Curbless Showers Made Simple with Schluter KERDI-LINE Linear Drains

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Curbless showers, with no step at the entry, are one of the most requested upgrades we see in Folsom, Sacramento and Bay Area bathrooms. They look open and modern, and they're easier to use as you age. The hardest part is getting the water to go where it should. That's where a linear drain helps.

Point drain vs. linear drain

A standard square drain sits in the middle of the floor. The floor has to slope toward it from all four sides, like a shallow funnel. That means lots of angled tile cuts, and large tiles are hard to use.

A linear drain is a long, narrow channel, usually along the back wall or at the entry. The floor slopes in one direction only, like a gently tilted plane. That allows:

• Large-format tiles with very few cuts (see large-format tile on a shower floor)

• A flush transition from the bathroom floor into the shower

• A cleaner look, with the drain tucked against a wall

Why we use KERDI-LINE

Schluter's KERDI-LINE has a waterproofing collar built into the drain body. The KERDI membrane bonds straight to that collar, so there's no clamping ring or gasket that can loosen over time. It's low-profile, which matters in a curbless shower where every fraction of an inch of floor height counts. The KERDI-LINE-VARIO version can even be cut to length on site.

You can find KERDI-LINE and other Schluter shower parts on Amazon.

What a curbless shower takes

The drain is only part of it. To get a flush entry, the shower floor usually has to be recessed into the subfloor, and the waterproofing often extends past the shower into the bathroom. In some homes that means changes to the floor framing. On a slab, it can mean cutting concrete.

We cover the planning side, including clearances and permits, in our post on curbless shower requirements in the Bay Area.

Is it right for your bathroom?

Curbless works in most remodels, but not every floor allows it without structural work. Mike can tell you on a site visit whether your bathroom is a good fit. See our Schluter shower installation service, or call or text 916-847-2825.