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Home · Curbless Shower Floor & Linear Drains

Curbless Floors & Linear Drains

One gentle slope, one sleek drain — step in, not over.

Aging-in-place, wheelchair access, or just the modern look — curbless fits all three when the bathroom allows. This page covers candidacy (subfloor depth is the gating question in Newington's capes and ranches), linear vs. center drains, tile sizing for single-slope floors, what the bathroom floor transition looks like, and honest pricing: typically $2,500–$4,500 for the floor conversion within an existing shower footprint.

  • Zero-threshold entry. Walk or roll straight in — no curb, no trip lip.
  • Single-plane slope. One fall to the drain; large-format tile friendly.
  • Linear drains. Tile-in or designer grates at wall or threshold.
  • Extended waterproofing. Membrane runs past the shower into the bath floor.
  • Aging-in-place ready. Grab-bar blocking and bench options while we're in.
  • Flood-tested. Every curbless floor proven before handoff. Non-negotiable.

Newington notes

Original Newington tub walls are narrow — two short walls and a plumbing wall — which is why surround re-tiles here finish fast. The failure point is always the same: grout gone soft at the tub line and corners. Candidacy check is free in Newington: Half of Newington's tubs are cast iron worth keeping; the walls around them are not. Surround-only re-tile is the town's sweet-spot job. If your subfloor can't recess, we'll say so and price the low-curb alternative instead of faking it.

Materials

Modern floors for Newington

Six Newington shower floors, from workhorse mosaic to spa pebble.

Porcelain 2x2

Slope-perfect standard.

Unglazed quarry

Old-school grip, sealed.

River pebble

Massage texture, sealed twice.

Mini brick-joint

Lines with traction.

FAQ

Common questions

Curbless vs. standard floor — price gap?
Roughly $2,500–$4,500 for the floor conversion versus $1,000–$2,000 standard — the premium is subfloor surgery, extended waterproofing and the linear drain itself.
What tile works on single-slope floors?
Larger tile than standard showers — 4x4 up to 12x24 with rated slip resistance — since one plane needs no mosaic articulation. We verify DCOF ratings.
Where does the water go without a curb?
Down the single slope into the linear drain, with the bathroom floor outside waterproofed as backup. Slope + drain capacity + membrane redundancy — all three, tested.
Is curbless good for aging in place?
The best residential option: zero threshold, bench-compatible, grab-bar blocking while open. We coordinate glass and fixtures for full accessibility.