Lowering the Threshold in your Bathroom Design

Bathroom renovations have seen a significant trend toward leaving out the bathtub in favor of a larger shower with more features.  Removing the requirement for a bathtub leaves room in your renovation budget for additional luxury add-ons for your shower, and a shower-only bathroom design opens up numerous options for the shower in any size bathroom.  One of the latest trends in shower design is a low or no-threshold shower, which significantly reduces or removes the curb between the shower space and the rest of the bathroom.  This more open shower design can serve to enhance the style of your new bathroom design and also increase accessibility to the shower for those with mobility issues.

Ideally, this type of shower should be installed as part of a new house build or a larger bathroom renovation so that all structural issues associated with a low or no-threshold shower can be taken into consideration.  This style of shower must fit into a recessed space in the floor, and how this will be done depends on where in the house the shower is situated. 

In addition, an open shower design must address water containment issues depending on how open the shower is constructed.  For example, a zero-threshold shower with a dividing wall and door will have different water containment and drainage requirements than a completely open shower.  This shower style could either use a standard round drain with an adequate slope toward the drain, or it could use a trench-like drain.  Your design professional can help you understand and incorporate these requirements into your home renovation project.

There are many benefits associated with a low or no-threshold shower:   

Increasing Accessibility:  If a member of your household has reduced mobility, or if you are renovating your home with the long-term view to accommodate aging in the home, a curbless shower is ideal.  The no-threshold shower completely removes the barrier between the shower and the rest of the bathroom, and the continuous floorspace allows you to walk straight into the shower or use a wheelchair to enter the shower space.  This type of shower removes the danger of tripping and minimizes the risk of slipping while stepping in and out of the shower. 

Streamlined Style:  A low threshold shower, like the one pictured to the right with a handy built-in bench, or a no threshold shower, also contributes to a sleeker, more open feel in your bathroom design.  While this works well with all bathroom styles, it is particularly suited to a more contemporary or even a transitional style design.  The array of design options available can range from zero threshold to a minimal threshold, and could be a fully open shower style or could still include a dividing wall and a glass door. 

Keep it Clean:  A curbless shower tends to be much easier to clean than a standard shower, which is always a welcome benefit!  Removing the barrier between the rest of the bathroom and the shower means you have one continuous floorspace to clean and fewer small crevices where dirt and soap will collect. 

Contact our design team to find out if a low or no-threshold shower is right for you, or visit our bathroom design gallery for more inspiration.