The ProLine slot drain from Quick Drain USA is available in diff…
The ProLine slot drain from Quick Drain USA is available in different lengths and six strainer patterns. It allows tiles to be installed without interruptions and is an excellent option for universal design. www.quickdrainusa.com.
MTI now makes its Boutique shower bases with a removable drain c…
MTI now makes its Boutique shower bases with a removable drain cover for clean design. The drain can also be concealed with a teak cover for a warm, contemporary look. http://mtibaths.com.
Kohler’s Archer 60-inch acrylic shower base has a conventional…
Kohler’s Archer 60-inch acrylic shower base has a conventional center drain, but it has a different shape and a removable cover that adds a cool design element and is more comfortable under your feet. www.us.kohler.com.
Franke’s Peak Series line of sinks offers a more minimalist de…
Franke’s Peak Series line of sinks offers a more minimalist design in the kitchen. The angular-designed unit features a flat bottom and a drain cover that maintains the plane of the sink. www.frankeksd.com.
Neo Metro’s Ebb Concept stainless steel sinks make it hard for…
Neo Metro’s Ebb Concept stainless steel sinks make it hard for you to find the drain. Available in various sizes and configurations, the stainless steel units can be wall-mounted, undermounted, and come in different finishes and depths. www.neo-metro.com.
The Haslaa above-counter basin features a drain that’s there b…
The Haslaa above-counter basin features a drain that’s there but not there. Imported from Italy, the piece is made with fireclay ceramic, which is heavier and yet smoother than standard ceramic. www.pscbath.com.
Schluter’s Kerdi-Line drain measures 20 inches to 48 inches lo…
Schluter’s Kerdi-Line drain measures 20 inches to 48 inches long and comes in three grid styles.www.schluter.com.
Ranging in length from 32 inches to 52 inches, California Faucet…
Ranging in length from 32 inches to 52 inches, California Faucets’ CeraLine allows floor tiles to be set uninterrupted and slope in one direction. It comes in various finishes. www.calfaucets.com.
The linear QuARTz Drain by ACO is available in eight grate style…
The linear QuARTz Drain by ACO is available in eight grate styles, two finishes, and six standard lengths. A stainless steel sieve/strainer sits inside a 2-inch diameter outlet to collect hair and debris. http://www.quartzbyaco.com.
ACO also offers more traditional center drains that create uniqu…
ACO also offers more traditional center drains that create unique looks with a variety of design options. ShowerPoint’s 6-inch-square shape enables clean tile installation. www.quartzbyaco.com.
Infinity Drain eliminates the traditional center drain that requ…
Infinity Drain eliminates the traditional center drain that requires pitching the floor in four directions. The stainless steel product ranges in size from 36 inches to 96 inches. www.infinitydrain.com.
TileDrain allows you to tile right up to and on the surface of t…
TileDrain allows you to tile right up to and on the surface of the drain unit, creating design continuity on the bath floor. It’s available in three sizes and is equipped with a 316 stainless steel channel that can be removed for cleaning. www.infinitydrain.com.
Tile Redi now blends its pre-formed, one-piece shower pans with …
Tile Redi now blends its pre-formed, one-piece shower pans with a linear drain. Redi Trench can be used with any size Redi Base measuring 52 inches to 72 inches and can be used with your choice of tile-able or grate top. www.tileredi.com.
The shower or sink drain is arguably one of the most boring products in a house. Sure, it’s important, but the drain is not an element builders or architects spend time talking about or detailing—at least not until recently.
These days, manufacturers have stepped up their game with linear drains that can either disappear from sight or take on a streamlined appearance. Even the traditional center drain has been redesigned with custom grill patterns and installations that can be tiled-in.
The linear drain is perhaps the hottest of the bunch. Frisco, Colo.–based Quick Drain USA, which claims to manufacture and sell the first linear slot-drain in the country, says the product is a god-send for designers and architects.
It “can be easily installed against a shower wall or under a shower door, thereby eliminating the need for a deep shower pan and the all-too-familiar drain in the center of the shower,” the company says. “Designers love the product for its versatility—now they can use large tiles on the shower floor; and builders are captivated by its sleek design, affordable cost, and the ease and speed of installation.”
If you’d rather install a more traditional product with a twist, Port Washington, N.Y.–based Infinity Drain, which also manufacturers linear drains, recently introduced TileDrain. “Crafted to make the drain disappear, it’s the first drain of its kind available in the U.S. market,” the company says. Because the unit allows tiles or solid surface material to be install within the grate, the drain seems to disappear.
Drain manufacturers aren’t the only ones making strides in drain design. Makers of shower receptors are redesigning their drains, and sink manufacturers such as Kohler, Neo-Metro, and Franke are moving away from boring round holes and using clever covers and slots that are far more attractive.
Here are 14 products that will add a measure of cool to your kitchens and baths.
