Before You Buy an Accessible Shower Online: 9 Things to Check
Buying an accessible shower online doesn't have to be complicated. But ordering the wrong size, threshold or drain location can turn a simple remodel into an expensive headache.
Before you order, confirm nine things: fit, doorway clearance, threshold, drain location, wall support, ADA requirements, freight delivery, lead time, warranty and return policy.
We answer these questions every day for contractors, homeowners planning ahead, and families helping a parent stay safe at home. Here's the checklist we'd hand a friend. It works no matter where you buy.
Measure the Room — and Every Doorway
Most buyers measure the shower opening. Fewer measure the path the shower must travel to get there.
Check the front door, hallway turns, stairs and bathroom doorway. Your new shower has to make it through all of them.
One-Piece Showers
Fewer seams, but the entire shower must fit through the narrowest opening.
Will a 37-inch shower fit through a 36-inch door? Not as one piece unless its smallest dimension clears the opening and there's enough room to maneuver it through.
Multi-Piece Showers
Designed for remodels. Individual sections pass through doorways and assemble inside the bathroom.
Several of our multi-piece showers are specifically designed to fit through 30-inch doorways.
Measure Twice. Order Once. Shower dimensions listed online are generally exterior dimensions. The usable interior space will be smaller. Choose your shower before demolition and frame the opening to the manufacturer's specifications.
Choose the Right Shower Threshold
Curbless, low-threshold or curbed? This decision affects access, floor preparation and water containment. Start with the person who will use the shower.
| Shower Type | Entry | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Curbless / Roll-In | Flat or nearly flat finished entry | Shower wheelchair users, walkers and anyone who shouldn't have to step over a curb |
| Low-Threshold | Small, often beveled lip | People who walk into the shower but want a lower step |
| Curbed | Standard step-over curb | People who step comfortably and prioritize water containment |
The Detail That Matters: Your Finished Floor
A shower base sits on the unfinished subfloor. The threshold height shown on a product page may not equal the step you'll have after the bathroom floor is finished.
For example, a 3/4-inch square threshold can meet nearly flush with a 3/4-inch finished tile assembly. Actual floor buildup varies, so compare both dimensions before ordering.
Learn how to install a curbless shower without recessing the subfloor .
Still deciding? Compare Walk-In, Curbless and ADA Showers .
Confirm Your Drain Location
Shower bases come with center, left, right or end drains. Some also offer linear trench drains.
Before ordering, measure where the existing drain is located and compare it with the manufacturer's dimensioned drawing.
Don't Make the Plumber Guess. Moving a drain adds plumbing work. On a concrete slab, it can mean cutting concrete. Matching your shower base to the existing drain may save time and money.
Working on concrete? Read our Curbless Shower on a Concrete Slab Guide .
Plan for Shower Seats and Grab Bars
A fold-down shower seat and grab bars need structural support. Planning for them before installation is far easier than opening finished walls later.
Reinforced Prefab Walls
Many Best Bath, EZ Able and Praxis shower models include reinforced walls for accessories. Confirm the approved mounting locations, hardware and load requirements for your specific shower.
Tile or Standard Walls
Plan the required structural blocking or approved mounting system before the wall is closed. Follow the seat and grab-bar manufacturer's instructions.
A Helpful ADA Reference
For ADA-compliant shower seats, the 2010 ADA Standards specify a seating surface 17–19 inches above the bathroom finished floor.
Know When ADA Dimensions Matter
An accessible shower and an ADA-compliant shower aren't automatically the same thing.
ADA requirements generally apply to covered public and commercial facilities. A typical private home isn't required to meet those standards, but ADA dimensions can be useful planning references.
| ADA Shower Type | Interior Dimensions | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Shower | 36 × 36 inches | 1/2 inch maximum |
| Standard Roll-In | 30 inches deep × 60 inches wide minimum | 1/2 inch maximum, subject to applicable requirements |
| Alternate Roll-In | 36 inches deep × 60 inches wide minimum, with a 36-inch entry at one end | 1/2 inch maximum, subject to applicable requirements |
Important: ADA dimensions refer to clear interior space, not the shower's advertised exterior size. Threshold requirements are evaluated relative to the finished floor. Additional requirements apply to clearances, seats, controls, grab bars and configuration.
For commercial projects, request dimensioned drawings and verify compliance with the project designer or local authority before ordering. Shop ADA Shower Systems .
Understand Freight Delivery Before It Arrives
Large prefab showers and shower bases typically arrive crated by common carrier freight. It's a different process from receiving a parcel on your doorstep.
- Curbside delivery: Most residential freight deliveries are curbside, not inside your home or garage. Confirm the delivery location and truck accessibility.
- Liftgate: Without a loading dock or forklift, ask whether a liftgate is needed and available for your shipment.
- Crated weight: Account for the shower, pallet, packaging and crate when planning unloading and handling.
- Inspect before signing: Count the pieces and inspect the packaging while the driver is present.
- Document exceptions: Write visible damage or shortages on the delivery receipt or bill of lading before signing. Take photos of the damage, labels and paperwork.
Freight Deliveries — Heads-Up! If your shipment is damaged or incorrect, document the problem and contact EZ Able immediately. You may need to refuse a shipment that arrives damaged or incorrect.
