This is how you make a shower drain disappear. You tile right over it. When you're done grouting, there's no stainless disc, no grate, no obvious circle in the floor — just continuous tile, with water draining somewhere you can't see.

Product Overview

The Schluter KERDI-DRAIN Tile Grate Kit 4" is a drain cover designed to be tiled over completely. The kit consists of a stainless steel plate with KERDI waterproofing material laminated onto the top surface — you set a tile cut to fit directly onto the KERDI surface, grout it like any other tile joint, and the drain becomes invisible. Unlike decorative grates that still show a metal cover, the Tile Grate Kit creates a fully continuous tile floor where the drain is identifiable only by the grout joint that happens to outline where the water goes. This is the finish option in high-end shower photography that makes the floor look seamless.

Who Should Buy This

• Design-forward custom showers: The invisible drain is the premium aesthetic choice — uninterrupted tile from wall to wall, no hardware to conflict with carefully coordinated fixtures and finishes.
• Customers with specific tile they love: When the tile pattern is the centerpiece, a metal drain cover is a visual interruption. The tile grate makes the tile the only thing you see.
• Large-format tile installations: Cutting a tile piece to fit over the drain plate typically looks intentional and clean — especially with rectified large-format porcelain where cuts are precise.
• Spa and resort-style bathrooms: The invisible drain is the calling card of that aesthetic.

How It Works

1. The KERDI-DRAIN body is installed and waterproofed as normal — KERDI membrane bonds to the fleece-covered bonding flange.
2. The tile grate plate (stainless steel with KERDI laminated on top) is set into the drain frame assembly at the correct height.
3. A cut tile piece is set directly onto the KERDI surface of the plate using thin-set mortar — the same mortar as the rest of the floor.
4. Grout is applied around the tile as usual. The tile on the grate plate becomes visually continuous with the surrounding floor tile.
5. The grate plate can still be removed for drain access — lift the tile piece out (the tile is bonded to the plate, not to the floor), access the drain, replace. No demolition required.

Installation Notes

• This option is more demanding to install correctly than a standard grate. The tile on the grate plate must be perfectly flush with the surrounding floor tile — any height difference will be felt underfoot and will be visible.
• Best results with experienced tile setters who can fine-tune the grate height before setting surrounding tile.
• The tile grate accommodates ANY tile thickness — there's no minimum or maximum restriction like decorative grate options have. Size your tile cut to fit the plate and set it as you would any other tile.
• Grouting: grout the tile on the grate plate last, after surrounding tile is grouted. Use the same grout as the rest of the floor for a seamless look.
• Use a rubber mallet to confirm the grate plate is at exactly the right height before tiling around it. You won't be able to adjust it once adjacent tiles are set.

Pro Tips

• Cut the tile for the drain plate while you still have extra tile from the same box — same dye lot, same shade. Drains set last with a different lot of tile are an obvious flaw.
• Mark the perimeter of the grate plate lightly on the floor before surrounding tiles go in — having a reference line makes it easier to ensure surrounding tiles are flush with the plate height.
• If the tile being used has significant texture or pattern directionality, orient the cut for the drain plate consistently with the surrounding tile direction. Misaligned pattern tile on the drain plate is more noticeable than you'd expect.
• Some installers prefer to leave a hairline silicone joint (matching grout color) around the drain plate perimeter rather than grouting it tight — this allows for slight movement and makes removal easier without cracking the surrounding grout. Either approach works.

What It Pairs With

• KERDI-DRAIN body (ABS, PVC, or stainless) — body installed first, grate kit installs over it
• KERDI membrane — waterproofing bonded to the drain flange
• KERDI-SHOWER trays — compatible pre-sloped shower bases
• Schluter SET or ALL-SET mortar — for setting the tile onto the grate plate