Curbless showers look seamless and modern, and they are also practical for cleaning, accessibility, and resale. If you are renovating a bathroom in Toronto, planning a curbless shower early will save headaches later. This guide explains how we design the slope, choose and place drains, build the waterproofing, and coordinate tile work so your shower performs as beautifully as it looks.
Why Go Curbless in a Toronto Home
- Barrier-free entry. Easier access for kids, guests, and aging-in-place planning.
- Cleaner look. Continuous tile lines make small baths feel larger.
- Easier to clean. No curb joints that collect grime.
- Future ready. Many buyers value accessible design, which can help resale in competitive Toronto neighborhoods.
Planning Comes First: Structure, Height, and Layout
A successful curbless shower starts at framing, not at tile day. We verify:
- Floor build-up and elevations. We confirm the finished floor height and plan how to recess or plane the shower area so the tile outside stays level while the pan still slopes to the drain. In wood-framed floors, this often means notching or sistering joists within engineering limits, or using a pre-sloped foam pan designed for curbless installations. In concrete slabs, we plan a recess or feathered slope during demolition and patching.
- Drain location and doorless layout. We place the drain to control water spread. Doorless layouts feel spacious, but they need extra spray planning and a correct spray head position to keep the dry area dry.
- Fixture and glass choices. A fixed glass panel helps contain the splash without a door. Choose hinges and channels that allow continuous waterproofing below.
Slope Basics: Get Water Moving Without a Trip Edge
- Target slope: About 1 to 2 percent into the drain is the typical sweet spot for comfort and drainage.
- Outside the shower: The main floor remains flat and level. The transition into the shower is achieved by recessing the shower footprint, not by ramping the entire bathroom.
- Corners and pooling: With point drains, you slope from four sides, which can create “saddle” tile cuts. With linear drains, you slope one plane toward the channel, which makes large-format tile easier.
Linear Drain vs Point Drain
Linear drain advantages
- Cleaner tile layout with large-format porcelain.
- Slope is in one direction, which simplifies cuts and grout joints.
- It can be placed on the wall to hide the channel and elongate the space visually.
Point drain advantages
- Cost-effective and widely available.
- Works well with mosaics that follow compound slopes.
Our take: If you want a minimalist look or large-format tiles, a wall-to-wall linear drain is often the best choice. If you love mosaics or penny rounds underfoot, a center point drain performs beautifully and gives extra traction.
Waterproofing: The Non-Negotiable Foundation
Curbless showers demand bulletproof waterproofing because spray and splash zones are more open.
- Continuous membrane. We run a waterproof membrane across the entire shower footprint and extend it beyond the wet zone to catch splashes. Seams and corners get preformed bands or carefully embedded tape.
- Drain integration. The drain body must be compatible with the membrane system so the seal is mechanical, not just caulk.
- Up the walls. We waterproof at least to shower-head height, and higher on the spray wall. Niches and benches get special attention with preformed corners and flood testing where practical.
- Flood test. For new builds or full gut remodels, we recommend a 24-hour flood test of the pan to confirm integrity before tile.
Tile and Drain Details That Make It Work
- Tile size: Large-format tile outside the shower looks expensive. Underfoot, consider mosaics for added traction, or commit to careful profiling of larger tiles if the slope is a single plane to a linear drain.
- Anti-slip rating: Aim for a floor tile with a suitable DCOF rating for wet areas.
- Movement joints: Include soft joints near doorways and long runs to accommodate expansion.
- Grout choice: High-quality, stain-resistant grout reduces maintenance.
- Edge trims and finishes: Clean profiles at the glass panel and wall ends create a crisp finish without exposed tile edges.
Heating and Moisture Control
- Heated floors: Radiant heat outside the shower keeps the main floor comfortable. If you want warming inside the shower floor, plan cable routing and membrane compatibility at design time.
- Ventilation: A properly sized, quiet exhaust fan clears humidity quickly. Use short duct runs and exterior termination to prevent fogging and mildew.
Accessibility Without the “Institutional” Look
- Wider clearances: Keep at least 30 inches clear in front of the shower entry when space allows.
- Reinforced walls: Add blocking for future grab bars, even if you install none today.
- Low-profile thresholds: If a true zero transition is impossible due to slab or joist constraints, use a very low-profile threshold that still meets accessibility goals and looks intentional.
Budget, Timeline, and Typical Sequence
- Budget drivers: Structural recessing, drain choice, waterproofing system, tile size, and glass are the big levers. Linear drains and custom glass increase cost but deliver a premium look.
- Timeline: Many curbless shower remodels are completed in 2 to 4 weeks once demolition starts, depending on inspections, glass lead time, and tile layout complexity.
- Sequence overview: Demolition and framing corrections, plumbing rough-in and drain set, electrical and ventilation, waterproofing and flood test, tile and grout, glass install, fixtures and final sealants, final clean.
Related Reading
- Bathroom and Kitchen Renovation Project at Hillcrest Avenue, Toronto
- Hudson Drive, Toronto – Multiple Room Renovations: Breathing New Life into a Home
- Toronto Bathroom Lighting Guide 2025: Bright, Safe, and Spa-Like
- Toronto Bathroom Waterproofing & Tile 2025
Ready to plan a curbless shower for your Toronto home?
We handle design, permits if required, and every detail from slope to glass. Contact us today to book a consultation and get a clean, durable shower that looks incredible for years.
📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632
✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com
🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com
