Shower panels are one of the best kept secrets among interior designers and decorators, for a small fraction of what a typical luxury shower system would cost you can have an easy to install shower panel. Utilizing existing plumbing these shower panels can be installed in as little as 20 minutes. Here is a walk-through of a basic shower panel installation.
The first thing you will need to do is choose the correct shower panel for you bathroom. If you have a tub you will need one with a tub spout. If you choose the right shower panel it will cover up all the holes left over from your old fixtures. This is one of the nice features of shower panels you don’t always have to replace the tile when changing fixtures. Once you have the chosen the correct sized shower panel its time to prep your plumbing.

You will need to shut off the water to the section of the house you are working one and then remove any older plumbing fixtures in the shower. Once you have removed the older fixtures you will need to prep the plumbing. Most showers use 1/2″ hot and cold water lines so for most installations this is a very quick easy process. You will want to attach shut off valves and a male thread to both the hot and cold water lines. This will allow you to remove the shower panel if you ever need to access the plumbing behind it.

Next you will need to measure for the correct height of your shower panel so you can attach the mounting bracket at the correct height. Once you have marked where you will place the mounting bracket install it using the factory hardware. Once the mounting bracket is installed you will need a helper to hold the shower panel so you can connect the water lines. Once the water lines have been connected using Teflon tape you can hang your shower panel on the mounting brackets.
Now that your shower panel is attached it is time to test it to make sure everything is in proper working order. It is also a good idea to flush all the different shower functions on the panel before using it. Sometimes debris is left inside the lines and fixtures from manufacturing that you wouldn’t want to get on your skin. This goes for all new showers bathtubs and fixtures and is a good rule of thumb to observe when remodeling.

The last thing you want to do is after you have made sure everything on the shower panel is in proper working order is seal the panel to the wall. This can be done using a variety of products from silicone to caulk. Depending on the type of shower enclosure you are installing it in you may want to match the grout if it is tile. If it’s an acrylic or glass enclosure you may want to use clear silicone.

Installing a luxury shower system in your home doesn’t have to break the bank. Most high end shower panels are priced between $450.00-$1200.00 which is a small fraction of the retail cost of brand name shower systems.

Author Bio: William Conklin is a bathroom remodeling advice expert who specializes in modern bathroom designs. He recommends the following article on how to choose a steam shower for your home

Category: Home Management
Keywords: installing shower panels,modern shower panels,shower panel installation,how to install a shower