Curbless showers increase the usability of your bathroom and create a unique look. Often, homeowners worry that the risk of leakage is much higher than with a curbed shower, but that is not the case. When done correctly, you are essentially creating a waterproof bathroom. In which case, you're actually taking on less risk. Sometimes, bathroom floors are subject to extreme amounts of water. Think overflowing toilet. Having a completely waterproof floor system will save you costly repair or replacement of the floor.
There are many different products you can use, each with its own pros and cons. We recommend the use of Schluter Systems, or Laticrete products, and use them exclusively on our projects. Using quality products means your installation is protected not just by our warranty, but also the manufacturer. When renovating to incorporate a curbless shower, you must ensure every protrusion in the floor has been suitably waterproofed. All seams in the uncoupling membrane must be taped, sealed to any pipes, and wrapped up the walls at least 2 inches. Always follow manufacturer instructions and do not mix and match products. Minimize the number of protrusions through the floor. You do not want a heat register on the floor in a curbless shower bathroom.
This is another point that should go without saying but is often overlooked. It is essential for any tile installation to have a flat, and level substrate (surface tile is bonded to). This has to be achieved before uncoupling membrane, or tile is installed. SLU, or Self Leveling Underlayment, is usually the best way, but other work may be required based on the unique situation of your home. This is a cement compound that is poured on your floor, and it levels itself using gravity, creating a very flat floor. In a curbless installation, this is more important than ever. We rely on the slope of the shower base to keep the water where it's supposed to go. If an area outside the shower is sloping in the wrong direction, it could create an area for water to pool and compromise the installation, or damage structure.
There are 3 ways to make a curbless installation work. The easiest and most cost-effective methods are to raise the floor outside of the shower area, to bring it flush with the shower base, or use a ramp to lead into the shower. The final method is more labour intensive and thus more costly but creates a more user-friendly space. Using this method, the shower base is recessed into the existing floor. This is done by removing concrete and pouring at the correct depth for the prefabricated shower base to have a flush transition in case of concrete floors. In wood structures, the sub-floor is removed in the shower area, and wood blocking is installed between joists, with plywood installed flush to the top of the joist. The shower base is then installed on this assembly, recessing it into the subfloor. The recess method is best because it allows for the bathroom floor to be as low as possible in regard to any adjacent flooring such as carpet or hardwood. Make sure you include the thickness of your sub-floor, any required underlayment, and uncoupling membrane when planning a curbless installation.
Consider how the floor tile in your shower will layout with the rest of the bathroom. Do you want a seamless transition, in one size of tile? or to mix things up with a mosaic on the shower floor?
Using a single plane shower base and linear drain, you can use large format tile with minimal cutting required. By using a method known as "envelope cutting", you can also install large format tile with a point drain. Linear drains are ideal for installation against the wall, and out of the way. This makes linear drain curbless showers extremely accessible.
While every curbless shower isn't meant to be a luxury space, they go a long way in changing the feel of your bathroom and how you use it. Open concept designs can make any size bathroom feel much larger. Options such as niches, benches, heated floors, and tiled sinks or vanities, let you customize everything to suit your taste and specific needs. Grab bars can be utilized to create safer spaces while still looking the part. Match your drain and trim finish with your fixtures, create an accent, or match the tile colour and let your fixtures stand out. We can help you put together a bathroom you'll love, well into the future. If you're in the Ottawa or Cornwall area and are considering a curbless shower, get in touch with us today.