When most people think about a one level (curbless) shower the words which come to mind are – Grandma, wheelchair, roll in, walker, geriatric and handicapped. While a curbless shower certainly can be a need for grandma in a wheelchair or a person with mobility challenges to safely enjoy their shower, it’s about much more than that. From my experience a one level shower can be cool, contemporary, stylish all while providing a functional design which will work for life. Let’s take a look at 7 myths about one level showers and bust them wide open.
Myth 1 – Barrier free showers aren’t contemporary
As a person who loves a sleek, minimalist contemporary design (you’ll see a lot of these if you check out my company Pinterest account) the one level design does an excellent job breaking down the barriers between spaces in a bathroom. This is helpful because bathroom spaces are usually small and one larger room can create a sense of room, comfort and style.
In one design my remodeling business (Cleveland Design and Remodeling) installed the owners Robin and Pat Baranack specifically chose a one level shower because they wanted to create the clean design of a hip hotel room they stayed in while vacationing in San Diego California. You can see from the picture below even their dog Lucy loves the shower!
A one level shower even “Lucy” loves
And if the idea of a tile shower (and the grout maintenance which comes with it makes you want to S-C-R-E-A-M, then you’ll want to become familiar with low profile stone shower pans. These pans either have an uber-small 1 1/6″ high threshold, or can be designed to go directly on the joists to eliminate any ‘step up’ altogether. And you can not only get them in a contemporary matte black look – but also in fun white marble, black marble and Driftwood patterns (you’ll see a sampling below).
Matte black stone shower pan with a low profile curb in a 60 x 32 sizeBlack marble low profile solid surface shower pan
Myth 2 – You need a big bathroom for a one level (or low profile) shower
I will grant you creating a one level shower in a small bathroom takes more planning than picking up a standard fiberglass pan at your local home center store. With that being said a wet room (also called a one level curbless shower) is not as mystifying as contractors make it out to be. They key is to have the right system so you’re not going through a major ordeal cutting joists and dropping the height of your subfloor.
The simplest way our company has found to make a wet room one level shower in a small space is to use a shower base former and waterproofing kit. The base former comes in sizes as small as 32” x 32” to accommodate very small showers. As Adam Droesller (National Sales Manager of ARC Inc. a supplier of these systems) says, “Actually one of the top features of curbless showers is the fact they open up the bathroom by 20-25% vs. designing with a curb.” You’ll see these designs everyone in Europe and Asia where space is tight. In the United States – we’re finally beginning to catch up.
Myth 3 – You can’t add a door in a curb free (or low profile) shower
Some people love the design aesthetic of a clean-looking doorless walk in shower, but others are passionate about having a door to keep the showering space warmer – especially during the cold winter months (and we have a few of those where I live in Ohio). You’re question might be, “Can I have the best of both worlds?” The answer is yes. For a luxurious one level shower (or one with a 1 1/6″ short low threshold) choose either a frameless glass enclosure or a shower screen (also called a shower shield). You’ll stay warm and it’s easy to get into.
Myth 4 – There is no one in my town who knows what they are doing installing a curbless shower
While this may be true there is research you can do which can provide you with a list of potential contractors who are knowledgeable and skilled at this work. The power of the Internet can help you be victorious over crotchety old-school contractors in your town.
First I’d recommend going to the National Association of Home Builders web site and look for contractors with a CAPS designation (this stands for Certified Aging in Place Specialist). Yes I personally have this CAPS certification but I have to admit I hate the name because as a 61 year old guy I have no plans to “age in place!” People with this designation have deepened their knowledge in topics like curbless showers and universal and accessible design approaches. If you can get a local expert in this product – get them. If you can’t, find an experienced roll in shower supplier who can help you contractor get their arms around this type of installation when they are a ‘newbie.’ These suppliers may have systems like the one level wet room systems with shower base formers or one level acrylic pans with linear drains or fun low profile stone shower pans (like you can see in the images below).
This in project job was installed by Cleveland Design and Remodeling (a CAPS) contractor in the Cleveland suburb of Broadview Heights.Roll in acrylic shower pan with water barrier lipWide range of assorted patterns in low profile stone shower pans
Another recommendation to get this project done right from my good friend Rosemarie Rossetti (a nationally known speaker on universal and accessible design and owner of the Universal Design Living Laboratory) is, “Installers need to watch the manufacturers’ videos and read the instructions on curbless showers. If my husband, Mark can do it, a seasoned contractor can certainly make it happen.” I would have to tell Rosemarie – don’t cut Mark short though – ha! ha!
Myth 5 – There are not many products on the market for barrier free shower pans
As the need (healthcare advances are helping us to live longer – but not always age as gracefully as we might like) and desire (one level bathrooms provide a sleek contemporary look which is a hot trend in bath remodeling today) the products have grown consistently with demand. Here’s one option – the shower base former I discussed in Myth 2.
A popular one level curbless shower base former system makes a simple to install one level bathroom without cutting into floor joists
A second option is an expanded polystyrene ready for tile shower pan. With this pan you simply place it on your subfloor and then tile over it and you have a barrier free shower.
