Best Liner Drains for Walk-In Showers
A liner drain is a type of linear channel drain with a tile-in grate that allows the drain to be nearly invisible when the shower floor tile is installed. Unlike a standard linear drain — which has a visible metal grate cover — a liner drain's grate is filled with a tile insert that matches the shower floor, creating a seamless, continuous floor appearance.
VIGO liner drains are part of the Elan collection and are available in 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72-inch lengths. They are designed for walk-in showers and curbless shower designs where visual continuity between the shower floor and the bathroom floor is a priority.
The Best VIGO Liner Drains at a Glance
| Best for | Recommended VIGO drain | Length | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best 24 in. liner drain | VIGO Elan 24 in. Liner | 24 inches | Shortest liner drain for smaller shower openings |
| Best 36 in. liner drain | VIGO Elan 36 in. Liner | 36 inches | Standard length for most walk-in shower installations |
| Best 48 in. liner drain | VIGO Elan 48 in. Liner | 48 inches | Wider coverage for larger shower openings |
| Best 60 in. liner drain | VIGO Elan 60 in. Liner | 60 inches | Full-width coverage for large walk-in showers |
| Best 72 in. liner drain | VIGO Elan 72 in. Liner | 72 inches | Longest liner drain for the widest shower installations |
Our Top Liner Drain Recommendations
1. VIGO Elan 24 in. Liner Drain
Best 24-Inch Liner Drain
The VIGO Elan 24 in. Liner Drain is the shortest liner drain in the VIGO lineup, designed for smaller shower openings or installations where a shorter drain is preferred. Its tile-in grate creates a seamless floor appearance when the shower tile is installed.
Why it stands out
24-inch tile-in liner drain
Part of the coordinated Elan collection
Seamless floor appearance with tile insert
Strong choice for smaller shower openings
Best for
Choose the Elan 24 in. Liner when you need a liner drain for a smaller shower opening.
View the VIGO Elan 24 in. Liner Drain
2. VIGO Elan 36 in. Liner Drain
Best 36-Inch Liner Drain
The VIGO Elan 36 in. Liner Drain is the most commonly chosen liner drain length for standard walk-in shower installations. It spans a standard 36-inch shower entry and creates a seamless floor appearance with the tile-in grate.
Why it stands out
36-inch tile-in liner drain
Part of the coordinated Elan collection
Most common length for standard walk-in shower installations
Seamless floor appearance with tile insert
Best for
Choose the Elan 36 in. Liner for a standard walk-in shower where a 36-inch liner drain spans the shower entry.
View the VIGO Elan 36 in. Liner Drain
3. VIGO Elan 48 in. Liner Drain
Best 48-Inch Liner Drain
The VIGO Elan 48 in. Liner Drain provides wider coverage for larger shower openings. It spans a 48-inch shower entry and creates a seamless floor appearance with the tile-in grate.
Why it stands out
48-inch tile-in liner drain
Part of the coordinated Elan collection
Wider coverage for larger shower openings
Seamless floor appearance with tile insert
Best for
Choose the Elan 48 in. Liner for a larger walk-in shower where a 48-inch liner drain spans the full shower entry width.
View the VIGO Elan 48 in. Liner Drain
4. VIGO Elan 60 in. Liner Drain
Best 60-Inch Liner Drain
The VIGO Elan 60 in. Liner Drain provides full-width coverage for large walk-in showers. It spans a 60-inch shower entry and creates a seamless floor appearance with the tile-in grate.
Why it stands out
60-inch tile-in liner drain
Part of the coordinated Elan collection
Full-width coverage for large walk-in showers
Seamless floor appearance with tile insert
Best for
Choose the Elan 60 in. Liner for a large walk-in shower where a 60-inch liner drain spans the full width of the shower floor.
View the VIGO Elan 60 in. Liner Drain
5. VIGO Elan 72 in. Liner Drain
Best 72-Inch Liner Drain
The VIGO Elan 72 in. Liner Drain is the longest liner drain in the VIGO lineup, designed for the widest walk-in shower installations. It spans a 72-inch shower entry and creates a seamless floor appearance with the tile-in grate.
Why it stands out
72-inch tile-in liner drain — longest in the VIGO lineup
Part of the coordinated Elan collection
Designed for the widest walk-in shower installations
Seamless floor appearance with tile insert
Best for
Choose the Elan 72 in. Liner for the widest walk-in shower installations where a 72-inch liner drain spans the full width of the shower floor.
View the VIGO Elan 72 in. Liner Drain
How to Choose the Best Liner Drain
1. Choose the Right Length
The drain length should match the width of the shower opening or the wall where the drain will be installed. VIGO liner drains are available in 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72-inch lengths. Choose a length that spans the full width of the shower entry for the cleanest appearance and most effective water collection.
2. Plan the Floor Slope
Liner drains allow the shower floor to slope in a single direction toward the drain channel. Plan the floor slope before installation to ensure water flows effectively toward the drain. A single-slope floor is simpler to tile than a four-slope center-drain floor.
3. Choose the Tile Insert
The liner drain's tile-in grate is filled with a tile insert cut from the same tile as the shower floor. Plan the tile layout before installation to ensure the tile insert aligns with the floor tile pattern for the most seamless appearance.
Why Choose a VIGO Liner Drain?
VIGO liner drains are part of the Elan collection and are available in 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72-inch lengths. Their tile-in grate creates a seamless floor appearance that is especially well suited to curbless shower designs and large-format tile installations.
Key advantages
Tile-in grate for a seamless floor appearance
Available in 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72-inch lengths
Part of the coordinated Elan collection
Single-slope floor installation
Strong choice for curbless shower designs
Limited lifetime warranty coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a liner drain?
A liner drain is a type of linear channel drain designed to be installed flush with the shower floor tile, with a tile-in grate that allows the drain to be nearly invisible when the tile is installed. The grate is filled with a tile insert that matches the shower floor, creating a seamless appearance.
What is the difference between a liner drain and a linear drain?
A linear drain has a visible grate cover in a metal finish. A liner drain has a tile-in grate that is filled with a tile insert matching the shower floor, making the drain nearly invisible. Liner drains create a more seamless, continuous floor appearance than standard linear drains.
What size liner drain do I need?
The drain length should match the width of the shower opening or the wall where the drain will be installed. VIGO liner drains are available in 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72-inch lengths. Choose a length that spans the full width of the shower entry for the cleanest appearance and most effective water collection.
Are liner drains good for curbless showers?
Liner drains are an excellent choice for curbless (zero-threshold) shower designs. The tile-in grate creates a seamless transition between the shower floor and the bathroom floor, which is especially important in curbless designs where visual continuity is a priority.
Can I install a liner drain myself?
Liner drain installation requires proper waterproofing, correct floor slope, tile cutting for the grate insert, and secure connection to the drain pipe. Professional installation is recommended to ensure proper waterproofing, drainage performance, and a seamless tile finish.
Are VIGO liner drains covered by a warranty?
VIGO liner drains are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Exact coverage depends on the specific product and warranty terms.
Find the Best Liner Drain for Your Walk-In Shower
VIGO Elan liner drains are available in 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72-inch lengths to match any walk-in shower opening. Choose the length that spans the full width of your shower entry, plan the single-slope floor toward the drain, and select the tile insert from your shower floor tile for a seamless, nearly invisible drain installation.
