Shower Pans: Why You Should Work With ADA Pans For Your Next Build
When completing a new build or renovation, meeting code, staying on budget and choosing a great layout are key components to a successful project. ADA shower pans are worth considering for your next build as they are often faster to install, code-compliant and reduce risk. Here’s everything you need to know about ADA shower pans and other accessible pan options.
Why Contractors Choose ADA Shower Pans
When designing a space, prioritizing accessibility by exploring different options of accessible bathroom designs and ADA shower types helps you build within ADA guidelines, so that your commercial designs will meet inspection and be approved by architects, engineers, and inspectors. With evolving building standards and new builds requiring ADA compliance more than ever before, future-proofing your build with ADA compliance is key.
ADA pans are code-compliant and pass inspection
Cuts installation time thanks to pre-fabricated models
Easier maintenance for the end user due to fewer grout lines
Low or zero-threshold entries and slip-resistant surfaces can minimize hazards
Saves potential risks of faulty installation and poorly fitted tiles
Available in sizes that fit most projects
How To Decide Which Pans To Choose For Your Next Build
- Project Needs:
- Commercial projects, like fitness gyms
- Public facilities like hospitals or schools
- Home remodels for accessibility
- Replacing bathtub for aging-in-place
- College dorms or public housing
- Senior Living facility
- Small or large projects
- Type Of Pan:
- ADA Shower Pans
- ADA Shower Pans
- Accessible Shower Pans
- Accessible or Walk-in Pan
- ANSI B Walk-In Shower Pans
- ADA or Accessible Shower Pans
- Any Freedom Shower Pans
- Reasons To Consider:
- Specific ADA requirements for pan size and threshold height
- Specific ADA requirements for pan size and threshold height
- Low threshold, easy installation, many sizes available
- Left or right drain, tub replacement sizes available, less site prep needed
- Designed for compliance for HUD, adaptable housing
- Low threshold, easy installation, slip-resistant, compliant if required
- 30-year warranty, quality products, excellent customer service
Find The Right Materials That Fit Your Project
Roll-In ADA Pans
62″ x 32″ ADA Roll-In Shower Pan ½” Threshold, slip-resistant surface, and durable acrylic finish that installs easily, supports wall tile customization, and comes backed by a 30-year warranty.
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Transfer ADA Pans
Safe transfer access with ADA-compliant shower pan features a 38½” x 37 ⅜” Freedom ADA Shower Base, with Double Receiver Flange and a slip-resistant acrylic surface that is built to meet commercial standards and backed by a 30-year warranty.
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Trench /Zero-Entry Pans
Solid surface linear drain ADA shower pans have a low threshold, wall-to-wall-trench drain with a stainless grate, and meet ADA requirements when properly installed with accessories and compliant fixtures.
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Accessible Shower Pans
Designed for retro-fitting in residential homes, often to replace standard bathtubs, Accessible Shower Pans have a barrier-free threshold and come in a variety of sizes and configurations to make homes safer.
View all Accessible Shower Pans
Walk-in Shower Pans
Threshold heights between 3-5” can make these Walk-In Shower Pans a safer option for home renovations than a bathtub. Some pans are compliant for HUD and ANSI B projects for public housing and dorm lodging.
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Should You Choose Prefabricated Pans Over Tile Shower Pans?
Prefabricated shower pans have many benefits. From fast and cost-effective installation to built-in waterproofing and drainage, they can be a great option for commercial, multi-family, and residential projects that need consistent, code-compliant installs. Custom tile shower bases work best if you want design flexibility and customization. Custom tile pans require more labor, waterproofing, and ongoing maintenance as well, so the choice really does matter on your next build.
