Fiberglass Shower Stalls

Fiberglass shower stalls are gaining huge popularity amongst homeowners who have less time for constructing custom-built tile stalls and installing bathtubs. Before, we did not have much options about shower stall enclosures, in terms of color, texture and shape. Nowadays, you can choose them from many colors (apart from the regular white or beige) and patterns according to your bathroom design. Also, you can opt for fiberglass shower stalls with seats, which is positioned in the left or right corners.

Fiberglass Shower Stalls Installation

In the home supply stores, you will get two choices of fiberglass shower stalls - one piece unit and multi-piece unit. As the names suggest, the former shower stall design comes without seam; whereas multi-piece type requires alignment of the shower pan and side panels during shower stall installation. Whichever fixture you have opted, the best part with fiberglass shower stalls is easy installation with do-it-yourself (DIY) steps. In fact, most homeowners succeed in laying them with less effort.

Since fiberglass shower stalls are ready to install units, you do not need major preparatory steps as such. Considering that you purchase a correct size fiberglass stall for your bathroom, you can start with the bathroom remodeling project as soon as it is delivered to your doorstep. Be thorough with the user manual provided with the unit and understand the step-by-step shower stall installation procedure. Remove the old fixture with a new razor and follow the installation steps, as mentioned in the user guide. Make sure that the drains and pipes of the old stall is fitted properly to the new shower unit. Most probably, you will have a new shower stall at the end of the day.

How to Clean Fiberglass Shower Stalls

Most product lines have a warranty period of 3 years or more. Nevertheless, regular cleaning and proper maintenance of fiberglass shower stalls are mandatory to increase its durability. After taking a shower, make a point to wash off the soapy water from the walls. This bathroom cleaning tip will help in preventing tough soap buildups in the bathroom walls. And to avoid mold and mildew growth, switch on the exhaust fan for sometime after shower, to remove moisture and keep the bathroom dry.

Cleaning fiberglass shower stalls is best done with simple supplies that you get in your kitchen cabinet, like vinegar and baking soda. If you are using vinegar, all you need is spray the solution to the walls and floor surface, leave for 10-15 minutes and scrub with a sponge. Rinse off the surfaces thoroughly with water after cleaning. For using baking soda, first make a mixture of baking soda and water in a dish. Dip a sponge in the baking soda mixture and clean the shower stall walls and floor. You can also use commercial cleaning products, that are specially formulated for fiberglass shower stalls.

Fiberglass Shower Stall Repair

Unlike tiled shower enclosures, scraps, scratches and leakage problems are less likely in a superior quality fiberglass shower stall. However, with time and constant usage, the cubicle may get bent or cracked slightly. While speaking about repairing fiberglass shower stalls, you do not have to replace it entirely. Either you can consider repairing only the damaged parts or laying a new liner. Using fiberglass repair kit for spot repairing is excellent for quick fixing the cracked portion, until you can replace it. Relining is also a good option, if you are not in a position to replace the shower unit. However, the decision for selecting repairing option is up to you.

No doubt, fiberglass shower stalls are less pricey (costing about USD 1,000 or below) and easy to maintain, when compared to tiled enclosures. But they have a lesser resale value than the custom-made tiled shower stalls. Hence, discuss the pros and cons of each option and decide appropriate bathroom shower enclosures that you think will be advantageous in the long run.