How To Best Use Modern Linear Drains

Linear drains have become the ‘must have’ showering accessory for contemporary North American homes. And most of Europe too, as it happens. Like the actual wet rooms and curbless showers themselves, these efficient and practically invisible means of ridding your shower of water are here to stay. And it’s easy to see why.

Linear drains don’t just look great with their low, sleek and narrow profile, they also offer much greater flexibility than those large and rather obtrusive traditional drains of our childhood. Certainly, when it comes to your choice of shower design you’re not limited in terms of the size of floor tile you’d like.

Easier to install for DIY enthusiastsAnd, if you’re trying your hand at some DIY then these linear shower drains are much easier to install. For starters, they only require a slight slope in one direction rather than four. Ideally, for the homeowner, they don’t require much maintenance either – just a clean out now and then.
What’s really impressive about a shower linear drain – and is the reason the majority of our clients invest in one - is that it can result in a practically seamless transition from a dry area to wet room in the bathroom (see following image). Meanwhile, the really good news for interior designers is that versatile linear drains can work on all types of shower floors, such as tile, cement, fibreglass or wood panelling.

Linear Drains for all environments
But it’s not only in our home showers that modern linear drains can impress. They are regularly found these days in outside showers on our decking, at beaches, swimming pools, gyms, restaurants, hospitals and in residential units. It’s fair to say they’re pretty ubiquitous; but not all linear drains are equal, as it were…

Here at Trugard we have indoor and outdoor linear drains ranging in size from 28” to 60” in varying colours to match your fittings and produced from long-lasting, non-porous and rust-free brushed or polished stainless steel. Tile top linear drains are also available these days to match your existing shower tile and which in turn renders the drain almost invisible (as you can clearly see in this recently-installed shower):

Here are some of the areas in which we, as a company, have already fitted modern linear drains. The list is by no means exhaustive and we’re always more than happy to come and discuss a project with a prospective new client:

Curbless Showers

Only a linear drains works with a curbless shower. That’s because when placed along the entire length of the wall where the shower door is, the floor remains at the same level. Not only does this create more of a spa-like environment in a bathroom – especially if the same flooring is continued from the dry area into the wet room - but it also makes access easier for those with mobility problems such as a wheelchair user. For those with reduced mobility a traditional shower with its four sloping angles could often make balance difficult for certain individuals.

An alternative to having the linear drain alongside the entrance of the wet area - and which works equally as well - is to place the drain at the opposite wall. For those who are considering using a short linear drain, it’s worth remembering that using a linear drain which covers an entire length means the water won’t collect in the one area or flood over onto the bathroom floor because it’s too narrow.

Outdoor Decking Showers

Modern linear drains work well on timber slats and, when combined with a rain showerhead, can create more of a ‘tropical’ feel for the shower – especially if its near foliage and you’re lucky enough to live in warm climate

Swimming Pool Surrounds

When located at one end of a swimming pool the linear drain provides the pool and decking area with what feels like a seamless transition, and is definitely more attractive to sit around.

Patio Area

And talking of landscaping, sturdy linear drains can also be used in a patio area in the garden in order to prevent water pooling and damaging the barbecue area or furniture – or even flooding over into the neighbors garden…

Driveway

North America certainly gets its fair share of rain from time to time. Understandably no-one wants their vehicle to sit in a pool of water following a prolonged rain shower – and which is why a number of home owners have already invested in a discreet linear drain to prevent such an unwelcome scenario occurring.

Hotel Rooms

Go into a top hotel these days and you expect to find a curbless shower or wet room in the bathroom. That’s because the seamless look has a spa-type luxury feel no guest wants to miss out on.

Hospitals and Care Homes

Linear drains really come into their home in a care type environment. It’s in hospitals and nursing homes that individuals are more likely to have difficulties with mobility, and which would make the use of a shower with step access and an awkwardly sloping floor far too difficult to manage. With a curbless shower and low profile linear drain it’s possible to manoeuvre even a wheelchair into the wet showering area, or at least take in a chair to take weight off the legs.

Restaurants and bars

Modern linear drains aren’t just an ideal solution for bathing. They can also be used in a variety of kitchen and bar settings. In the case of the latter they make an attractive draining tray for recently rinsed glasses (an important factor if that particular area of the bar is visible to the public). By the same token linear drains can also be used in the home kitchen as a draining board for crockery or glasses. In commercial kitchens stainless steel linear drains can be used to allow chefs to pour away unnecessary liquid quickly and easily. If you’re considering having a walk-in shower, wet room, curbless or outdoor shower installed either in your home or outdoors then here at Trugard we’d be delighted to discuss the endless design possibilities of using a linear drain with you. Simply call or contact us via our website and we’ll get back to you as soon as we possibly can. You can find us at www.trugarddirect.com where you’ll also see a list of products, including our new TruSlope shower kits.