Your Guide To Outdoor Shower Enclosures
Have you been thinking about getting one of those outdoor shower enclosures for an area around your home, pool, or beachfront? Well, you're not alone. Many people are now installing them. Outdoor shower enclosures are both practical and beautiful - providing privacy while undressing, showering, and dressing as well as for areas for sitting and even nude sunbathing!
Your First Consideration: Build It Yourself or Employ A Pro?
Your first consideration must be whether to build your outdoor shower enclosure yourself, or to hire a professional. As with all major home projects, if you do not have the physical stamina, necessary tools or experience in building, you would be better off letting a professional handle the job. If you decide to build it yourself, you can either build your outdoor shower enclosure from scratch, following a design plan, or you can purchase a kit, which will have the materials pre-cut, as well as all of the hardware.
Outdoor Shower Enclosures: Types of Materials Available What types of materials are available to build your outdoor shower? Well, one obvious choice is wood. But many people have experienced problems with wood shower stalls - the moisture and dampness can cause the wood to rot, warp or become infested with mold. If you do use wood, make sure that it is treated, stained, painted or finished with water sealing agents to preserve it. Another materials option is vinyl. Solid vinyl is very strong, and will not deteriorate in even the wettest conditions. If you want other options for your outdoor shower enclosure you can choose fiberglass - also impervious to water and dampness, or glass & metal frame construction. If you use metal, however, you may have a problem with rust (see below). Hybrid products are also available, such as vinyl/wood, vinyl/metal, and wood/metal combinations. The types of materials used will also influence the cost of your outdoor shower enclosure. Build On A Good Foundation One essential to a good outdoor shower is a proper foundation. You need this because without it, you will be showering in the mud. Typical foundation platforms are made from concrete. You should make sure that there is an adequate drain installed to capture the water, and that it is installed properly and meets all local building code requirements. At no time should you allow water to drain off of your outdoor shower enclosure in the direction of your house - it should drain away from it, to protect your foundation and yard. Other Considerations Take care to inspect the kinds of hardware that will be used to fasten the sides of your outdoor shower together. If it is made of cheap metal, it may rust over time, and require you to repair it. Remember that your shower unit will be outside year-round, and so it should be able to handle snow and ice, as well as rain. For safety's sake, make sure that the flooring of your new outdoor shower enclosure does not get slippery when it is wet, and if you or any member of your family have difficulty in walking or standing, make sure to provide handrails and handgrips for them to hold on to.
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