Your bathroom has ample space, and you frequently face water draining issues, especially when showering. In this case, you need a water draining system under the shower, and also, you’re planning for a bathroom upgrade. The shower base, shower pan, or shower tray is the solution.
While there are many options out there to purchase a shower base, you might face difficulty choosing the best one. The shower base consists of several types, such as fiberglass, iron, or acrylic shower pan.
We opt for the best acrylic shower base to make the purchase options convenient. As the durability and stability of the acrylic shower pans are undeniable, we think this would be the right choice for you.
Furthermore, we think you need to know more reliable information about acrylic shower bases to opt for the best one.
Let’s get to the detailed info!
What is an acrylic shower base?
Let’s know what the shower base is before analyzing the acrylic shower.
The shower base is the substructure of the bathroom shower floor that fits underneath the shower. A shower base is typically made with solid materials such as cement or mortar. Generally, the shower base protects the area and makes water draining convenient.
While plenty of shower bases are out there, the acrylic shower base includes some prominent features to uplift your shower experience.
Acrylic shower base is the solid foundation of shower bases. They are built to last for years. The acrylic shower floor pan includes composite material and antibacterial properties solely to protect the shower base from growing bacteria.
Acrylic shower bases are fully water-resistant, and corroding or scratches can hardly make any difference.
Can you tile over an acrylic shower pan?
Generally, an acrylic shower pan includes a smooth and slick design. They are completely water and dirt-resistant. The surrounding area of the acrylic shower base may have a tiled structure but typically not the floor.
While you will try sticking tile on the acrylic shower pan floor, they won’t stick together well, as the acrylic shower base is smooth and slick in design.
On the other hand, acrylic base often includes hollow beneath, and they are flexible. So, unless you spread out the concrete underneath perfectly and the whole unit is placed on the Surface flawlessly, the tile surface will still have flexes, and it isn’t easy to keep the tiles over the acrylic shower pan.
You need to pull out the whole acrylic shower base to place a tile base.
Acrylic vs fiberglass shower pan – What’s the difference?
We have a good grasp of the acrylic shower pan by now. But there is another shower pan that includes fiberglass. Fiberglass shower pan includes glass that is made of thin fibers, and they stick together in layers to form a stable and durable hard, however flexible surface.
While fiberglass has durability, they are more prone to break or crack; acrylic pans have solid ABS material built to last for years.
Fiberglass can easily contain bacteria, while acrylic has the antibacterial formula built into the shower base. Fiberglasses are cheaper and can corrode due to the rapid usage of acidic cleaning products. On the other hand, acrylic shower pans are expensive and will not have scratches and corrode easily.
So, both shower bases have significant differences, and judging the differences, and you can go for the better one.
Cast iron shower pan vs acrylic – What’s the difference?
Cast iron is another type of shower base built to last for a decade. This type of shower base is typically cast iron or recycled iron and includes enamel coating to give the base a shining and good adhesion.
So, the cast iron shower pan and acrylic pan has a handful of differences.
The acrylic pan is durable, water, and corrosion-resistant because of its sleek and smooth design and quality materials. On the other hand, a cast iron shower pan is durable unless the enamel coating is there. Once the enamel coating starts removing, it will start corroding over time.
Acrylic pans are lightweight, easy to install, and you can refit and move around when you need them. On the other hand, cast iron pans are heavy and may require a sturdy surface to support their structure.
So, despite the differences, both cast iron and acrylic bases are durable, but it depends on how you can use them.
Acrylic shower pan sizes
Generally, acrylic shower pans include different sizes. Choosing your preferred size depends on the shower door you have, such as a unidoor or flex shower. Let’s see the sizes below-
- 72” x 42 acrylic shower base
- 36 x 48 acrylic shower base
- 60 x 32 acrylic shower base
- 32 x 54 acrylic shower base
- 40 x 48 acrylic shower pan
- 62 x 36 acrylic shower pan
- 60 x 30 acrylic shower pan
- 48 x 32 acrylic shower pan
Best acrylic shower base manufacturers in the USA
If you are ready for purchase by now, we recommend you some of the best acrylic shower base brands before you go further. You may go for a shower base right now, but choosing a brand is also crucial step.
Find out the best shower base manufacturers in a later section.
DreamLine: This prominent luxury and affordable bathroom products distributor and brand are one of the leading brands in the bath and shower marketplaces. It has high-quality shower doors, shower enclosures, tub doors, and acrylic shower bases.
They have modern and sleek designs and impressive customer solutions. With premium and high-gloss acrylic shower base and low profile design with different supreme features, they are great to go for an acrylic shower base.
KOHLER: With retail shops in over 130 countries, this prominent household accessory company is a bold choice for an acrylic shower base. Their innovative bath and shower products contain unique features such as left-center drain options.
Besides, if you want a stable, modern, innovative design and cost-effective acrylic shower pan, KOHLER is the clear choice for you.
Jacuzzi: With over 60 years of service, Jacuzzi is one of the leading bath items brands in different countries. Based on Italian design and tradition, products of this brand have quality materials and accessories with style and durability.
Their acrylic shower base mainly includes minimalist and more streamlined with sleek and stylish design. So, without a doubt, you can go for an acrylic shower base here.
Westbrass: Established in 1935, this kitchen and bath accessories company manufactures many plumbing products, bath, and kitchen accessories. Their ‘fine decorative plumbing’ items and supreme vintage design will surely surprise you.
Their acrylic shower base mainly consists of a satin nickel finish to ensure durability. If you want a classic design with durable products, go for Westbrass.
Swiss Madison: This well-known manufacturer is committed to providing superior and innovative bath products with seamless customer service. Their product and service in terms of acrylic shower base are top-notch.
Their acrylic shower base includes different color options and durable acrylic that provide a robust style and statement to your bathroom. So, go for it if you want a prominent brand to occupy your bath space.
Best Recommendation Acrylic Shower Base in 2022
The following will lead you to the best acrylic shower base widely available to purchase. While there are lots of buying options, you have the chance to opt for the better one. Our extensive acrylic shower pan reviews will help you choose the best one.