Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2") vs Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4"
These are not competing products. The KERDI BOARD is a 48" x 96" waterproof foam tile backer panel; the KERDI Drain Grate Kit is a 4" tileable shower drain cover. Buy the board to build a waterproof shower wall or floor substrate. Buy the grate kit to finish a KERDI-DRAIN shower drain with tile. The board's best new price is $109.00 at The Home Depot as of November 4, 2026; the grate kit's is $52.99 at eBay as of November 4, 2026.
Today the Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4" costs $56.01 less at its best price.
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Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2")
Choose the KERDI BOARD if you are waterproofing walls or floors before tiling and need a lightweight cement-free backer panel.
- Waterproof and thermally insulating in one panel
- Lightweight and easy to cut and carry
- No cement or fiberglass in the core
- Large 48" x 96" sheet covers a lot of wall or floor
What separates them
| Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2") | Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4" | |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Waterproof foam backer panel for walls and floors | Tileable drain grate kit for a shower drain |
| Size | 48" x 96" sheet, 1/2" (9 mm) thick | 4" (100 mm) grate |
| Tile thickness fit | Not applicable; panel is tiled over directly | Accepts tile from 1/4" to 1-1/4" (6-32 mm) |
| Waterproofing role | Creates the waterproof layer under tile | Connects to KERDI membrane at the drain |
| Insulation | Thermally insulating extruded polystyrene | None |
| Outlet and flange options | None | ABS, PVC or stainless flange; 2" or 3" outlets |
| Finish options | Fleece surface for thin-set | FLORAL, CURVE, PURE, CLASSIC, CONTOUR grates in stainless or anodized aluminum |
Price history
- Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2"): lowest $70.69 on Nov 4 at FloorBox.
- Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4": lowest $52.99 on Nov 4 at eBay.
Prices at every store
Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2")
- The Home DepotNew
In stock
$109.00Observed at 10:51 AM - Professional Tile-Setters StoreNew
In stockReturn policy
$125.00Verified - FloorBoxNew
In stock
$70.69+ $120.00 shippingObserved at 10:51 AM
Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4"
- eBayNew
In stockSold by liquidationsurplusco
$52.99Free shippingObserved at 10:51 AM - The Home DepotNew
In stock
$148.07Free shippingObserved at 10:51 AM - BuildMyPlaceNew
In stock
$78.99+ $699.99 shippingObserved at 10:51 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.
$100.02Free shippingObserved at 10:51 AM
Also available at
- Hartville HardwareCheck price at Hartville Hardware
Specs compared
| Spec | Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2") | Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4" |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 9 mm (3/8") | — |
| Width | 122 cm (48") | — |
| Length | 244 cm (96") | — |
| Material | Extruded polystyrene foam panel | — |
| Surface | Fleece webbing | — |
| Waterproof | Waterproof | — |
| Thermal insulation | Thermally insulating | — |
| Weight handling | Lightweight, easy to handle and transport | — |
| Cement content | Contains no cement or fiberglass | — |
| Height | 0.7 in high | — |
What reviewers say
Schluter KERDI BOARD (1/2")
Tile setters and remodelers generally rate KERDI BOARD highly for cutting install time and adding waterproofing plus insulation in one step. Complaints center on cost and on the care needed to avoid denting the foam before tile goes down.
- Faster install than backer board plus a separate membrane
- Light and easy to cut with a utility knife
- Adds insulation to exterior walls and floors
- Reliable waterproofing when installed per Schluter specs
- Costs more than cement board
- Foam edges can crush or dent during handling
- Requires specific thin-set and washers
Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4"
Owners of KERDI-DRAIN installations generally rate the tileable grate well for the clean, hidden look it gives a tiled shower. Complaints center on the precision the install demands and on ordering the right flange and outlet combination.
Questions and answers
- Can I use these two together?
- Yes, but they do different jobs. The board waterproofs the shower floor and walls; the grate kit finishes the KERDI-DRAIN at the drain. You still need a KERDI-DRAIN body and KERDI membrane.
- Which one do I need for a shower remodel?
- Most full showers need both: board for the substrate and a grate kit for the drain. If your drain is already finished, you only need the board.
- Is the board worth $109?
- At $109.00 at The Home Depot as of November 4, 2026, it covers 32 square feet, about $3.40 per square foot. That is competitive for a waterproof insulated backer panel.
- Does the grate kit fit any tile?
- It fits tile from 1/4" to 1-1/4" (6-32 mm) thick. Thicker tile or stone needs a different setup.
- Which lasts longer?
- Both are durable when installed correctly. The board's life depends on sealed seams and thin-set; the grate's depends on the drain body and the finish you pick.
- Is the grate kit worth $52.99?
- At $52.99 at eBay as of November 4, 2026, it is a reasonable price for a stainless tileable grate kit. Check that the listing matches your flange and outlet size.
