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Ella Shower Rough Opening, Standing Area and Floor Width: What to Measure Before You Frame

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Rough Opening Versus Nominal Size
  2. Standing Area and Floor Width
  3. Drain Location
  4. Measuring Before You Frame
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions
  8. Still Need Help?

The rough opening, drain location and every interior dimension of an Ella shower are on the specification drawing for that model, and the drawing is what your framer and plumber should work from. For the Liberty three-piece low-threshold shower, the interior width is 55.75 inches, the molded seat takes 18.5 inches of that, and the standing floor beside the seat is 37.25 inches wide. Because the drain position is molded into the base, always dry fit the unit and verify the drain location on site before you rough in the plumbing.

Rough Opening Versus Nominal Size

The nominal size in a shower's name describes the alcove it is built for, and the specification drawing gives the exact opening and depth to frame. Frame to the drawing, check the pocket for square, plumb and level, and fasten the stall to the studs as the installation guide describes. If your alcove is wider than the unit, the extra space is furred out before installation. Ella can also build bases to non-standard sizes; see custom-size shower bases. For how the nominal size relates to the space you can actually stand in, see shower nominal size versus usable floor space.

Standing Area and Floor Width

Interior floor space is what remains after the seat. On the Liberty, the overall interior width of 55.75 inches minus the 18.5 inch seat leaves a 37.25 inch standing area beside the seat. Smaller one-piece stalls have their own standing area figures on their drawings, and they are considerably smaller than the nominal size suggests once the seat and the wall thickness are accounted for. When a bather uses a shower chair or a caregiver stands alongside, measure the standing area against those needs rather than the nominal size.

Drain Location

The drain position on an Ella shower is fixed per model and cannot be moved to the other side, as explained in can I choose a left, right or center drain. The drawing gives the distance from the back wall and the side wall to the drain center, and the drain rough-in guide walks through reading it. Treat the drawing as the starting point and the dry fit as the final word, because framing variations and wall thickness can shift the base slightly. Set the base in the pocket, mark the drain center through the base opening, and only then cut and set the drain pipe.

Measuring Before You Frame

  1. Download the specification drawing for your exact model from the installation instructions and spec drawings library, or ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 for the current PDF.
  2. Measure the alcove width between studs and its depth from the back studs to the front edge, and compare both to the rough opening on the drawing.
  3. Check the subfloor for level and the walls for plumb and square. Correct the framing before the unit arrives.
  4. Locate the existing drain and compare it to the drawing. If it is not within reach of the base opening, plan the plumbing change now.
  5. When the unit arrives, dry fit it, verify the drain center through the base, and confirm the standing area meets the bather's needs before fastening.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introduction to Low-Threshold Shower Installation This video provides visual guidance for installing a low-threshold 3-piece shower, emphasizing the importance of referring to the installation manual.
  2. 0:24 Dry Assembly and Pre-Installation Checks The installer dry assembles the modular shower to ensure correct panels, drain location, and proper alignment before moving it into the bathroom space.
  3. 1:54 Preparing the Framing Pocket and Subfloor The installer checks the framing pocket for proper sizing, square, plumb, and level, making necessary adjustments and inspecting the subfloor for integrity.
  4. 4:07 Installing the Drain Body and Base Support The installer installs the drain body, prepares the drain to meet local plumbing codes, and applies silicone adhesive for proper support and adhesion of the base.
  5. 5:53 Permanently Installing and Securing the Base The installer permanently positions and levels the shower base, securing it to all available studs and cutting the drain pipe even with the rubber gasket.
  6. 7:22 Installing the Wall Panels and Valve The installer installs the wall panels using a pin and slot system, then installs the valve, connecting the hot and cold water supply lines.
  7. 10:19 Finishing Touches and Accessories The installer caulks all seams, recommends client involvement for accessory placement, and suggests an optional flange trim molding kit for a seamless transition.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Receiving and Inspecting Your Shower The video provides visual guidance for installing a barrier-free five-piece shower, emphasizing the importance of inspecting the unit upon arrival and noting any damage.
  2. 1:32 Dry Assembling Your Modular Shower The installer dry assembles the modular shower in an open space to ensure correct panels, drain location, and proper alignment before moving it to the bathroom.
  3. 3:04 Preparing the Framing Pocket and Subfloor The installer checks the framing pocket for proper sizing, squareness, plumb, and level, making necessary adjustments and inspecting the subfloor for integrity.
  4. 4:05 Installing the Shower Pan and Drain The installer cleans the pocket, dry fits and levels the pan, installs the drain body, and adheres the pan to the subfloor using silicone adhesive and bracing.
  5. 7:40 Assembling and Securing Shower Panels The installer places protection on the floor, caulks the pan ledge, and installs the lower and upper back panels, securing them to the studs.
  6. 8:31 Installing the Valve Wall and Plumbing The installer caulks the pan ledge and vertical back wall seam, sets the panel, drills holes for the valve and supply outlet, and connects the PEX supply lines.
  7. 11:05 Adding Accessories and Finishing Touches The installer marks, drills, and caulks around pilot holes for accessories, then caulks all seams and the front edge of the threshold, recommending a water retainer and shower curtain.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Receiving and Inspecting Your Shower This chapter explains how to receive and inspect your shower unit upon arrival, including what to do if there is damage.
  2. 1:17 Dry Assembling Your Shower This chapter demonstrates how to dry assemble your modular shower to ensure all panels and the drain are correct and undamaged.
  3. 2:49 Preparing the Framing Pocket This chapter shows how to check and adjust the framing pocket for proper sizing, squareness, plumb, and level.
  4. 5:02 Installing the Drain Body This chapter guides you through installing the drain body and preparing the drain to meet local plumbing codes.
  5. 5:44 Permanently Installing the Base This chapter details how to permanently install the shower base, ensuring it is level and properly supported.
  6. 8:12 Installing the Wall Panels This chapter demonstrates installing the wall panels using the pin and slot system, starting with the wall opposite the valve.
  7. 9:13 Installing the Valve and Wall This chapter shows how to install the valve and then the valve wall panel, including connecting the water supply lines.
  8. 11:13 Finishing and Sealing the Shower This chapter covers installing surface mount accessories, caulking all seams, and the option of adding a flange trim molding kit.

Common Questions

What rough opening does the Ella Liberty shower need?
The exact rough opening and depth are on the Liberty's specification drawing, and that is the figure to frame to. Check the pocket for square, plumb and level before the unit goes in.
How wide is the standing floor next to the seat?
On the Liberty, the interior width is 55.75 inches and the seat takes 18.5 inches, leaving a 37.25 inch standing area. Other models list their own standing area on their drawings.
Where is the drain located on the shower base?
The drain position is fixed for each model and dimensioned from the back wall and side wall on the specification drawing. Dry fit the base and mark the drain center through the opening before cutting the pipe.
Where do I find the specification drawing for my shower?
The drawings are collected in the installation instructions and spec drawings library linked above. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can also send the current PDF for your model.
Why should I dry fit the shower before roughing in the drain?
Framing variations and wall thickness can shift the base slightly relative to the drawing. Verifying the drain center with the base in place avoids cutting the pipe in the wrong spot, and you can call (800) 480-6850 with the model number if the numbers do not agree.

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.

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