What is a Curbless?

A curbless shower is a shower that has no barriers — a seamless design without a divide between the bathroom and shower floor. When designing your bathroom renovation, you may be considering this option. In recent years, curbless walk-in showers have become an extremely popular choice when bathroom remodeling.

What does Curbless mean?

(ˈkɜːblɪs ) adjective. with no curb or restraint.

Is a curbless shower a good idea?

Curbless showers add visual appeal and maximize space. Getting rid of the shower barrier allows the bathroom floor to flow from wall-to-wall creating a seamless look and significantly larger appearance. Lastly, curbless showers do a good job of keeping water within the splash zone if installed properly.

What is a Curbless shower floor?

A curbless shower is very simply a shower that has no barriers for entry or exit. Curbless showers are a bit tricky to install because the slope of the drainage floor needs to be slightly lower than the level of the floor surrounding the shower in order for all the water to drain and flow to the right place.

What is Curbless tile?

A curbless shower is just what the name says, a shower that doesn't have a curb or threshold. It has a seamless design without the divider between the bathroom floor and shower floor. In other words, the bathroom floor tiles will be the same all the way through without any curb or disruption in between.

Curbless Shower pros and cons

What are the pros and cons of a curbless shower?

When should you use a curbless shower?

Curbless showers are ideal for smaller spaces because of the open feeling they give the room. Bathtubs can take up a lot of floor space, which can be up to half of the bathroom floor in some cases. A glass tile shower in the bathroom can open up the room and makes it feel larger.

Can you hot mop a curbless shower?

How do I make sure my curbless shower pan will not leak? There is only one method that will not leak – a properly applied hot mop. Hot-mop shower pans have been used for more than 60 years. They have proven to be dependable and durable throughout the country.

How much does it cost to have a curbless shower installed?

Price Considerations

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.

Should I put a curb in my shower?

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.

Is a walk-in shower worth it?

A walk-in shower is more functional than a standard shower as it provides ease of access and safety. It eliminates the danger of stepping into a bathtub or an enclosed shower, which makes it a convenient and independent alternative for individuals with limited or impaired mobility.

What is a Curbless walk-in shower?

A curbless shower is a shower that has no barriers — a seamless design without a divide between the bathroom and shower floor. When designing your bathroom renovation, you may be considering this option. In recent years, curbless walk-in showers have become an extremely popular choice when bathroom remodeling.

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.

Are Curbless showers allowed in California?

Showers without thresholds are permitted with the following requirements: 1) Showers must be built to the provisions of CBC 11A (depth × width): 60×30 in. or 42×48 in. with back wall and side wall extending to the ceiling. Listed Manufacturer's Shower Pans shall comply with Manufacturer's installation instructions.

Why do they hot mop showers in California?

After a Shower is built, the cement and grouts shrink leaving very small cracks around the edges of the floor and dam area. Water penetrates these small cracks, and without hot mop pan liner water will seep into the wood floors and studs, causing wood rot.

Can you do a curbless shower on concrete?

To make a curbless shower waterproof, which is built on concrete, you have to paint latex waterproofing of the concrete floor. Using a paintbrush or a paint roller, you have to carefully paint the whole concrete floor with point-on latex waterproofing. You can find them in any hardware store.

Where should the drain go on a curbless shower?

“For curbless, we recommend placing the drain either across the whole entrance wall—not just the doorway—or across the whole wall opposite the entrance,” Van Landingham says. A drain that's too narrow, or one that only spans the doorway, will cause water to pool or flood beside walls and in corners.

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 curbless shower have a center drain?

Pick the right tile size and shape for your curbless shower

—can easily be used with a center drain. Large-format tiles can be paired with linear drains. Whatever tile choice you go with, however, requires specific installation considerations.

What is the average price for a walk-in shower?

Walk-In Shower Cost

For a small or prefabricated model, expect to pay between $500 and $2,000. For a large or custom walk-in shower, the price range is $3,500 to $7,000.

How much does it cost to replace a tub with a walk-in shower?

Converting a tub to a walk-in shower costs $2,000 to $12,000 on average, depending on the shower size, material, style, and if there are shower doors. Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower stall kit costs $1,000 to $8,000. Converting a tub to a tiled walk-in shower costs $3,500 to $15,000.

Where does the shower head go in a walk-in shower?

Install wall-mount shower controls 48-52 inches above the floor; place the controls so they are accessible from inside and outside the shower. Mount showerheads 69-72 inches above the shower's floor. Keep in mind that sprays from traditional showerheads extend as much as 4 feet. 9.