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Channel drain or drain plug : which shower drainage ?
After choosing the type of shower tray (walk-in, traditional) and the installation method (recessed or raised), the final step is selecting the type of drainage.
Two types of drainage devices are available : the round drain and the rectangular channel. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each (particularly with a stone shower tray) ?
The floor drain
The circular drain is cost-effective. It is covered by a perforated cover (which we call at Le Comptoir des Pierres "grille"). It can be easily cleaned, and considering its cost, there is less hesitation to replace it in case of failure.
Three drawbacks are worth noting: its sometimes slow drainage, which can cause water to stagnate, and its somewhat unappealing appearance, especially when the drain protrudes from the tray in cheaper models.
The last drawback does not apply to stone shower trays: it involves the difficulty of tiling a slope around the drain - requiring the creation of tile triangles, which is technically challenging to execute perfectly.
Our stone shower trays are cut from solid stone, so there is no need for tiling around them.
The linear drain
Its flow rate is higher, and its aesthetics are far superior to floor drains, especially with various design options like waves or squares. It is often chosen for walk-in showers.
We see only one drawback : its significant price which often results in costing more than the shower tray itself.
At Le Comptoir des Pierres, we can create a stone grate at no extra cost that fits into the linear drain. This ensures there is no stainless steel grate but a finish entirely in Burgundy Stone.
Without budget constraints, our preference leans towards the linear drain for drainage. However, in a renovation project, whether it focuses solely on the bathroom or involves the entire house, financial considerations often require making trade-offs.
If that's the case, choose the circular drain without regret to allocate the price difference to other aspects of the project.
