Curbless Showers in Toronto: Cost, Pros and What to Know (2026)
Curbless showers, also called zero-threshold or walk-in showers, are one of the most requested bathroom upgrades we build. There’s no step or curb to climb over: the bathroom floor runs straight into the shower and slopes gently to a drain. Here’s what they cost, how they’re built and whether one makes sense for your home.
Short answer: a curbless shower is usually part of a full bathroom renovation, which starts around $19,000 before HST. It costs more than a standard shower because the floor has to be lowered or rebuilt to slope to the drain, and the whole wet area needs waterproofing. It’s very doable in most houses, and harder in condos.
Why Homeowners Choose a Curbless Shower
Safety: no curb to trip over, which matters for kids, older parents and anyone with mobility concerns.
Aging in place: a step-free shower works for a walker or wheelchair later, without another renovation.
Looks: one continuous floor makes a bathroom feel bigger and more open.
Easy cleaning: no curb edges or tracks to scrub.
Resale: a well-built curbless shower reads as a high-end, modern bathroom to buyers.
How a Curbless Shower Is Built
The key to a curbless shower is getting water to the drain without a curb to hold it back. That takes a few things working together:
A lowered or rebuilt floor: in a house, the shower area is usually recessed into the floor framing so it can slope to the drain while the rest of the floor stays level. Sometimes the rest of the bathroom floor is raised instead.
A linear drain: a long, narrow drain along a wall or at the shower entrance lets the floor slope in one direction, which works well with large-format tile.
Full waterproofing: we treat the whole shower area, and often the whole bathroom floor, as a wet area, with a waterproofing membrane under the tile.
A glass panel: a fixed glass panel keeps most of the spray in the shower without a door or curb.
What a Curbless Shower Costs
Most curbless showers are built as part of a full bathroom renovation. Our full bathrooms start around $19,000 before HST, with most landing between $19,000 and $37,000 and luxury bathrooms higher. A curbless design adds to the cost of a standard shower for the floor work, the linear drain, extra waterproofing and the glass, and how much depends on how your floor is built. We’ll price it clearly after seeing your bathroom. See our bathroom cost guide or try the cost estimator.
Curbless Showers in Condos
Condo bathrooms sit on a concrete slab, so recessing the floor usually isn’t possible. A curbless look can sometimes be achieved by raising the whole bathroom floor, but that affects the doorway and transitions. In many condos, a low-profile curb with frameless glass is the better choice. See our condo bathroom guide.
Design Tips From Our Projects
Use large-format tile on the floor and slope it in one direction toward a linear drain.
Add a recessed, backlit niche for bottles so nothing sits on the floor.
Combine a rain head with a handheld shower on a slide bar, which is easier for everyone to use.
Add solid backing in the walls during construction, so grab bars can be installed later without opening the tile.
Consider heated floors: they keep the floor warm and help it dry faster.
A Curbless Shower We Built in Vaughan
In this Vaughan bathroom, dark green tile and a tub were replaced with a curbless walk-in shower, a fixed glass panel, a linear drain, a backlit niche and a curved wood floating vanity. The project took about 3 to 4 weeks from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does water get out of a curbless shower?
Not when it’s built properly. The floor slopes to the drain, the glass panel blocks most spray, and the waterproofing extends past the shower area as a safety margin.
Can I add a curbless shower without renovating the whole bathroom?
Rarely. Because the floor has to be rebuilt to slope to the drain, a curbless shower is almost always part of a full bathroom renovation.
Do I need a permit for a curbless shower?
If the drain moves or the floor framing changes, usually yes. See our renovation permit guide.
Is a curbless shower worth it?
For most primary and family bathrooms in houses, yes. It’s safer, easier to clean, and one of the upgrades buyers notice.
Thinking About a Curbless Shower?
We’ll look at your floor structure and give you a clear quote, with a dedicated project manager from start to finish. Request a consultation or call (416) 824-8825.
