Picking the Best Shower Pan & Shower Base – Protect Your Shower Floors

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

A shower pan is the base of your shower unit. It’s one of the most important aspects of your shower unit both for the look and efficiency of your bathroom. The underlying surface of the shower pan is made of sloped concrete.

The water is collected in the pan and funneled down the slopes into the drain.  Having the best shower pan can be the difference between a costly repair and a consistently running shower.​

Picking the Best Shower Pan

Having the right high quality shower pan in your bathroom is important so you have the correct drainage. If your shower doesn’t drain correctly it’ll cause flooding and water damage to your floor. 

As well as working correctly it needs to fit into your available space within the existing shower unit. The space you have will dictate which shower pan you can buy, but most can fit into a range of different spaces.

Finally you need to consider the style and look of your bathroom and shower. You’ll need to choose a shower pan that fits your existing decoration and doesn’t look out of place in your home.  If you have just taken a look at my shower faucets or shower valves page and you want the best shower possible, then you need to get the best shower pan as well!

There’s a lot to consider when buying your shower pan and there are a fair few options out there. Along with this, there are also similar pans that fit bathtubs including Sterling Vikrell bathtubs and shower enclosures like the Vigo shower enclosure.  I’ve identified my top three for your home which are easily available online. Let’s check them out.

Table could not be displayed.

Dreamline Slimline DLT-1136600 Shower Base

No products found.

No products found.are known for producing high quality shower and bathroom appliances and fixtures that are suitable for any home. They believe in creating smart and visionary designs which give the user affordable luxury in their home.

Passionate about consumer experience they’ve developed a range of products with the purpose of giving practical solutions to their user’s problems. They now have a diverse product selection, including a collection of shower bases.

Features

The Dreamline Slimline Shower Base has been made with a number of features to make it more beneficial to the user. These include:

  • High quality scratch and stain resistant acrylic
  • Slip resistant textured floor
  • Fibreglass reinforcement
  • 3- way alcove installation
  • Easy to install and waterproofing
  • Central drain configuration

The shower pan is rectangular, weighing 46 pounds and is built 36 x 60 x 2.8 inches.

All of these features make the Dreamline Slimline Shower Base one of the most useful and well made on the market. It’s heavy duty, reliable and easy to fit and suitable for most homes.

Best Shower Pan Reviews

The feedback about the Dreamline shower base has been generally very positive.

“This has been an excellent product. Have been using it for between 2 and 3 years. Love the very low threshold.” – Brad M.

User reviews all tend to agree that the shower pan works well and is a stylish addition to the bathroom.

There have been isolated reports of warping in the product. These seem rare and don’t indicate a systematic problem with the product, but it’s something you should look out for when unpackaging your product.

Overall the feedback is positive and users seem happy with the quality and durability of the shower pan.

Final Thoughts

The Dreamline Slimline Shower Base is one of the most affordable shower pans on the market, giving the feeling of quality at a low price. This makes it a great addition to your bathroom and can add value to your home.

Well built with the potential to last a long time, definitely one to consider for your bathroom.

No products found.

Swanstone R-3232-010 Threshold Shower Floor

No products found.

No products found. offer American made surfacing solutions for bathrooms and kitchens. They have over 50 years of experience in the industry and from their humble beginnings now host a varied product range in their online store.

Behind Swanstone is their dedication to superior quality. They believe in creating innovative, but affordable, products that are beneficial to the user.

With a long history and a great selection of products Swanstone have made themselves one of the best companies in this market and shown themselves reliable shower pan manufacturers.

Features

The Swanstone Shower Floor comes with a white finish for a clean look. It’s made from veritek, this means there is no surface coating to crack or damage. It’s also non porous so there won’t be any mold or mildew damage.

The Swanstone shower floor is built with the following features and specifications:

  • 32-Inch x 32-Inch x 5-1/2-Inch- suitable sizing for most bathrooms
  • Integral tile flange
  • Veritek compression molded material
  • Includes color matched strainer
  • Center drain
  • Slip resistant bottom for safer showering
  • Easy to install
  • Lifetime warranty

The Swanstone shower floor is a solid and well made unit. It offers useful features which make it one of the popular choices out there. It has a decent weight to it at 32 pounds, making it a sturdier and more reliable piece.

Best Shower Pan Reviews

The feedback from buyers about the Swanstone brand and shower floor is generally very positive:

“Easier to install then the PDF’s make it to be. Heavier material then what I was expecting for the price. this by far is one of the best shower pans I have ever purchased.” – Napo M.

Users know that this is one of the more affordable brands and as such they don’t expect quite as much. That being said the user feedback seems to indicate that there is a lot of satisfaction with the purchase and it’s doing a good job in people’s homes.

Final Thoughts

The Swanstone shower floor is one of the more basic on the list. It’s a fairly simple design with useful features but what separates it from a lot of the crowd is the quality. Swanstone know how to make great surfaces for bathrooms and you can trust in their shower pan.

The other way in which Swanstone have separated themselves is in their price and this is one of the most affordable shower pans out there. The combination of quality and price makes this one to consider.

No products found.

