Shower Bases vs. Shower Floors: What’s the Difference?

Many people know what a shower base is, but shower floors can be somewhat of a mystery! We offer both shower bases and shower floors and wanted to break down their differences. 

To put it simply, shower bases come with side walls and shower floors don’t.

SHOWER BASES: 

Shower bases are what you’re probably more accustomed to. They’re traditional looking, there’s 4 sides surrounding the base that can range from 2”-4” tall. Wall panels sit directly on the side walls of your shower base. 

3pc wall panel and standard 32×32 base in M815 Fawn

Mr. Marble offers two kinds of shower bases: Our Traditional Stone Shower Bases and our LATO shower bases.

Our Traditional Stone Shower bases come in both standard and custom sizes.

We offer 5 different styles of traditional stone bases: Neo-Angle, Accessible, Square, Rectangular and Tub-Replacements. 

 Our LATO shower bases are our modern take on a traditional shower base. It has 2” side walls all around and a linear grate drain cover.

LATO 60×32 Shower Base

It’s slightly sloped towards the drain for easy drainage and looks beautiful in any bathroom.

Our LATO shower base comes in 5 standard sizes – customization is currently not available.

SHOWER FLOORS: 

Shower floors are a much more modern shower pan. Since they also use much less material, they are a cheaper alternative as well. 

Custom Shower Floor with Threshold in S09 white

At Mr.Marble, we offer the Cubetto shower floors. They come in both standard sizes and custom sizes. They have smooth lines, no side walls and can really elevate your bathroom look. Wall panels can sit directly on top of the base, rather than on a side wall. 

They are also good if you want your shower pan recessed into the floor of your bathroom space. Our standard Cubetto Floor options are great for this purpose.

They can have thresholds added to place a door, or be a totally separate piece on their own. 

Which is the better option? 

Ultimately, both the shower floor and a shower base perform the same function. What it comes down to is the aesthetic and design you are going for. If you’re looking for an elevated, modern, and polished look, we recommend the shower floor. If you’re interested in a timeless, classic style, our shower bases encompass all of those features.