Showers
Barrier free showers are convenient and can look astonishing in the right bathroom, it’s easy to see why they are increasing in popularity with designers, builders and homeowners.
We have been installing a lot of these curbless showers recently and are happy to discuss installing one in your home. Here are a few things to consider when contemplating a barrier free shower in your home.
Easier to clean
Barrier free showers are much easier to keep clean. Eliminating corners inside your shower is always a good idea when it comes to wanting to eliminate cleaning nightmares. Kicking that curb to the… well curb…. (see what I did there? haha) will result in a slick modern look as well as one less annoying grime and soap scum catcher.
Which method of construction will work best for your shower?
There are multiple ways to accomplish a curbless shower and not all of them will work in every circumstance. Depending on the subfloor we can either drop the floor framing or cut out the concrete and drop the new concrete pour. However in some cases we will not be able to cut into the concrete or recess the wooden subfloor. In these instances we can discuss ramping up to the shower, raising the subfloor outside of the shower.
Should you consider creating a “Wet Room”?
In some cases turning your bathroom into a “wet room” (popular in Europe) will be very advantageous and is a worthwhile consideration. The main advantage here is peace of mind when it comes to water and potential water damage, especially on a second floor or for smaller bathrooms, on the other hand if you have a large master bathroom with a stand alone bathtub as well as a shower, you might find yourself hopping straight into the shower after a long soak in your tub. In any case you do not want to find yourself in a situation where excess water is finding its way into your subfloor joists creating havoc and potential long term expensive issues.
Drain location and type
Depending on circumstances we might have lots of options when it comes to your shower drain.
When it comes to barrier free showers with no curb, extra thought needs to go into the location and sometimes even the style of your drain. In some cases we might need to install a linear drain right at the entrance of your shower, in other cases we might choose to install the linear drain against the back wall. We could also install a traditional 4” drain right in the center if the construction of the subfloor allows. (We would need extra space under the subfloor to accomplish this.)
Wheelchair accessible
Often we are installing barrier free showers for folks who are very mobile but due to the fact that a properly constructed shower will last a lifetime, they are thinking far into the future and making decisions based on not wanting to go through a bathroom remodel due to an unexpected accident or old age. Along those same lines of reasoning we always recommend taking the extra time to install backing inside the wall to accommodate installation of grab bars in the future.
So whether you are considering a barrier free curbless shower for looks or practicality, give us a call today and we will be happy to schedule an in-home consultation to discuss your specific needs, wants and reality of constructing a new shower.
Recent Shower Projects
