Last Updated on April 18, 2023 by Admin
How to build your own DIY shower enclosure in 10 steps! Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to build a shower enclosure of your own. It will be fun and easy, I promise! You can make a beautiful shower enclosure out of things you have around the house or at your local hardware store.
All you need is time, the right tools, and this DIY shower enclosure tutorial! Let’s begin building our own DIY shower enclosures together!
How to do it
Building a shower enclosure is not rocket science if you’re looking to build standard shower tray sizes and fixtures, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to a DIY shower enclosure. First, you need to make sure that you build it correctly.
Secondly, you need to plan out your cuts and measurements very carefully so that your enclosure is safe and functional for you. Finally, having some time and some help can be an enormous boon. If all of these things fall into place properly, building a diy shower enclosure should be quite simple for you!
Install Drain Extension
You should install a drain extension because having one makes it much easier to work with concrete when building your shower enclosure. A drain extension extends out from your current drain and is cemented in place so that you can pour concrete on top of it.
It also will allow you to use a longer shower curtain rod than you would normally be able to get away with. Be sure to purchase a drain extension at least 2 inches taller than your tub height or else there will not be enough room between your tub and shower walls for water to collect before draining out of the tub’s overflow hole (and causing nasty mold/mildew growth).
Level The Floor
If you’re building a shower in a tiled bathroom, you should also level and smooth out your floor. Use mortar to join each tile together in order to keep it as sturdy as possible; an uneven surface can lead to problems later on down the line (such as tiles cracking). Fill any gaps or holes between your tiles with cement and ensure that they are flush with one another—or at least close enough so that water doesn’t pool around them. Smooth out your entire floor with sandpaper, working from coarse to fine grades of sandpaper as needed, until you have a flat surface that looks nice and neat.
Fit Rubber Flange
The first step in building a shower enclosure is to cut a hole in your wall for where you want to place your shower. Make sure it’s level and that there are no pipes or wires running through it, if there are, seal them off with some sheetrock.
Cut out a piece of sheetrock that will fit in snugly against your wall and build around it so you don’t have any gaps and seal all of those gaps off with silicone caulk. Get an estimate on how much shower trim will cost from a professional.
If you want to save money, measure out all of your cuts with a tape measure before going to a home improvement store and buying only what you need.
Build Wall Sides
You can start by building all four of your shower wall sides. They’ll need to be slightly larger than your floor tile, so they’ll have some wiggle room. Use a tape measure and a level to mark off where each tile needs to go, then attach them with drywall screws.
One at a time, place tiles on top of each wall side, keeping them in place as you add additional layers. If you’re using pre-cut tiles, make sure you follow any installation instructions that came with them.
Tiles may require spacers between each layer as well as waterproof adhesive and grout between each tile itself to ensure they remain firmly affixed to your walls throughout their lifetime.
Install Backerboard
Instead of placing thin pieces of tile directly on a shower floor, you need to install a backerboard. A backerboard is basically a layer of plywood or cement board (drywall) that goes between your floor and your tile.
This provides extra support for your tiles, making them more durable and less likely to crack. Plus, since backerboards are waterproof and have built-in channels for tiling hardware (like corner pieces), it makes installing tile easier. The best part about using backerboard is that it works with all kinds of showers.
You can use any size or shape you want—you’re not limited by pre-set shower sizes like you are with premade kits from big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Tile The Shower Wall
Start by tiling your shower wall. Because every wall is a little different, follow a few simple tips to make sure that you’re doing it right.
(1) A silicone lubricant will help keep your tiles in place while you work. If you don’t have any laying around, WD-40 works as well, but be sure to use it sparingly—it can eat away at some tile materials after too much exposure.
(2) Before setting each tile in place, apply a thin layer of mortar over them with your trowel; wipe off any excess when finished. This helps ensure an even bond between mortar and tile and also ensures that your tiles don’t fall off once you start grouting later on.
Grout And Caulk Shower Tiles
Caulk and grout shower tiles are an important part of any shower enclosure. It’s easy to forget about them when you’re planning your project, but caulking and grouting go a long way in protecting your enclosure.
Here are some steps to getting it right: Make sure that your tiles are properly sealed with water-resistant silicone. Use waterproof adhesive to make sure that tiles stay put, even if they slip out of place during installation.
Seal around fixtures like soap dishes, handles and drains using flexible sealant; you can also use caulk or tile glaze. For extra strength in high-traffic areas, seal surfaces with grout release tape before applying grout; then finish with a thin layer of tile glaze after grouting is complete.
Install Shower Door
Installing a shower door is actually a fairly simple task and there are just a few things you’ll need to do. The first thing you need to do is find a good, solid frame for your enclosure.
If you can’t, it’s possible to build one yourself out of wood and other materials, but if you don’t have that skill set, don’t attempt it. Just look for ready-made doors; they’re almost always cheaper and more stable than custom enclosures.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of shower you have, or how you came to have it, there are endless ways to make a space that is safe and enjoyable. Try these steps today and enjoy your shower in no time! These tips will also help you with building your own DIY shower enclosure. It’s not hard and makes for an inexpensive update to any room!
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