When it comes to installing your bathroom grate, you want to make sure that you choose the best in terms of quality, aesthetics, and standards. The fact that there are a wide variety of options to choose from in the market is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
An advantage because you have multiple options to choose from, and a disadvantage because you need to expand your research and find the best. However, it doesn’t need to take you longer to find the best manufacturer. You just need to define your requirements, know the type of Drain there are, and the factors you need to consider.
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Types of Bathroom Drains
Here are some types of bathroom drains;
Trench Drains
These are one of the most common types of shower drains. They are a long and narrow rectangle that you embed into the floor of your shower. They are also most similar to circular drains. These, as the name suggests, are circular in shape and are also embedded on the floor.
Before choosing a bathroom grate, it is important to first know the drain type you are going to install. This will help you narrow down your options and make the process much easier.
Point Drains
These are also a common type in most homes. They are small and usually fitted in the centre of the bathroom. This kind of instalment requires the floor to be sloped down towards the drain to allow all the water from all directions to flow right into the drain.
They mostly come in circular shapes, but you can also find square-tops (these best-fit square tiles). Point drains are your best choice if you are on a budget as they are small and cost-effective. However, because of how it is installed and that the floor has to be slopped, you will need more specific tiles.
Linear Drains
Linear drains are long and rectangular in shape. They may run from one corner to the next in your shower and are usually installed right against the wall. Linear drains require the whole floor to be slopped or slanted towards the direction of the wall/ the drain.
This also means you are not as limited with your choice of tiles as you are with point drains because the slope moves in one direction. They work great with curb less showers and can use both large and small tiles. On the cost side, they are pricier compared to other point drains.
Factors to Consider While Choosing Grates
After deciding the type of drain you want for your bathroom, you are now in a better position to choose a grate that would suit you the best. Here are some factors you should keep in mind;
Holes
Holes are part of the shower grate styles that you are going to choose. You can find multiple types of grates with different shapes and sizes of holes. While you want these to look good in your bathroom and compliment every other feature, you also want them to be able to drain all the water coming from the shower.
If you want a more modern look, you can go for the square pattern, while if you want to go traditional, you can choose the wire patterns. You can choose whatever type depending on the style of your shower and bathroom as well as one that will function efficiently.
Material
Material and finish are definitely other important factors to consider. They both make the difference in how you want the grate to look in your bathroom/ shower. Most grates are made of stainless steel but you can also get ones made with tiles at the top to match the tiles in your shower.
The finish may also be different for steel grates. Some appear to be shiny while others may look matte. Besides the looks, you also want to find a grate that is of good quality and that will last long.
