What is the difference?
When it comes to remodeling a bathroom, the subject of curb or curbless is bound to come up if you have a walk in shower. But what does that mean? If you’re like me, you have no idea or had no idea. I’m just a writer give me a break. But regardless, Welcome to the G2 blog where I do all the leg work for you so that you (and I) can be better educated in the remodeling process.
Whether it is Curb or Curbless both offer their own fair advantages and disadvantages. The beauty is there is no wrong choice, But which one is the right one for you? Let Break it down in the lightweight bout of the curbs below…
So, What is a Curb Shower
A Curb shower is a shower with a raised barrier between the shower floor and the rest of the bathroom. Keep in mind, it is still a walk in shower and not a tub shower but the floor of the shower does not flow into the bathroom.
While Curb Showers still provide an open feel to the space of the room, they will typically have some divider between the shower and the bathroom. Think of something like a half wall or a glass door. We here at G2 use shower glass from myshowerdoor.com the most trusted shower glass in south Florida.
Pros
- Keeps Water confined to the shower space only.
- A ton of variety in design options.
Cons
- Decreased accessibility to those who are limited to stepping over curbs
- Harder to clean
Let’s Talk about accessibility for a second. Thanks to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) many requirements and code guidelines must be followed by Federal Law. Things such as the width and depth of the shower and in this case the height of the curb.
Curb showers can be ADA compliant if the shower stall is barrier free with a beveled curb no higher than ½”. Otherwise, the curb must be flush with the bathroom floor AKA Curbless. Of course this is not for all homes, Private residences do not need to comply With ADA however we suggest that if one person in the home is, or if planning on aging with the home then making at least 1 bathroom ADA Compliant.
So, What is a Curbless Shower
A curbless Shower is, well, a shower without a curb. It is a curbless walk in shower without any sort of barrier or bump at its entrance. In layman’s terms It is a shower in which the floor flows seamlessly with the bathroom floor. Typically they don’t have doors or curtains but will have some kind of barrier, either a half wall or glass wall dividing the shower from the rest of the bathroom.
For the look of a curbless shower to be achieved, the shower floor must be installed at a slight slope, slightly lower then the surrounding floor. The slope allows for the falling water to stay within the shower space instead of filling the rest of the bathroom.
Lets take a look at the pros and cons of this minimal shower design.
Pros
- No floor barrier means easy accessibility and ADA compliant
- Gives off a more spacious and open feel to the bathroom
- The bathroom ages better with you
- Convenient for cleaning (Just bring the mop in there)
- No shower door cost/installation
Cons
- Water has no containment so proper sloping is Crucial
- Less privacy
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for a sleek open and modern design then curbless if the way to go. If you’re unsure of what your next bathroom might look like and want to keep it modern but have options at your disposable then curbed offers the versatility to how your bathroom could look.
No matter your choice, Either Curb or Curbless, G2 Home Services is your resource for finding the perfect shower design to fit your next project.