Single-Curb Vs. Barrier-Free Shower Pans

Single-Curb

• Single-curb shower pans are manufactured with four splash walls to prevent water from leaking out of the shower. This type of shower pan, however, gains its name as it has a curb designed to guide water directly to the drain. This type of shower pan is the most common flooring for stand-alone showers, and while there are a wide variety of single-curb shower pans, every type features the same basic design.

Barrier-Free

• Barrier-free shower pans are designed with a low threshold, which is ideal for those with minimal mobility or those who use wheelchairs. This type of shower pan features two primary designs: shower pan with three splash walls or a shower pan with no splash walls. No matter the design, barrier-free shower pans are manufactured so users may enter the shower without having to step over a splash wall.

Benefits

• The primary benefit of a single-curb shower pan is its protection from water splashing onto your bathroom floor. By hindering water from leaking out of the shower, damage to flooring may be avoided. Another notable benefit of a single-curb shower pan is its ability to navigate water directly to the drain, which prevents standing water in the shower during and after use.

  One of the more prominent benefits of a barrier-free shower pan is its ability to enhance the independence for disabled people. Through its design, those who are unable to lift their legs or are in a wheelchair may be able to enter and exit the shower without assistance. Like single-curb shower pans, barrier-free shower pans are constructed to navigate water directly to the drain.

Cost

• Although the exact price of a single-curb and barrier-free shower pan may vary according to its manufacturer, size and shape, single-curb shower pans are typically more cost-effective than barrier-free versions. At the time of publication, a 30- by 54-inch single-curb shower pan costs an average of $800 while a barrier-free shower pan features an average price of $900.