Advantages and Disadvantages of Tileable Shower Drains

Hello everyone,

I am currently designing my shower for my new bathroom. This also includes the matching shower drain. My shower is 140 x 120 cm in size, level with the floor, and freely accessible. Now I wanted to install a shower drain (highlighted in yellow in the illustration) that is 120 cm wide (the same width as the shower). Unfortunately, the plumbing company told me that this does not work with a tileable shower drain, because although the visible surface on top is indeed 120 cm wide, the overall installation area is 125 cm wide, so 5 cm more, and therefore it cannot be installed without leaking. I actually wanted a tileable shower drain for the look. Non-tileable shower drains, on the other hand, can apparently be shortened without any problems and can be precisely adjusted to the 120 cm width without installation issues. What do you think about that? Are there specific advantages and disadvantages between the shower drains? For me, the question also arises whether there are disadvantages to using a smaller tileable shower drain (e.g. 70 cm because it is cheaper) compared to a 120 cm wide non-tileable shower drain. Or should you always choose the largest possible shower drain?

I appreciate any opinions :)

Show both variants to yourself, as well as others. I would choose the easiest to clean, and secondly the appearance.

Non-tileable shower channels, on the other hand, can apparently be cut without problems and can be precisely adjusted to the 120cm width

Yes and no. They are always slightly wider than 120cm. This can’t be avoided because the sides also need to be sealed. Depending on the slope in the shower, this can be "hidden". I couldn’t do that and needed a shower width that was about 4cm larger than the width of the shower channel. But your sanitary professional can tell you if this works for you. Based on your sketch, I would guess "no".

Are there any particular advantages or disadvantages between the shower channels?

Nope. Possibly, tiling is not as visually appealing because mini pieces of tiles have to be cut, which might be noticeable. That really requires a professional.

For me, the question also arises whether taking a smaller tileable shower channel (e.g., 70cm since cheaper) has disadvantages compared to a 120cm wide non-tileable shower channel. Or should you always choose the largest possible shower channel?

As long as the drainage capacity is sufficient, it does not matter. You could even have a sleek point drain in the middle.

Untileable shower channels, on the other hand, can presumably be easily shortened and precisely adjusted to the 120cm width without installation problems.

In stainless steel (appearance) probably no less stylish than tiled.

I also think that can look good. Then I will really have the stainless steel rail installed over the entire width, that is 120cm.

Then I will really have the stainless steel rail installed over the entire width, meaning 120cm.

I would personally do it "framed," because visually you then recognize the entire shower floor as a unit and it doesn't appear visually shortened. At the back, the rail is also set with some distance. Or is it planned differently with you?