KOHLER K-9026-0 Purist Shower Receptor

No products found.

No products found. are a well known designer and producer of bathrooms. They’re renowned for their style, quality and variety which they bring to your home. Operating since 1873 they have one of the longest histories around. In that time they’re built up a strong range of products.

KOHLER believe in promoting the concept of gracious living. Through charm, good taste and generosity their products help contribute to giving you a higher level of gracious living.

KOHLER have the experience and know how to make great products. They have shown themselves to be an outstanding performer in this industry and are a good choice for any bathroom products.

Features

The KOHLER Purist Shower Receptor is available in over 10 different colours. The most popular is of course white, but it allows you to match it to your specific colour scheme in your bathroom.

The KOHLER purist shower receptor is made with the following features:

  • Easy to install; single threshold for tile-in or drop-in installation
  • KOHLER(R) Cast Iron, a distinctive and unique material for shower basins
  • Safeguard(R) slip-resistant finish
  • Center drain
  • Heavyweight
  • 1 year warranty

The KOHLER shower receptor is built a little bigger, 50.4 x 38.5 x 9.4 inches, and weighs 180.8 pounds. It’s a heavier weight but a more durable product that’s been made to last.

KOHLER are known for their quality and their shower receptor is a great example of this. Durable, stylish quality is what you get with their shower pan.

Best Shower Pan Reviews

The quality of the KOHLER shower pan is making a lot of users very satisfied with their purchase:

“Strong, beautiful shower pan. We have remodeled many bathrooms in our day and opted to go with this one because we want it to be our last’ – Stan B.

Users are quick to comment on the solid and durable nature of the product, which means less work for them. The only downside is that the weight can make it more difficult to install for some less able individuals. If this is the case be sure to consult some professional fitters and don’t risk injury.

Overall feedback about the KOHLER shower receptor is very positive. People seem pleased that they spent a little extra but got the product they were hoping for:

“Yes, it’s pricey relative to other shower base solutions but it will last forever without a leak. There is no ongoing maintenance, unlike tile shower bases.” – Andy E.

Final Thoughts

The KOHLER shower receptor is probably the best quality shower pan on my shortlist, and it’s no surprise seeing as it’s KOHLER.

The materials and features make it a lot more reliable than others on the market, with far fewer long term issues or ongoing maintenance for the user. I personally own this shower pan with my Grohe Rainshower faucet.

The main downside of course is the price. It’s a more expensive product and KOHLER are one of the higher end manufacturers for shower pans. However in all home furnishings you often get what you pay for, and users seem pleased to have forked out more to purchase this shower base.

If it’s around your price point then the KOHLER shower receptor is definitely one to consider. The long term savings in time will mean it pays for itself.

No products found.

Barrier Free 30″x30″ Step-In Shower Base

Another base here on my list is a unique Step-In Shower Base by Barrier Free.  If you are someone that is concerned about water spilling on your floor, then having a step in shower is a great option for you.  

A step in shower is a shower base that has an elevated lip or wall that you have to physically step over to enter the shower.  Generally these walls range from at least 4 inches to up to about 8 inches. 

This Barrier Free shower base is 30 inches wide by 30 inches long which makes it a perfect square of decent size for your bathroom.  Along with this, this base has a wall height of 6 inches which makes it great for keeping water in the shower and off of your floors, while still making it easy and natural to enter and exit.  

Along with this, this product features anti scratch and slip resistant coatings for your safety.  This fiberglass pan is featured with a gelcoat for added durability and anti slip.

Overall this is a great base for those who need to keep the water in their shower, but still want to easily and naturally be able to step into their shower.  This product is extremely durable and built with anti slip texture that makes it a great base for any showerer.  

Along with this, the installation of this shower uses a 3-wall alcove which makes the installation extremely easy, and attaching to the flange is no problem at all.  Overall, this is a great shower base, and I suggest it to anyone that wants a step in shower!

Choosing the Right Shower Pan

There’s a fair amount to consider when it comes to buying a shower pan, but there is also a lot of similarity on the market. I’ve selected these three because of the value they bring to the user in terms of affordability, quality or a combination of both.

Best Shower Base

I’ve chosen three reliable manufacturers who I know will deliver some consistent quality to your home. The specific products are for varying price points but if you can afford the KOHLER then you should check it out today.

Features to Consider for Best Shower Pan 

The shower pan is an important piece if your shower since it directs the water down your drain. If you have a bad shower pan, you might have a flooded floor or water won’t flow down. This can lead to accidents and slipping that may endanger your life. 

Hence, it’s important to choose the best shower pan with the features you need. Make sure you choose shower pans with slight slope for excellent funnel of water down the drain. 

Materials

The best shower pans use quality materials like acrylic, porcelain, and fiberglass. These materials are also the most used in making shower pans. All of these materials are excellent so you can’t go wrong with choosing one of the three. 

If you want less maintenance, I recommend getting fiberglass shower pans. They also have durable construction thanks to their fiberglass reinforcement. Acrylic is also a good choice for durability and easy installation. 

