Curbless (zero-entry) showers are in high demand — and they're unforgiving on waterproofing and slope. Here's the complete curbless shower checklist of tools and materials.
The build kit
- Pre-sloped curbless pan sized to the opening, or a linear-drain pan that slopes to one line.
- Linear drain — the natural fit for curbless and large-format tile (linear vs square). A matched Superkit bundles pan + drain + waterproofing.
- Waterproofing — bonded membrane and/or waterproof wall boards, plus banding for every seam and corner.
- Trims — a metal profile for the transition at the bathroom floor.
The tool kit
- Large-format-ready cutter or wet saw and a clean diamond blade.
- A leveling system (essential for flat large-format floors).
- Large-notch and euro-notch trowels, LHT mortar, and the grouting kit.
The two things that make or break it
Slope and waterproofing continuity. The floor must pitch correctly to the drain across the whole curbless opening, and the shower waterproofing must tie seamlessly into the bathroom floor so water never escapes the wet area. Build it as one continuous system and test before tiling.
Shop the full build in Shower Systems and Waterproofing.
FAQ
Do curbless showers need a linear drain? Not strictly, but a linear drain makes the single-slope curbless floor much easier, especially with large-format tile.
What's the biggest curbless risk? Waterproofing continuity at the curbless transition and correct slope — get those right and the rest follows.
Building curbless showers for jobs? Get the full kit at contractor pricing and earn points with the Pro Program. Shop shower systems →