Is a curbless shower the best fit for your home?
Experts say it depends on your space and style.
If your bathroom needs a remodel or yourtub is underused, consider installing a curbless shower.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
This pop in of shower creates an open bathroom that maximizes space and offers design flexibility.
What Is a Curbless Shower?
As the name suggests, a curbless shower has no threshold, so there’s easy entry and exit.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Much like walk-in showers, there’s no divider between thebathroom and the shower floor.
Thus, curbless showers have the added advantage of accessibility for people with limited mobility.
They offer easy entry and exit, ideal for kids and older adults.
Credit: Emily Followill
Curbless showers are apopular design choicethat’s functional for multiple generations.
Easy Cleaning
Curbless showers have fewer places wheregrime and mildew can collect, making cleaning less tedious.
Also, ceramic floor tiles typically used in these showers are generally bacteria- and mildew-resistant.
Credit: Michael Partenio
Modern Aesthetic
The open layout of curbless showers is visually appealing.
It alsomakes small spaces feel larger.
If curbless showers have any partitions, they’re typically glass, which has a modern and spacious aesthetic.
Disadvantages of a Curbless Shower
A curbless shower might not be the right choice for every family.
Heated floors can help.
Wet Floors
If designed and installed correctly, water shouldnt be a problem.
But it is easy to splash and spill water throughout the bathroom with a doorless, curbless shower.
Be mindful toprevent clogsand slips.
How Does a Walk-In Shower Compare?
Awalk-in showercan be curbless or curbed.
Shower designs with a curb include a raised barrier separating the shower from the bathroom.
While these walk-in showers can still provide an open and spacious feel, they present challenges to accessibility.
He says it’s best suited for a single-family residential home since there’s generally a crawl space.
The decision of which to use is primarily driven by the plumbing and bathroom layout.
A linear drain is usually placed along the shower entrance or wall, and the flooring slopes towards it.
Showerhead
Showerhead featuresand water pressure are important,but placement and angling are crucial.
Overhead orrain showersare ideally placed right above a center drain.
Glass is usually the suitable wall material to keep water in, leaving sight lines clear.
With both, the color and shape can be customized.
Are Curbless Showers Worth It?
A curbless shower isworth the investmentfor families of multiple generations in the same home.
However, curbless showers are only as good as their design and drainage.
If either is slightly off, bathrooms become hazardous.
Work closely with your contractor or interior designer for the perfectbathroom of your dreams.
A well-planned bathroom should work for you and your family for many years.
How Much Does Accessible Bath Design Cost?
The best time to make your home accessible is before you need it to be.
To get started, search for a Universal Design Certified Professional.
These designers are trained to deeply understand their client’s needs so you can find solutions.
When you’re ready to make your home accessible, add wide doors and passages for a wheelchair.
If you’re changing up the flooring, choose seamless flooring with minimal transitions to eliminate a trip hazard.
Swap out knobs for handles.
