Two affordable porcelain-on-steel shower bases from Bootz – starting at $159 at Home Depot

Are you looking for an appropriate retro or midcentury shower base — but (1) don’t have a big bathroom, (2) need to fit a shower base into the spot where an original tub was, and/or (3) are budget-conscious? At KBIS 2016 we spotted a new, porcelain-enamel-on-steel shower base aka shower pan from Bootz. It’s just 30″ wide, and just $159 at Home Depot. Continuing our research, we discovered they also have a slightly bigger version that’s 32″ wide — a little more elbow room if you have the space for it — and it is listed as $215 at Home Depot.

The 60″ x 30″ Bootz ShowerCast model

Both widths look like they have similar features. The 30″ ShowerCast seems like it has an additional coating on it. From all the specs for this design on the Bootz website:

Porcelain Enamel 60″ x 30″ Shower Base With SynIron™2 Backing

• Porcelain enameled steel encased with SYNIRON™2, an engineered composite material designed to improve heat retention, reduce noise, and prevent handling and transportation damage.

• Easy access low 4″ tall threshold

• Weighs less than 45 lbs. for easy transport, handling, and installation.

• Full-length noise-absorbing support pad for added strength.

• Available in left or right hand with slip-resistant bottom.

• “The Affordable Alternative” to cast iron.

And the press materials include:

All Bootz plumbing fixtures are proudly “Made in the USA” and comply with the following standards: ASME A112.19.1/CSA B45.2 Enamelled Steel Plumbing Fixtures, ASTM E162 Surface Flammability, ASTM E662 Smoke Density, ASTM F462 slip-resistant bottom for safety, and the Buy American Act.

Since 1937, Bootz Industries has strived to become the industry leader in the manufacture and delivery of “porcelain-on-steel” bathtubs, lavatories, and kitchen sinks. Careful attention to detail includes: on- time delivery, product quality, handling and carton design.

Contact your nearest plumbing wholesaler or Home Depot Store.

The 60″ x 32″ Bootz ShowerCast Plus model 

 

The ShowerCast Plus model is two inches wider. It does not have the SynIron™2 Backing, althought that would not stop us from going for the extra elbow room, if we had the space in our bathroom design for it. Some specs on this design from the Bootz page:

Porcelain Enamel 60″ x 32″ Shower Base

• Porcelain enameled steel shower base, made 2″ wider.

• Designed for new and remodel applications where easy-access and roomier width is desired.

• Constructed of one-piece heavy gauge seamless steel with acid-resistant, high-gloss, sanitary, and stain-resistant porcelain finish.

• Same length as industry-standard 5′ bathtub, and wider for luxuriously spacious shower experience.

• Shares similar drain hole placement as standard bathtub for easier installation.

• Weighs less than 45 lbs. for easy transport, handling, and installation.

• Full-length support pad provides added strength for better durability, a flat base for ease of installation, and noise-absorbing capabilities for peaceful showering.

• Available in left or right hand with slip-resistant bottom.

I offer these additional thoughts, though:

• The good news about these two shower bases is: These are compact. They can fit into existing tub alcoves or in bathrooms where space is at a premium.
• The bad news is: These are compact. Elbow room is limited by overall dimensions once a shower door is installed. You’d have more elbow room if you put in a shower curtain rather than a glass door, but then you risk splashies outside the shower.
• If you want more width, have the space, and can afford it, see our stories on Kohler cast iron shower bases. You could also go with something like a preformed terrazzo shower pan (not sure if this can still be obtained and at what sizes) or with a wider base made with a material like Swanstone or fiberglass. That said, I think I really prefer the idea of the porcelain enamel steel or cast iron bases, or the terrazzo — for historical authenticity. Of course, this latter stuff can chip if you drop something sharp on it. A solid surface material may be able to be sanded down. Decisions. Decisions.
• Hey, remember my video that went viral when I first published it? I talk about my Swanstone base and why I wish I’d gotten an even wider one.

How to install a Bootz tub or shower base — fun video!

Howdy, hudee!

Okay, so now a funny story, in case there is anyone left reading this far. Kate and I walked the floor at KBIS and that’s when we discovered this shower base. I was quite excited to see this product, and we went up and talked to the team that was running the display.

The shower base at KBIS

We introduced ourselves, and explained how Kate had just installed a Bootz sink with a hudee ring. The Bootz team perked up right away — they said that they had heard me on the microphone (the Wilsonart display was right next door) talking about hudee rings when I gave a media presentation about our new laminate collection with Wilsonart. [I say ‘howdy, hudee’ a lot.] Well, you can imagine how pleased we were to talk hudee rings with the pros at KBIS. We feel so… retro geeky insider! Howdy, hudee!

Link love:

• See all the shower base specs etc. on the Bootz website
• ShowerCast on Home Depot website (warning: If this link gets broken, try your own search)
• Bootz hudee-ring porcelain-enamel-on-steel sinks story here
• All of our research on shower bases
• Kate used a Bootz sink in her hall bathroom remodel – read what she had to say

The post Two affordable porcelain-on-steel shower bases from Bootz – starting at $159 at Home Depot appeared first on Retro Renovation.