Bonding Flange Drain Comparison: Schluter, Laticrete, and FloFx for Tiled Shower Pans
- Isaac Ostrom
- Oct 13
- 6 min read
When it comes to building a waterproof tiled shower, one of the most critical choices you’ll make is what kind of bonding flange drain to use. If you’ve been in the tile game for a while — or you’re a homeowner looking to upgrade from a traditional three-piece drain — this is one of those things that can make or break the longevity of your shower system.
In this post, I’m diving deep into three popular bonding flange drains I’ve used and tested personally: Schluter Kerdi, Laticrete Hydro Ban, and the newer FloFx drain. I’ll cover the pros, cons, and real-world differences that actually matter on the jobsite.
So grab your coffee (or your trowel) and let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways for Homeowners & Tile Pros [TLDR Version]
Schluter Kerdi – Industry standard, reliable, but fleece can disintegrate over time with prolonged exposure to water.
Laticrete Hydro Ban – Stronger and thicker plastic, no fleece layer, bonds directly to membrane, but countersinking screws is a must.
FloFx – Newest design, non-wicking fleece bonded during molding, mechanical bonding ribs, adapter plate for existing drains, made in the USA.
Best value and performance overall? FloFx, hands down.
Tools & Materials You’ll Typically Need
Utility knife or oscillating saw (for removing old drains)
Screw gun or drill
Deck mud / dry pack mortar
Thinset mortar (appropriate for your membrane system)
Trowels (¼" x ¼" square notch, margin)
Membrane (Schluter Kerdi, Hydro Ban Sheet, etc.)
Sealant (per manufacturer instructions)
Level and straightedge
Drain system (Schluter, Laticrete, or FloFx)
Understanding Bonding Flange Drains
A bonding flange drain is designed for waterproof sheet membrane systems like Schluter Kerdi or Laticrete Hydro Ban Sheet. Instead of using a clamping ring and liner like old-school three-piece drains, these drains have a flat bonding flange that ties directly into your waterproofing layer — whether it’s a sheet membrane or a liquid-applied one.
In other words, water never gets into the mortar bed like it does with traditional pan liners. It’s a “waterproof on top” system, not “water in, water out.” That’s a huge advantage for longevity, especially on wood subfloors.
Traditional Three-Piece Drains vs. Bonding Flange Drains
If you’ve worked with showers for years, you probably remember the classic three-piece drain setup — 40 mil vinyl liner, pre-slope, and final mud bed. They still work fine, but they’re time-consuming and prone to weep hole clogs, especially when guys forget to protect the weep holes or use too much thinset around the drain.
Bonding flange systems eliminate the weep holes entirely. They’re cleaner, faster, and — if installed right — give you a totally waterproof shower system that dries out quickly.
Let’s Compare the Big Three
1. Schluter Kerdi Drain – The Original Standard
Schluter pretty much set the standard for bonding flange drains when they launched the Kerdi drain years ago. It’s the most widely used system out there — you can grab one at Lowe’s or most tile distributors.
What’s included:
Bonding flange with fleece
Inside and outside corners
Spacers and pipe seals
Height-adjustable grate with screw mechanism
Pros:
Proven system that’s easy to find anywhere
Adjustable grate height
Comes with helpful templates and accessories
Cons:
The fleece layer can disintegrate over time, especially if unmodified thinset and moisture are involved. I tore out one of my own showers after two years and found the fleece emulsified right off the plastic (check around the 7:00 mark in the video).
Thin plastic body — it’s not the most durable if stepped on during install.
Screw holes aren’t countersunk, so membrane tears are possible if you don’t modify them.
Retail Price: Around $120–$125 for the drain and grate combo.
2. Laticrete Hydro Ban Drain – Built Tough, But Not Perfect
Laticrete’s Hydro Ban drain looks a lot like the Kerdi drain at first glance, but there are some key differences.
What’s different:
No fleece layer – you bond the sheet membrane or liquid Hydro Ban directly to the flange.
Heavier construction – thicker, beefier plastic that feels more durable underfoot.
Pros:
Strong, rigid body that holds up better during installs.
Compatible with both sheet and liquid membranes.
Cons:
Bonding thinset directly to plastic always feels a little weird to me — it works, but I still prefer having a mechanical or fleece bond.
Screw holes aren’t countersunk, which means if you screw it down to your subfloor, you’ll need to pre-drill and countersink every hole or risk tearing the membrane.
The adjustment ring for the grate requires spinning, not pushing, to fine-tune height. It’s a bit slower during install.
Price: Roughly $110–$120, depending on supplier.
3. FloFx Drain – The Game Changer
Now we’re talking. FloFx is a newer brand designed by a tile installer who got tired of dealing with all the issues from other systems — and you can tell immediately when you handle one. Everything about this drain screams “made by a pro who actually uses these things.”
