Showers bases form one of the critical components of the shower in a home. They come in a few different shapes and to a large extent determine the style of a shower enclosure. Homeowners can choose from standard or custom shapes, and also have the choice of a few different materials when selecting the base for the shower in their home.
Standard shapes include the neo angle shower base, with the layout of this style designed to fit in the corner of a bathroom. The neo angle base has five sides forming a diamond shape. The back two sides make a right angle, which slot into the corner and sit against the walls of the bathroom. Typically, a door is placed on the side of the base directly opposite the corner of the bathroom, with glass panels placed on the other two sides of the base to close of the walls and complete the enclosure. The drain most commonly sits in the corner of a neo angle base, which generally comes as a pre-fabricated unit, making it easy to set in place. Materials commonly used to manufacture neo angle bases include fiberglass and acrylic.
One of the most common styles used for shower flooring over the years is a tile shower base. There are a number of reasons for this. Tile and grout provides a waterproof seal, which helps to keep a shower watertight. However care needs to be taken to ensure that the tiles and grout remain in good condition, especially on the upper floors of a building to ensure that the base remains watertight and does not leak water. Other reasons that a tile base can be a good choice include that tiles can be laid and cut to fit any shape, making it suitable for any style of shower enclosure. Tiles also come in a variety of attractive colors, patterns and designs, providing many options for a shower design to match it in with the décor of the rest of the bathroom.
A less commonly used style, which can produce an attractive finish for a bathroom, is a terrazzo shower base. Terrazzo is a composite material made up from a cement-like binder that has materials such as marble, granite or glass added to it. Once poured and set, it is ground and polished to an attractive finish that resembles stonework. Advantages of choosing this style of shower base include its attractive appearance, with manufacturers able to produce a finish in a variety of colors and looks. Since it is a poured material it can essentially fit to any shape required, making it a suitable choice for any style of shower enclosure. Typically a terrazzo base can be poured in the home, or can be pre-made in a factory and then dropped into place in the home.
Acrylic is one of the common materials used in the production of shower bases. Some of the reasons for this include that acrylic is a hard wearing, durable material that stands up well to daily use, and also that it has fairly good scratch resistance. This means that it should remain in good condition over time and not show too many obvious signs of aging. Acrylic can also be easily made into a variety of shapes, meaning it is suitable for making standard or custom bases. Another benefit of acrylic bases is that because the material is not porous it stands up well against the growth of mold and mildew, making it relatively easy to clean and keep hygienic.
Choosing a custom shower base can be a good idea for a number of reasons. Companies that produce this style of base, such as KBRS Hard Core and The Onyx Collection, typically have proprietary systems and materials for creating a base that provide attractive, long lasting, and leak-free shower bases. Choosing a custom base ensures that whatever the shape of the shower enclosure in a bathroom, a base can be made that will accurately fit in place and match exactly the specifications a customer is looking for.
Companies that produce custom bases can also usually produce products in a wide range of colors, such that whatever idea a homeowner has for their bathroom décor they will be able to find a base that matches. In most cases custom bases will be factory made and shipped, making them simple for a homeowner to install.
Having a separate shower in the home can be a good choice, and many people like this option for their bathroom. Homeowners have the choice of a few different shower bases for this, and these come in a variety of shapes and materials. This means that whether interested in a standard or custom base, homeowners should have a few options from which to select to find the best option for their home.
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