Concrete Shower Pans Vs. Fiberglass

Shower renovations are tricky, so know your materials before beginning.

Choosing between a concrete and a fiberglass shower pan depends on personal taste and if you want tiles on your shower floor. Concrete is durable and lasts longer, but fiberglass is cost-effective.

Concrete Shower Pans

Concrete is an attractive addition to stone tiles in showers.

Concrete shower pans work well with and without tile. They require framing the base of the shower prior to pouring the concrete. The concrete must be poured in a slope to ensure proper drainage.

Fiberglass Shower Pans

Fiberglass shower pans are a cheaper alternative to concrete. They are made from acrylic. Setting the fiberglass shower pan is a quicker DIY project because there is no drying time, as with concrete.

Choosing Between the Two

Concrete shower pans work well for people looking to add tile or stone to their shower floor. Fiberglass shower pans work well for people looking to renovate quickly and for homeowners on a tight budget.

References

• Hoagy: How to Build a Shower Pan
• Ontario Tile: Building a Shower Pan

Resources

• The Flooring Lady: Shower Floors