A walk-in shower is a level-access, thresholdless shower area that you can step into without a step, usually without a shower tray and sometimes without a door. The water is guided to a drain via a fall in the floor. The open, sleek look and the accessibility make the walk-in shower popular.
Characteristics
- No threshold — the shower floor is flush with the rest of the bathroom floor
- Fall — the floor has a slight slope towards the drain so the water runs off well
- Drain — usually a linear channel (drain) or a point drain in the tiled floor
- Water barrier — often only a glass screen as a splash guard, instead of a closed cubicle
Application
- Lifetime living — thanks to the absence of a threshold, also usable with a walker or wheelchair
- Renovation and new build — popular for the spatial, modern effect
- Small bathrooms — an open shower looks more spacious than a closed cubicle
Points to note when installing
- Waterproof layer — a good seal belongs under the tiles (sealing tape and waterproofing slurry), otherwise moisture leaks into the structure
- Sufficient fall — allow about 1 to 2 cm per metre towards the drain; too little fall causes puddles
- Drain capacity — choose a drain that can handle the shower flow
- Recessed floor — with a timber or thin floor, building in the drain and the fall may require extra build-up height or adaptation
- Splash water — position the shower so splash water does not run into the whole bathroom, or use a glass screen
Related terms
- Wet room
- Fall (slope)
- Sanitary
- Water barrier
- Tiling
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