SMC shower base installation follows the same sequence for both Ella SMC (sheet molding compound) bases: cut a 5 x 5 inch floor opening for a 2 inch PVC waste pipe, set the base with its front edge in full contact with the rough floor, level it in two directions, and secure it to the studs through a tile flange before the wallboard and tile come down over it. The 1 inch low-profile reversible base ships with a cut-to-length aluminum alloy tile flange; the barrier-free linear-drain base is framed with its rough opening at least 1/8 inch larger than the base. Both carry the one year warranty printed in their installation guides. The flexible shower dam and the general base-and-dam routine are in installing shower bases and the rubber dam; this article is about the SMC bases themselves.

Which Base Is Which

• Ella SMC 1 inch Low Profile Reversible Shower Base, ADA size 35 x 59 inches, with an aluminum alloy tile flange, strainer, rubber gasket, locking nut, drain and drain cover. The 1 inch profile is the low threshold you step over, and the base is reversible for a left or right layout.
• Ella Barrier Free Shower Base (linear-drain, roll-in), ADA sizes 33 1/2 x 61 1/2 inches and 37 1/2 x 61 1/2 inches, with a stainless steel drain cover and end cap covers. Verify the opening against the actual base you receive.

Every Ella base family, with its threshold height, drain style and weight, is lined up in shower base sizes and thresholds compared. Care is simple: wipe with a damp towel, use mild detergent for basic stains and a mildew cleaner for corners and seams; the wider routine is in caring for shower bases, stalls and accessories.

Prepare the Area

1. Make sure the floor and stud walls are square and plumb on a level surface.
2. Provide a 5 x 5 inch opening in the floor for the drain. Refer to the product rough-in specifications for the exact drain location.
3. For the barrier-free base, frame the opening at least 1/8 inch larger than the published dimensions.

Install the Drain Assembly

1. Remove the strainer before setting the drain into the base; it goes back on once the base is in its final position.
2. Cut the 2 inch PVC waste pipe so the drain body fits snugly into the base with no gaps.
3. Apply a continuous bead of silicone sealant between the drain body and the base, then fit the rubber gasket and locking nut for a watertight seal.

Fit the Tile Flange (1 Inch Reversible Base)

1. Measure the base to determine the flange length and cut the aluminum flange with a hacksaw or miter saw.
2. Pre-drill pilot holes in both the flange and the base: four screws on each 35 inch side, spaced about 11 2/3 inches apart, and eight screws on the 59 inch side, spaced about 8 7/16 inches apart. The kit includes #8 x 1/2 inch sharp-point lath screws.
3. Run a generous bead of silicone along the edge of the base where the flange sits, align the flange and fasten through the pre-drilled holes.
4. Check that the flange sits snug and even with no gaps, adjusting screws or sealant as needed.

Position, Level and Secure

1. Set the base so the drain assembly slides over the waste pipe and fasten the drain hardware.
2. Make sure the front edge of the base is in full contact with the rough floor along its entire length.
3. Level the base in both directions.
4. Pre-drill the tile flange where it lines up with the studs and drive screws to secure the base to the framing. The waterproof drywall and tile then come down over the flange, as the section drawing shows.
5. Tape over the strainer to protect its finish and keep construction debris out of the drain.
6. Allow the base to cure for 24 hours before working in the area.

Pairing a Barrier-Free Base with the Flexible Dam

The flexible, compressible dam is for exclusive use with a barrier-free base: wheels roll over it in and out, it springs back to shape, and water stays in the stall. The video shows the sequence in brief: measure precisely, clean every surface with denatured alcohol, lay a tape guide line, cut the dam to length, fit the end caps, silicone all gaps, peel the release tape back about an inch, press the dam snugly against wall and floor while pulling the tape away, tape both sides and run a thin bead of silicone along both lower edges and the end caps. The dedicated shower base and dam article covers the full 12-step routine, including caulking the grout line beneath the retainer on tiled floors.

Warranty and What Protects It

The SMC installation guides print a one year warranty on these bases, and the accessory table in shower door, seat and accessory warranty terms lists it alongside the other shower products. Ella's acrylic roll-in and low-threshold bases carry their own longer coverage, explained in shower base warranty coverage. Whichever base you have, the same habits keep coverage intact: a level base with the front edge fully supported, no drilling into the threshold, and the approved gentle cleaners only.

Common Questions

For anything specific to your model, serial number or order, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will walk your installer through it.