A point drain forces the floor to slope from all four sides toward the center — which means cutting every large tile into a wedge. Switch to a linear drain, and the entire floor slopes one direction toward one wall. Your 24"×48" tiles go in whole. Your grout lines stay straight. Your shower looks like the ones in the design magazines.

Product Overview

The Schluter KERDI-LINE channel body is the stainless steel linear drain base for bonded waterproof shower assemblies. The drain channel features an integrated KERDI waterproofing collar on the bonding flange — the KERDI membrane or DITRA-HEAT overlaps directly onto this collar, creating a watertight connection between the drain and the waterproofing assembly without sealant or secondary membranes. The outlet is a standard 2" (50mm) no-hub connection, available in center or offset (8" from edge) configurations to navigate floor joists. Lengths run from 20" to 72" in 4" increments.

Why Linear Drain Changes the Whole Design

With a point drain, you're fighting physics: four-sided slopes all meeting at one point means diagonal cuts on every tile, complicated grout patterns, and limitations on tile size. Large-format tile (anything 18" or bigger) becomes a puzzle exercise. With a linear drain, the floor has a single slope in one plane — usually toward the wall drain. That means:

• Large-format tile installs with no angle cuts (just trim to length at the drain wall)
• Grout lines run parallel and perpendicular — clean, geometric, intentional
• The slope is gentler and more comfortable underfoot (single-plane vs. four-sided pyramid)
• Design possibilities include all-tile drains (invisible drain line) and contemporary wall-to-wall continuity

Compatible Shower Trays

• KERDI-SHOWER-LT: Pre-sloped tray for KERDI-LINE with center drain placement (drain in middle of the long wall)
• KERDI-SHOWER-LTS: Pre-sloped tray with perimeter drain placement (drain against the wall) — the more common residential layout
• Both eliminate the need to build a custom mortar bed — set the tray in thin-set, tile directly over it.

Grate Options

• SOLID (A): Solid stainless steel bar grate — classic, visible drain line
• SQUARE (B): Open square pattern — also available with locking screw for commercial use
• STYLE grates (FLORAL, CURVE, PURE): Decorative minimal-reveal options for design-forward showers
• TILE grate (D): Frameless tileable cover — tile directly over the drain cover for a completely invisible linear drain. The most design-forward option available.

Installation Notes

• The KERDI waterproofing collar on the bonding flange is the critical waterproofing connection — the KERDI membrane must overlap this collar by at least 2" on all sides, embedded in thin-set. No sealant substitution.
• Center outlet vs. offset outlet: the 8" offset outlet allows you to position the drain body closer to a joist without cutting the joist. Measure your joist layout before selecting.
• The drain body must be set at the correct height relative to your final tile surface — account for the tray thickness, mortar bed depth, and tile thickness.
• Grate assembly is ordered separately from the channel body — choose grate style and finish after confirming tile selection.
• Compatible tile thicknesses for standard grates: 1/8" to 1" (3–25mm). STYLE grates: 1/4" to 23/32" (6–18mm). Tile grate: any thickness.
• For curbless (zero-threshold) showers, use the KERDI-SHOWER-LTS tray — it has a reduced perimeter height designed for flush floor-to-floor transitions.

Pro Tips

• Order the grate kit in the same finish as your shower fixtures at the start of the project — it's easy to match brushed nickel faucets with a brushed KERDI-LINE grate, and it looks intentional rather than an afterthought.
• The tile grate option creates completely invisible drains — but requires precise installation so the tile surface is flush with the grate frame. There's less margin for error, so this option is better suited for experienced installers.
• KERDI-LINE comes in 4" length increments from 20" to 72" — pick the length closest to your shower width minus 2" (to leave clearance from the walls) rather than going wall-to-wall.
• The offset outlet option is underused and underappreciated. If your joists fall under where the drain wants to go, the offset outlet lets you shift the plumbing connection 8" without moving the entire drain channel position.

What It Pairs With

• KERDI-SHOWER-LT or KERDI-SHOWER-LTS — pre-sloped shower trays for linear drains
• KERDI membrane — waterproofing that bonds to the KERDI-LINE collar
• KERDI-LINE grate kits (SOLID, SQUARE, STYLE, TILE) — ordered separately, choose finish
• KERDI-BAND — for sealing surrounding waterproofing seams
• Schluter SET or ALL-SET mortar — for shower assembly