Can I build a shower with just the grate kit?

No. The grate kit is only the drain cover and its fittings. You still need the Kerdi-Drain body, a tray or mud bed, membrane and curb. The Shower System Kit supplies the tray, curb, membrane and strip but not the drain.

Do I need both products?

Only if you are building a full Kerdi shower and want a tile-in cover. The system kit leaves the drain out, so you buy a Kerdi-Drain, and the grate kit is one way to finish that drain with tile.

Which is better for a small bathroom?

The system kit is sized for a 38 x 60 alcove, which suits a standard tub replacement. The grate kit has no size of its own; it fits a 4 in drain regardless of room size.

Is the grate kit worth $52.99?

It is a fair price for a stainless tile-in grate with a spacer and adjustment ring. Plain plastic grates cost less but do not take tile.

How long does each last?

The foam tray and membrane are designed to last the life of the tiled shower when installed per Schluter's instructions. The stainless grate resists corrosion; anodized aluminum is softer and can scratch.

What tile thickness does the grate take?

From 1/4 in to 1-1/4 in. Check your tile plus thinset against that range before ordering.

Schluter Kerdi Shower System Kit vs Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4"

These are not competing products. The Kerdi Shower System Kit is a complete 38 x 60 shower build: foam tray, curb, Kerdi membrane and waterproofing strip. The 4" Tileable Drain Grate Kit is one part, a drain cover that takes tile. Buy the kit if you are building a shower from the studs out. Buy the grate kit only if you already have a Kerdi-Drain body and want a tile-in cover. The kit is $482.95 at Richmond Tile & Bath as of November 4, 2026; the grate kit is $52.99 at eBay as of the same date.

Today the Schluter Tileable KERDI Drain Grate Kit, 4" costs $429.96 less at its best price.

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