The Heart of Construction: Framing

This is the point where the work is the most visible.  Dramatic changes occur daily when structure, shape and dimensions change.  The shower continues to evolve.  First as a science experiment, now as a framing project.

The "niche" became a do it yourself strategy.  There are products on the market that are premade and install between studs, but we couldn't find the exact design we wanted.  So, we improvised.  Notice the area framed with a ledge and a rod across it horizontally.  This will become a recessed area for shampoo and other bottles, along with a place for a soap dish and a wash cloth.  No more sitting on the step or sitting in a suction cup caddy.

Back to the science experiment for a minute:  Notice the epoxy and resin treatment, the beginning of the shower pan.  The next photo is a great look at the quartered plywood panels, each one sloping to the middle and the drain.  This way, large tile sections can be used with additional cuts only on the corner creases.

This concept took me a while to envision.  Each of the four sections are "flat" or more accurately, on their own plane.  But at the same time, each plane slopes to the center.  Now that I've seen it, "Duh!"  But when described to me, I had a few question marks floating above my head.

You can begin to see the brilliance of this design.  First the subfloor is prepped for the plywood shown, then the plywood "planes," then the fiberglass and resin on the floor and up the sides (all one surface), next will be a mud set as a base, then adhesive mud, tile, grout and sealer.  Leak ever in my, yours, or your grandchild's lifetime?  I think not!

Gaining shower depth is the best addition to this project.  If you recall, when we were still in La La Land, we were intending to gain a considerably larger shower by removing the tub and relocating the spraying water.  Recall again: financial reality.  We saved considerably on the budget by leaving everything where it was, but we've gained in two ways in making the shower larger.

First, tile vs. shower enclosure.

The fiberglass shower enclosure was a design that was about two inches thick.  Plus, it was significantly rounded in the corners, and had an overly large corner bench.  By removing the enclosure and replacing it with tile that are approximately 1/2 inch thick, mounted on 1/2 inch waterproof sheetrock, we gained an inch wide and an inch deep.  Not much you say?  On a percentage increase basis, that is significant.

But there's more.

Thes two photos (above and below) show the two new studs attached to the existing wall, adding another 3 1/2 inches in depth.  Yay for percentages!  We came out as far as we could based on clearance next to the light switch on the wall (opposite end of shower.)  Big band for the buck.

This close-up below is another example of what one finds when one opens up work done by previous builders.  Notice the shims, or spacers, between and at the bottom of the framed studs.  I know that looks like the outside 2x4 has become curved out, but it is actually done that way to make it plumb.  It was the existing studs that weren't plumb.  Now, the outside surface will be perfectly straight up and down.

Thsi shows just how far we were able to extend the shower depth.  Notice the pencil line marking the distance.  A significant increase in size, with only the cost of a couple of 2x4s and some eventual cosmetic finishing.  Bargain!

At the run rate we're seeing from our contractors, framing will quickly turn into finishing.  It's exciting to think that we're almost completely into the woods and ready to begin the journey out of them!