Key Features:
Non-wicking fleece that’s injection molded right into the flange — it doesn’t peel off or emulsify in water. I’ve seen this thing submerged for months without breakdown.
Mechanical bonding ribs on the bottom, so your thinset locks in when setting into mud beds or foam pans.
Adapter plate included with every drain to retrofit existing three-piece drains — no extra plumbing needed.
Countersunk screw holes for smooth membrane coverage.
Simple height adjustment system with removable spacers (no spinning, no threading).
Made in the USA by tile guys, for tile guys.
Installation: FloFx can bond directly to ABS or PVC. If you’re doing a remodel and there’s an existing clamping drain, use the included adapter — seal it like a pan liner, clamp it down, glue your FloFx flange on top, and you’ve converted an old-style drain without cutting into concrete. That alone can save hours on a job.
Pros:
Doesn’t wick moisture or delaminate
Superior bond to thinset due to mechanical ribs
Built-in retrofit system for older drains
Durable, thicker flange that resists flexing
Grate options look awesome (matte black, custom engraving available)
Excellent price point
Cons:
Being newer, not as widely stocked (yet).
Slight learning curve if you’re used to screw-style adjustments.
Retail Price: Around $70 for the flange and grate — significantly cheaper than Schluter or Laticrete.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Schluter Kerdi | Laticrete Hydro Ban | FloFx |
Fleece Bond | Yes, but can break down | No | Non-wicking, permanent |
Material Strength | Thinner plastic | Thicker plastic | Thicker + reinforced |
Screw Holes | Not countersunk | Not countersunk | Countersunk |
Height Adjustment | Screw mechanism | Screw mechanism | Spacer system |
Retrofit Adapter | Sold separately | No | Included in box |
Waterproofing Type | Sheet membrane only | Sheet or liquid | Sheet or liquid |
Price | ~$120 | ~$115 | ~$70 |
Made In | Germany | USA | USA |
Installation Tips
If you’re switching from a traditional liner to a bonding flange setup, keep these in mind:
Always pre-check drain height before floating your pan.
Countersink screws if your drain doesn’t already accommodate them.
Use proper thinset — modified for liquid membranes, unmodified for Kerdi-type membranes (check manufacturer specs).
Don’t rely on “just plastic bond.” Always key in mortar thoroughly for full coverage.
Protect your drain during tile and grout — use the cover plate included with FloFx or Kerdi caps to avoid clogging.
Which One Should You Use?
After years of installs and a lot of trial and error, here’s my personal breakdown:
For new installs: Go with FloFx. It’s the most advanced option, has the best bonding design, and saves time with retrofits.
For existing Schluter setups: You can now use FloFx grates thanks to their Kerdi adapter kit. That flexibility is awesome if you already have Kerdi installed but want the look and performance of a FloFx system.
For liquid membrane systems: Both Laticrete and FloFx work great, but FloFx still wins for durability and bond strength.
If you’re building a high-end custom shower, or you’re just tired of dealing with fleece breakdown and screw lips, FloFx is a no-brainer.
FAQ: Bonding Flange Drain Questions
Q: Can I use a bonding flange drain with a liquid waterproofing membrane?
Yes. Laticrete Hydro Ban and FloFx can both be used with liquid membranes. Schluter Kerdi is designed for sheet membranes only.
Q: Do I need to use thinset or sealant under the flange?
Always use thinset under the bonding flange when embedding into deck mud or a foam pan. If you’re retrofitting with an adapter plate, sealant is used at the joint to ensure watertightness.
Q: Why not just keep using a three-piece drain?
They work fine, but they’re outdated. Two mud beds, slower drying times, and clogged weep holes make them inefficient for today’s waterproofing systems.
Q: Can I replace a Schluter drain with FloFx without cutting concrete?
Yes — the FloFx retrofit adapter lets you tie into existing plumbing without demo work.
Final Thoughts
After running all three systems side by side, I can confidently say FloFx has raised the bar. It takes everything that’s been frustrating with older drains — fleece delamination, flimsy flanges, screw heads, retrofitting nightmares — and fixes them all.
It’s durable, intelligently designed, and built right here in the USA by a tile professional who understands real-world jobsite problems.
If you’re a pro tile installer or a serious DIYer looking to build your next waterproof shower right, FloFx is the drain I’d recommend. You can check FloFx products here.
Thanks for sticking with me through this deep dive. If you’ve used any of these drains, drop a comment below — I’d love to hear your experience. And if you want to learn more, check out the full video above or join the tile coach forum.
See you on the next one — stay sharp, and keep setting tile like a pro.
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