As a utilitarian room, a bathroom needs to be functional above all. There are many fixtures and fittings that can help with this, but rarely does the base of the shower make it to the list of essentials when it comes to important upgrades. Be that as it may, if you want to prevent damages to your precious bathroom furniture and flooring, you ought to consider containing the water with the right base for your shower.
What Is the Difference Between a Shower Base and a Shower Pan?
Because the two are doing basically the same job, which is to lead the shower water to the drain, there are confusions about whether they’re two of the same or different, especially considering the terms are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference, and it’s in the distinction of the base from the pan – the base indicates the layer structure underneath the shower, whereas the pan is the shower floor.
As such, the base can act as a watertight floor of the shower itself. If you want to count on an easy and affordable installation, then what you’re looking for is the premade option of base, different from that you get to build from cement or mortar. There are various brands nowadays that specialise in bathware products, among which the trendy Oceano shower base designs made from a range of materials, like solid cast and sheet moulded compoun. They are fit for installation on all sorts of floors, including silicone, tile, and mortar beds.
As such, you have a vast array of options to choose from. You’re equally spoiled for choice when it comes to the surface, as some are available with textured anti-skid surfaces as opposed to the smooth. There are also differences in the profile, with both low and high options, as much as the colours. Lastly, you can also pick from a variety of shapes, the most popular being square, rectangular, and corner, so there’s the right base for every shower and bathroom.
How to Choose the Ideal Shower Base?
With such a vast range of designs, including within the same brand, as there are many models of the Australian Oceano shower base you can find at the trusted bathware retailers, it’s important to go over some basics to make the right choice for your household and needs. This refers to:
Base Installation
In addition to the ready-to-tile that’s seamless but makes for more hassle installation-wise, you have the easier raised and recessed. The first is quick and easy to add on the floor surface, but requires a built-in evacuation and offers a step access, whereas the latter is fit for walk-in access and requires a recessed siphon. The choice mainly depends on the project you’re after, as well as the specifics of your bathroom and the design of the choice of base.
Base Evacuation
Evacuation basically refers to the wastewater draining system, and consists of a drain, siphon, and pipes. The choice comes down to the kind of base you’re working with, and it can either be vertical or horizontal. The first refers to the evacuation suitable for a base design that offers space underneath, whereas the latter is fit for a base that doesn’t come with too much available space underneath.
Base Material
While there’s a range of materials used for the creation of the various bases, including the versatile Oceano shower bases from Australia, some are more popular than others. The most common options you can find at the stores are plastic, ceramic, and composite.
Starting with the first, there are several picks for you, among which PMMA, polystyrene and ABS. PMMA is a choice that makes for a lightweight yet rigid plastic that can withstand wear and tear, and happens to be low in maintenance. Polystyrene is a polymer product made from monomer styrene, chosen for the strength, heat resistance, and resistance to scratches.
ABS is a plastic that can be recycled, but it does wear out with use. What’s characteristic about all three of these is that they’re relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and a cost-effective option for a bathroom renovation project. Ceramic is a natural option known for the variety, aesthetic beauty, and ease of cleanliness, however it does tend to be somewhat more expensive, and can undergo some chipping if exposed to hard impact.
As for the composite alternative, many brands have their own signature products made from special composite formulations that are a combination of fibreglass or resin with other materials, as in the case with the Eco Stonelite™ Oceano shower base made from polymarble. These products are highly resistant to scratches, wear, and tear, make for easy cleaning and maintenance, and are with lower porosity so they’re better than the ceramic counterparts. In short, they offer great value for your money!
