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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Tiling cutter
Drill (with a masonry bit)
Utility knife
Hammer
Measuring tape
Level
Caulking gun
Measuring tape
T-square
Bucket
Tile trowel
Chop saw
Screwdriver
Marking pencil
SUPPLIES
Tiles
Tile spacers
Joint tape
Sponge
Gloves
Screws
Grout
Sealants
Shower pan
Shower drain assembly
Fittings (showerhead, faucet, etc.)
Caulk
Roofing felt
Mortar
Cement glue
Flat head nails
Sheet or liquid waterproof membrane
After a long, stressful day, nothing beats stepping into a shower that is made literally for you. But shower building isn’t a task for a remodeling rookie, and it gets even trickier when you want to ditch the kits and go with a bespoke design. Understanding how to build a custom shower will help you plan your project precisely to bring your spa-like dreams to life.
Prepping to Build a Custom Shower
Are you squeezing your custom shower into an awkward space, or do you want a luxurious walk-in setup? Before you buy your materials and start the build, plan the layout and decide on the design. Then there’s the practical prep work. Are you moving drainage and pipework or making structural changes? You might need to apply for a building permit and hire a licensed plumber and electrician to handle the difficult, non-DIY parts of the project.
You’ll also need to rip out the old shower or tub and remove the tiles and drywall to give you a blank canvas to build your new custom shower. Factor in the cost to hire a dumpster or put in place alternative plans to ditch the debris safely, and don’t forget to turn off the water supply before getting stuck in with the installation.
Install Drain Assembly
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
When you don’t want the expense and hassle of hiring plumbers or electricians, plan your custom shower setup to use the existing pipework and electrical. However, the current pipework must still connect the shower drain to the drainage pipe.
When and how you do this depends on whether you incorporate a shower pan or a tiled floor. Often, you do part of the assembly before fitting the shower base or floor tiles and complete the job once the tiles or pan are in place. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the drain assembly kit you select.
Level the Floor
Lopsided shower base levels can cause drainage issues, pooling water, mold buildup, and leaks. If you're using a shower pan, improper levels cause instability that can result in cracks. You might need to use shims—roofing felt works wonderfully—or add a layer of mortar to level a shower pan.
Waterproof the Shower Area
Photo: pbombaert / Adobe Stock
Applying a waterproof sheet or liquid membrane to the subfloors helps to prevent damage if the shower pan, base, or surrounding seals springs a leak. It also pays to apply a waterproof membrane to the walls and any wooden framing and cement board panels.
Apply the shower waterproofing generously a few feet outside the shower area to prevent damage from splashes or overflows.
If you opt for a custom base, you’ll need to decide if you want a curb or curbless design. A curb design uses a barrier to keep the water in the shower area, and it’s easier to install. Curbless showers allow you to ditch the door, creating a feeling of openness. However, the design requires the shower base to be lower than the rest of the bathroom floor, with a slope of 1/4 inch per foot to 1/2 inch per foot (2% to 4%) toward the drain.
Frame Shower Area
The framing of your custom shower will depend on the design, shape, and materials you select. Sometimes waterproof fiber cement boards need to be screwed to the stud framing. Space the studs to accommodate your faucet and showerhead, and use additional horizontal bracing to secure these fittings.
Laying tiles involves prepping and spreading mortar, setting the tiles using tile spacers, filling the joints with grout, and sealing once the grout sets.
Install Fixtures
Photo: Wollwerth Imagery / Adobe Stock
Now’s the time to fit the showerhead, faucet, and shelves. The beauty of building a custom shower is you can get creative with design and fixtures. There’s a wide range of showerheads to choose from, including smart models, rain showers, and water-conserving low-flow models.
Install Shower Door
Photo: Jodie Johnson / Adobe Stock
If you haven’t gone for a doorless custom shower, now’s the time to add one. The manufacturer’s installation instructions depend on the type of shower door you select. Typically, shower door installation involves cutting the interlocking jamb pieces to size, affixing them to the shower stall and door, and installing a base track and seal at the base of the door.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
The average cost to remodel a shower is $8,000. You can save big by taking on this task yourself, but it isn’t a project for DIY novices. It’s even more challenging when you opt for a custom design rather than assembling a prefabricated kit. Unless you’re used to working on big home remodeling projects, it might be better to leave the job to a professional shower installer near you.
Poor plumbing, tiling, and fixture installation can lead to costly mistakes like mold and mildew problems, leaks, and, in extreme cases, structural damage. Even if you are confident enough to build the shower, hiring a licensed local plumber or electrician is essential if the project involves changes to the plumbing or electrIcal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common shower pan sizes are 30 x 30 inches and 42 x 32 inches, or you might want a contemporary, clean-lined 60 x 42-inch walk-in. Consider the other bathroom fittings, whether the shower door can open easily, and whether you’ll have to alter plumbing when selecting the size and location of your custom shower.
While a custom shower costs more and is trickier to install than a prefabricated type, tailoring the layout is particularly useful in small bathrooms with limited space and offers complete design freedom. You can build a shower bench for a family member with limited mobility or a shower niche (built-in, ingressed shelves) to hold clutter and act as a focal point.
Gemma has been a freelance writer and editor in the home and lifestyle space for the past five years and has a bachelor's degree in communication studies.
Gemma has been a freelance writer and editor in the home and lifestyle space for the past five years and has a bachelor's degree in communication studies.
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