Finally a third option – if you absolutely HATE tile (and the scrub brush which goes with it) is to use a ramped solid surface shower pan or a low profile stone shower pan. These pans come in gloss or matte finishes. Once you’ve got this shower pan down you can – as the New Yorker’s say – “fuggaboutit!”
Myth 6 – You can’t have a lot of water sources in an open shower
Definitely not true! If you use a wet room system – where you waterproof the entire bathroom floor – you can create a spa-like environment like something out of the Jetsons cartoon from the 70’s and spray yourself into the next galaxy.
Like something out of the Jetsons!
While lots of water may be fun it’s also not the most environmentally responsible way to go. As aging in place specialist Rosemarie Rossetti commented to me, “We put in a single hand held shower in our bathroom. This unit was a WaterSense faucet (meeting the EPA criterion) which saves water and is forceful enough to get the shampoo out of your hair quickly as well.”
Myth 7 – A bath and shower design must be simple for a one level shower –
In many ways I think it is easier to create a more elaborate tile design with an open shower because the bathroom and shower are one “continuous” space without having to “enclose” the shower. Check out this design below – does it look simple to you? I love how the tile patterns flows through the room. This hot design is not compartmentalized by separate spaces in the room.
The pebble tile shower and bathroom wall design demands to be seen!
Did this article dispel any of the myths you had about a one level shower? Please comment or call one of the numbers below for additional input or a quote on products for a one level shower. I love hearing your comments and questions!
For nationwide supply of one level showers, accessible acrylic shower pans or cultured marble bases and other unique bathroom products call Innovate Building Solutions (877-668-5888). For regional installation service from Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) contact The Bath Doctor in Cleveland (216-531-6085) or Columbus (614-252-7294).
If you’re a remodeler or builder and want practical advice on remodeling products, industry trends, marketing and sales tips to grow your business (and cut day to day hassles), start reading my newest blog – Innovate Builders Blog. It’s packed with ideas you can use now. Click here to Sign Up for the Innovate Builders Blog.
Thanks for reading this article. I am a passionate (that’s a nice word for over the top at times) remodeling and national construction supply entrepreneur who loves learning and writing about remodeling, design and bathroom project. If you’re a Twitter fan follow me @Mike_Foti and my company @InnovateBuild.
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
Yes Bianka – a one level shower can make the room feel larger – but it’s very important the floor be waterproofed because in a smaller space water is more likely to come out past the ‘shower area.’ Let our team know if we can help further – Mike – 877-668-5888
Bianka
I like the idea of a shower with no doors/curtains but not sure how Messi or will be I have a small master bathroom and I want to make it look bigger
Helen – thanks so much for your nice comments – I’m glad the site is helping you to understand your choices and is a learning tool – that’s certainly my goal!
I don’t have a dealer in this area right now – but I’d be happy to help you and your potential contractor with nice material selections which will be reasonably priced. I’ll reach out to you via email as well.
Thanks – Mike (or feel free to call our office at 877-668-5888
Helen Zuelow
Golly, Mike! I wish your company was here in Portland, Maine. We want to completely renovate a small bathroom into a larger space with a shower that can accommodate a disabled person and a caregiver at the same time. We have received a quote of 60 thousand dollars which leaves us breathless. Your website is an amazing resource, a real teaching tool. Do you know of a contractor in or more-or-less near southeast Maine that we could be sure would have the knowledge level represented on your website? Thank you very much for all the information you share. Helen
Joshua – sorry about your ‘sob story’ – but I can relate to the challenges people have when they ask their builders or remodelers to do a zero-threshold or one level shower. It’s simply not what the builder is used to doing. With one level wet room systems (which use shower base formers) you can set the ‘base former’ directly on the joists so you don’t have to cut into wood joists. This is a smart way to get a structurally sound, yet simplified approach to one level roll in showers. In case you haven’t seen this page on our site I’ll leave a link here. Thanks for commenting! – Mike – https://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/product/handicap-accessible-roll-in-shower-pans-wet-rooms/
Joshua King
Hello Mike,
It would be amazing if we could really create a zero-threshold shower without having to drop the floor? We have a 5×8 shower. If we swapped to a zero-threshold floor pan that could sit on the subfloor, what would we need to update in the rest of the bathroom to protect it against water getting out?
(Sob story) – When we planned our house build, we specified zero-threshold showers/wet rooms for all 3 of our bathrooms. Our builder used LVL floor joists, and when we got to the shower install stage, he told us that he couldn’t drop the floor to support the shower we wanted (because of those joists), so we could either do a low curb or a ramp with a custom mud bed. Our tile installer was amazing and 2 of 3 showers are phenomenal, but one of the showers pools around half of the linear drain, and all of them have ramps of about 1 3/4″ that we did not want. We’ve resigned ourselves to having to move when the mother-in-law ends up having to use a wheelchair, and we’re still very upset with our builder for not planning in advance, and sticking us with the much larger bill to have custom-built shower floors.
