Neither is universally better — the choice depends on the floor build-up, the shower size, and whether the drain should be visible. Linear drains suit level-access and large-format tile; point drains suit small showers and simple centre-drain layouts.
Comparison
| Linear drain | Point drain | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor fall | Single plane | Four-way fall to centre |
| Screed complexity | Lower | Higher |
| Floor build-up needed | Higher (channel depth) | Can be lower |
| Large-format tile | Better — one plane, clean cuts | Difficult — multiple cuts to falls |
| Level access / wheelchair | Preferred | Possible, but slope is steeper |
| Appearance | Can be nearly invisible (tile-insert) | Always a visible fitting |
| Installation cost | Higher product cost, lower labour | Lower product cost, similar labour |
| Cleaning | Grate access along channel | Single access point |
Choose a linear drain when
- The shower is level-access or wheelchair-accessible
- You are using large-format tile or natural stone
- You want the drain to be visually discreet
- Floor build-up allows a channel depth of at least 60–90 mm
Choose a point drain when
- The bathroom is small and layout is a simple centre drain
- Floor build-up is very limited
- You are replacing an existing point drain on existing pipework
Still unsure? Send us your floor build-up and shower size — we will confirm which option works. Request a Quote