Compare and contrast the visual appeal of the top drain and the bottom drain and be sure to ask your potential installer, "What does the drain you'll be providing me with look like?"
Very often the smallest detail will make or break the over all esthetics of a shower. Factors like, what kind of grout did the installer use? Did they use 100% silicone sealant or bottom of the barrel latex caulk? And the granddaddy of pet peeves for me, did they use a high end drain or a drain that should have been left on the shelf at the tile store and not in your timeless, one of a kind, custom shower.
All of our showers come standard with a Schluter Systems Drain. Not only does Schluter produce a superior design in terms of engineering but the looks are second to none as well. The Schluter drain's engineering takes out multiple steps in the drain installation process, so again Schluter coming through with a simpler more efficient process for their installers.
Click here to read Schluter's full break down of their drain.
We install this drain on a 2" pipe and embed our pan around the drain body. There are no weep holes to mess with or pre slopes, This is a contained system and our water proofing membrane sits on top of the drain body itself.
As you can see the fabric sits on top of the drain and the slope directs the water into the plumbing and out of the shower.
Now below, for you to compare and contrast....we have the drain you've seen in every basic, builder grade, blow out special shower install. This ruins what would other wise be a beautiful shower install because the installer went cheap on one part! Yes, you can get alternative drain covers, but that will be an extra cost...the advantage of Schluter Systems is in their drain package you get a beautiful, heavy duty drain cover STANDARD at a cost of around $100. Start adding all the parts together on a traditional drain (for an updated, custom cover) you'll be close to that amount and you'll still have an antiquated, old school part in terms of engineering.
Here we have the design....same one that has been used since the 1980's even though there is better. This is the key functionary in a "water in, water out system" keep your weep holes free and be sure to install a pre-slope...or you'll have a swamp in your shower pan in no time!
A standard drain. Drab, melancholy...Just screaming to be freshened up! We will not install this monstrosity in your home!
Ultimately, your shower is something you will use everyday. After a hard days work, every morning, whatever your routine is. You'll spend upwards of $15k on this one of a kind investment. Why make it average and use a system, a drain, that is antiquated and dated. At the end of the day you should have the best, most modern and visually pleasing drain you can possibly get. Ask your installer, what kind of drain will you be using? What is the difference between a "contained system" and a "water in, water out" system. What are the advantages and disadvantages? ONE detail, like what drain is used can make all the difference!
Schluter has many drain options. Brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, chrome, a tile-able option so you tile the top of the drain with whatever tile is in your shower pan, and linear drains.
A great finished product is essentially TEN SMALL DETAILS added up! We think 10 steps ahead and 20 years in the future to provide you with a stunning, one of a kind, functional masterpiece.
A one of a kind shower, not skipping the details.