Zero Threshold Showers

Have you ever stumbled into your shower late at night or early in the morning? It can be dangerous if you don’t pick up your feet enough to step over the curb. No raised curb on the shower will allow you to easily step into the shower or, if need be, roll a wheelchair or walker into the space. Zero threshold or curbless showers are considered a luxury because they are a little higher priced than a traditional curbed shower, but they make a lot of sense, especially as people age in their homes. Open concept bathrooms are coveted for their sleek design and functionality. The lack of threshold or curb opens up the shower area to the rest of the bathroom, making the whole room easier to clean and maintain.

One question you have to ask yourself about a zero threshold shower is: Where does the water go? Without the threshold, water could go all over your bathroom floor. There are two shower designs that keep your bathroom dry while maintaining the modern flow of a zero threshold shower.

Linear drain: Typically placed along a wall furthest from the entry, the floor slopes away from the rest of the bathroom to a long linear drain that catches the water. This drain style provides the most flexibility in tile options for the floor since the floor is only sloping one direction. Large format tiles can be used.

Traditional drain: A traditional drain in the middle of the shower floor is still possible with a zero threshold shower. In order to accomplish this, your shower design must include floors that slope  slightly towards the center of the shower. Smaller tiles still have to be used in this drain application since the floor is sloping from all 4 directions.

With zero threshold showers, you can decide if you want a shower door or if you want to leave the space open. Creating a shower design with no door allows you to better use all of the bathroom space. You do not have to account for the space that the door would take up as it opens out into the bathroom. More storage, cabinet space, and even a longer vanity are possible with a doorless shower because of the space you will save.  Also, maintenance and cleaning are much easier when there is no door. Zero-threshold showers typically require more space in a bathroom to account for the splash zone.

If you are remodeling your bathroom, definitely consider if a zero threshold shower is a possibility or priority for you. I don’t think you would regret having one. Questions? Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com