Hi,
We are about to move into a property with corner enclosed showers with tray, walls and screens. The showers are in extremely poor condition. We plan to renovate the bathrooms however, want to replace the showers and do renovations later down the track. How can I replace the enclosures? Do they have to be curved? I can find something online but, the reviews are bad. Please see pictures. The black shower is in better condition but, cracked and mouldy. The other is 🤢 Thanks guys
Hi @newreno,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.
It looks like you currently have fully enclosed, one-piece modular shower cubicles. Unfortunately, Bunnings does not sell this type of complete shower unit.
The main complication with replacing them with a conventional shower enclosure is waterproofing. With a modular cubicle, the shower itself provides the waterproof enclosure, whereas a conventional tiled shower relies on a compliant waterproofing system incorporated into the walls and floor of the bathroom.
If you were to remove the existing cubicles, you would therefore need to investigate what is behind and underneath them. In many cases, converting from this style of shower to a conventional tiled shower would mean effectively gutting the bathroom and starting again so that the required waterproofing, wall linings, shower base and finishes can all be installed correctly.
For that reason, I'd recommend speaking with a bathroom renovation specialist before removing anything. They can inspect the existing installation and advise what would be involved in converting it to a more conventional shower enclosure.
Jacob
Thanks for the reply @JacobZ
The plan is to reno both bathrooms in a year or two. I was hoping that I could replace the enclosed shower with like for like or something similar
Given that you're planning to renovate both bathrooms in a year or two @newreno, you might consider not using the shower that's in particularly poor condition and trying to bring the better one up to a minimum usable standard so you can get as much life out of it as possible.
You could then prioritise that bathroom and, if possible, bring the renovation forward.
Installing a new fully enclosed shower now would certainly be an option, though it could come at considerable expense. There's also the risk that when you undertake the full renovation, the enclosure doesn't suit your new layout or design and needs to be replaced again with a more conventional shower.
For that reason, I'd be inclined to minimise what you spend on the existing showers and put those funds towards the renovation. Alternatively, as Jacob mentioned, it would be worth discussing your options with a bathroom renovation specialist to determine the most effective use of your funds at this stage. They can take your future renovation plans into account and hopefully ensure that any alterations made now won't need to be undone when you complete the full renovation. Let me tag @aimeetyler, @hdebruin, @Tiffany_S, @Cian, @hm495 and @michelleneagle who have recently shared some amazing bathroom renovations with the community to see if they have any thoughts. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Thanks for your response Mitchell. I was planning on replacing the enclosure for now and then when renos are done, gutting the bathrooms regardless whether the enclosures had been replaced.
Thanks for clarifying @newreno. If you're happy to replace the complete enclosure now knowing that it will likely be removed again during the renovation, then a like-for-like replacement is certainly something you could explore.
Typically, the existing enclosure would be disconnected from the water supply and waste, removed, and the area inspected before a replacement unit is installed. The new enclosure doesn't necessarily need to be curved, but its dimensions, waste position and plumbing connections would need to suit the available space. Changing the size or shape could require additional alterations.
Given the plumbing connections involved, you'll need a licensed plumber to undertake that work. I'd suggest having one inspect the existing showers and discuss what replacement enclosures would be suitable before purchasing anything.
Thanks Mitchell
As the enclosures are somewhat a thing of the past, do you have any recommendations?
Just a curious onlooker @newreno - is that a little fold-down seat in the last photo?
If you’re looking at alternatives to another fully enclosed unit, @newreno, then I’d recommend considering a more conventional shower with a shower base, waterproofed walls and a standard shower screen.
As Jacob mentioned earlier, the main consideration is that your existing enclosure provides its own waterproofing. Once that is removed, the area behind it would need to be assessed and a compliant waterproofing system installed before fitting a conventional shower.
Given you intend to renovate later anyway, it would be worth having a bathroom renovation specialist assess whether converting one of the bathrooms to a standard shower now could form part of the eventual renovation rather than installing another temporary enclosed unit.
