Homeowners interested in
bringing their bathroom
showers into the 21st century
might do well to consider
showers featuring acrylic or stainlesssteel
enclosures and shower bases,
rather than the typical tile-and-grout
shower bases so pervasive in traditional
American homes.
John Smithman, owner of The Plumbing
Place, a popular and upscale decorative
plumbing and hardware showroom
in Sarasota, said Europeans have
embraced the acrylic/stainless steel
shower base concept for years over
tile and grout, which is porous and
therefore considered to be inferior.
“Ninety-nine percent of the showers in
this country have a floor on them just
like the walls,” Smithman said. “This
floor has ceramic tile with grout joints
that complete the entire perimeter of
the shower. You can put sealers on
it and have silicon mixed in with it,
but the fact is it’s always going to be
porous, which means water can seep
out.”
Smithman added that shower flooring
manufactured by such home spa
companies as Canadian firm Oceania
provide a safer, water-resistant and
contemporary-styled solution over
traditional tile and grout. “Oceania
shower bases are typically white
acrylic and are very clean, sanitary and
modern looking,” he said. “They also
allow for a much quicker construction
job.”
The Plumbing Place has been in
business for 31 years and Smithman
took it over 16 years ago. “What sets
us apart from other plumbing-related
businesses is the luxury element,” he
said. “We specialize in decorative
plumbing and hardware. That means the
kind of quality and beautiful products
you would want if you were building a
really nice house or condominium.”
MARCH 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE 67
BY STEVEN J. SMITH