How to Frame a Floor for a Shower Surround

Measure the spaces between the wall studs in the walls of your shower with a tape measure. Most shower partition walls are built on 16-inch centers so you should have consistent spacing between each stud.

With a circular saw, cut pieces of 2-by-6 inch planks to match the measurements. These planks will serve as blocking along the bottom of the wall studs to add strength to the studs and to provide a surface to staple your rubber shower membrane onto later.

Place the planks between the wall studs with the front of each plank flush with the front of each stud, to create a smooth shower well. Nail them into place using 16 penny nails and a hammer. You’ll need to place the nails at an angle to drive them through the planks and into the 2-by-4 inch wall studs surrounding the shower space. Nail each block to both studs adjacent to the space, driving one nail through the top of the block and one through the front into each stud. Leave the front of the enclosure free of blocking.

Measure the length and width of the floor space within the shower well. Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch exterior grade plywood to match the measurements. Place the plywood over the subfloor inside the well and nail it in place with the 2-inch nails spaced 5-inches on center. This sheet will provide additional strength for your shower floor.

Measure the length of the opening for the enclosure between the two side shower walls. Cut a 4-by-4-inch plank to match the measurement, and then place the plank between the two partition walls along the opening line to act as a curb for your shower floor. Nail the plank in place using 16 penny nails driven into the two studs on the front edges of the side walls of the enclosure, and into the subfloor of the room. Space the nails every 5 inches to make certain the curb is secured into place, finishing the floor frame.