A curbless shower has no raised step between the bathroom floor and the shower. The floor transitions directly into the shower area, creating the clean, open look often seen in modern bathrooms. It can also make the shower easier to enter.
How Does a Curbless Shower Keep Water Inside?
The shower floor isn’t actually perfectly flat. It’s carefully sloped toward the drain so water moves in the correct direction. Waterproofing underneath the finished surfaces is also critical.
A properly designed shower considers the slope, drain placement, showerhead location, glass and the size of the shower area to control water.
Can Any Bathroom Have a Curbless Shower?
Not automatically. Creating a level entrance can require changes to the floor structure, shower base and plumbing.
- Existing floor system
- Available floor depth
- Drain location
- Joists
- Bathroom layout
- Room size
That’s why it’s best to assess the bathroom before choosing finishes or ordering fixtures.
They Aren’t Only an Accessibility Feature
Curbless showers are popular because they can look spacious and modern. Their accessibility is almost a bonus: removing the step also removes one obstacle from the bathroom.
It’s a good example of a future-ready feature that doesn’t have to look like one.