What is a curbless 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.

Are Curbless showers 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.

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.

Does a curbless shower cost more?

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.

How does a curbless shower drain?

It is a long narrow trough that runs along the open side of a curbless shower. Water flows across the shower floor into the “gutter” (or trench) and into a standard drain. The trench is covered with a metal or plastic grate, flush with the shower and room floor.

Curbless Shower pros and cons

Does water come out of a curbless shower?

Lastly, curbless showers do a good job of keeping water within the splash zone if installed properly. The shower head is strategically placed and the shower floor is sloped toward the drain to keep water out of the bathroom. There are some disadvantages when it comes to curbless showers.

Where do you put a drain in 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.

Why are Curbless showers so expensive?

They can be more expensive

Because of the additional labour it takes to build a curbless shower, this does mean that the cost of a curbless shower might be slightly more than a typical curbed shower design.

Do you need a curb for a walk-in 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.

What does zero entry shower mean?

A zero-entry shower is a shower that does not have a wall or barrier to step over. Also referred to as a curbless shower or a low-threshold shower, this easily accessible bathing solution is ideal for seniors, people who have limited mobility, or individuals who use a wheelchair or need to be seated when showering.

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.

What is code for a walk in shower?

Standard building code recommends a minimum of 30 inches of walking space between bathroom fixtures, so leave adequate room to walk between the new shower and the vanity or commode. Create a shower that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommendations to accommodate a person with mobility issues.

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.

How big does a walk in shower need to be to not have a door?

Building codes may specify that a standard shower stall must be a minimum of 36 inches by 36 inches while the average doorless shower is about seven feet by four feet with many much larger. Doorless showers require additional space to keep water from escaping into the rest of the bathroom.

What is the average cost of installing a walk in shower?

However, most of the time, conversion from a tub to a walk in shower is motivated by the lack of enough space and the urge to make the bathroom more sophisticated. Typically, the installation cost of a walk-in shower goes between $2500 and $15000.

Are doorless showers more expensive?

However, a curbless, walk-in shower will typically be more expensive due to the specialty drain and the tile work needed to create the curbless layout.

Are no door showers cold?

When researching open shower designs, there is plenty of beautiful inspiration. However, it's not uncommon to find comments stating that doorless showers are cold and drafty. Still, there are others who call this statement false.

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.

What drain to use for Curbless shower?

Channel drains, also called linear drains, in curbless showers are the ideal design solution for creating ADA-compliant showers and wet spaces that are universally accessible. With only one slope and no barrier to cross, the floor more easily accommodates a freestanding bench, a wheelchair, or some other mobility aid.

Where is the best place to put a linear drain in the shower?

We recommend installing your shower drain against the wall (three-sided installation). By doing so, you have a one-sided slope that offers the easiest installation with less tile cutting necessary. Another option is to place the shower drain free-in-the-floor.