The three-piece low-threshold shower ships from Ella's Bubbles fully preassembled, so it arrives looking like a single molded unit. That is by design. Bolting the sections together protects them in transit, and the seams are hard to see until the shower is completely out of its packaging. Before installation, remove the shipping bolts on the back of the shower, then follow the installation instructions published on the Ella website.

Why It Looks Like One Piece

Customers and installers sometimes call because the shower they unpacked shows no visible seams, while the order clearly says three-piece. Both are correct. The sections are assembled at the factory and held together with shipping bolts on the back, so the unit travels as one piece. Shipping the three sections loose would leave each one far more exposed to freight damage. Once the shower is fully removed from its packaging and the bolts come out, the sections separate and the seams appear where they belong.

Where the Shipping Bolts Are

The shipping bolts are on the back of the shower, the side that faces the wall after installation. They are not visible from the front, and they will not be visible at all while packaging material is still wrapped around the unit. The number of bolts can vary, so check the whole back panel rather than stopping after the first one.

1. Remove all packaging, including any wrap or protective material on the back of the shower.
2. Locate the shipping bolts on the back panel and remove all of them. Set the hardware aside.
3. Separate the sections and look over the mating edges before moving anything into the alcove.
4. Continue with the published instructions for your unit; see installing the three-piece low-threshold shower with molded seat.

Inspect While the Packaging Is Fresh

Because the shower ships as a single unit, check all three sections as soon as it is unpacked, both for visible damage and for anything that would affect fit. Freight-damage claims must be filed within 48 hours of receiving the shipment, so do not wait for installation day. Save all packaging material until you are sure everything is sound, and report any concern through ellasbubbles.com/support or (800) 480-6850. If the alcove itself is the issue rather than the shower, see what to do if the shower stall wall is out of square.

Specifications and Instructions

All specifications and installation instructions for the shower are published on the Ella website, and the support team can point you to the right document for your unit. Your installer should have the instructions in hand before removing the bolts, because the order of assembly in the alcove matters once the sections are apart. If the shower still appears to be one solid piece after the packaging and bolts are removed, take photos of the front and back and send them with your order details so the team can check what shipped.

Related Guides

• Installing an Ella One-Piece AcrylX Shower Stall: Alcove Prep, Drain Opening, Fastening and First Use
• Installing Multi-Piece Gel Coat Showers: Barrier-Free Roll-In (BF) and Low-Threshold (SH) Units
• Ella Shower Stalls Compared: One-Piece AcrylX E-Series, Three-Piece 60x33 Molded Seat, and the Legacy ESM Gel Coat Stalls

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

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