Oleg Malamura, owner of Masterpiece Contracting, in Snohomish, Wash., talks shower pans and glass block tiles
Product:
Malamura says: This product is so light, it doesn’t feel like you’re working. Ready4Tile from Seattle Glass Block is less than one-third the weight of other products, and it works 1,000 times better. I’ve been using it for about six years and they’ve streamlined the process in the past four years. It’s unique in that it’s a one-step process. During a job, you want to eliminate as many steps as possible — but not by cutting corners.
Before, we used a traditional mud pan with a liner behind it. It was very labor-intensive and it took years to perfect that skill. These shower pans are pre-sloped and ready to install. You send Seattle Glass Block the dimensions of the drain location and work off that. They help you design something using SketchUp and create a model for clients to decide if they like it.
In the Northwest, glass block tiles have been coming back like crazy. Glass block tiles create a walk-in shower with no moving parts, so it’s all solid and contains the water. The glass blocks have evolved so much; there are so many different styles you can choose from now. It’s gone through a whole rebirthing. With Ready4Tile you just grout and stack: line panels with silicone and stack tiles. They’re not going anywhere. seattleglassblock.com
