Walk-in or curbless shower No step, no curb, no trip
A curbless shower has no lip at the entry, so the bathroom floor flows into the shower. To work, the shower area has to be recessed so it can slope to the drain without raising the floor. How the floor is lowered, and how far waterproofing extends past the shower, decides whether water stays where it belongs. Call 804-566-7669.
How it works
- Call 804-566-7669Your call connects to an independent contractor in your area.
- Talk it throughSay what you want done, the age of the house and when you hope to start.
- Get it in writingScope, schedule and price on paper before any work starts. Then you decide.
1What walk-in or curbless shower involves
In a standard shower, the curb holds water in. In a curbless shower, slope does that job, so the shower floor has to sit lower than the bathroom floor. On a wood-framed floor this usually means recessing the subfloor between or onto the joists, using a low-profile sloped foam tray, or adding a thin layer to the rest of the bathroom so the shower can drop. Cutting or notching joists should only happen with an engineer’s guidance, since it weakens the floor.
On a concrete slab, the shower area is usually cut out and lowered, and the drain line under the slab is reset. A linear drain along the back wall or at the entry is common, because it lets the floor slope in one direction and works with large tiles. Point drains in the center also work but need a four-way slope and smaller tiles. Most curbless showers waterproof the entire shower and extend the membrane well out into the bathroom, sometimes covering the whole floor.
Walk-in showers without a door are a related option: a large shower with a fixed glass panel and no door, which may still have a low curb. Both designs suit people who want easier access now or later. If accessibility is the goal, think about blocking in the walls for grab bars, a bench, a handheld showerhead on a slide bar and slip-resistant tile while the walls are open. A tub-to-shower conversion is often the starting point for this project.
How the work usually goes
- Assess the floor structureThe contractor checks joist size, direction and spacing, or slab conditions, to decide how the shower area can be recessed.
- Recess the floorThe subfloor is lowered or a sloped tray system is installed on wood, or the slab is cut and lowered on concrete.
- Set the drain and plumbingThe linear or point drain is set at the right height, the drain line is connected and the valve and showerhead are roughed in.
- Build slope and waterproofThe floor is sloped toward the drain, and a membrane covers the shower and extends into the bathroom, often followed by a flood test.
- Tile and transitionsTile is set so slope is smooth and the entry has no ridge. The transition between the bathroom floor and shower is detailed carefully.
- Glass and finishA fixed glass panel or door is installed after tile, along with trim, grab bars and accessories.
2What decides it
Want a shower with no step in?
3Common mistakes
- Cutting joists to recess the floorNotching or cutting joists can weaken the floor. Use a method an engineer or the floor system maker approves, such as reinforcing or a low-profile tray.
- Waterproofing only inside the showerWithout a curb, water can spread past the opening. Extend the membrane well into the bathroom, and many contractors cover the whole floor.
- Choosing a shower that is too smallA curbless shower needs room for water to fall and drain before it reaches the opening. A small curbless shower often splashes the bathroom floor.
- Ignoring door and floor heightsThe bathroom door, nearby flooring and heat registers all affect the transition. Plan heights before demolition so you are not left with a ramp or a step.
4When to call a pro
Want a shower with no step in?
Talk to a local contractor about it today.
5Questions
What happens when I call?
Your call to 804-566-7669 connects to an independent local contractor. Describe the project, ask your questions, and decide whether you want a quote. Calling does not commit you to anything. iLikeToFix earns a referral fee when a call connects; here is how that works.
Can any bathroom have a curbless shower?
Most can, but the effort varies. On a wood floor, the joist size and direction decide how easily the shower area can be lowered. On a slab, the concrete has to be cut and the drain reset. Second-floor bathrooms over finished ceilings and floors with small joists take more planning. A contractor can usually tell you after looking at the framing from below or opening the floor.
Do curbless showers leak onto the bathroom floor?
A well-built one should not, as long as the floor slopes properly to the drain, the shower is large enough, and glass or a well-placed panel controls spray. Because some water will reach past the opening now and then, waterproofing usually extends beyond the shower. Linear drains placed near the entry can also catch water before it leaves the shower.
What is the difference between a walk-in and a curbless shower?
Walk-in usually describes a shower you step into without a door, often with a fixed glass panel. It may still have a low curb. A curbless shower has no curb at all, so the floor is continuous. Every curbless shower is walk-in, but not every walk-in shower is curbless.
Is a linear drain required for a curbless shower?
No, but it is very common. A linear drain lets the floor slope in one direction, which makes the entry easier to keep flat and allows large-format tile. A center drain works too, but the floor has to slope from all sides, which usually calls for smaller tiles and makes the entry transition trickier.
Related bathroom jobs
Walk-in or curbless shower start with one call
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