How to Build an Open Shower

Layout for Shower Footprint

• You will need to measure the bathroom and draw its main fixtures as the starting point. Carefully transfer the dimensions to graph paper. To decide on the best location for the shower, make several drawings of your bathroom on a sketchpad. It's best to reserve a 6-foot square space at minimum, but an even larger space is desirable.

Plan for Interior Space

• Design the walls and shower interior. You will need to slope the shower floor toward a large drain. Consider constructing two drains as another possibility to move water quickly from the space. Hide the shower interior from adjacent room space with a solid wall or build the shower with one or more glass walls. You can construct a shower with four glass walls with double glass doors in one of those walls, as another choice.

Route for Plumbing

• You will construct the shower around the floor drain and route for water lines. Creating a visually open space is easier once you've defined plumbing access to the shower. It's possible, for example, to run water lines directly down from the attic to place the shower in the very center of a large bathroom.

Order of Steps

• A construction schedule helps facilitate the remodel. Wait until you have vacation time to make the shower construction go smoothly. Taking the old shower or tub out of the room will cause some inconvenience as well. Plan the delivery of building materials and scheduling of installers so a lot of time will not be lost on waiting for workers to show up.

Repairs Needed

• Leaks and wall damage require attention before construction begins. Repair all drywall and floor areas where the shower will fit. Use drywall tape and joint compound, for example, to smooth out two walls that you will tile from ceiling to floor. Fill in gaps that could invite insects or rodents from the home’s crawlspace. Repair the floor joists if they are weak before installing a premade shower base or a tile base.

Shower Accessories

• Install a foot faucet and showerheads away from the shower entry space. You want to prevent water from splashing or running out of the shower room. Caulk floor drains well and install high-quality faucets and one or more showerheads that give a pulsating massage.