Walk in shower ideas and possible costs

[paulguitar]

I'm interested in getting a walk-in shower in my bathroom. Just after some general advice and ideas on what this might cost. I think it will go on the left with the radiator and cover/towel hangers removed.

Also considering underfloor heating. The floor will have to come up to do the installation so might as well get that done and a new floor I think.

[RC1807]

What type of floor is it currently - wood, concrete?

[paulguitar]

RC1807 said:

What type of floor is it currently - wood, concrete?

It's Amtico. I was thinking of getting Amtico again (or similar), but in this kind of style:

[clockworks]

paulguitar said:

RC1807 said:

What type of floor is it currently - wood, concrete?

It's Amtico. I was thinking of getting Amtico again (or similar), but in this kind of style:

I think the question was - what's underneath the floor covering?

Sinking a tray into the floor, or even just singing the waste and tiling to a gentle slope, can be a massive undertaking on concrete, easier on a wooden suspended floor.

My main bathroom is on a concrete floor, so I went for a full width (1800mm) tray, raised 5 inches. The plinth is tiled to match the floor, and a fixed glass screen rather than doors.
Looks reasonably "built in", and much easier than digging the floor up.

[David_M]

My contribution:

• get the largest tray that you can (you have the room) as more space is good and it keeps the water spray off the floor
• maybe with a "drying area at one end if it is left open / no doors
• have the taps / switches accessible from the outside or end of the shower so that you don't need to get sprayed with cold water to turn it on
• consider sliding doors rather than walk in, or at least have a small "screen" to keep as much water in and off the floor as possible
• if you do have doors, the fact that the shower is sealed minimises the steaming up of the rest of the bathroom

[RC1807]

clockworks said:

paulguitar said:

RC1807 said:

What type of floor is it currently - wood, concrete?

It's Amtico. I was thinking of getting Amtico again (or similar), but in this kind of style:

I think the question was - what's underneath the floor covering?

Sinking a tray into the floor, or even just singing the waste and tiling to a gentle slope, can be a massive undertaking on concrete, easier on a wooden suspended floor.

My main bathroom is on a concrete floor, so I went for a full width (1800mm) tray, raised 5 inches. The plinth is tiled to match the floor, and a fixed glass screen rather than doors.
Looks reasonably "built in", and much easier than digging the floor up.

Yes, that's what I meant....
Has a bearing on cost, especially w/underfloor heating, all plumbing and electrical work, etc.
My home floors are concrete on all 3 levels w/wet UFH. Really scuppers any changes without major upheaval and cost.

[paulguitar]

Thanks, everyone.


It's just chipboard under the Amtico I think.

[clockworks]

In some ways, chipboard will make it easier to drop the tray down into the floor. Depends where the supporting woodwork goes.

One thing to be aware of is the weight. Big trays and glass screens are heavy. Around 50 kilos each for mine. Luckily my main bathroom is downstairs, and it was a straight run through from the integral garage. Still a tricky 2 man job to get the things into position in a confined space.

[miroku1]

So a wet room walk in or tray on the floor ? How you planning on screening both sides ? Suspended timber floor ? Unvented cylinder ? New radiator relocated ? Lighting ?
It will be a lot of work if done properly

[paulguitar]

miroku1 said:

So a wet room walk in or tray on the floor ? How you planning on screening both sides ? Suspended timber floor ? Unvented cylinder ? New radiator relocated ? Lighting ?
It will be a lot of work if done properly

Yep removing the radiator and a tray to be installed on the floor. Currently getting some quotes, just getting ideas here and advice. Total novice here with this stuff.

[clockworks]

I paid about £350 for an 1800 x 900 tray, and £280 for an 1100mm screen.

Tray came from Royal Bathrooms, screen from Screwfix.

[paulguitar]

The first quote has come in at £5k.

[LooneyTunes]

paulguitar said:

The first quote has come in at £5k.

That quote is missing a fair bit of detail.

For example:

1) you really need to know which shower head and valves are going to be installed and whether the cost of supply is included (it is not mentioned). Huge difference in possible prices for these.
2) what type of UFH heating will be used (presumably electric, if so, they’ll wire it up/add thermostat?) or what grade of floor surface will be used (I’d expect a provisional sum to be allocated for the cost of that and if you want a fancier one you’ll pay more).
3) no mention of whether/how they’ll conceal the pipe work by the door frame.
4) no mention of whether it’s central heating, electric, or hybrid towel radiator (or even that it’ll actually be fitted rather than just supplied!)

Bit surprising to see no extractor fan mentioned. If you don’t have a good one already, you will almost certainly want one (ideally an inline one) when you add a shower.

[paulguitar]

LooneyTunes said:

paulguitar said:

The first quote has come in at £5k.

That quote is missing a fair bit of detail.

For example:

1) you really need to know which shower head and valves are going to be installed and whether the cost of supply is included (it is not mentioned). Huge difference in possible prices for these.
2) what type of UFH heating will be used (presumably electric, if so, they’ll wire it up/add thermostat?) or what grade of floor surface will be used (I’d expect a provisional sum to be allocated for the cost of that and if you want a fancier one you’ll pay more).
3) no mention of whether/how they’ll conceal the pipe work by the door frame.
4) no mention of whether it’s central heating, electric, or hybrid towel radiator (or even that it’ll actually be fitted rather than just supplied!)

Bit surprising to see no extractor fan mentioned. If you don’t have a good one already, you will almost certainly want one (ideally an inline one) when you add a shower.

Thanks for that. I think a more detailed breakdown will be provided soon, I will update when I know more. I do know that the supply of all materials is included, the shower itself, fitting the towel rail (electric) and the UFH and putting in LVT flooring.

[clockworks]

Our complete bathroom refit cost £9.5k. 1.95 x 2.55 metres

It was a complete strip out (including ceiling).
Remove all tiles and fittings.
Relocate soil pipe, water supply, radiator pipes, etc.

Labour, including all building work, tiling, plumbing, electrics, plastering and rubbish disposal was just under £4.5k.
Job took 3 weeks.

I sourced all the fixtures, fittings, tiles, paint etc. myself. Shopping around probably saved at least a grand over just going to the local suppliers.
The builder picked up some materials, I paid the invoices.

I did splash out on a couple of expensive items:

Fancy wall cabinet with heated mirrors and bluetooth/Alexa, nearly £600
A designer radiator/towel rail. With valve block, this was over £600.

[paulguitar]

So I think I am going with this:














Any thoughts on this?

Thanks all.


ETA. I decided not to do the underfloor heating.

Edited by paulguitar on Thursday 29th August 14:23

[paulwirral]

If your leaving the under floor heating off , it’s a big mistake in my opinion and experience , make sure you allow for an extra radiator to supplement the towel rail .

[miroku1]

Do not purchase anything from Victorian plumbing, shocking company. Victoria plum are ok , but I’d go with independent personally

[Regbuser]

You're getting on a bit, so follow the TV ads and visit assisted bathing > https://www.mobility-plus.co.uk/walk-in-baths/?utm...

[Simir]

A concealed shower will look far better than an exposed shower:



You may also need a valve which is included in the package above, best positioned outside of the shower enclosure. Remember to play Victoria Plumbing and Victoria Plum off against one another due to their history.

A good plumber should have already recommended these points to you so it may be worth shopping about a bit and finding a plumber with some good ideas / ways to reduce the cost.