Shower Pan Size and Type Guide

Show pan or shower base size is a major factor in finding the right option, and shape is a factor in the size of a shower pan.

• Shower pans come in several different sizes. Standard prefabricated shower pans start at 32 square inches and go up to 42 inches wide by 60 inches long and larger. They range in depth from 1 inch to 6 inches.
• The neo-angle shower is unique in that it looks like a corner shower with the front corner sliced off. The shower enclosure has 135-degree angles where the glass meets the front of the shower and a 90-degree angle in the back corner. People often choose this type of shower in small bathrooms to maximize space. The shower pan has a cross-dimensional measurement that ranges from 36 to 60 inches.
• Rectangular shower pans are typically 30, 32 or 36 inches wide by 60 inches long, but are available in many different sizes.
• Another option for a small bathroom is a square shower pan. Square shower pans are often 32 inches by 32 inches or 36 by 36 inches, but you can find a wide range of sizes.

In addition to the size and shape of the shower pan, consider drain layout. The drain placement on the shower pan needs to match the configuration of your shower drain. Depending on your drain placement, you might have an offset drain, a center drain or a corner drain.

When choosing your shower pan, you can opt for a curbless or walk-in base without a barrier or a traditional base that has a lip to contain water. Many people think a curbless shower pan provides an aesthetically pleasing look because it blends into the bathroom floor. In addition, it makes shower access easier for everyone and allows a wheelchair to roll easily into the shower. This type of shower doesn’t keep water in the enclosure as well as traditional shower pans, however, which may increase the risk of someone slipping and falling. Some curbless showers don’t have a door, making access even easier but allowing heat loss and more water to escape the shower.

Many shower pans are acrylic or made from solid-surface or composite materials. Others can work with tile. There are pros and cons for each.

• An acrylic shower pan is an acrylic surface over a fiberglass base. This type of pan is lightweight and easy to clean. Since the color runs all the way through the material, scratches won’t be as visible as they are on fiberglass and you’ll be able to buff out any minor scratches. Acrylic is more expensive than fiberglass, but more durable and less likely to crack. Be careful which cleaners you use, as some can permanently damage the surface.
• A solid-surface shower pan is sturdier than an acrylic or fiberglass one and is more resistant to stains from cleaners. This type of shower pan is made from ground minerals and polymer resins and is more expensive than acrylic. If the base doesn’t come with tile flanges, you can get leaks.
• A composite shower pan is lightweight but durable and resists stains, chips and cracks. Composite shower pans with non-porous surfaces also resist mold. Check the cleaning requirements for these composite shower pans. Typically, you need to use non-abrasive cleaners and cleaning tools.
• You can build a tile shower pan yourself or you can tile a tile-ready shower pan. Tiles should be slip-resistant. A tile shower floor is popular because you have more control over the overall design. A tile floor also works well if you plan to tile your shower walls. However, keeping tile grout clean can be challenging and you need to reseal the tile regularly.