How low (profile) can I go?

2 months ago

Bath to shower conversion, 30x60, in a hundred year old house. My contractor, who has experience with houses of that era, has told me that he won’t be able to create a suitable substrate for a curbless shower. After we see what’s actually under the massive bathtub, I’d like to push him to see if I can get away with a threshold less than the standard 4”.

Years ago, I had a broken kneecap, and I remember when getting over a 1” threshold at a doorway felt like I was being asked to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I’m not going to ask for 1”, but I’d like to know if there’s any consensus on what height a threshold needs to be to make bathroom floods unlikely. Is it 4”, or could I get away with 3” or even 2” without constantly needing to mop my floor? Having been injured, I can understand how an inch or two in height can make a big difference in accessibility. (Before anyone asks, I’m not trying to make my bathroom ADA compliant, just a little easier on my aging joints).

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

coastal_vibe
last month
Ask your contractor about the height of the curb that he typically has for similar projects. A 30x60 tub is standard size -- do you have space to make the shower a bit wider?

I have a tub-to-shower conversion in progress. I planned for the shower to be curbed. The span of my curb is 6-1/2 inches (wrapped in 2cm stone). Because of the position of the tub drain (in one corner), I had to choose between a linear drain either along a sidewall or along the shower entrance.

My curb measures 5-1/2H inches outside the shower, but only 2-1/2H inches inside the shower; that is, there is about a 3-inch difference in height between the floor on the inside and the floor on the outside of the shower. This difference in height is due to the amount of underlayment for waterproofing and the slope toward the drain.
Mrs Pete
last month
last modified: last month
Random thoughts:

- If your contractor says he cannot do this, BELIEVE HIM! Curbless showers OFTEN go wrong. Don't go into it with a guy who flat-out says he can't do it.

- If your tub is a standard size, no, it can't be made into a curbless shower. You wouldn't have the space for the appropriate slope.

- I thought 2" was minimum?

- Instead of concerning yourself with the threshold, have you considered a transfer bench? You sit down outside the shower, and it "slides you" into the shower. Searching for this picture, I saw that this particular transfer bench costs just under $100 -- many other models exist.
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HU-417221168
last month
last modified: last month
I'm not contradicting your contractor. It is a big deal. We wanted to do it, too, in our house built in 1911. Expensive, permit needed, lots of reasons why not to do it. This article tells you how it can be done and the pros and cons.

https://www.diytileguy.com/recess-wood-subfloor/

@Mrs Pete great suggestion, go with the transfer bench (when you need one). Choose one that swivels and has 5 star ratings.

Been there ourselves with torn Achilles and broken ankles...not fun.
Cher Cl
last month
I, too, have a 100 year old home and used a Kohler cast iron enamel base that, after the tile backer and tile floor was laid, has a curb that is 2.5 inches high. It’s not bad.
thinkdesignlive
last month
If aging in place is a concern I would steer you in the direction Mrs Pete recommends. We did convert a tub to a shower situation exactly as Cher did. My MIL moved in during the pandemic and this is her shower. We needed to remove the glass partition and door in order for her to be tended to. We have a shower curtain up now….not ideal. If you are going through with the project make sure you plan for grab bars (again, if aging in place is a concern for you).