What's the difference?
A curbless shower has zero step — the bathroom floor flows straight into the shower. A low-threshold shower has a small curb, usually 2–4 inches, just enough to keep water in. Both look modern. They differ in cost, complexity, and how they handle water.
Curbless: the seamless look
Why people love it: It's the cleanest, most modern look in bathrooms right now. Makes small bathrooms feel dramatically bigger — the eye reads the whole floor as one space. No curb to clean around. And it's the most accessible entry possible.
The catch: Water has to go somewhere, and there's no curb to stop it. That means the entire shower floor — and the area around it — must slope precisely to a linear drain. The waterproofing has to extend well beyond the shower footprint. On a Florida concrete slab, this means cutting the slab to recess the drain, which is real work.
Cost: Expect to pay $3,000–$6,000 more than a standard curbed shower for the extra labor, linear drain, and extended waterproofing.
Low-threshold: the practical middle
Why people choose it: You get 90% of the modern look with far less complexity. A 2-inch curb is easy to step over, keeps water contained with a standard center drain, and doesn't require slab surgery. It's the sweet spot for most bathrooms.
The catch: It's not zero-entry. There's still a small lip. If absolute barrier-free access is the goal, curbless wins.
Cost: Roughly the same as a standard shower — the low curb is just a design choice, not a structural project.
Which is right for your bathroom?
Go curbless if: you're remodeling anyway and the slab work is already happening, the modern seamless look is a priority, or zero-step entry matters for mobility. Best in larger bathrooms where the extended wet zone isn't an issue.
Go low-threshold if: you want the modern look without the premium cost, your bathroom is on the smaller side, or you'd rather keep the project simpler. Honestly, this is what most of our customers choose — and they're happy.
Florida note: Curbless showers on upper floors (condos, two-story homes) need extra attention to waterproofing the surrounding floor — a leak doesn't just stain a ceiling, it becomes your downstairs neighbor's problem. We handle this, but it's why the waterproofing scope is bigger.
Not sure which fits your space? Call (407) 434-9297 — we'll look at your bathroom and give you an honest recommendation.