| You can learn how to build a shower pan the | | | | a base, the Schluter kit includes a ready-made |
| traditional way. That's done by building up layers | | | | foam base. It's like a tray that's just the right |
| of masonry and then building in a waterproof | | | | slope and shape to form the perfect shower |
| membrane and then installing the tile over all | | | | foundation. The base is just glued in place and |
| that. It isn't easy because of the masonry work, | | | | then covered with special waterproof membrane |
| but it's still used a lot. Here's why showers leak | | | | material. There's a special drain too. Over that |
| and why the traditional method is tricky. | | | | goes the tile, just like a traditional shower base. |
| See, shower floors naturally leak. The grout in | | | | That's the easy way. |
| the joints is not waterproof and neither are the | | | | This way you get a no maintenance shower |
| tiles either. Water just goes right through the | | | | without all the masonry headaches. You still get |
| floor. Here's the trick. A special waterproof | | | | that solid feel just like a masonry shower too. |
| membrane is built right into the masonry floor to | | | | No bouncy shower floors and no leaks either. |
| catch the water. There's then a special drain | | | | Now many tile setters like this method better |
| that the water gets routed to. It's tricky to get | | | | because it's faster. You don't have to wait |
| it right, especially with all the masonry work. But | | | | around while layers of mud dry and cure. Also |
| get it wrong and you have yourself a mess... | | | | learning how to build a tile shower is a lot easier |
| Here's the easier way. | | | | using this method. There's no need to learn all |
| Many professional tile setters no longer build | | | | the tricks for handling masonry and getting the |
| masonry shower pans. These are old mud men | | | | waterproof membrane installed properly. |
| too. The easier way is the Schluter-Kerdi | | | | There are other advantages to the new shower |
| shower kit. Instead of all that mortar for building | | | | kits too. |