So you saw a curbless shower online or at a hotel and was curious on if you could have one? 

What are the pros and cons to going curbless? Lets dive in

Pro: Functionality

Going curbless really lets you be more comfortable and would be a great choice in a forever home. You might not think it but it is a much more comfortable way to get in our out of a shower. 

Con: Water Can Get Everywhere

When you go curbless you really need to waterproof the entire bathroom floor in the event water does get out when you step out of the shower. Is it going to make a huge mess? Not really but some water can splash out. 

Pro: Easier to Clean. 

Another factor is that curbless showers are way easier to clean than your standard curb. Curbs in showers tend to collect dirt and dead skin over the years and get a little nasty over time. 

Con: Lack of Privacy. 

Typically curbless showers either are a European style that are open without glass or do have glass walls or doors like seen above. They will lack the shower curtain that is traditionally used in a shower. Glass will add a cost obviously but thankfully we work with some great glass suppliers in the area. 

Pro: Wheelchair assessable. 

If you or a family member has a disability curbless is the way to go. It makes it super easy getting in and out of a shower than a curbed shower. We have even had a few clients that installed curbless showers off of their mud rooms to make it easier for their dogs to get in and out if they needed to be rinsed off. 

Con: Cost

Curbless showers generally will add about $3000-6000 depending on the level of difficulty when installing it. There a two ways we typically see curbless showers installed. You will either slightly raise the height of the overall bathroom floor to is it flush with the shower pan. Or the other most used option is to cut out the sub floor and lower is slightly between the floor joist. 

If those options aren't doable you can always build a slight ramp to get the elevation you need for the shower pan, usually it is about 1 1/4" for the ramp. 

Pro: Luxury, Spa-like Showers. 

Curbless showers are really really nice option to have. If you want a top of the line bathroom luxury experience, or just plan to age in place in your home a curbless shower is the way to go.