Creating a curbless shower will help someone who struggles to get through the curb, for example a wheelchair user. In fact, almost any hotel room in Europe utilized the concept of a curbless shower or “wet room.”
So, what is exactly a cubless shower?
A curbless shower is different than a traditional bathroom. A traditional bathroom has a small step- curb which you have to step over and then close the shower door behind you. On the contrary, a curbless shower has zero difference in height between the main bathroom floor and the shower area.
So, you might have a number of questions. For example:
- How to avoid water spills in a curbless shower?
- Which kind of flooring to use to make it less slippery?
- Why a wall-mounted toilet works better for a curbless shower?
- Do I really need a linear drain?
Avoiding water spills with a linear drain. and when it’s not necessary
If you are using mosaics or small size tile, you can get away with a common round drain that is installed on a pitched pan that directs water from all four sides to the center. there is no need for a linear drain.
On the other hand, if you are using large size tiles for the floor linear drain is your only option. Check out Trending Accessibility products that are easy to install and safe to use. For more information, read about the Infinity Drain installation.
Get the shower nozzle that directs the water straight down.
Use a good shower nozzle that directs water down rather than all over the place. Click here to find out more.
What tile to use to make the wet room floor safe
Because you want to avoid falls and injuries, use slip-resistant tile for the floor. For instance, a small size honed mosaics stone is elegant and safe. By all means, avoid polished marble because it is very slippery when wet.
Tile the walls
For people that take showers all the time, for example after workouts, it makes sense to tile the whole bathroom area, not just the shower enclosure. It’s your better choice just because painted walls collect dust, become sticky, and eventually, the paint hardens due to dampness. Use Power Grout by Tec instead of regular Home Depot grout and you will save yourself a lot of trouble and money while avoiding regrouting.
Install wall-mounted toilets
If your toilet is close to the shower consider a wall-mounted option. They are so much easier to keep clean and the water will not get trapped around the toilet.
Most of the wall-mounted toilets are in a modern style.
Wall-mounted toilet by Duravit
But there are some traditional wall-mounted toilets that don’t look institutional. Wall-mounted toilets have a very robust in-wall mounting system – we have installed them for clients up to 300 pounds with no problems! The ability to clean the area underneath, with no residue, is a big draw.
Use a toilet roll holder with cover to avoid water spills.
I have to admit I don’t like soggy loo roll! So I sourced a couple of toilet paper holders with covers.
Get heated towel-rails and/or radiant heated floors.
It can be drafty in a curbless bathroom with no enclosure. While a radiant heated floor is not always attainable, heated towel racks are so desirable!
Use wood alternatives for bathroom vanities
Stay away from wood bathroom vanities for a small bathroom. Certainly, you can use teak wood cabinets since teak tolerates moisture. Buy a wall-mounted sink or countersink.
Make sure that your curbless shower gets enough ventilation.
Make sure that your contractor puts up really good ventilation. A regular fan won’t do for a larger shower.
Please post your questions here below. I’ll be happy to help you!
Can concrete floors be used instead of tile? If so, can it be treated to be less slippery?
Yes, Nita, there are some products on the market to make concrete floors less slippery. Check out Shark Grip from H&C Concrete products or Dura-Grip.
I love this post Marina, great work
Bathroom is often the smallest room in your home, but remember, it can still be a stylish and practical haven! Thanks of this post.
You are very welcome.
Most of your tips are very helpful for me especially the safe flooring. I was looking for some articles on how to get my bathroom floor less slippery and then I found your article. Thank you!
I am glad you found this helpful.
For a society keen on innovation, it surprizes me how resistant people are to changes in their bathrooms. Curbless showers make a lot of sense, even for those unconcerned about accessibility benefits. They look and function better. A 6″ retaining wall provided by a curb implies filling the space with water, and that’s not what showers are designed for.
Linear drains aren’t necessary, but they’re the best choice for curbless showers, as they provide easy access for water. There are plenty of excellent options available now.
Schluter systems are the best construction for any shower, including curbless. The membrane provides assurance that there’s only one place for water to go – down the drain.
I’m not a big fan of shower doors for showers larger than 15 sqft. Again, there is a tradtion that shower doors are necessary, but the same mat that catchs wet feet exiting the shower can easily handle the light spray that might escape the shower. No shower door also means no hinges or hard to clean nooks that will be the first place that molds accumulate.
Given the number of aging homeowners in the market, a curbless shower will also have more equity value for future buyers, as it serves all abilities.
http://www.homeideations.com
Hi Scott,
Thanks for connecting! I checked out your site and liked your About page. It’s real and I support your philosophy. Yes, colors and textures should always be secondary and providing for a better living comes first. You have no idea how many times I’m fighting when the client wants all to look pretty and disregard the function. I learned a lot from your comment. Thank you.
I love the examples of barrier free showers you shared here! We’re in need of one to accommodate a wheelchair, and I didn’t know that they could look so stylish. I also like how cool the directed water shower heads look compared to the regular wall mounted sprayers.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for kind words. I just looked up your site! guess what? I need to buy some products from you for my curbless shower project and your products are right within my clients’ requests. Let’s connect.
I am so excited to do this with a half bath i have in a new ” old” house i bought. i have been looking at the curtain tracks too! i don’t have much space to put a nice piece of glass and the whole space is tight so i think a curtain would be best. 🙂 thanks for the tips!! 🙂
Hey Brandi, Congratulations on your new bathroom and a new house! If you have questions about a curtain and curtain tracks, ask away!
I love the rainfall showers – my friend’s Dad has a wet room, and I love his rainfall shower. Some great suggestions – a lot of these points are overlooked, and it can be a lot more expensive to correct or make changes later on. Heated floors are also fantastic!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the comments (smiling). I’m glad you liked the post. I am physically making them with my team. It’s hard but fun. Shoot me an e-mail if ever have more questions about it.