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How to cover metal shower base perimeter?

Hi team, we’ve a hobbed shower with frameless shower glass. How do we cover the exposed metal shower perimeter? I thought it was going to be tiled but my builder said that the job was complete. Is that accurate? I’ve never seen a shower hob that’s metal exposed in this way, it looks unfinished. Thanks for your help

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EricL

Hello @renie

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your shower hob.

Generally speaking, the shower hob is often tiled all over before the shower glass panels area attached. But since the panels are already in place, I can only suggest covering the edge with tiles. This will at least hide the unfinished metal edge of the hob. You can cover the top of the tile edge with either more cut tiles or use aluminium tile edging.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

renie

Thank you for your prompt response. My builder told me that the metal area cannot be tiled as if it’s stepped on, the tiles would fall. Is that true? Is the metal area part of the shower pan? I’ve been reading a lot online but I lack the right terminology to find accurate information.

Does securing the shower glass this way compromise on the integrity of the structure as well as waterproofing? Thanks again. I’ve attached two more pictures, one after waterproofing and one with a cleaner view of the shower glass.

EricL

Hello @renie

It is possible that tile will come off if stepped on. Another possible alternative is to cover the metal edge with a Metal Mate 25 x 1mm 1m Aluminium Flat Bar - Silver - 1m or a Metal Mate 25 x 3mm x 1m Black Aluminium Flat Bar in order to give it a finished look. They come in various sizes so make sure you have the correct height. The bar can be attached with Selleys Heavy Duty Liquid Nails. Since it is glued on and has a smaller profile the occasional brush with the bottom of your feet should not dislodge it. The metal edge of your hob is part of your shower pan.

In regards to your glass shower, if the installer has followed the recommended installation instructions of the manufacturer your shower and waterproofing should be secure. Please keep in mind that your shower will be covered by the installers warranty. Make sure to keep your paperwork and contract in a safe place so that you can refer to it should anything fail in the installation.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @renie

If this is a new build, then the shower recess appears to be an after-thought as the shower base is raised. not lowered. A common design, would have the base lower than the floor level, so that when tiled you can wall straight in with no raised entry.

Definitely agree that tiles isn't a feasible way to cover the edge both cosmetically and practically.

My first solution is similar to @EricL by fixing aluminium trim to the outside. But as one side is tapered, it needs to be cut by a machine and then ideal the top outer edge is rounded to protect your feet. So, I think they need to be custom made, even possibly out of stainless steel.

Type into Google"custom metal fabrication" and you should see custom CNC cutting type services like it just did with me.

Regarding waterproofing, I'm not a qualified expert, as there maybe some variance to ground floor bathrooms on a concrete slab. But my understanding is the entire floor should be water proofed up to 150mm on non-shower walls, which is 1800mm. On all bathrooms I have renovated or been part of, thats essentially how they were waterproofed. Here is a link to the national code relating to this.

Nailbag

renie

Thank you. Eric, this is very helpful. Sorry, one last question. Is it common practice to expose the metal part of the shower pan like my shower? I’ve never seen something like this before.

renie

Thanks Nailbag, this is very helpful. And yes, it’s a full remodel of the bathroom.

MitchellMc

Hi @renie,

The shower pan would not typically be left exposed as it is an unfinished metal edge. I would question this with your builder. Ask them to at least finish the edge with strips of aluminium.

Mitchell

Dave-1

Morning @renie

The only thing I can think of to make the metal base look finished off is either the metal facing strip that @EricL and @Nailbag have mentioned or to clean it up and paint it the same colour as the glass side bases? I am afraid I dont know what is common install for bathroom/bathroom showers so Id just be guessing about how it has been done. Maybe you could ask where they have done it before and see what has been done to those to finish them off?

Dave

renie

Hi Dave, the builder did suggest painting the metal strip gold as my tapware are brushed gold. Would you know if paint would come off over time? That’s my biggest worry and whether it would rust too. The foot traffic area of walking in and out of shower is quite high and it’s also a fairly wet area.

I also can’t find brushed gold aluminium bars so thinking maybe of getting the black one at Bunnings.

EricL

Hello @renie

Let me tag @Dave-1 to make them aware of your questions. I'm not sure how well the paint will hold up in a high moisture environment, especially if it gets wet quite often. I still recommend using the aluminium finish as it has the highest tolerance against water.

Eric

renie

Ya, that’s what I’m worried about too. Thanks for validating.

Dave-1

Morning @renie

I would have concerns about the paint lasting in a wet area, There are other metal flashings that could be looked into that may have different colours of metal edging. Other then that the aluminium would possibly be the best fo stability of colour for that area.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @renie

Definitely needs to be colour anodised aluminium and not painted for durability. Black would look nicer in my opinion over white. However you maybe able to find a suitable rounded metal if you can get it professionally cut in the flooring dept in a range of colours.

Nailbag

renie

Thanks @Nailbag!

in the end, builder found this in gold that he’d cut and show us for the shower base - https://alltradealuminium.com.au/products/aluminium-angle-polish-gold-silver-anodised

Given its anodised, seems like it might work?

JacobZ

Hi @renie,

That looks perfect. I imagine it will look extremely nice once installed.

Jacob

renie

Thanks @JacobZ ! Looking forward to the end result 🤩

Nailbag

Hi @renie

Just as long as there is no sharp edges where you might step on then yeah looks a go for sure. And good to hear the builder is stepping up to resolve the issue too.

Nailbag

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