How to Build a Better Shower Curb
Work with your contractors and installers to ensure a safe, stylish curb that keeps the water where it belongs
JW
September 19, 2012
Taking a shower without soaking the entire bathroom floor comes down to the ever-important curb. Understanding how to build a shower curb and what products to use can get complicated. But getting the curb right makes all the difference for a shower — and might save you thousands of dollars down the road.
A shower curb should be no higher than any stair riser in your home. It should be low enough to step over and look seamless, but high enough to keep water out. Many states require that the shower curb is at least two inches higher than the drain, but these measurements can be altered if building a shower for a disabled person.
Here are some points to keep in mind when designing a curb for your new shower.
A shower curb should be no higher than any stair riser in your home. It should be low enough to step over and look seamless, but high enough to keep water out. Many states require that the shower curb is at least two inches higher than the drain, but these measurements can be altered if building a shower for a disabled person.
Here are some points to keep in mind when designing a curb for your new shower.
Although it’s difficult to see in pictures, curbs need to be tilted toward the shower so they drain properly.
Tip: When working with natural stone, avoid drilling glass door hinges into the curb because that can cause leaks. If you’re stuck without an alternative, make sure that your installer drills only through the tile and not the shower curb’s waterproofing.
Locate a bathroom designer in your area
Tip: When working with natural stone, avoid drilling glass door hinges into the curb because that can cause leaks. If you’re stuck without an alternative, make sure that your installer drills only through the tile and not the shower curb’s waterproofing.
Locate a bathroom designer in your area
Solid stone is a wonderful touch for a tub deck, shower bench and, of course, a shower curb. Zero or limited grout joints help keep this very wet area easy to clean.
Tip: Get your stone contractor to bring your shower curb to the job site before it’s actually needed. Many tile installers can put it in after they finish most of the tilework, which can ensure better installation.
Tip: Get your stone contractor to bring your shower curb to the job site before it’s actually needed. Many tile installers can put it in after they finish most of the tilework, which can ensure better installation.
Always consider your curb a potential tripping hazard. A curb set with the same tile as the shower and bathroom floor can be hard to see for someone with a visual impairment. Choose a contrasting tile color to avoid this danger.
Tip: If you live with someone who's visually impaired, you may want to get a better idea of what they see when they're in your new bathroom. Smear a little Vasoline on safety goggles to see how someone with poor vision can navigate the space.
Tip: If you live with someone who's visually impaired, you may want to get a better idea of what they see when they're in your new bathroom. Smear a little Vasoline on safety goggles to see how someone with poor vision can navigate the space.
Safety is always a concern in a bathroom. A natural stone shower curb should be polished (corner eased) on both edges to avoid injury.
Tip: Many fabricators use coin profiles to define eased edges for natural stone. A quarter round edge will be 1/4 of a quarter. That radius is larger than a dime edge.
The larger the profile, the safer the edge. Older homeowners and those with small kids should specify a quarter round nosing profile to ease the natural stone curb for maximum safety.
Tip: Many fabricators use coin profiles to define eased edges for natural stone. A quarter round edge will be 1/4 of a quarter. That radius is larger than a dime edge.
The larger the profile, the safer the edge. Older homeowners and those with small kids should specify a quarter round nosing profile to ease the natural stone curb for maximum safety.
A shower curb should be seamlessly incorporated into tile placement and grout joints. This is a fine example of a tile setter taking great care in installation and layout.
Tip: Before starting the tiling of your shower, ask your tile setter for a mockup. Look carefully at the grout sizing and ask how the shower curb and niche details will be installed.
Many tiles don't have a full color throughout, so they can show an unsightly change in color. Ask your installer to miter the edges to hide this from view.
Tip: Before starting the tiling of your shower, ask your tile setter for a mockup. Look carefully at the grout sizing and ask how the shower curb and niche details will be installed.
Many tiles don't have a full color throughout, so they can show an unsightly change in color. Ask your installer to miter the edges to hide this from view.
Simple, clean shower lines are very popular today. Often, this look requires the most work.
Some beautiful shower curbs look like one large stone slab. In fact, each side is a separate piece, all mitered and epoxied together to look like one solid stone. Using tile or having exposed grout joints is easier but often doesn’t have the polished look that this bathroom showcases.
Tip: When choosing a slab of stone for your shower, finding the right installer is key. Ask for references, and check with the fabricator or installer to make sure your stone is a good choice before purchasing.
Some beautiful shower curbs look like one large stone slab. In fact, each side is a separate piece, all mitered and epoxied together to look like one solid stone. Using tile or having exposed grout joints is easier but often doesn’t have the polished look that this bathroom showcases.
Tip: When choosing a slab of stone for your shower, finding the right installer is key. Ask for references, and check with the fabricator or installer to make sure your stone is a good choice before purchasing.
A profile on the edges of a curb, like this Schluter Systems trim, makes for a nice transition, especially when using two different tile choices for the curb. A profile can also make the curb safer with an eased edge.
Tip: Ensure that any grout or thinset is wiped off right away when installing. The thinset or grout can eat away the finish if left on too long.
Find a bathroom remodeler to update your shower curb
Tip: Ensure that any grout or thinset is wiped off right away when installing. The thinset or grout can eat away the finish if left on too long.
Find a bathroom remodeler to update your shower curb
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My contractor knew I wanted a large shower floor. I came home from Doc. office and found a large 5 inches tall by 6 inches wide shower curb which took up inches from my wider shower that I asked for. I am sure my contractor will say it needed to be that high and wide. I just had my master bath redone and it is half that size. What say you?
Read before designing shower
1" overhang is excessive