CROWLEY'S Granite & Quartz

How we build your shower

Every stage of a shower demolition and installation, in the order we do it, from the permit to the final cleaning. Demolition through glass runs about thirteen working days.

  1. 01

    Preparation

    Day 1

    • We handle city permits and inspections if needed. For most showers they are not required.
    • Protect home flooring with Ram Board throughout the workspace.
  2. 02

    Demolition

    Day 2

    • Remove and dispose of old shower walls, floor, and sheetrock.
    • Clean, organized demolition process.
    The original shower, dark tile over a tub with a sliding glass door The same wall stripped to the studs, old plumbing exposed
    The shower we started with, and the same wall stripped to the studs with the old drain and valve exposed.
  3. 03

    Framing adjustments

    Day 3

    • Modify and reinforce existing framing.
    • Remove the old curb and lower the floor for a curbless shower design.
    • Add blocking for grab bars while the wall is open, if you want them now or later.
    Open stud wall with red lines marking where additional framing will be added
    Red lines mark where additional 2x4s go in: backing for the shower valve, and more support for the grab bar.
  4. 04

    Plumbing upgrades

    Day 4

    • Adjust plumbing drain and shower valve for correct height, depth, and alignment.
    • Perform required shower pan inspection (silver circular drain).
    Open wall showing the shower valve at tub height, marked to be raised, with the old tub plumbing marked for removal
    This bathroom had a tub, so the valve sits at tub height. The arrow marks where it moves up for a walk-in shower, and the cross marks the old tub plumbing coming out.
  5. 05

    Wall insulation

    Day 5

    • Properly insulate shower walls for moisture control and comfort, if needed.
    • Not every shower needs it. When it is skipped, everything after moves up a day.
    Insulated stud bays with solid blocking added between studs for a grab bar
    Insulation in the stud bays, and solid blocking added between the studs so a grab bar can be mounted later into wood rather than into board.
  6. 06

    Hydro Block waterproof system

    Day 6

    • Install Hydro Block waterproof panels on walls and base.
    • Seal all seams and connections for long-lasting protection.
    Waterproof board covering every shower wall
    Waterproof board over every wall, fastened and sealed at each seam and screw.
  7. 07

    Base template

    Day 7

    • Template the shower base on site, once the waterproofing is complete.
    • The base is cut to the template, not to a drawing, so it fits the opening as built.
    Wooden template of the shower base, seen from above
    The base template, built on site inside the waterproofed enclosure.
  8. 08

    Stone fabrication & installation

    Days 8 to 13

    • Fabricate and install the shower base first.
    • With the base set, template the walls, then fabricate and install the wall panels.
    • The base is either tile or solid stone. A solid stone base adds 2 to 3 days for fabrication and installation.
    Wall template marked top, left and right Right wall template with the valve opening framed, base already installed
    The walls templated over the installed base, marked so every panel goes back where it was measured. The valve opening is framed into the template, so the panel arrives cut to fit.
    Stone wall panels and solid stone base installed
    Wall panels installed over the base, before the glass.
  9. 09

    Shower glass door system

    Day 14

    • Template, fabricate, and install frameless shower glass panels.
    • Includes premium silver hardware.
    Finished shower with frameless glass panels
    The finished shower, glass panels and hardware installed.
  10. 10

    Final finishing touches

    Day 15

    • Sheetrock patching and wall repair.
    • Paint touch-ups and blending.
    • Caulking as needed.
    • Full job-site cleaning for a polished, ready-to-use shower.

What you are left with

A curbless shower in custom stone, behind frameless glass, built on a waterproof system that was inspected before it was covered.

Thinking about your shower?

Tell us what you have and what you want. We will come take a look.

Get an estimateor call or text 503-676-5136