How Do I Measure Doorways and Hallways for a One-Piece Ella Shower?

Measure the narrowest point of every opening between where the shower is delivered and the bathroom, and confirm each one offers at least 33 inches of clear opening. A one-piece Ella shower arrives as a single molded unit that cannot be broken down, so one tight doorway, hallway or stairway is enough to stop it. The full rule, and why the stall is intended mostly for new construction, is in Will a One-Piece Ella Shower Fit Through My Doorways? The 33-Inch Clearance Rule and New Construction.

Step by Step: Walking the Path

• Start at the delivery point. The freight carrier brings the unit to your home, so begin with the exterior door the unit will come through.
• Measure every interior door on the route at the narrowest point of the finished opening rather than the frame.
• Measure each hallway at its narrowest spot, including any turn where the unit has to pivot.
• Measure any stairway on the route the same way.
• Compare each figure with 33 inches. Every opening must clear the unit, and a wider stall needs correspondingly wider openings.

Most finished homes have at least one opening narrower than this, which is why the one-piece stall is aimed at new construction. If the bathroom is not yet framed, plan the sequence with your contractor so the shower is set in place before the doorways and hallways are finished.

If an Opening Is Too Narrow

Compare the three-piece shower stall, which ships as separate sections that pass through ordinary doorways. Will a Three-Piece Ella Shower Fit Through My Doorway? gives the piece dimensions and shows how the base turns sideways, and Ella Shower Stalls Compared puts the one-piece and three-piece stalls side by side. Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 which stall suits your project.

The Confirmation Call Before Production

Because the unit cannot be broken down, the team contacts you before the order goes to production. They confirm that you understand the shower is one piece and needs the clearance, ask you to verify it will fit the project, and confirm the seat side and drain side you selected and the number of grab bars. They also make sure the phone number on the order will be answered, because freight deliveries are scheduled by phone. Grab bars ship with the unit rather than factory installed, and your installer mounts them during installation. Once everything is confirmed, the order is released to production.

Delivery Day

If you bought the shower through a retailer, the retailer sends your tracking once the unit ships. The freight carrier then calls to schedule a delivery appointment, so someone needs to be available. Inspect the unit on arrival, keep all packaging material, and check for concealed damage, both visual and operational, before reporting any shipping damage right away to where you purchased. Ella showers are built to order, and the team can confirm current timing for your specific order.

Related Guides

• Will a Three-Piece Ella Shower Fit Through My Doorway? Piece Dimensions and Turning the Base Sideways
• Installing an Ella One-Piece AcrylX Shower Stall: Alcove Prep, Drain Opening, Fastening and First Use
• Ella Shower Stalls Compared: One-Piece AcrylX E-Series, Three-Piece 60x33 Molded Seat, and the Legacy ESM Gel Coat Stalls

Common Questions

Where do I measure a doorway for a one-piece shower? Measure at the narrowest point of the finished opening, not the frame. Do the same for every hallway and stairway between the delivery point and the bathroom, because a single tight spot stops the unit.

What is the minimum clearance for a one-piece Ella shower? Every doorway and hallway on the path needs at least 33 inches of clear opening. Most finished homes do not offer that, which is why the one-piece stall is intended mostly for new construction.

Can my contractor set the shower before the doors are framed? Yes, and that is the usual plan for new construction. Set the one-piece unit in place before the doorways and hallways are finished so clearance is never an issue.

What if one of my hallways is narrower than 33 inches? Compare the three-piece shower stall, which ships as separate sections. The linked three-piece article gives the piece dimensions and explains how the base turns sideways to pass through a doorway.

Will Ella call me before building my one-piece shower? Yes. The team confirms you understand the unit is one piece, asks you to verify it will fit, confirms the seat side, drain side and grab bar count, and checks that your phone number will be answered for delivery scheduling.