How to Create a Corner Tub-Shower

Clear the corner intended for the tub-shower of all obstructions. Unless fitting a new unit where a preexisting corner tub-shower was previously installed, install new pipework for the hot and cold water supplies to the tub-shower mixer taps and, perhaps, to the shower head control. Measure where the water-in and waste-out connections are, then transfer these measurements to the work area, marking on the walls and floor where these connections must be made. Use 1/2-inch copper tube for the hot and cold water, and 2-inch PVC pipe for the drain.

Assemble the tub-shower according to the manufacturer’s directions. Typically this requires the installation of the taps, the drain plug actuating mechanism, the drain-overflow combination and the support feet or rails.

Lift the tub-shower into place, and ensure it is completely level. Connect the hot and cold supplies using flexible pipes, and the drain using proprietary rigid connectors.

Line the walls with a waterproof layer; options are effectively limited only by budget. Using sheets of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, or FRP, is a simple and cost-effective option; sold in 8-by-4-foot sheets, FRP can be cut to size, glued to the wall and sealed quickly. Tiling with ceramic or marble tiles is less utilitarian but takes considerably more time, requires more materials and demands a higher level of installation skill.

Fit the enclosure around the tub. Shrouds are manufactured specifically to enclose the front and sides of corner tub-showers to obscure the underside, the pipework and the supports. If making an enclosure from scratch, ensure the finish is waterproof. Leave a “trapdoor” that you can remove for service work such as accessing the P-trap.

Seal around the tub-shower unit with a flexible silicone sealant specifically manufactured for bathroom and kitchen applications. Allow the sealant to fully cure before proceeding.

Install a barrier to stop overspray from the shower splashing out onto the floor. Both hinged and sliding enclosure doors are available, but -- while they offer a more elegant solution and increased privacy -- a curved curtain rail is often the easiest option. All should be sold with full installation instructions.