Copper Shower Pan & Tub Update 7+ Months Later

There were lots of questions when we finished our main bathroom project (see the space here) and installed our copper tub and shower pan.  But the copper shower pan was a biggie.  Since we’ve been living with it for awhile now I thought it would be a good time to address some of those!

Installing it was relatively straightforward as it’s one solid piece that was custom made to fit the space.  This made it super simple.  (see how it arrived and how we did the install step by step here)

Our Copper Tub and Shower Pan Installation Project

Here is how it looked at install.

First up:  “Doesn’t it get slippery?”

Nope!  I had several people ask this and not one time have I ever thought it was slippery when taking a shower.  It doesn’t have a rough finish either, it’s very smooth so I don’t know what magic they did but it’s definitely not slippery.  Also it drains SO much better than our old tiled shower floor.  That used to puddle and never drain completely, ewww.  This has grooves angled from each of the 4 corners so it does an amazing job of draining.

“Doesn’t copper change over time?”

Copper is a living metal.  This means that it naturally develops a patina over time and with use.  The more it’s exposed to the quicker it will change.  The shower pan is much darker now and there are some spots (which are my bad) see below pic.

This was taken this morning.  The greenish spots are patina from soaps that I had on the shower floor before finally putting a small pedestal in here to put them on (not shown).  The 2 corners on the right that are brighter are from my hubs beer soap, which is acidic, and it removed the patina in those spots.  Since we removed the soap from the floor it’s beginning to darken up like the rest of the pan.

Ya’lls copper is not for the compulsory cleaner or perfectionist.  It is a living finish and should be purchased and enjoyed knowing this.  I personally LOVE that.  I’m a big soapstone, marble, brass and copper fan.  All materials that live with you rather than being shiny brand new forever.

Now I am going to completely contradict what I just said.  Cue my cheesy but trying-so-hard-to-be-cute-to-distract-from-my-flip-floppery face.  My tub is also solid copper with an enamel interior coating.  The exterior finish came fully polished like a new penny vs the shower pan which already had a patina to it.  I have been keeping up with regular polishing of the tub because I LOVE the contrast of the 2.

You can see the big difference.  Tub = new copper look from polishing vs Shower pan = let that baby live.

The tub has a bit of patina in the above shot, it develops with exposure to humidity from showers or when water splashes on it, it gets a dark spot almost immediately.  I recruit my 2 teenagers to help me give it a good buff with polish to clean those spots and the darkening once every month or so.  It’s extremely high maintenance to keep it like that but it’s worth it.

“How do you clean it?”

The pan came with instructions from installation to maintenance to cleaning recommendations.  Basically it’s warm water, a mild soap and a soft cloth.  I just wipe it down once in a great while.  I mean I’m lazy so I don’t do that regularly.  Apologies if anyone finds that weird but I’m like, we shower in there everyday and soap splashes across it soooo.

I love the wear.

Fun fact: It retains the heat from the shower and stays warm.

The same goes for the tub!  Copper naturally conducts heat faster and retains it longer.  This means the temperature from the water warms the copper quickly and stays warm until after you have finished showering.  Nothing like a warm surface for your tootsies.  Especially on a cold winter day or when you get up early.

Or the tub, I can soak in that thing for an hour easy.  It keeps the heat so well I’ve gone an hour and half (total prune central) reading a book without ever once feeling cold.

This photo shows the tub and shower pan when they were brand spankin new.  The pan is definitely a more orange-y copper color.  The tub is the same!

“Are they something I would do again?”

Absolutely!  This bathroom is my dream space and I couldn’t be happier with both the tub and the shower pan.  They are an investment but I highly suggest considering them.  I want to mention that I was fortunate to partner up with our local fabricator, Diamond Spas Co, for the pan and Witt and Berg for the tub.  Both of which were incredible to work with and have my highest recommendations.  (See more on the tub here and the shower pan here)

If I ever moved I would definitely plan on doing both of these items again no doubt about it.  I have been so happy with the way they have performed, the look and the feel that I actually like getting ready now.  That’s monumental my friends.

Do you have experience with copper in your home?  Would you ever use a copper shower pan or copper tub?  Other questions I didn’t address?!

I always love to hear from you so be sure to hit me up in the comments with your thoughts!

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XOXOXO

Would you install a copper tub or shower pan?  Let me know in a comment below!