The Ultimate Walk-In Shower Guide: Curb vs. Curbless Designs

Walk-in showers have become the most requested feature in bathroom remodels across Sacramento and Placer County. But within the walk-in shower category, one decision rises above all others in importance: should you build a curbed or curbless design? This choice affects your budget, your bathroom's aesthetics, accessibility for years to come, and even the structural requirements of your project.

After installing hundreds of walk-in showers in homes from Roseville to Auburn to Folsom, we have developed deep expertise in both curbed and curbless designs. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home, lifestyle, and budget.

The Walk-In Shower Revolution

Walk-in showers have evolved from a niche luxury feature to the default choice for modern bathrooms. The shift is driven by several factors: changing lifestyle preferences (showers are faster and more practical), aging-in-place awareness, European design influence, and the availability of better materials and installation techniques.

In the Sacramento region, walk-in showers now appear in 78% of all new bathroom construction and 85% of bathroom remodels. The question is no longer whether to build a walk-in shower — it is how to build it properly and which design approach best serves your needs.

The two fundamental approaches — curbed and curbless — represent different philosophies about how a shower relates to the rest of your bathroom. Understanding these philosophies helps you make a decision you will be happy with for decades.

Curbed Walk-In Showers: The Proven Classic

A curbed walk-in shower features a raised threshold (curb) at the shower entrance, typically 2-6 inches high. This curb serves as the primary water containment barrier, keeping shower water from flowing onto the bathroom floor. It is the traditional approach to walk-in shower construction and remains extremely popular for good reasons.

Advantages of Curbed Walk-In Showers

Simpler waterproofing. The curb creates a physical dam that contains water within the shower pan. This means the waterproofing system does not need to extend far beyond the shower area, and the risk of water escaping the shower is inherently lower. For Sacramento-area homes, especially older construction with wood-framed floors, simpler waterproofing translates to lower risk of moisture problems.

Greater flexibility in floor structure. Curbed showers do not require recessing the shower floor below the bathroom floor level. The shower pan sits at the same elevation as (or slightly above) the bathroom floor, and the curb manages the water containment. This makes curbed showers easier to install in most existing bathrooms without modifying the subfloor structure.

More shower head and body jet options. Because water containment is more secure with a curb, you have greater freedom with water volume and spray patterns. Multiple body jets, rain heads with high flow rates, and elaborate multi-head systems work confidently within a curbed enclosure.

Lower cost. Curbed walk-in showers typically cost $2,000-$5,000 less than comparable curbless designs. The savings come from simpler subfloor preparation, standard drain placement, less complex tile installation, and less extensive waterproofing requirements.

Considerations with Curbed Showers

The curb creates a step that must be navigated every time you enter and exit the shower. For most adults, a 2-3 inch curb is easily manageable. But for homeowners planning for aging-in-place, those with mobility challenges, or anyone who has ever tripped stepping out of a wet shower, the curb represents a potential barrier.

Visually, the curb interrupts the floor plane between the bathroom and shower. While modern low-profile curbs (2-3 inches) minimize this visual break, a curbed shower never achieves the seamless, spa-like flow of a curbless design.

Curbless Showers: The Modern Standard

A curbless shower eliminates the threshold entirely. The bathroom floor transitions seamlessly into the shower floor at the same level, creating a zero-entry experience. This design, long standard in European and Asian bathrooms, has become increasingly popular in the United States and is now the aspirational standard for luxury bathroom remodels.

Advantages of Curbless Walk-In Showers

Universal accessibility. With no threshold to step over, curbless showers are accessible to everyone regardless of mobility level. Wheelchair users, walkers, cane users, and anyone with balance concerns can enter the shower safely. This makes curbless showers the gold standard for aging-in-place bathroom design.

Stunning visual impact. A curbless shower creates a continuous floor plane from the bathroom into the shower, making the entire space feel larger and more open. When combined with frameless glass or an open shower design, the visual effect is dramatic — especially in smaller bathrooms where every visual trick to increase perceived space matters.

Easier cleaning. Without a curb collecting soap scum and creating corners where mold can grow, curbless showers are significantly easier to clean. A squeegee or mop can sweep continuously from the shower across the bathroom floor without obstruction.

Higher perceived value. In the Sacramento real estate market, curbless showers are associated with high-end design and luxury living. They consistently photograph better for listings and create the "wow factor" that generates buyer interest.

Requirements for Curbless Shower Installation

Curbless showers demand more from the installation process, which is why choosing an experienced shower remodeling specialist is critical:

• Floor recessing: The shower floor must be slightly lower than the bathroom floor to create drainage slope without visible dips. This often requires modifying the subfloor framing or cutting into a concrete slab.
• Precise slope engineering: The entire shower floor must slope toward the drain at a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot. In a curbless design, this slope must be precise — too little and water pools, too much and the floor feels uneven underfoot.
• Extended waterproofing: Because there is no physical barrier, the waterproofing membrane must extend beyond the shower area into the bathroom floor to prevent any escaped water from reaching the subfloor.
• Linear or trench drain: Most curbless showers use linear drains positioned at one edge of the shower, which simplifies the floor slope to a single direction and creates a cleaner look than a center drain.

A linear drain positioned at the shower wall creates a single-direction slope — the key to reliable water management in curbless shower designs.

Drainage Systems: Center Drain vs. Linear Drain

Your drainage system choice is closely tied to the curb versus curbless decision and significantly impacts both function and aesthetics.

Center Point Drains

Traditional center drains work with both curbed and curbless showers. The shower floor slopes from all four sides toward a single drain point in the center. This requires a four-way slope, which limits tile options — large format tiles do not conform well to multi-directional slopes, so center drains typically pair with smaller mosaic tiles on the shower floor.

