Facts about Your Acrylic Shower Pan

If you ever want to replace the base of your shower, then an acrylic shower pan is an ideal choice. These shower pans are made from clear plastic, and look rather like they are made of glass. Acrylic is in fact much stronger and safer than most forms of glass, even that used in shower doors. They are popular due to their durability and their cheap production, as well as their resemblance to glass. Acrylic is also much lighter than most other forms of shower pan and can be easily molded into different designs, making their adaptability supreme. If you are considering installing an acrylic shower pan, then you should know about some of the different makes of pan and how they can be utilized in your home.

Fiberglass

Perhaps the most popular form of acrylic shower pan is the fiberglass pan. Fiberglass is extremely tough and cost effective, and there are a range of styles and shapes which can be made using fiberglass material. The fiberglass is a lot cheaper than glass or porcelain versions of the shower pan, and can usually be fitted by an amateur as well as a professional plumber. It is made from small layers of glass which are woven into a solid material. Fiberglass shower pans are often created as resins, and then made into the pan from this flexible beginning, meaning that they are sometimes malformed. Fiberglass is also extremely difficult to paint. However, while fiberglass can become dull and scuffed after a lot of use, it is also possible to refinish it, or at least minimize the scuffed appearance, while other materials may be damaged for their entire lifetimes.

Expense

Despite the many attractive qualities of acrylic, it can be rather more expensive than other forms of shower pan such as plastic or synthetic materials, and it is also more at risk of burning or melting when exposed to high temperatures than pans such as glass. The expense of the material is somewhat lessened by its durability, so that you will not have to replace it as often as a cheaper version made of plastic, and also its appearance, as synthetic devices can look rather shabby, and are easily damaged, but less easy to repair than fiberglass.

Other Risks

Acrylic is tough, and this should not be underestimated, but at the same time it can be vulnerable to damage. It's unlikely that you will have very high temperatures in your bathroom, but this does not mean you should take chances with acrylic's lack of heat-resistance. This can be problematic if you run a very hot water pipe close to the area of your acrylic shower pan, for example, or if there is a boiler nearby which might pass heat over to your  shower pan.  It is also exceptionally smooth, meaning that unless non-slip features are installed upon the base, you are at risk of slipping and falling. This is a problem for those with limited mobility, or those with young children who might be more exposed to risk in the shower.