Shower Drains - Everything There Is To Know about Point & Linear Drains
The shower drain is the most overlooked yet integral part of designing a bathroom. Without it, every time you go to wash the dirt of the day off your body, water would be building up around your feet. Few of us understand just how much linear or point shower drains are taken for granted until they fail to work properly. Yet, when things are running smoothly, we tend to forget about them. Nonetheless, this article will teach you about linear and point drains and how to figure out which is better for your bathroom.
The Point Drain
Most people are familiar with the point drain. You most probably already have one of these in your bathroom. It's commonly placed anywhere at the low point of the slope of the shower or in the middle of the floor. For example, you might see a shower square drain, a circular metal, or plastic grate in the centre of your shower. Furthermore, point drains are the shower industry's trusty, old-time workers, and they get the job done with no fuss.
Pros of Point Drains
Having only a grate and a drainpipe, a point drain has a very simple design that makes it reliable and not typically prone to breakdowns. In addition, they are somewhat cheap, which is great for those on a tight budget since they eliminate any extra features. Furthermore, point drains are relatively easy to fix; once something goes wrong, you only have to take out the grate, clean the trap, and everything will be back to working properly.
Cons of Point Drains
Point drains do, however, have some disadvantages. With the drain usually in the centre, water collecting in the corners of the shower is one problem, especially if the floor is not correctly sloped. Additionally, they’re prone to clogging, especially with long hair, and the collection of hairballs can make them quite unpleasant to clean. Also, since point drains usually have a more aged look, they might not match being placed in a modern bathroom.
A Linear Drain
A linear drain is more commonly known as the modern drain and has become fairly popular of late, especially in luxury bathroom designs. Unlike the point drain, a linear gets installed along one edge of the shower. As an example, it is long and narrow, with a high-tech grate that is somehow integrated with the surrounding shower floor.
Perks of Linear Drains
Linear drains boast a number of advantages for today’s modern bathrooms. For instance, they are designed to be installed along the edge of the shower to give an even slope across the floor. This helps prevent water from piling up in the corners and makes sure there’s proper drainage, much like a river that flows from one side to the other. Furthermore, the linear drain presents a clean aesthetic; some styles even allow tiling over the drain itself for an almost camouflaged look.
Moreover, seeing that the cover of these drains is usually one continuous piece that can be cleaned without the nuisance of a central grate, they are easier to maintain. They also offer more layout flexibility, which makes them ideal for larger walk-in or threshold showers, adding to a more open space.
Downfalls of Linear Drains
Linear drains tend to be more expensive than point drains since they’re made from stronger material and need a keen eye towards detail when being installed by service companies. In addition, it needs more time for preparation than a normal point drain, along with an accurate slope across the shower floor, which may be hard to create in some cases. Furthermore, while linear drains do provide a greater surface area for the movement of water, they too can clog-especially in showers where soap scum and hair buildup are a problem.
Point vs Linear: Which one should you go for?
Before deciding on what you think is better, try to weigh out the pros and cons of each.
Space considerations
Smaller bathrooms make a better fit for point drains mainly just because they’re easier to work with and keep clean. On the other hand, a linear drain might help better with water flow if you’ve got a larger shower space or a walk-in shower.
Aesthetic features
A point drain, while functional, might stand out more and interrupt the flow of your shower’s design. If style is important to you, linear drains are the way to go.
Clogs and maintenance
Both drains can have their moments of trouble, especially if your shower is a hair-catcher. However, linear drains are far easier to clean due to their larger, longer surface area. With point drains, you might find yourself dealing with hair clogs more frequently, but they’re also easier to access.
Price pointers
Doing a renovation on a budget? The point drain is your go then because you won’t have to put a lot of money into installing it. However, if you’re splurging on giving your house a new look, then a linear drain will be your best friend for a long time.
Conclusion
If you opt for a point drain or a linear drain, the most important thing is that your shower works for you. Both come with upsides and downfalls, but their main purpose is to keep the water flowing and not make your feet mushy. So as long as you’re not standing in a puddle each time you take a shower, whichever shower drain is living up to its purpose.