Center drains cost $50-$200 for the drain assembly and work well in curbed showers where the multi-directional slope is contained within the shower pan. In curbless applications, center drains are more challenging because the four-way slope must blend into the surrounding bathroom floor.

Linear Drains

Linear drains (also called trench drains or channel drains) are long, narrow drains positioned along one wall or at the shower entry. They collect water across their entire length, allowing the shower floor to slope in a single direction. This is the preferred drain type for curbless showers for several reasons:

• Single-direction slope allows large format tile on the shower floor without awkward cuts
• Cleaner aesthetics with a sleek stainless steel or tile-insert channel
• Higher flow capacity — linear drains typically handle 18-25 GPM versus 7-11 GPM for point drains
• Easier transition from bathroom floor to shower floor in curbless designs

Linear drains cost $300-$1,200 depending on length, material (stainless steel or tile-insert), and brand. Premium options from Schluter, Infinity Drain, and QuickDrain feature tile-insert covers that make the drain nearly invisible.

Waterproofing: The Critical Difference Between Curbed and Curbless

Waterproofing is where the curbed versus curbless decision has its most significant technical impact. Both designs require proper waterproofing, but the requirements differ substantially.

Curbed Shower Waterproofing

In a curbed shower, the waterproofing membrane needs to cover the shower floor, walls (to at least 6 inches above the highest water spray), the curb itself (top, both sides), and the transition points where walls meet the floor. The curb acts as a physical barrier, so the waterproofing does not need to extend significantly beyond the shower footprint.

Curbless Shower Waterproofing

Curbless showers require a more comprehensive waterproofing approach. Because there is no physical barrier at the shower entrance, the waterproofing membrane must extend at least 3-5 feet beyond the shower area into the bathroom floor. Some installations waterproof the entire bathroom floor as a precaution.

The transition zone at the shower entrance is the most critical area. This is where water pressure from the shower meets the flat bathroom floor, and any weakness in the waterproofing here will eventually allow moisture to reach the subfloor. Our team uses overlapping membrane techniques with additional reinforcement at this transition to ensure long-term performance.

We strongly recommend Schluter KERDI or DITRA membrane systems for curbless installations. These bonded waterproofing membranes create a continuous, crack-resistant barrier that performs reliably for decades. Combined with proper slope engineering and drain sizing, they make curbless showers completely watertight.

Glass Enclosure Options for Walk-In Showers

The glass enclosure choice interacts with your curb/curbless decision and significantly affects both water containment and aesthetics.

Full Frameless Enclosure (Curbed or Curbless)

A full frameless glass enclosure with a door provides the most complete water containment. For curbed showers, the glass sits on top of the curb. For curbless showers, the glass extends to the floor with a sweep seal at the bottom. Cost: $1,500-$4,000.

Fixed Glass Panel (Best for Curbless)

A single fixed glass panel (no door) is the most popular option for curbless walk-in showers. The panel provides a splash guard while maintaining the open, accessible feel that defines the curbless aesthetic. Panel width typically covers 50-70% of the shower opening. Cost: $800-$2,000.

Open Design (Curbless Only)

Some curbless showers use no glass at all, relying entirely on proper drainage and slope to contain water. This open design requires a larger shower footprint (at least 48x60 inches) and carefully positioned shower heads that minimize overspray. It creates the ultimate spa atmosphere but is not appropriate for all bathrooms. Cost: $0 (no glass expense).

A curbless walk-in shower with frameless glass panel, built-in bench, and premium tile creates the ultimate spa experience at home.

Accessibility and Aging-in-Place Considerations

For Sacramento-area homeowners planning to stay in their homes long-term, the curb versus curbless decision has significant aging-in-place implications.

Curbless showers are inherently ADA-compliant and meet universal design standards. They accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and shower chairs without modification. If you are remodeling now with an eye toward the future, curbless design provides accessibility from day one.

Curbed showers with low thresholds (2-3 inches) are manageable for most people but can become barriers as mobility decreases. A low-profile curb may be sufficient for 10-20 years, but if your long-term plan is to age in place, a curbless design eliminates one potential barrier.

Both designs can incorporate critical accessibility features:

• Grab bars (reinforced blocking installed during construction)
• Built-in bench or fold-down seat
• Handheld shower wand on adjustable slide bar
• Anti-slip tile with high DCOF rating
• Lever-handle faucet controls at accessible height

Cost Comparison: Curb vs. Curbless (2026 Sacramento Prices)

Note: These costs cover the shower construction only and do not include fixtures, plumbing rough-in, or bathroom finishes outside the shower area. Glass costs may be lower for curbless showers because fixed panels are less expensive than full enclosures with doors.

Which Design Is Right for Your Home?

Choosing between curbed and curbless comes down to evaluating your priorities across four dimensions:

Choose curbed if:

• Budget is a primary concern
• Your bathroom has limited space (under 60 sq ft)
• You want maximum water containment for multi-head shower systems
• Your home has concrete slab construction (avoiding slab cutting)
• You prefer a more traditional design aesthetic

Choose curbless if:

• Universal accessibility is a priority (aging in place)
• You want the most modern, spa-like design aesthetic
• You are doing a complete bathroom remodel with subfloor access
• Maximum resale value is a goal
• You prioritize ease of cleaning and low maintenance

Many of our tub-to-shower conversion clients in Granite Bay, Rocklin, and Roseville choose curbless designs because the tub removal already provides subfloor access, making the cost difference between curbed and curbless smaller. If you are already opening up the floor, the incremental investment in curbless construction delivers significant long-term value.

At OakWood Remodel, we build both curbed and curbless walk-in showers to the highest standards. Our team (CSLB #1125321) has the specialized experience to ensure proper waterproofing, drainage, and tile installation regardless of which design you choose. We will help you evaluate your specific bathroom conditions and recommend the approach that best serves your goals.