated shower pan—or even what is a shower pan? We’ve put together a guide for what a shower pan is and what the most common shower pan sizes are, along with considerations for deciding on the best shower pan for your bathroom.
A shower pan is essentially the floor of a stand-alone shower. Home improvement stores sell prefabricated shower pans in standard sizes; they’re typically made from a single piece of acrylic, fiberglass, or solid surface material. Shower pans can also be constructed with custom tiles or prefabricated pieces that lock together.
The shower pan includes a drain and a flange to prevent water from seeping under the shower or leaking onto the floor.
It’s possible to have a custom shower pan made in whatever dimensions you need, but you can also find off-the-shelf shower pans in a range of standard sizes.
Prefabricated square shower pans generally start at 30-by-30-inches and go up from there, typically maxing out at 42-by-42-inches, although you can sometimes find larger 60-by-60-inch ones.
In the U.S., the average walk-in shower size is 60-by-30-inches, but rectangular shower sizes can be as small as 42-by-32-inches and as large as 60-by-42-inches.
Corner showers can save space in a bathroom and are curved. Corner shower pans are measured based on the length of the sides, with prefabricated shower pans typically ranging from 32 inches to 36 inches.
A neo angle shower pan is used in a neo angle shower that is situated in the corner of the bathroom. The shower door glass and the wall meet at a 135-degree angle, and this type of shower can maximize space in a small bathroom. Neo angle shower pans have a cross-dimensional measurement between 36 inches and 60 inches depending on the size of the shower.
There are a few different measurements to take into account when ordering a shower pan; getting these measurements right is essential to helping the project go smoothly.
The threshold of a shower pan dictates its depth. The standard height of a shower pan threshold is 4 inches, but it can be as low as 1 inch and as high as 6 inches. Zero-entry showers don’t have a threshold.
The threshold width depends on the width of the shower and can range from 30 inches up to 60 inches, or higher for custom showers.
The distance from the drain center depends on where the drain is located. A shower pan drain can be located in the middle of the shower pan, on the side, or at the end nearest to the faucet. In some cases it can be in the corner of the shower. Making sure this measurement is accurate will ensure that the water drains properly.
Traditional shower pans have a threshold that can be as low as 1 inch and as high as 6 inches. This helps to keep water in the shower and is best used in homes where mobility isn’t an issue.
Curbless, or zero-entry, shower pans don’t have a lip or curb on the entry side. Curbless shower pans allow users to walk directly into the shower without having to lift their feet and step over a ledge. Because of this, they’re well-suited to elderly users or those with mobility difficulties. They’ve become more popular over the years as more people choose to age in place, adjusting their home’s design to suit their changing needs as they get older.
Curbless shower pans are streamlined and minimal and can work in a wide range of shower designs. They are also used to create wet rooms where there is no boundary between the shower and the rest of the bathroom.
Shower pans can be acrylic, fiberglass, solid surface, cast iron, or custom. The material you choose will depend on your budget and the overall walk in shower cost plus the amount of use the shower will get. Less durable materials are more budget-friendly and should work fine for showers that don’t see a lot of use. Solid surface and custom shower pans are more expensive, but they’re also more durable, so they’re a good choice for showers that are used daily.
Acrylic shower pans are made by forming acrylic over a fiberglass base. This is more durable than fiberglass on its own. Acrylic shower pans are colored all the way through, so scratches likely won’t show, and if they do, they can be buffed out.
Fiberglass shower pans are the most budget-friendly option and come in a variety of colors to match the shower. Fiberglass is lightweight, but because the color is in the finish, it’s possible that any scratches on the material will show. This material can also hold stains and be difficult to clean.
Solid surface shower pans can also be referred to as composite or cultured stone and are made from a mix of ground up mineral components and polymer resins to create a durable material. They are colored throughout, which means that any scratches that may occur will be difficult to see. They also have a pebbled texture that makes them non-slip.
Cast iron shower pans are a good choice if you’re looking for durability and heat retention. They are scratch resistant and can handle most cleaning products. But they are also very heavy—though not as heavy as a cast iron tub—and will likely require additional structural support under the shower to hold its weight. This style of prefabricated shower pan is more expensive than others because of its durability and the cost of the actual iron.
Custom shower pans can be constructed with a wide variety of materials, including tile or natural stone. As with any custom job, the price is highly dependent on the material and level of craftsmanship needed to install the custom shower pan. But choosing a custom design can give your bathroom a wow factor and make it perfectly tailored to your needs.
Shower pan costs range from as low as $150 for fiberglass to as high as $3,500 or higher for a custom project. Here’s a breakdown to help you estimate your bathroom remodel cost.
Shower Pan Material | Average Cost |
---|---|
Fiberglass | $150–$450 |
Acrylic | $200–$620 |
Natural Stone | $200–$900 |
Cast Iron | $800–$1300 |
Custom | $900–$3,500 |
Tile-Over Pans | $500–$800 |
If you have an existing shower, then choosing a shower pan replacement will depend on the size of the shower as well as how durable you want the shower pan to be and if you want any customization.
If you’re sorting through your bathroom remodel ideas and making a final decision, then there are a few more things you’ll need to consider. Contacting a local contractor or shower installer can be a good first step when you’re deciding on a shower pan, as they can guide you through the process and make recommendations for what may work best.
The size and shape of your bathroom will have a large impact on the shower size that you choose. For example, small bathrooms can benefit from neo angle or corner showers with smaller shower pans to maximize the amount of space available. If you’re considering tub to shower conversion ideas, decide whether you want the shower to fit the existing tub’s footprint or if you want to change the size or shape.
Shower pan costs can vary widely, so creating a budget and sticking to it as you make plans and purchases can ensure you stay within your spending limits.
Installing a shower pan yourself is time-consuming but not overly complex for the DIYer with experience in mid-level plumbing projects. However, you must know what you are doing to ensure the pan properly lines up with the drain and that there are no leaks. A leak or improperly draining shower pan can cause moisture build-up and mold under the shower that could extend into your walls.
It’s best to hire a professional for plumbing projects. Shower installers will have the experience and know-how to handle your shower pan installation project without risk.
Stephanie Mickelson contributed to this article.
Many people confuse shower pans and shower bases. While both are located under your feet and help direct the water into the drain, they are distinctly different. The shower pan is the part you stand directly on while using the shower, while the base is the substructure below the shower pan, typically made from waterproof cement mortar.
Most shower pans can be cut to size, including those made from mortar, polystyrene, tile (and the under-tile ABS lining), and even solid surfaces. The only common shower pan material you cannot easily cut to size is cast iron because it is heavy, difficult to cut, and prone to rust once the protective enamel has been removed.
Showers can come in any size. Prefab shower pans are available in sizes ranging from 30 by 30 inches to 60 by 60 inches. The standard size of a small prefab shower or a corner shower is 32 by 32 inches, but an ADA-compliant shower should be at least 36 by 36 inches. Standard large prefabricated showers are typically 36 by 60 inches.