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Why the Three-Piece Shower Arrives as One Unit and Where the Shipping Bolts Are

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Why It Looks Like One Piece
  2. Where the Shipping Bolts Are
  3. Inspect While the Packaging Is Fresh
  4. Specifications and Instructions
  5. Related Guides
  6. Common Questions
  7. Still Need Help?

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.

Common Questions

Why does my three-piece shower have no visible seams?
The shower ships preassembled with the sections bolted together at the factory, so the seams are hard to see until it is fully unpacked. Remove the packaging and the shipping bolts on the back, and the sections separate along their seams.
Do I have to remove the shipping bolts before installing the shower?
Yes, you must remove all shipping bolts from the back of the three-piece low-threshold shower before installation. These bolts are specifically designed to hold the sections together and protect them during transit, and they are not part of the permanent installation. After removing all packaging and the shipping bolts, the sections will separate, and you should then follow the installation instructions published on the Ella website for your unit.
Where exactly are the shipping bolts located on the shower?
The shipping bolts are located on the back panel of the three-piece low-threshold shower, which is the side that will face the wall after installation. They are not visible from the front of the unit and will remain hidden while any packaging material is still wrapped around the shower. To locate them, you must first remove all packaging, including any wrap or protective material on the back of the shower, then check the entire back panel as the number of bolts can vary.
What should I do if the shower arrived damaged?
If your shower arrived damaged, you must report it within 48 hours of receiving the shipment. File your freight-damage claim through ellasbubbles.com/support or by calling (800) 480-6850. It is important to inspect all three sections for both visible and concealed damage as soon as the shower is unpacked, and save all packaging material until you are sure everything is sound.

Still Need Help?

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

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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