Prefab ADA Showers
- Built-in ADA compliance through pre-engineered thresholds and interior dimensions
- Installs tend to be quicker since the pans are pre-leveled and waterproof
- Less labour costs and less specialized skills needed for installations
- 30+ year warranty and proven performance for 20+ years
Custom Built Tiled Showers
- Requires precise measurements and potential risks if not done right
- Can have higher labour costs due to specialized skills needed
- Increased risk for water intrusion
- No standardized warranty for site-built work
Installation Benefits And Your Project
When choosing the right materials for your build, it goes beyond the aspects of the materials. Paying attention to installation risks and time can be a big factor in deciding what to use. ADA-compliant shower pans make installation easier due to pre-leveled, pre-sloped bases, eliminating the need for custom site work, reducing labor hours and minimizing mistakes. Whether it’s new construction or a retrofit, the thresholds and drain locations are already optimized for accessibility, you can install faster and pass inspections with confidence.
Typical Use Cases For ADA Shower Pans
Commercial Installation
Commercial facilities, like fitness gyms, or any building that is open to the public that has bathing facilities, will need to have some ADA-compliant showers.
Hospitals, Clinics and Rehab Facilities
ADA pans ensure safe transfers and reduce fall risk in high-traffic medical spaces and help make existing bathrooms ADA compliant.
Hotels & Lodging Facilities
Legally, it is required to have some ADA accessible rooms in these establishments. Installing compliant pans ensures rooms are up to ADA code, pass inspection, and welcome all guests.
Senior Living and Care Homes
With low-entry, easy-clean solutions, ADA pans work great for senior living facilities, as they are less maintenance and are easier to clean.
ADA Shower Pan Compliance at a Glance
| Requirement | ADA Guidelines (Quick Reference) |
|---|---|
| Roll-In Showers | Must have minimum inside dimensions of 60" x 30" |
| Transfer Showers | Must have inside dimensions of 36" x 36" |
| Threshold Height | ¼” max if not beveled; ½” max if beveled |
| Slope / Drain | Pre-sloped to prevent standing water |
| Grab Bars & Controls | Grab bars required (Sec. 608.3); controls must be within reach range (Sec. 608.5.5) |
Find The Best ADA Shower Pan For Your Next Build
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- 30-year warranty on Freedom Shower Products
- Nearly 20 years of quality and service
- High quality production in USA
Frequently Asked Questions About ADA Shower Pans
What is an ADA-compliant shower pan?
Shower pans are foundations of a shower that prevent leaks and direct the water to the drain. For a shower pan to be ADA compliant, it must meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) set requirements and be installed correctly.
Who should use ADA shower pans?
Anyone who is installing a shower or redoing a bathroom, or retrofitting a space and wants to have accessible access. It is not mandatory for everyone, however, contractors with builds in the commercial, healthcare, or public-use space are by law, required to meet ADA guidelines.
What’s the difference between a shower pan and a full ADA shower stall?
A shower pan is the base of a shower. They can be installed in new construction projects or in a remodelling project. Full showers come with the walls, either in multi-pieces or as a single piece. For both pans and showers, they must comply with ADA requirements in they are being installed in a commercial or public location. You can outfit either one with the required accessories.
Can ADA shower pans be tiled over?
Typically, no. Standard acrylic or fiberglass pans are not built to tile over. Consider custom tiled installation.
Are ADA shower pans easy to install?
Yes, they are known for being easy to install, especially since most ADA pans are prefabricated, self-supporting, and pre-sloped, which means that installation is easier and less prone to mistakes.
Do Freedom Showers offer one-piece and multi-piece ADA stalls?
Freedom Showers offers both one-piece shower stalls for new construction projects, and multi-piece showers for remodelling projects. We also offer ADA shower pans so you can choose custom tile walls.
What are the most common ADA pan sizes?
ADA roll-in pans have a minimum 60″ x 30″ inside dimension, and ADA transfer pans have a 36″ x 36″ inside dimension. Both meet ADA standards for inside dimensions and threshold heights.
What’s the warranty on Freedom ADA shower pans?
Freedom ADA shower pans come with a 30-year warranty, backed by over 20 years of experience and U.S. manufacturing.