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What is a shower flange and what does it do?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary5
  1. What the Flange Does
  2. Ella's Flexible Glue-Up Flange on a Shower Base
  3. The Same Part on a Walk-In Tub
  4. Related Guides
  5. Common Questions

A shower flange is a thin waterproof strip bonded to the edge of a shower base, or a tub, so the wall tile or wall panels can overlap it and send water back into the shower instead of behind the fixture. On Ella products the flange is not molded in; it is the flexible glue-up tile flange added at installation, and the same kit is used on shower bases and walk-in tubs. The tub version is explained in What Is a Tile Flange on a Walk-In Tub?.

What the Flange Does

Water that splashes onto the wall runs down and reaches the line where the wall meets the base. Without a flange, it can work its way behind the base. The flange creates a layered barrier: the strip bonds to the fixture edge with 100 percent silicone, the tile or wall panel comes down over the strip, and every joint is caulked with silicone. Any water that reaches the wall line lands on the flange and drains back into the shower. The tub article Why Does My Tub Leak at the Corners or Wall When Filled? shows what happens when that layer is missing: water appears at the corners even though the fixture itself is sound.

Ella's flange is a flexible membrane rather than a rigid plastic lip. The product page notes that the seal stays flexible through floor contraction, expansion and joint movement, which is exactly the kind of movement a rigid flange cannot follow.

Ella's Flexible Glue-Up Flange on a Shower Base

The kit, listed as FlangeBand, contains one roll of 4 inch wide waterproof membrane with an integrated 1 1/4 inch siliconized adhesive strip, a spreading spatula, a cardboard alignment guide and two alcohol cleaning tissues. The pink portion is the membrane that bonds to the silicone; the rest of the strip is a cloth-like material that gets tiled over. The strip is reversible with a pink side and a red side, and which side faces out depends on whether your fixture already has an integral flange. A contractor bulk box holds a 164 foot roll without the spatula, guide or tissues.

Choose the length by measuring the wall perimeter at deck height. The 124 inch kit suits most Ella walk-in tubs in a standard 60 inch three-wall alcove, and the 132 inch strip is the right pick for a 60 by 36 shower base. If you are between sizes, the team's advice is that the bigger strip is fine. The kit walkthrough, including which colored side faces out, is in The Glue-Up Tile Flange Kit. The first video below shows the kit contents and how the alignment card is used to mark the strip position on the walls of a two-wall or three-wall enclosure before the base is set. The second shows the flange in use around a shower base and explains why Ella strongly recommends it.

The Same Part on a Walk-In Tub

Ella walk-in tubs have a flat deck edge with no tile lip, by design, so the same flange approach applies. The manual calls for a rustproof, waterproof strip glued to the tub edge with 100 percent silicone so it overlaps the edge, with the wall finish overlapping the flange and every joint siliconed. Because the strip is flexible, it can go on during or after the tub or base is installed. The tub-side steps are in My Tub Has No Tile Lip. Which Flange Do I Use?. On a tub, the flange ships separately by parcel carrier rather than in the crate, so do not report it missing on delivery day.

One other use of the word: the rim of a switch, push control or faucet fitting that sits over a hole cut in the deck is also called a flange. That flange covers the cut edge and is unrelated to the wall strip.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing the Tile Flange Kit This video introduces the Ella's Bubbles glue-up tile flange kit and explains the unique properties of Sealux.
  2. 0:56 Marking Strip Position on Walls The video demonstrates two methods for marking the correct strip position on the shower walls for proper alignment.
  3. 2:29 Applying the Sealux Strip The technician trims the Sealux strip, aligns it to the wall, and carefully bonds it into place using a spatula tool.
  4. 3:23 Applying Adhesive and Sealing The technician applies adhesive to the wall, spreads it, and then presses the Sealux strip firmly onto the wall.
  5. 4:18 Preparing for Tub Installation The technician cleans the surface with alcohol wipes and applies silicone for three-wall and two-wall installations to ensure a leak-proof seal.
  6. 5:12 Final Sealing and Tiling The technician applies a bead of waterproof sealant, smooths it, and prepares the area for tiling and flooring.

Watch: Installing a Glue-Up Tile Flange: Step-by-Step | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Extension and End Panels Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs come with extension and end panels for flexible installation in various bathroom layouts.
  2. 0:49 Four-Fold Glass Screen A four-fold glass screen offers a convenient and elegant alternative to a shower curtain, folding away when not in use.
  3. 1:27 Flexible Tile Flange and Wall Tiles The flexible tile flange creates a watertight seal, and groutless wall tiles provide a maintenance-free finish for your tub area.
  4. 2:40 Fast Fill Faucets and Rain Head Fast fill faucets quickly fill the tub, and a 10-inch rain head shower kit adds a luxurious showering experience.
  5. 4:24 Hand Shower Sliding Bar A 24-inch hand shower sliding bar with leak protection offers adjustable height and pivoting for comfortable showering.
  6. 5:17 Safety and Comfort Accessories Seat belts, wall pillows, headrests, and seat cushions provide enhanced safety and comfort during bathing.

Watch: Walk-In Tub Accessories to Enhance Your Experience | Ella's Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Common Questions

Is the flange already attached to my Ella shower base or tub?
No. Ella fixtures have a flat edge, and the flexible glue-up flange is a separate kit bonded on at installation. On a walk-in tub it ships by parcel carrier rather than in the crate. Include your model when you request one so the right length ships.
Which flange length do I need for a 60 by 36 shower base?
The 132 inch strip is the right pick for a 60 by 36 shower base. Measure the wall perimeter at deck height to confirm. If you are between sizes, the bigger strip is fine and gives extra material for corners.
Which colored side of the flange faces out?
The strip is reversible with a pink side and a red side. The side that faces out depends on whether your fixture already has an integral flange. The kit article explains the orientation for each case.
Can the flange go on after the base or tub is already set?
Yes. Because the strip is flexible, it can be installed during or after the tub or shower base is set. On a tub, level it and complete the water test before finishing any wall.
What kind of silicone bonds the flange to the base?
Use 100 percent silicone. The kit article specifies a neutral-cure silicone, which reacts with the pink membrane to form the water barrier. Clean the edge with the alcohol tissues in the kit first.
What happens if my shower or tub has no flange behind the wall?
Splash water can run down the wall line and behind the fixture, showing up at the corners even when the fixture itself does not leak. The fix is a flange that overlaps the edge, wall finish that overlaps the flange, and silicone at every joint.

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