Linear drain — which one to choose?

Many people who are designing or renovating their bathrooms opt for a modern and convenient solution in the form of a linear drain. Which one to choose to ensure effective water drainage—this is a question many are seeking answers to. When choosing a linear drain, it's important to pay attention to details, especially high-quality construction and appropriate water flow capacity.

What will you learn from this article?

The choice of linear drain largely depends on the available space in the bathroom, existing plumbing, and the effect you want to achieve. Read on:

• The best linear drain — which one to choose?

• How to choose the length of a linear drain?

• Which linear drain for an 80 cm cabin and other dimensions?

• What is the best flow capacity for a linear drain?

• What makes good linear drains stand out?

• What do modern grates look like?

What characterizes a linear drain in the bathroom?

A linear drain is one of the aesthetic and trendy solutions that work perfectly in modern bathrooms. You can forgo the traditional shower tray, with the shower cabin installed directly on the floor. Check the pros and cons: tray or linear drain.

A linear drain offers more options for bathroom arrangement and makes it look designer. When choosing this solution, also consider how effectively and quickly it drains water from the shower, even under high flow. A linear drain is available in many sizes and configurations, allowing you to match it to different shapes and dimensions of the bathroom.

A significant advantage that makes cleaning the bathroom easier is the lack of a shower tray. This is where dirt accumulates. The ease of cleaning a linear drain makes it an ideal solution for busy people. Simply wash the surface regularly and empty the dirt basket to keep the space under the shower in perfect condition.

Remember, if you want to use a linear drain when designing or renovating a bathroom, you must decide during the design phase. This will allow you to determine the floor height, under which the entire drain and siphon will fit without issue. The amount of space needed for installation is crucial.

The most popular are vertical drains, but horizontal drains are also increasingly being introduced to bathrooms. You must remember that both solutions can eventually clog. It's worth ensuring appropriate access to clean or repair them, maintaining bathroom hygiene. Check how to clear a linear drain.

Which linear drain to choose?

There are various types of linear drains available in the market. Choosing one can be challenging if you don't know what aspects to consider. For a linear drain, the most important aspects are:

1. Installation method — a linear drain can be installed in the floor or wall. The first solution is most commonly used. However, in some cases, the floor height does not allow it. Remember that you need to fit both the siphon and the entire drain frame. An alternative is a wall-mounted drain. Models with a horizontal siphon are also available, suitable for low floors.

2. Flow capacity — indicates how much water a particular linear drain model can divert over a specific time. Flow capacity is usually given in liters per minute and should be compared to the efficiency of the entire shower set. The minimum is 24 l/min, but standard siphons usually offer a flow capacity of around 50 l/min.

3. Drain shape — a linear shower drain can have a straight shape or a corner (triangular) shape. This offers wide possibilities for installation and bathroom arrangement, depending on your needs.

4. Siphon height — standard height is about 10cm. However, for residential blocks or buildings with low floor layers, shallow linear drains with low siphons are dedicated, where the entire installation does not exceed 6-7 cm depth.

5. Linear drain dimensions — the length of the trough should match the size of the shower cabin. This ensures an aesthetic look and functional system operation. It is accepted that the linear drain should be about 10 cm shorter than the width of the shower cabin. This ensures optimal water drainage. This way, you know which linear drain for a 100 cm cabin, and which one for a 120 cm cabin.

Floor linear drain

Linear drain rankings are usually filled with floor solutions. The most popular models have the shape of an elongated rectangular strip. The flat grate visible from the outside is most often made of stainless steel, is full, mesh-like, or covered with an attractive attention-grabbing pattern.

Floor linear drain can be placed anywhere on the shower floor. The most important is ensuring an adequate slope allowing water to drain directly into the drain.

Wall linear drain

When it's not possible to install the drain in the floor due to the lack of space for a siphon, the wall installation is an alternative. Wall linear drain allows maintaining a uniform surface of floor tiles. The water drainage device is practically invisible. You gain a stylish and modern look for the bathroom. Wall linear drain installation is also recommended for small spaces. Check the advantages and disadvantages of wall linear drains.

Point drain

If choosing the right linear drain is troublesome for you, you can also consider a point drain. It is placed in the central point of the shower area. For it to work correctly, the slope must be made on four sides. This can be quite challenging for large-format tiles. Too many cuts can make the surface look unaesthetic.

A point drain is most often chosen for shower cabins with irregular shapes or when the system matches the interior design. It looks best in classic bathrooms, where the floor features mosaics. The cuts are then less visible.

Finish of the linear shower drain

The main element of a linear drain visible at first glance is the cover, also known as the grate. This piece strongly influences the purchase of a specific model, especially since it significantly affects the final look of the bathroom.

The most popular are stainless steel covers, both smooth and with various shapes of cutouts. Very interesting and designer solutions are available that practically change the room's character.

Those who care about high aesthetics can choose linear drains where bathroom tiles can be glued. They are practically invisible.

When selecting a solution like a linear drain, don't forget to choose the right bathroom tiles. They serve both practical and decorative functions. In this case, it's good to opt for tiles with a wear class III or IV—they are not porous, making them easy to clean, and additionally, they have anti-slip properties. Check how to design and arrange a bathroom.

A modern bathroom with a floor shower cabin

If you dream of a modern bathroom, you must install a linear drain. We make every effort to tailor this great solution to any interior, whether small or large, with low or high floors. In the end, a linear drain allows creating a light, modern, and minimalist shower area. Check what advantages and disadvantages a shower cabin without a tray has.

Today's trays differ from those installed in old bathrooms. However, a linear drain is worth choosing whenever possible. Remember, though, to decide on a product:

• Of high quality — preferably made of stainless steel, resistant to corrosion and easy to maintain. Choosing a linear drain from a reputable manufacturer guarantees a perfect look and reliable operation for years.

• Ensuring free water flow — match the siphon flow capacity to the shower efficiency. The minimum value should be 24 l/min.

• Matching the size of the drain to the shower cabin — to choose a linear drain that looks good under the shower, decide on a model 10-20 cm shorter than the width of the shower cabin. Also, note that the standard siphon height is 5-10 cm, but currently solutions are available that fit into a small floor layer height, where the entire installation does not exceed 6-7 cm depth.

• Guaranteeing modern design — an elegant bathroom appearance is what many people strive for. It's a great solution when the top of the grate matches the interior design colorwise. An extraordinary effect is also influenced by the quality of workmanship and modern color schemes.