Waterproof Boards & Shower Bases Buyer's Guide — TradieCart
TradieCart stocks a full range of waterproof building boards and pre-formed shower bases from Wedi, Demtech, Marmox and Roberts Design. Whether you're lining wet area walls, building a custom shower or fitting a niche — we've got the right product for the job.
Understanding Waterproof Board Types
- XPS Foam Boards (Wedi, Marmox) — Extruded polystyrene core with cement coating. 100% waterproof, lightweight, thermally insulating. No separate membrane required. Available 4–50 mm.
- Polyurethane Foam Bases (Demtech) — High-density polyurethane with pre-formed falls. Australian-made, CodeMark certified. Purpose-built for shower bases.
- Pre-Formed vs Site-Built — Pre-formed shower bases come with the correct fall built in, eliminating screeding errors and dramatically reducing weight compared to traditional mortar beds.
Popular Products
| Product | Best For |
|---|---|
| Wedi Building Board | The most popular waterproof board in the range. XPS foam core, mould-proof, available 4–50 mm. Ideal for wall linings, floor substrates and custom shower builds. |
| Marmox Construction Board | Cost-effective XPS alternative. Fibreglass-reinforced cement coating rated to 30 t/m². Available in 6, 10 and 20 mm. |
| Demtech Orthello | Australian-made centre waste shower base. Available 900–2100 mm lengths in Chrome, Matte Black and Designer Drain grate finishes. |
| Demtech Southern Crest | Offset waste shower base — choose this when centre waste doesn't suit your plumbing layout. Same size and finish range as Orthello. |
| Demtech Clairmont & Urban | Linear grate shower bases for a sleek, modern look. Available in Chrome and Matte Black. |
| Demtech Compact Range | Neptune, Belladonna, Seba and Zenith — 900×900 mm bases with various waste and grate options for smaller showers. |
| Wedi Fundo Primo | Premium pre-sloped XPS shower base with Click & Seal drain system. Sizes from 914×914 to 1830×1830 mm. |
| Wedi Fundo Ligno | Designed specifically for suspended timber floors. Lighter construction with integrated fall. |
| Marmox Lightweight Shower Base | Thinner-profile option in centre and offset waste configurations. Ideal where floor depth is limited. Sizes up to 1000×2000 mm. |
| Shower Niches & Hobs | Demtech Insitu niches (15+ sizes), Marmox Shower Niche, Roberts Niche Box, plus shower hobs from Demtech and Marmox. |
Quick Recommendation Guide
- Lining wet area walls → Wedi Building Board 6–10 mm
- Budget-friendly wall board → Marmox Construction Board 6 mm
- Standard shower with centre waste → Demtech Orthello
- Shower with offset plumbing → Demtech Southern Crest
- Modern linear drain look → Demtech Clairmont or Urban
- Shower on suspended timber floor → Wedi Fundo Ligno
- Recessed shower niche → Demtech Insitu or Roberts Niche Box
Common Questions
Do waterproof boards need a separate liquid membrane? — No. XPS foam boards (Wedi, Marmox) and polyurethane boards are 100% waterproof through the core. You only need to seal joints and junctions with the manufacturer's sealing tape or sealant.
What's the difference between Wedi and Marmox boards? — Both use XPS foam cores with cement coatings. Wedi offers the widest thickness range (4–50 mm) and is the most popular board in the range. Marmox is a cost-effective alternative (6–20 mm) with a fibreglass-reinforced coating rated to 30 t/m².
Which Demtech shower base should I choose? — Orthello for centre waste, Southern Crest for offset waste, Clairmont or Urban for a linear grate. All come with built-in falls and CodeMark certification.
Can I use a pre-formed shower base on a timber floor? — The Wedi Fundo Ligno is specifically designed for suspended timber floors. It's lighter than standard bases and includes an integrated fall.
What fall gradient do shower bases need? — AS 3740:2021 requires a minimum fall of 1:80 and maximum of 1:50 to waste. All pre-formed shower bases in the range come with the correct fall built in.
Brands We Stock
Wedi, Demtech, Marmox and Roberts Design are our preferred brands in this category. Wedi and Marmox specialise in XPS foam building boards and shower systems. Demtech is our go-to for Australian-made pre-formed shower bases — available in the widest range of sizes and grate finishes. Roberts Design supplies quality shower niche boxes. We also stock Multipanel shower base kits for projects requiring thinner-profile bases.