Staff Pick of the Month: Schluter KERDI-LINE Linear Drains
At CT Tile & Remodeling, every month we spotlight a staff favorite — a product that earns its place in a bathroom remodel through both form and function. This month, we're highlighting one of our favorite ways to create a high-end bathroom design: the Schluter® KERDI-LINE Linear Drain.
Drains can be an overlooked feature, but can make a huge difference in how your finished shower looks and performs.
What Is a Linear Drain — and Why Does It Matter?
A linear drain is a long, narrow drain channel installed along one edge of your shower floor — typically against a wall — instead of a traditional round or square drain positioned in the center. The result is a shower floor that slopes in a single direction rather than toward a center point, which opens up a world of design possibilities that simply aren't possible with a conventional drain.
The Schluter KERDI-LINE is the linear drain we trust and install. It integrates directly with the Schluter waterproofing system, which means every component works together as a single sealed assembly. There is no compatibility guesswork, no weak points between products from different manufacturers, and no risk of the drain compromising the waterproofing membrane beneath your tile.
The Design Advantage: One Slope, Endless Possibilities
This is where linear drains really shine. With a traditional center drain, your tile floor has to slope toward the middle from all four sides — which limits you to smaller tiles, since large-format tile can't conform to that complex four-way pitch without cracking or leaving hollow spots.
With a linear drain, the floor slopes in a single plane toward one wall. That means you can run large-format tile (think 24x24, 24x48, or even larger!) continuously across the shower floor with no awkward cuts around a center drain. The result is a cleaner, more seamless look that lets your tile be the star.
It also means you can create a curbless, zero-threshold shower entry with a single continuous slope to the drain. This is one of the most requested design features in modern bathroom remodels — it makes the shower feel more open, makes the whole bathroom feel larger, and is the right choice for aging-in-place design.
Why We Specify the Schluter KERDI-LINE
There are other linear drains on the market. Here's why we install Schluterspecifically:
It's part of an integrated waterproofing system. The KERDI-LINE drain is engineered to connect directly to the Schluter-KERDI waterproofing membrane. The drain body includes an integrated bonding flange that the membrane bonds directly to, creating a completely sealed assembly with no gaps, no seams, and no opportunity for water to migrate behind your tile.
It's fully height-adjustable. The drain body can be adjusted to accommodate different tile thicknesses and slope configurations, which gives our installers the precision needed for a flawless finished installation.
It comes in a range of lengths and finishes. KERDI-LINE is available in lengths from 19" to 59", so it can be sized to fit nearly any shower width. Grate finishes include brushed stainless steel, matte black, matte white, stone grey, greige, cream, and bronze — so it integrates seamlessly with any design palette, from warm and organic to sleek and contemporary.
It can be tiled over. One of our favorite options: the KERDI-LINE accepts a tile insert, so the drain disappears entirely into the floor. If you want a completely seamless look where the eye travels from wall to wall without interruption, a tile-in linear drain is the way to achieve it.
Photo courtesy of schluter.com
Where a Linear Drain Makes the Most Sense
Walk-In Showers With Large Format Tile
This is the most common scenario where we recommend a linear drain. If you're planning a 24x48 porcelain tile shower floor, a center drain isn't a practical option. A linear drain at the wall allows the tile to run cleanly with a single pitch and minimal cuts.
Curbless Showers
Zero-threshold showers require a single-direction slope to function properly. A linear drain positioned at the far wall allows the entire floor to slope gently away from the entry — completely eliminating the need for a curb and making the shower accessible for all ages and abilities.
Master Bathroom Remodels
In a master bathroom, the shower is often the focal point. A linear drain with a matching finish to your fixtures (brushed gold, matte black, chrome, etc.) adds a level of polish and intentionality that a standard round drain simply can't match.
Wet Rooms
A wet room is a bathroom where the entire floor is waterproofed and the shower has no defined enclosure. Linear drains are essential to wet room design, handling drainage across a larger area with a single, clean fixture.
The Practical Benefits Beyond Aesthetics
A linear drain isn't just a design choice. There are real performance and maintenance advantages worth knowing:
Easier to clean. A single long channel is faster and more straightforward to clean than a standard drain with a grate in the middle of a tiled floor. Most KERDI-LINE grates lift out in seconds.
Better drainage performance. A linear drain typically offers a larger drain opening than a standard point drain, which means faster drainage and less standing water after your shower.
Pairs perfectly with Schluter waterproofing. Because we're already installing Schluter waterproofing on every custom shower we build, adding a KERDI-LINE drain requires no additional systems or compatibility concerns. It's one integrated assembly from floor to wall.
A Note on Installation
Linear drains require precise installation to perform correctly. The slope of the floor has to be consistent and accurate, the drain body has to be set at exactly the right height, and the integration between the drain flange and the waterproofing membrane has to be complete and tight.
This isn't a product that forgives sloppy work. Done right, it produces a shower floor that's beautiful, watertight, and built to last. Done wrong, you end up with pooling water, potential leaks, and a floor that has to be torn out and redone.
As certified Schluter installers, our team has the training and hands-on experience to install KERDI-LINE correctly — from the sloped mortar bed to the finished grate. Every shower we build with a linear drain is backed by our workmanship and the quality of the Schluter system itself.
Photo courtesy of schluter.com
See the KERDI-LINE at Our Glenside Showroom
We carry Schluter drain samples and finishes at our bathroom and tile showroom at 713 Bethlehem Pike in Glenside, PA. If you're planning a shower remodel and want to see how a linear drain looks against different tile options, stop in and our team will walk you through it in person.
You can hold the grates, compare finishes side by side, and get a real sense of the scale and profile of the drain before committing to it in your project. There's no substitute for seeing these details in person, especially when you're making decisions that will be built into your home for decades.
From Product Selection to Finished Installation
Choosing the right drain is just one piece of a custom shower build. The full scope — waterproofing, substrate, tile selection, layout, grouting, and finishing — requires experience and attention to detail at every step.
At CT Tile & Remodeling, we specialize in:
Full bathroom renovations — from demolition through final grout and caulk
Custom tile showers — including Schluter waterproofing, niches, benches, and linear drains
Curbless and accessible shower design
We work throughout the Main Line, Blue Bell, King of Prussia, and the surrounding suburbs.
Schedule Your Free In-Home Estimate
Ready to build a custom shower with a linear drain in your home?
We offer free in-home estimates for homeowners throughout the area. Our team will come out to assess your space, discuss the project, and walk you through design and material options suited to your home and budget.
Schedule your free estimate here or call us at (215) 500-5473.
You're also welcome to visit our bathroom showroom to see Schluter drain options and this month's featured materials in person.
Mon: 11am–5pm | Tues–Fri: 12pm–5pm | Sat–Sun: By appointment
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