Sincerely,
Joshua King
Marne – with the wet room systems I like to either use a ‘curved pivoting glass shower door’ (which is curved in) or a ‘pivoting shower screen’ which can ‘pivot’ in and out from the wall. When you’re taking the shower then it’s best to slightly turn the door towards the inside to keep the water better contained. Hope this helps – Mike
Marne Jenkins
We installed a curbless in our guest bath- I live the look but when the door opens, water spreads with it into the regular floor. Should the door only open inwards to avoid this?
Nancy – good points. If you go with a curbless shower it is certainly smart to also have a wet room for your bathroom. Let us know if we can help further – Mike 877-668-5888
Nancy
Very nice article. I am looking to remodel my bath. There are two reasons I am leaning against curbless showers, even though I really like the look. The first is, what happens if the drain clogs and you don’t have a wet room? And the second is more personal. I kind of like it when my tub drain backs up and I have water up to my ankles. It feels good, and makes it easy to give myself a pedicure after such a soaking. At the same time, overall I’d prefer a curbless shower. I have a very small bathroom and I think it would make the room look more open.
Helena – it can work to do this, although I wouldn’t recommend it unless there’s no other way. I like keeping the water in the ‘business side’ (where the shower head is) area. Mike
Mike Foti
Yes Bianka – a one level shower can make the room feel larger – but it’s very important the floor be waterproofed because in a smaller space water is more likely to come out past the ‘shower area.’ Let our team know if we can help further – Mike – 877-668-5888
Bianka
I like the idea of a shower with no doors/curtains but not sure how Messi or will be I have a small master bathroom and I want to make it look bigger
Mike Foti
Helen – thanks so much for your nice comments – I’m glad the site is helping you to understand your choices and is a learning tool – that’s certainly my goal!
I don’t have a dealer in this area right now – but I’d be happy to help you and your potential contractor with nice material selections which will be reasonably priced. I’ll reach out to you via email as well.
Thanks – Mike (or feel free to call our office at 877-668-5888
Helen Zuelow
Golly, Mike! I wish your company was here in Portland, Maine. We want to completely renovate a small bathroom into a larger space with a shower that can accommodate a disabled person and a caregiver at the same time. We have received a quote of 60 thousand dollars which leaves us breathless. Your website is an amazing resource, a real teaching tool. Do you know of a contractor in or more-or-less near southeast Maine that we could be sure would have the knowledge level represented on your website? Thank you very much for all the information you share. Helen
Mike Foti
Joshua – sorry about your ‘sob story’ – but I can relate to the challenges people have when they ask their builders or remodelers to do a zero-threshold or one level shower. It’s simply not what the builder is used to doing. With one level wet room systems (which use shower base formers) you can set the ‘base former’ directly on the joists so you don’t have to cut into wood joists. This is a smart way to get a structurally sound, yet simplified approach to one level roll in showers. In case you haven’t seen this page on our site I’ll leave a link here. Thanks for commenting! – Mike – https://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/product/handicap-accessible-roll-in-shower-pans-wet-rooms/
Joshua King
Hello Mike,
It would be amazing if we could really create a zero-threshold shower without having to drop the floor? We have a 5×8 shower. If we swapped to a zero-threshold floor pan that could sit on the subfloor, what would we need to update in the rest of the bathroom to protect it against water getting out?
(Sob story) – When we planned our house build, we specified zero-threshold showers/wet rooms for all 3 of our bathrooms. Our builder used LVL floor joists, and when we got to the shower install stage, he told us that he couldn’t drop the floor to support the shower we wanted (because of those joists), so we could either do a low curb or a ramp with a custom mud bed. Our tile installer was amazing and 2 of 3 showers are phenomenal, but one of the showers pools around half of the linear drain, and all of them have ramps of about 1 3/4″ that we did not want. We’ve resigned ourselves to having to move when the mother-in-law ends up having to use a wheelchair, and we’re still very upset with our builder for not planning in advance, and sticking us with the much larger bill to have custom-built shower floors.
Sincerely,
Joshua King
Mike Foti
Marne – with the wet room systems I like to either use a ‘curved pivoting glass shower door’ (which is curved in) or a ‘pivoting shower screen’ which can ‘pivot’ in and out from the wall. When you’re taking the shower then it’s best to slightly turn the door towards the inside to keep the water better contained. Hope this helps – Mike
Marne Jenkins
We installed a curbless in our guest bath- I live the look but when the door opens, water spreads with it into the regular floor. Should the door only open inwards to avoid this?
Mike Foti
Nancy – good points. If you go with a curbless shower it is certainly smart to also have a wet room for your bathroom. Let us know if we can help further – Mike 877-668-5888
Nancy
Very nice article. I am looking to remodel my bath. There are two reasons I am leaning against curbless showers, even though I really like the look. The first is, what happens if the drain clogs and you don’t have a wet room? And the second is more personal. I kind of like it when my tub drain backs up and I have water up to my ankles. It feels good, and makes it easy to give myself a pedicure after such a soaking. At the same time, overall I’d prefer a curbless shower. I have a very small bathroom and I think it would make the room look more open.
Mike Foti
Helena – it can work to do this, although I wouldn’t recommend it unless there’s no other way. I like keeping the water in the ‘business side’ (where the shower head is) area. Mike