How much drop does a curbless shower need?

Author: Amya Daugherty  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

Usually, this requires that the floor be recessed between 1-1/2 to 2 inches and possibly even more for large showers.

How much slope should a curbless shower have?

The finished shower receptor shall slope to the top of the drain inlet a minimum 1/4 inch per foot and a maximum of½ inch per foot.

How much space is needed for a curbless shower?

The standard measurement that you will need at a minimum is 30 inches deep and 60 inches long. We recommend that 36 inches should really be considered the minimum depth for any curbless shower.

What is the pitch for a curbless shower?

Slope Creation: For a curbless shower with a linear drain, a single slope is required. The slope should direct water towards the drain and is typically a quarter-inch drop per foot.

Do you need to lower the subfloor for a curbless shower?

The only way to have a curbless shower is to slope downhill. If the entrance to the shower is flush with the bathroom floor then the only elevation you have to work with is going down. During new construction the floor joists can be done to allow for the shower to be recessed into the floor.

Curbless Corner Tile Shower Timelapse | Schluter System

How deep should a curbless shower recess be?

Usually, this requires that the floor be recessed between 1-1/2 to 2 inches and possibly even more for large showers. The top of the drain must be set below the subfloor of the room. For concrete slab floor construction, the slab must be poured initially with a recess to accept the shower.

Do curbless showers get water everywhere?

Without a curb, the shower water isn't contained in the tub area and can get EVERYWHERE. There are a few ways you can alleviate this. A rain head fixture keeps the water in a more contained area. A curved shower wall can help direct the water to the drain as well.

Why are curbless showers so expensive?

In addition to the cost of materials, you'll also need to factor in the cost of labor. Installing a curbless shower is generally more time-consuming and therefore more expensive than installing a traditional shower. Another cost to consider is the cost of permits.

What is the best drain for a curbless shower?

The choice between linear and square drain will highly depend on your application. As mentioned, if you are remodeling to create a wet room or a curbless shower, a linear drain is the right choice.

What is the minimum slope for a walk-in shower?

The minimum floor slope that we'd recommend is 1-2% grade.

What is the minimum fall for a shower floor?

This includes tiling and gradients of bathroom floors including shower recesses. The recommended ratio of fall within showers is between 1:60 and 1:80. However, the ratios may not be achieved due to: (a) The size of the tiles used – falls become more difficult to achieve with larger tiles.

What is the minimum depth for a walk-in shower?

'Per building code, the smallest size that a walk-in shower can be is 30 x 30 inches. National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) guidelines recommend a minimum size of 36 x 36 inches for optimal design. '

How much slope for shower floor?

Note: The industry standard for shower slopes is a range of 1/4″ to 1/2″ per foot. With certain installations, such as ADA barrier-free showers and standard shower stalls with three-dimensional pebble tile and river-rock mosaics, the minimum 1/4″ per foot for a slope may be insufficient.

How do you keep water in a doorless shower?

Here are some of the best ways to prevent water from splashing out of your walk-in shower system:
  1. Consider Adding Shower Doors.
  2. Trench Drain Systems Can Help.
  3. Install a Shower Splash Guard.
  4. Install a Shower Pan With a Threshold.

How much slope is too much for a shower?

If you're able to install the shower in a recessed fashion so that the built-in threshold is flush with the floor, it's also an option to slope towards the shower drain itself, flowing all splashed water towards the same drain. Don't forget to limit bathroom floor slope to ¼” per foot at most.

Are curbless showers safe?

These barrier-free showers offer better accessibility to all age groups and abilities. Linear drains in curbless showers are the ideal design solution for creating ADA-compliant showers and wet spaces that are universally accessible.

What is the slope code for a curbless shower?

Irrespective of any curb issues...you need a minimum of 1/4 inch of slope from the drain to the farthest corner of your shower. If you use "river rocks," the slope should be more... something like 3/8 inch. If they are flat rocks....not so much.

Does water leak out of a curbless shower?

Curbless showers shouldn't leak especially if a flood test was conducted when it was being built. However, there are scenarios that make it more likely that water can escape past the entrance.

Can a shower drain have too much slope?

The ideal slope of any drain line is ¼ inch per foot of pipe. In other words, for every foot the pipe travels horizontally, it should be dropping ¼ inch vertically. Many drains either have too little slope or too much slope. That's right, it is possible to have too much slope in your drain lines.

How much does a drop in shower cost?

The national average cost of a walk-in shower installation is $7,500, with an average range between $3,170 and $11,495. A basic pre-fabricated unit can cost as little as $1,000, while a custom unit can cost as much as $6,500 to $12,000.

How do you slope a curbless shower floor?

Its single slope (1⁄4 in. per ft.) allows the use of large-format tile. Any areas not covered by the tray are filled using offcuts that are set in thinset and taped with Schluter Kerdi-Band.

Are zero entry showers a good idea?

Zero-entry showers will give you an updated look and provide uninhibited access for those that need it, but there is no replacement for a curbed shower when it comes to controlling water.

Can you have a sliding shower door with a curbless shower?

For curbless showers, the drain position is incredibly important. For most showers, this means placing it on the opposite side from the shower door to keep the water as far away from the rest of the bathroom as possible. A linear shower drain is a popular choice for curbless sliding shower door enclosures.

How much does it cost to tile a curbless shower?

A traditional, curbed walk-in shower costs about $2,500 to $5,000 which can significantly add to the bathroom remodel cost. Installing a curbless shower will add on another $500 to $700 or more, depending on the tile choices, shower size, and any additional shower waterproofing that is needed.

Where do most showers leak?

This usually occurs between the floor and wall joints of the shower recess. Up to 90% of showers built onto a stud wall will eventually leak because a gap will occur between the tiled wall and the shower recess floor.

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