In the modern interior of the bathroom every year more and more often use showers. This is due not only to their low cost and practicality, but also to convenience.
Today, you can purchase both whole sets of shower equipment, and each of its components separately. In the latter case, you can save a lot, especially if you try to make a shower tray with your own hands.
Types of shower trays
The shower tray can be made from almost any material. It all depends on your preferences and resources. All of them differ not only in design, color scheme, but also in practicality. Let's take a look at each separately before making a shower tray with your own hands.
Acrylic pallets are durable, do not absorb dirt, do not change color over time. The only drawback is the possibility of their deformation. To avoid this, the acrylic pallet must either be mounted on a sturdy frame, which usually comes with it, or use a support system.
An artificial marble tray is the perfect solution forpractical people. Such products are strong, hold heat well and do not rattle under running water. But not everyone can make such a shower tray with their own hands. This requires special material and skills to work with it.
Steel and cast iron pallets are relics of the past. They heat up for a long time, very “noisy”, but durable. It is for the first two reasons that they are not in great demand today.
Ceramic tile pallet is one of the most common types. It is durable, easy to clean and easy to install.
Buy ready-made or make your own pallet?
Very often during the renovation of the bathroom in a given situation, certain parameters of the shower tray are required. In order to find the one that is right for you, it will take a lot of effort and possibly more than one month. Therefore, if you have at least minimal experience in the field of repair, then you can easily make a shower tray with your own hands.
In this situation, you will not only make a shower of the desired size and shape, but also save a lot. The latter is explained by the fact that the manufacture and installation of a shower tray with your own hands is one and the same. In addition, the material will cost you much less than the finished product.
What you need to know before building a shower tray in your bathroom?
Usually, during construction or tiling in the bathroom, the floors are poured with concrete. Based on this, it can be concluded that the bestthe pallet material you want to make by yourself is tile.
The modern choice of this material is so great that you can easily choose the one that is ideal for your interior in color, size and texture. In addition, this tile is also used for wall decoration in the shower. And if you make the walls of the pallet higher, then it can also serve you as a full-fledged bathroom.
A great opportunity to turn your ideas and desires into reality is to create shower trays with your own hands. You can see photos of some options in the article. It is worth noting that not every manufacturer can please you with the desired size, shape and configuration of the product.
Shower tray in a wooden bath
If you want to make a shower tray in a Russian bath, then it is done according to the same principle as in the bathroom. The only thing you need to know is that the walls are separated from the concrete screed with roofing material and plastic wrap.
In general, a shower tray is a concrete floor, lined with tiles, along the perimeter of which a wall of the height you need is laid. A drain hole is usually made in one of the corners of the pallet, and a drain pipe already passes under it. It is worth noting that a slight slope of the surface is made towards the drain hole.
Instead of tiles, some lay smooth decorative stone on the walls and base of the shower tray. But many consider this impractical, since it quicklydirt gets clogged and is very difficult to wash out.
Water drain system
Did you decide to install a shower tray with your own hands? The water drain system is the first thing to start with. If your floor is already tiled, then this coating must be removed.
Before planning the location of the drain hole, you need to take into account the fact that the sewer drain pipe must be laid at an angle so that the water drains by gravity. Otherwise, she won't leave.
As a rule, do-it-yourself installation of a shower tray should be done on a hill. It may be necessary to slightly raise the structure. As a result, the pallet will look a bit like a pedestal.
Arrangement of the pallet
When installing the shower drain and drain pipe, it is advisable to use wooden stands of different heights. They will provide the desired slope for draining. Iron pipes have been replaced by plastic pipes. This should not be neglected when you make a shower tray with your own hands. They are easily attached to a plastic ladder, and besides, they will serve you for a long time.
After you fasten everything you need to drain, make a floor screed. You can pour concrete or the entire bathroom, or only part of it, a place under the future shower.
Walls along the perimeter of the pallet
Fencing walls are driven out immediately after the screed dries. This can be done with formwork or bricks. The first option is that from flat boards orspecial shields make two vertical partitions parallel to each other, and a solution is poured between them. In the second case, the enclosing walls are laid out of brick, which is then plastered. It is worth noting that the wall made using formwork does not need to be additionally plastered for laying tiles on it. Therefore, here you will save not only time, but also effort. But everyone does as he pleases.
After the walls around the perimeter of the pallet are ready, it is imperative to make an additional bottom screed with a slope towards the drain. After a few hours, when the concrete dries, prime and treat it with a waterproofing compound.
Tiling shower tray
Completely installing a shower tray with your own hands will be done only after it has been tiled with ceramic tiles. Here it is worth considering that this material must be laid exclusively on a special moisture-resistant glue. Otherwise, the tile will not last long.
So, when buying an adhesive mixture, consult the seller. He will recommend a manufacturer. In addition, do not forget to clarify for what specific purposes you need glue.
Information on how to prepare this solution, you will find on its packaging. Be sure to strictly adhere to all proportions. Thoroughly mix the adhesive mixture with water using a construction mixer.
Start laying tiles from the corner. Only in this way can you correct all the irregularities and errors. The solution is applied atusing a special notched trowel directly on the tile, which is placed on the screed and pressed down a little.
In order for the seams to be even, insert special crosses between the joints of the tiles during the laying process. After the glue dries, you need to remove the crosses, and put a special water-repellent mixture on the seams.
Finish the tile with a damp cloth, then dry.
General recommendations
As you can see, making a shower tray with your own hands is not so difficult. But still, in this case, it is necessary to adhere to the sequence of work and take into account some nuances.
Experts advise against installing a massive pallet, as it will heavily load the floor slabs. If in doubt about your calculations, it is better to consult a professional in this matter.
If you want to install or repair a shower tray with your own hands in an apartment on the ground floor or a country house, then in this case it is better to insulate both the floor and its part under the tray. To do this, use modern high-quality materials. It can be either mineral wool or foam glass. An electric floor under the shower tray is not recommended.
Only the pallet, which was designed according to all the rules and from high-quality materials, will serve you for a long time and bring pleasure during its use. Other than that, you will no doubt be proud to have made it yourself.
