Round vs. linear drain: Which is the best floor drain style for your new home bathroom?

Upon first use of your newly renovated shower, standing water that pools around your feet and refuses to drain away can be frustrating. While the water does eventually drain away, anyone who has experienced this drainage issue will understand why proper floor drain selection is crucial. When renovating, choosing the right type of floor drain is one of the most important decisions to make – and it's worth getting right the first time, as there will usually be significant plumbing work involved before your renovation is complete.

Floor drains are often overlooked in bathroom renovations, but they shouldn't be. When they fail, unpleasant odours can fill your bathroom. Hair and debris can cause blockages that are costly to fix – and the problems can escalate quickly. But it doesn't have to be that way.

There are essentially two choices when it comes to which model of floor drain to install in your bathroom: the tried-and-true round drain or the increasingly popular linear drain (also known as "strip drains"). Each type has advantages and disadvantages. But the good news is, if you design it well, both can be aesthetically pleasing. Which is really best for your budget, your space, and your peace of mind? Here we go.

The Case for Round Drains

Round drains are a reliable, time-tested option for Australian bathrooms. We have turned to them for bathroom solutions in Australia for years, and for good reason: to quote an old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." They are available at just about every big-box hardware store in the country. Bunnings, Reece or the local tile shop will have replacement parts on hand, and any plumber worth their salt will be able to put one in without any fuss.

In terms of price, round drains are decidedly cheaper. A good quality round drain in a nice finish will set you back $50 to $200 depending on brand and so on. Contrast that with linear drains: they can easily run $300 and climb over $800. The choice becomes pretty clear if you're trying to keep renovation costs under control.

"If budget is a little tight, a round drain in a good finish can still look fabulous," says Lana Taylor from Three Birds Renovations. "The key is finding one that sits well with your tapware."

Installation is another area where round drains shine—or I dare say, make your life easier. Because they are slim and require only minimal floor preparation, a good tiler should be able to work with the falls already in the floor without creating too much fuss. This is doubly useful if, like us all probably do these days, you are keeping the layout as it is in order to save money on your reno.

And round drains can be placed in the centre, in a corner or off to one side. The inside of a shower is pretty much a blank canvas and you have the freedom to make any choices that suit your space as long as they are practical and feel good for people living there. This is the reason these round drain solutions are so popular in small bathrooms or narrow corners that really count every millimetre.

Linear Drains: The Modern Alternative

As practical as round drains are, sleek linear drains are the latest trend that's popping up on TV shows like The Block and in design catalogues just about everywhere. What is almost undeniable is that one long, skinny drain running along one edge of your shower looks great -- it's the kind of attention to detail that can turn a simply nice bathroom into something altogether cool.

But best of all, they allow the water to spread across the shower floor much more easily than before! Your shower floor no longer needs to slope downwards towards one point in a central area; which means you can achieve flatter floor profiles. Now even the high-end hotel and spa interiors have an uphill battle in looking better than this outlet for wastewater.

This improved drainage opens up some excellent tile options. "Using a linear drain," according to one source who has renovated 15 bathrooms herself, "means that you can run the same tiles in and out of the whole shower area without having to cut around a round drain. The result is continuous, unbroken lines which make even a small shower seem roomier and more luxurious." And that's the kind of detail that can make your bathroom feel more at home in a boutique hotel than it does in today's average suburban dwelling.

Linear drains are also great for producing a wet room or open shower. Because they are flush with the wall, you have no breaks between your shower space and the rest of the floor in your bathroom--the perfect setting for that smooth, modern look that's so popular on Pinterest right now.

The Practical Stuff to Think About

Before getting too carried away with visions of a glorious new linear drain, there are some practical matters that require forethought. Installation consumes significantly more time than a round drain, which will generally mean you are paying higher wages to your workmen. Just creating the correct gradient across the entire shower floor will demand real skill and effort from your tiler. Miscellaneous mistakes could lead you straight back to where you started with pooling water forming again this time as a result of your own imprudence.

So, now let's focus on maintenance. Both drain types require regular maintenance to prevent hair and soap buildup – that's just how it is. Because they are so long linear drains can be a bit more fiddly to clean properly, though. The good news is that some models (ABI Interiors does a great one) actually have removable strainers you can just pop off and rinse under the tap; it's such a relief. There are others... well, let's just say that you'll be getting cozy with a toothbrush and doing some serious scrubbing.

Missed the boat on building from scratch? That's ok. But note that retrofitting a linear drain is anything but easy. They usually require extensive alteration to your floor structure and waterproofing which can easily flush away even the most carefully budgeted renovation. Round drains can generally be placed into existing drain positions with little fuss by contrast.

How Should You Choose the One for Your Space?

But which should you plump for? If cash is tight, your bathroom is a renovation project and you need no-nonsense solution or simply like old faithful formulas - round drain seems like it could be your best gamble. Select one that co-ordinates well with your tapware-- brushed nickel, gunmetal or even brass from brands like Phoenix or ABI Interiors can add the finishing touch to an entire room if applied carefully.

However, linear drains are ideal for new builds with flexible budgets where a contemporary aesthetic is desired. However, make sure to employ an experienced tiler who has had plenty of experience with linear drain installations – this is a job that requires professional installation.

Take into account the size of your shower, too. In a compact ensuite bathroom, a round drain might well prove to be a smarter (and more economic) choice. But in larger bathrooms where you want to create a luxurious, spa-like feel, linear drains can act as icing on the cake for the whole space.

No matter which option you select, a good drainage system is not only about aesthetics but also the longevity and proper function of your bathroom. It is definitely worth getting this right first time.