What is a zero clearance shower?

It's a shower that has no curb or surrounding edge to it, making it flush with the bathroom floor. You may have also heard the terms barrier-free, curbless walk-in-shower or zero threshold, but they are all the same thing.

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.

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 are the pros and cons of a curbless shower?

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.

Curbless Shower pros and cons

How much space do you need 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.

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.

Do walk in showers leak?

If your shower is too small, water will likely seep out despite a sloped base. The compact design of smaller showers will also make it easier for splashed water to escape or bounce off the walls of the system, creating a slippery mess.

How do barrier free showers work?

Unlike a traditional shower tray, a barrier-free shower or walk-in shower is completely level with the floor. With a walk-in shower a tray is not necessary because the floor is sloped towards the drain, so all the water will drain efficiently.

Can you have a Curbless steam shower?

This luxury shower door features a door and two panels. One of the panels has a cutout for a short wall on one side. There is also a steam shower/transom at the top. Get yours today!

What is a low threshold shower?

Low-threshold showers only have just a small lip to step over. Compared to a traditional bathtub, the lip is minuscule. This allows those who do have mobility issues just a simple step, for easy access in and out of the shower. In addition to being mobility friendly, low-threshold showers just simply look good.

How wide does a shower need to be to not have a door?

The ADA recommends a shower opening to be 36” minimum opening at the entry of the shower from the top to floor to permit easy in-and-out access if the shower in order to accommodate a roll-in shower chair. The idea of a doorless shower is for anyone to get into it without needing to grab a door.

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.

What is the minimum opening for a walk-in shower?

Walk-In Shower

But NKBA (National Kitchen + Bathroom Association) recommends an open shower to be 36” by 36”. This size allows you to comfortably raise your arms and move around the shower more freely. It's also important to note that a walk-in shower opening should at least be 22”.

How does a zero entry shower drain?

How Does A Zero-Entry (Curbless) Shower Work? The shower pan or floor of the shower is gently sloped toward the drain, so it directs all water produced by the showerhead down the waste. Some pre-fabbed shower pan formers are installed into the floor to produce a seamless entry.

Do linear drains clog?

Maintenance – Linear drains are easy to clean depending on the material they are manufactured in. Water and soap are the recommended method of cleaning. A good linear drain will have a removable debris basket. This can prevent clogging your pipes, one of the most frequent and expressive problems in any home.

What is a curbless shower pan?

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 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.

What is a bathtub threshold?

A tub threshold prevents water from leaking out onto the bathroom floor. You can think of the wall of a bathtub as a threshold—a very high threshold. So high, in fact, that many homeowners find it difficult to step over while getting in and out of the tub.

Do you need to slope the ceiling in a steam shower?

The ceiling in a large steam shower enclosure should be slightly sloped to prevent dripping of condensate. The Tile Council of North America and the Marble Institute of America suggest between ½" to 2" per foot depending on the ceiling material.

How does a steam shower work?

Steam showers typically come with digital controls that allow you to turn the steam on, which triggers an electric valve to fill the steam generator with cold water. The generator then heats the water, bringing it to a boil, and sends it to a steam head that fills the stall with the hot, soothing steam.