Does a walk-in shower need a curb?

Installed properly, you'll be fine – but if you don't plan it well, you could have some pretty big problems with water and your curbless shower. Without a curb, the shower water isn't contained in the tub area and can get EVERYWHERE.

What do you call a shower without a curb?

Curbless showers eliminate the curb or threshold of the shower, creating an open concept bathroom. An open concept can maximize space. Curbless showers don't just offer visual appeal, but they are perfect for individuals with mobility issues as there is no barrier to worry about.

How high should the curb be for a walk-in shower?

The standard shower curb height in the United States is a minimum of 2 inches above the top of the drain. This is building code however it does not mean that the curb itself must be 2 inches high. It means that you must have 2 inches of a drop from where the drain is located to where you step in.

Is a curbless shower a good idea?

A curbless shower offers improved accessibility to everyone from the very young to the very old. A main floor bathroom with a curbless shower offers a lot of advantages to homeowners who have trouble making the step into the tub or shower as they slow down with age.

How do you Slope a curbless shower?

Sometimes less slope is specified in a curbless shower, such as 1/8” per foot. In some jurisdictions, a slope of 3/16” per foot or 1/8” per foot could be allowed for a roll-in shower designed to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Curbless Shower pros and cons

How small can a shower curb be?

The curb shouldn't be less than 2 inches and not more than 9 inches deep when measured from the top to the curb. Your shower curb should at least be 2 inches above the drain if your bathroom floor slope is ¼ an inch per foot.

How wide does a shower curb need to be?

It is recommended that the minimum width of a shower curb is 36 inches wide, bumping up to the width of 42 or 48 inches wide. A shower curb is defined as the drainage area of your shower room, and its walls or half-walls contain water spray.

Is it more expensive to do a curbless shower?

A traditional, curbed walk-in shower costs about $2,500 to $5,000. Installing a curbless shower will add on another $500 to $700 or more, depending on the tile choices, shower size, and any additional shower waterproofing that is needed.

What is a zero threshold shower?

Also known as a curbless shower, barrier-free shower, walk-in shower, or zero threshold shower, it's a shower that has no curb or surrounding edge to it, making it flush with the bathroom floor.

Do you need shower KERB?

If you are going with a shower, here's another consideration for you: to shower curb or not to shower curb? Shower curbs are great for keeping water from splashing out, but they disrupt the visual flow of the space and can be a tripping hazard, especially if you have small children or the elderly living with you.

How much space is needed for a curbless shower?

NC State University says that most national codes permit curbless showers as shallow as 30 inches by 60 inches; however they suggest a minimum depth of 36 inches. A shower that is 5 feet by 5 feet will allow sufficient space for both the wheelchair user and an aide.

Do I need a shower pan on concrete floor?

If you plan to lay tile on your shower floor, you will need a special shower pan. Otherwise, the tray will not hold up to the tiling process. You should also keep in mind that tiling directly onto the concrete subfloor is not a good idea.

Can you cut joists for Curbless shower?

Synopsis: Building a curbless shower typically requires cutting into the floor joists to create a slope to the drain. The joists then have to be reinforced and a new subfloor installed.

How much slope should a shower curb have?

The curb or lip around the bottom of the shower should to be slanted inward at a 5-degree (approx. 3/16" to 1/4") "pitch" or slope so water flows in toward the drain. (A level curb would cause the water to stand, while a curb angled away from the drain would cause water to leak onto the bathroom floor.)

What is a shower curb?

Shower curbs serve as the border between the floor of the shower pan and the bathroom floor. They keep water in the shower, and sometimes also serve as a base for mounting brackets for a shower door.

Can you tile over a shower curb?

Tiling a shower pan floor means more than just the pan itself, as the tile also needs to wrap up and over the curb so that you have a complete surface that is grouted and caulked. Once a shower curb has been tiled, it can either serve as-is, or mounting strips for glass panels and doors can be placed on top.

What is a shower threshold?

What is a shower threshold? A shower or shower-pan threshold is the front edge of the shower that you typically step over to enter the shower.

Do you need a linear drain for a curbless shower?

3. Linear Drains Are Perfect For Curbless and ADA Compatible Showers. If you want a curbless shower then you need a linear drain! We love this feature for smaller bathrooms where a curb would reduce the functionality of the space and actually make it feel smaller.

Can a shower floor be flat?

Step 1: Floor Tile Must Slope to the Drain

In a stall shower, the plumbing code requires the floor to be sloped one quarter (1/4) of an inch per foot in order to carry the water effectively to the drain.

What is the difference between KERB and curb?

Curb is also the American spelling of the noun kerb. There is no difference in pronunciation. The kerb is the raised edge between a pavement and a road.