6 Shower Remodelling Mistakes

We've all heard of FOMO ( Fear Of Missing Out) but how about FOMU? FOMU is the fear of messing up. When it comes to renovating showers, in particular, FOMU rears it's ugly head often, costing you your hard-earned money along the way.

So let's start by laying down these 2 main facts:

1. Mistakes can cost lots of money
2. Mistakes can also make the project take a lot longer to finish

No one wants to spend more money than they need to, be it DIY or if you're using a tradesman when taking more time to plan could have saved headaches and money. So here's our practical shower remodelling mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Ripping everything out BEFORE planning

Remodelling is exciting, you get to remove old fixtures and fittings and replace it all with new, modern replacements. But make sure you draw up a plan before removing anything to avoid any unnecessary costs. To get an idea of what needs to be done, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the shower going to be the same size or bigger? 

In most remodels people want to make the shower space bigger, especially if the one they currently have is extremely small. A larger shower is good, but take note of the position of the drain to avoid costly plumbing charges down the road.

• Should I reuse old materials?

If you want to reuse existing fixtures and furniture, you need to take extra care to avoid damages while ripping out the shower or bathroom. However, will this look out of place near all the brand new hardware being installed?

• Do I want a grout-free shower, or is tile the way to go?

While you may be able to grab tiles off the shelves of a local builders merchant, they require maintenance to keep away the likes of mould and mildew. And if you remember from your last tile shower, chemicals and a scrubbing brush don't make for a relaxing afternoon. Instead, consider shower wall panels. Rubberduck Bathrooms has a range of shower and bathroom wall panels from brands such as Multipanel, Wetwall, Showerwall and more. These panels are affixed to the wall using adhesive and are guaranteed for 10, even 15 years.

2. You didn't think through your shower curb design

When we say shower curb, we mean the set into your enclosure. When you remodel, it pays to think long term. This is mainly to keep running costs down. For example, if elderly people may be visiting for periods in the future (family, parents etc.) it could pay to install a low-threshold shower tray or a barrier-free shower with a shower tray that is flush to the floor. Think through your curb design before making a bad call. If you’re debating the curb height go with a mid-height curb (about 2 ¾” high) vs. a standard height (4” to 5” tall). Our Zamori 1400x900 Walk-In shower tray is only 35mm heigh, perfect if you or a loved one struggle stepping over standard trays. Depending on your plumbing and home, you could even cut the shower tray into the floor and tile upto the edge of the tray to give a level wetroom feel.

Depending on the plumbing in your home, and your floor construction, its not always possible to get the low level designer tray your desire, and a leg set (some time called easy plumb kit) might be required to brin the shower waste above floor level. This would give a set up into the shower of around 100mm.

3.Assuming you can't have a seat in a small shower

Small to medium stand-up showers run the risk of not being relaxing and sometimes dangerous, especially to elderly people.

Although showers of this size don’t have room for a spacious bench seat, they can be made more luxurious (and safer) with a moveable shower seat.

You can reduce your worries and be able to shower in a more relaxing way, with a lightweight, sturdy shower stool..

4.Not thinking big when living small

Many old bathrooms had one thing in mind, function. While function should be the main focus of a bathroom, it doesn't mean fashion should be put to one side.

If you have a small standard 5x8ft bathroom you will need to design efficiently. However, you can make it look bigger and better. Most bathrooms that have been installed for a while tend to use 4x4inch tiles and even smaller floor tiles. While these are functional and have served their purpose for a long time they can make a bathroom feel smaller. High-quality vinyl flooring and wall panels will not only make your bathroom look bigger but better.

5.Don't forget about shower product storage space

Shower niches and corner shelves don't have to be an afterthought. Include them in the initial planning so they look seamless and like they belong. This is more important with recessed storage where you need to know the location of wall studs and framing.

6.Not thinking through the shower enclosure

Do you have a pivoting glass door which leaves pools of water on your bathroom floor? Or, do you have a framed sliding glass door with a bottom-track so full of hair and grime you wouldn’t even volunteer your worst enemy to clean it out? Let’s face it – glass shower enclosures can be a pain. Fortunately, there are more options than you think. Consider replacing framed sliding glass doors with a frameless unit.

Conclusion

We hope that you now see you don't have to have a stressful time planning and fitting your dream shower.