Swanstone ?

[Russethouse]

 We have a problem shower in so far that 3 times the grout on the tiles has broken down and water has leaked into a downstairs room.

While in the USA I saw that a friend had something I think she called 'Swanstone' - like Corian for walls. Every plumber I mention this too turns up their nose and makes discouraging noises. Any thoughts ?

My idea was less joins, less leaks........

[Will]

It looks like this is the stuff, but it doesn't seem to be available outside the USA http://www.swanstone.com/

Is this any good? - large panels to replace, or even go over, tiles for shower walls. http://www.bathroommarquee.co.uk/homepage.htm

[Tresco]

[quote user="Russethouse"]Every plumber I mention this too turns up there nose and makes discouraging noises. [/quote]

Were those deep sucking in of the breath noises? If so it means they don't know how to do it or don't know a mate who does (who they could do it with).

It may be that (as with Corian) you need to get someone who is trained, and there will be a cost to that. That's natural, but it looks great to me, and worth it.

I suspect it's what is installed in houses designed for people with disabilities who also need really durable and efficient bathrooms. I may be wrong but that's what it looks like to me.

[Will]

Have found this company which seems to handle the material in UK http://www.kgsdistribution.co.uk/ - but seems to concentrate on the healthcare and catering markets.

This looks an easier-to-fit alternative, from Scandinavia http://www.norske-int.co.uk/

[Tresco]

Well well well. Will is right (again).

The Swanstone products look just like what I've seen in England in specialist bathrooms.

Perhaps it's a similar thing but with a different name? I'm not slogging through 'bathroommarquee' at this hour, not even for you, Gay.[:P]

[Tresco]

[quote user="Will "]

...seems to concentrate on the healthcare and catering markets.[/quote]

Will is kinder man than me. It will cost a bomb Gay. Go on, start a trend.

[Owens88]

I have used an alternative. It is large panels of laminate that tongue and groove together and then the joints are siliconed. I 'think' I bought it from KGS in northampton or peterborough.Specially for wet rooms.

 

It looks OK and does have less joints (visually better and more resilient). It wasn't very expensive.

[BJSLIV]

Looking at US websites a kit of Swanstone panels to make a shower enclosure seems to work out at $1300- $1800 . So working on the old what cost 1$ in the States cost £1 over here i guess that's how much its likely to cost.....May be worth it , if it stops the leaks.

[BJSLIV]

.

[Will]

One of the links I posted above suggests a completely leakproof enclosure from as little as £10 per square metre. It may only be marine ply with formica laminate (I don't know, but that's what I suspect); but then it's only for the inside of a shower, and a lot easier to fit I would imagine.

[Russethouse]

 Perhaps its a more common product in the USA, I seem to remember her sink was of the same material.

More research required - many thanks for the links...........

BTW Not sure about trend setting but we are taking out our fully pumped and primed system ( I think thats what its called) and are replacing it with a 'megaflow' or sealed system, just like everyone has in France ! We are the third lot of people I know to do this in the UK........can't wait, a decent flow of water from the shower at last!. (Oh, and a water softner - bliss !)