Easy to Install

A shower base that is easy to install saves you time. It also ensures that the shower pan will work properly. Some complex shower pans are more effective yet may not be able to function properly because the owner cannot properly install them. 

For that, both three of the shower pans of this list are easy to install so choosing any of the three would be fine if you’re looking for a shower pan that’s easy to install. Easy maintenance is also a big plus so you won’t have your shower area occupied just for repairs or affect your drainage system. 

Aesthetics

While not an integral part of how shower pans function, the aesthetics of the shower pans also takes into consideration. You don’t want to ruin the look of your bathroom with mixed up designs and themes. 

For that, you can try and look for customized shower pans to match the design of your bathroom. The shower pans on this list aren’t specifically matched to the theme of your bathroom so you must get a customized one or you’re lucky if it matches your bathroom already.  

Another option is to get ceramic shower bases. They are generally elegant to look at and are good in performance too. 

Types of Shower Base

While shower base is different from shower pans, they still go hand in hand with one another. If you use the best shower bases for your shower pans, then you will have an excellent shower system. 

A bathroom with shower near the sink

Acrylic Shower Base

Acrylic is one of the most popular options for shower bases. It’s a solid bathroom shower base that can sometimes have a high gloss acrylic finish. With high gloss acrylic material, shower bases can be versatile with any shower while still being lightweight and durable. 

Steel Shower Base

Steel is one of the least popular choice in most shower base reviews since they don’t offer easy maintenance and some steel square shower base don’t have stain resistance. Hence, it’s important to pick high quality stainless steel base. 

Ceramic Shower Base

Ceramic shower base are great for your bathroom’s design. They are tileable shower base and complements well with your bathroom decor and shower accessories. However, they are not your heavy duty shower pan and they can get chipped easily. So it’s best to handle them with care. 

Installing a Shower Base

Anything plumbing related can often be a daunting task, especially when it involves showers’ installation process. Some people even do their own custom shower project like installing a neo angle shower door. That being said, it is no small task to install a shower base or pan, but it is a do-able task if you have the right tools and the right persistence.  

Tools Needed:

  • Tape Measurer
  • Level
  • Various Screwdrivers
  • Electric Drill & Bits
  • Caulking Gun with Silicone Caulk and Panel Adhesive
  • Shower Base of your choice
  • Drain Assembly
  • Shower Enclosure/Glass
  • Shower Fixtures and Faucet
  • PVC Primer & Cement
  • Backerboard

Steps For Installing:

  1. Test the Size of the Pan/Base: Before you start caulking and physically attaching anything, you want to place your base down and make sure the size fits, and everything looks good to you.  Also make sure the drain opening is above the opening on the floor.
  2. Attached Flange and Drain Opening Together: Make sure the flange fits flush with the outer lip of the drain opening, you can always add extensions if needed.  Use cement and primer to attach the flange to the drain pipe, following manufactures instructions, and let dry.  After it is dried, attach the gaskets between the flange and the bottom of the pan.
  3. Set the Pan/Base in Place:  Now that the drain pipe is taken care of, you can set the pan in place over the drain pipe and make sure everything is in correct position.
  4. Caulk and Secure Base:  Now that everything is in place, it’s time to attach everything together.  Use silicon to caulk the drain flange.  Line up the screws with the drain body and the flange body, and secure them.  
  5. Securing the Side Panels of the Base:  Now that the middle of the base is secured it’s time to drill the sides securely to the wall.  Follow the predesigned drill holes and drill your base to your wall.

Overall installation can be a little daunting, but it can definitely be completed in an afternoon or a weekend.  That being said, it’s recommend that you get an inspectional after you install to make sure there aren’t any leaks you have to worry about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is Better: a Fiberglass or Acrylic Shower Pan?

Overall, there’s no one better. However, durability is another story. Acrylic is more durable compared to fiberglass. Acrylic pans are also harder to scratch or puncture thanks to reinforced acrylic durable construction. So if you want something that lasts long and requires less maintenance, go for an acrylic shower pan. 

What Is the Difference Between a Shower Pan and a Shower Base?

Both the shower pan and shower base directs the flow of water into the drain. However, they have one distinct difference. The shower pan is the shower floor that you stepped on the surface while the shower base is the structure of what is underneath the shower. 

How Long Do Acrylic Shower Pans Last?

Acrylic pans last for around 10 years with proper care. Acrylic pans normally last several years since it is so durable and resistant to corrosion. With premium high gloss acrylic, the finish will last longer. 

Do I Need Both a Shower Base and a Shower Pan?

The shower base is necessary in installation since it is part of the shower’s solid base. You can go without a shower pan, however, the shower base is necessary for proper flow of water to the drain. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Shower Base

Overall any of these three will be a great addition to your bathroom, but if you’re not convinced then check out the other products in their collections. They’re all readily available so you can upgrade your shower today.

Brett E.

Brett E. is the Owner of BarterDesign.co.  Brett comes from a long line of craftsman and foreman, and has been involved with the construction and renovation world ever since he was a boy while working for his families construction and remodeling company.  After graduating with a a degree in Interior Design, Brett is the go to guy for any interior design or remodeling questions!