All linear drains require maintenance. When it comes to quality not all drains are created equal. You need to be sure the stainless steel has gone through a passivation treatment. This greatly increases corrosion resistance. Next avoid any drains that need to be cut to length and assembled on site. Personally I prefer linear drains in the wall. The least enjoyable part of cleaning is the nasty accumulations around the feet that support the floor grate. By using a wall drain the water never actually touches the grate. It is held in place with magnets allowing very easy access.

I attached a couple of stock photo's from Drains Unlimited in Darien CT.

https://www.drains-unlimited.com/showcase/

Hope this helped and didn't add to the confusion:)

Wow - I thought all linear drains are on the ground - didn't know there was a thing called wall drains (perpendicular to the shower floor) . For a couple of minutes I was staring at your photo and wondering why you sent it because I can't see any drains!!! Ha Ha

understanding as ctec stated the type of steel such as 304L. you want a low argon stainless if there are any welds, i prefer the showerline abs drain for this reason.

secondly a solid primer on bonded flange linear drains and limear Drain Strainers is paramount, all the info is on houzz and ive not the hours to type it out again here. Hire once, hire wisely, youd be better off investing your time in the hiring process and staying off houzz, so mich misinformation. Fwiw ive not yet tried the drain ctec linked to yet, waiting for my feee sample to arrive as i want to try the corner drain 😃

What do you think of this option below? We need 36" size and the tile guys say they have used this a lot and can cut it to size.

Ihttps://www.houzz.com/pvp/infinity-drain-stif-6540-s-tif-40-drain-kit-with-tile-insert-frame-channel-s-prpv-pv~145278495?m_refid=Bing_PLA_HZ_145278495&msclkid=f6d68c5b51581dc974a9d2a914cc10b0

Just noticed other linear drains in the link my tile guy sent:

Not sure why LUXE drains are cheaper and don't need to be cut to size!:

https://www.houzz.com/products/luxe-tile-insert-linear-drain-40-prvw-vr~24484947

https://www.houzz.com/products/luxe-tile-insert-linear-drain-60-prvw-vr~24484949

Will wait for your thoughts

Thanks

I think you got good advice from Creative Tile above: “... avoid any drains that need to be cut to length.”

Is Infinity or LUXE a fine brand if I go with a 36" option instead of the cut on site option? @Creative Tile Eastern CT. It looks like the drain will have to be on the floor at this point but I will ask about the wall drain.

I've worked directly with the good folks at Infinity & Drains Unlimited. Research the specs on the products selected and compare. All manufacturers provide this information on their websites. A beneficial advancement in technology. As for Twitter & Spacebook. The jury is out:)

paddy-

I bought a 54” Luxe brand linear drain four years ago, and it’s a very well-built item. I bought the model with the tile insert and it worked out well: there have been no water pooling problems, and I lift out the insert about once a year to get rid of accumulated hair. You can spend a lot more for a linear drain, but I thought Luxe was a really good deal for quality and price.

P.S.: My linear drain was for a remodel of a 5’ X 7’ shower, and replaced a conventional center drain. Because I am on a slab and didn’t want to move the location of the drain, I had the linear drain installed in the center of the shower with a slope coming from both ends and meeting in the middle at the drain. Here's what it looks like:

@kudzu9- Glad you had no problems with Luxe

@Creative Tile Eastern CT - I tried to look at the specs but there is no mention of the fact - if the stainless steel has gone through a passivation treatment like you said.

So I will look into it further and decide on FIXED SIZE drain (no cutting on site one) and go with either LUXE or Infinity.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think someone recommended that we not install the drain from wall to wall because it is hard to remove the drain and clean it or something.. So any idea if 1" space on either side is enough or do we need to leave more like say 2"-4". For example if I have a 38" wall to wall measurement of the shower floor - can I buy a 36" drain or not?

@kudzu9 how much space did you leave from the edge on either side?

Thanks

paddy-

The drain ends about 3" from the wall on either side. If the shower floor is properly sloped you don't need the linear drain to span the whole width...just most of it.

The tile guy just called saying the shower valves and the drain on the floor aren't aligned completely - so we may have to with a cut to size and assemble on site linear drain - so the finished product is centered correctly. Have to do a site visit later and see what the problem is. Will give you guys an update @kudzu9 and @Creative Tile Eastern CT

Anything I need to make sure that he does if we have to go with the cut and assemble type drains?

Thanks for all the help!