Prepare for delivery with our Freight Delivery Guide and review Damaged or Defective Items .
Check the Lead Time Before Scheduling Demolition
Two showers that look almost identical online can have very different ship dates.
Stock and Quick-Ship Units
Some preconfigured shower kits ship the next business day. Other quick-ship shower products typically ship in about five business days.
Made-Upon-Order
The factory begins production after the order is placed. Many shower systems take approximately 5–14 business days to manufacture or ship, depending on the product and manufacturer.
Production Time Isn't Transit Time
Allow additional time for freight transportation after the unit leaves the factory. Transit commonly takes 3–7 business days, depending on the destination and carrier.
All dates are estimates, not guarantees. Freight schedules, weather, holidays and factory workloads can affect delivery.
Contractor Tip: Don't tear out the old shower assuming the replacement will be there next week. Confirm the specifications, place the order and coordinate your schedule around the expected shipment and arrival.
Read the Warranty — Not Just the Number of Years
A warranty should tell you more than how long it lasts. Before purchasing, verify:
- How many years the manufacturer provides coverage.
- Which defects, materials and components are covered.
- What installation or maintenance requirements apply.
- Whether removal, labor and reinstallation are covered.
- Who handles warranty claims and provides replacement parts or service.
What About EZ Able Showers?
Many of our shower systems, including qualifying products from Best Bath and other manufacturers, offer 30-year limited warranties.
Warranty terms vary by product. Always review the specific warranty listed on the product page before ordering.
Know the Return Policy Before You Buy
A prefab shower isn't like ordering a pair of shoes. Most large shower stalls and bases ship by freight, and many are manufactured only after you place the order.
At EZ Able, Made-Upon-Order shower products are not returnable. The cost of manufacturing, specialized packaging and freight transportation makes returning these products impractical.
Other products may have different return rules, including manufacturer restocking fees. Review our Return Policy before making your purchase.
We'd Rather Catch a Mismatch Now. Before you order, send us your dimensions, narrowest doorway, drain location and photos. We'll help compare them with the manufacturer's specifications so you can make an informed decision.
7 Questions to Ask Any Shower Seller
Whether you're buying from EZ Able or somewhere else, these questions are worth asking.
- Is the shower one piece or multi-piece, and what's the narrowest doorway it can pass through?
- What is the threshold height compared with my finished bathroom floor?
- Is the drain location compatible with my existing plumbing?
- Is the product in stock or Made-Upon-Order, and when is it expected to ship?
- Is delivery curbside, do I need a liftgate, and what is the crated shipping weight?
- Who honors the warranty, and what is the return policy?
- Can a knowledgeable person review my measurements before I order?
Why Buyers Choose EZ Able®
Since 2008, we've helped homeowners, contractors and facilities find practical accessibility solutions that fit their spaces and projects.
We believe buying a shower should come with good information, straightforward answers and people who understand what can go wrong on a jobsite.
Real Product Knowledge
We help you understand fit, thresholds, drains, installation requirements and available options.
Quality Products
We work with established manufacturers and offer many American-made shower systems with strong limited warranties.
Straight Answers
Clear product information, realistic lead times, freight guidance and no high-pressure sales pitch.
We also offer free parcel shipping on eligible orders over $99 within the contiguous United States. Freight shipping terms for large shower products are shown with the applicable product or order.
Find the Shower That Fits Your Project
Not Sure Which Shower Will Fit?
That's exactly what we're here for. Tell us your opening size, finished floor details, drain location and narrowest doorway. Our team can help you compare options before you place an order.
Real people. Straight answers. No pressure.
Speak with an EZ Able specialist Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM Eastern.
Accessible Shower Buying FAQs
Will a one-piece shower fit through my bathroom door?
Only if the shower's dimensions and shape allow it to clear every opening along the delivery path. Check doorways, hallway turns and stairs.
If access is tight, a multi-piece shower may be the better solution. Several models we sell are designed to fit through 30-inch doorways.
Is a 3/4-inch shower threshold ADA compliant?
It depends on the finished installation. ADA threshold limits are evaluated relative to the finished floor, not simply the height shown on the base's product specifications.
For example, a 3/4-inch square threshold may become nearly flush when installed beside a 3/4-inch finished floor assembly. Other ADA requirements must also be met.
Do I need an ADA shower in my private home?
A typical private residence is not required to follow ADA shower standards. However, ADA dimensions can be useful guidelines when planning for a shower wheelchair, a transfer seat or future accessibility needs.
For covered commercial and public facilities, applicable accessibility requirements must be verified for the project.
How is a prefab shower delivered?
Large prefab showers and bases usually ship in protective crating by freight truck. Residential delivery is commonly curbside, rather than inside the building.
Plan for the crated weight, arrange a liftgate if needed, and inspect the shipment with the driver present before signing the delivery receipt.
Can I return a prefab shower if it doesn't fit?
Many prefab showers and shower bases are Made-Upon-Order and cannot be returned. At EZ Able, these products are nonreturnable.
That's why we recommend reviewing your dimensions, drain location, access path and product specifications before ordering.
Need Help Finding the Right Accessibility Solution?
EZ Able® offers trusted products and expert support for safer, more accessible living.