Choosing the Right Shower Tray for Your Bathroom
Determined to replace your damaged or outdated shower tray, but struggling to choose the right shower tray for your bathroom? We’ve got you covered. This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about picking the perfect shower tray for your bathroom space.
Understanding Shower Trays and Their Benefits
A shower tray sits at the base of your shower. It keeps the water within the shower space, ensuring it heads towards and down the drain, and not out onto your bathroom floor. They can be made from a few different materials and must be installed correctly. If your shower tray isn’t installed correctly, you might end up with leaks, cracks, or an unstable base, so always check with an expert first.
A shower tray holds some important benefits over a tiled shower floor. They are generally more affordable, last longer, and are simpler to install. They can also be easier to clean, thanks to the lack of grout! So, how do you pick the right shower tray for your bathroom?
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shower Tray
There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right shower tray. And it’s important to get it right!
Size
If your tray doesn’t fit, you can’t purchase it, no matter how much you might love the material or the colour. A tray that is too large will take up too much space in your bathroom and on top of that, it can look… strange. And a small shower tray can be cramped.
A bathroom shower tray should fit comfortably into your bathroom space. Often, you can simply opt for the same size as your old tray, to match your shower enclosure. Shower enclosures with a tray can make life easier. The good news is that if you’re looking for a different size, there are plenty of options to suit your bathroom shower ideas.
Material Type
There are a number of materials available when it comes to picking the right tray for your shower. The most affordable option is cast stone resin, while other options include:
You can also create a tile shower tray, by tiling over the top of the original material. These different options vary in cost and quality, so it’s best to speak to a quality bathroom supplier to get the right information.
Non-Slip Capacity
Safety is essential in the bathroom. A shower tray should be non-slip, to prevent any accidents and injuries while washing. When you’re looking for a new tray for your shower, make sure you take note of the non-slip capacity. An expert bathroom supplies company can help identify the safest options for your new shower tray.
Design and Style
Shower trays come in a range of different designs and styles. No matter your shower ideas, there’s a colour, shape, or material to suit your shower room ideas. Many people go for a simple square white shower tray, which suits most spaces. While this usually works, take the time to look through a catalogue of shower trays, and choose the one suitable for your ideal bathroom design. You might find that a quadrant stone resin tray is a better fit, or that a concrete shower tray is a better choice visually.
Installation and Maintenance
Installing a shower tray is a fairly straightforward process. If you are installing a base first, the floor space of the shower enclosure will need to be waterproofed. Then, the shower base will be laid in place. The shower tray is laid upon the base. Edges will be sealed with silicon, including joins with tile and your shower screen.
You can install a shower tray without a shower base. This will involve laying mortar and sand on the floor of the shower enclosure and then laying the shower tray on top of this. Then, the tray will be sealed with silicon along all edges to prevent any leaks.
Shower tray maintenance is usually minimal, but might include repairing scratches or removing stains. Resealing the shower tray might also be necessary. Much of the time, if there is significant damage, it’s easier to completely replace the tray.
Optimal Shower Tray Size for Your Bathroom
For many would-be renovators, the size of your shower tray will remain the same as before. But for others, who are completely redesigning their space, choosing the right size is really important. Have a careful think about your bathroom layout, take measurements, and ensure there’s ample space for your toilet, vanity, and maybe a bath. 1000 x 1200mm shower trays are generally a perfect fit. Corner shower trays are also perfect if you’re running out of space!
Shower Tray Styles and Designs to Complement Your Bathroom
We mentioned earlier that there are so many different shower tray styles and designs available. When you’re choosing your new design, make sure it fits in well with your existing bathroom aesthetic. For example, if you are going for a more traditional or vintage bathroom, cast iron shower trays are a great fit. A sleek white or cream tray works well with a minimal bathroom, while a black bathroom shower tray complements a hyper-modern design.
A narrow shower tray can look fantastic in a small bathroom, while you can splurge on a double shower tray if you’re going for a more luxurious bathroom style.
Bathroom Shower Tray FAQs:
Got a few more questions about wet room shower trays for your renovation?
What is the most popular shower trays?
Low-profile shower trays are incredibly popular as they have a height of 25mm to 50mm, giving you easy step access and a minimalist aesthetic for your bathroom. Due to how close to the floor they are, low profile trays require your plumbing to be installed under your floor, so if this is not an option for you then an easy plumb tray is the way to go.
What is the difference between a shower base and a shower tray?
While some use the term shower base and shower tray interchangeably, there is a bit of a difference. A shower tray is placed upon a shower base and includes a hole for the drain, as well as lips to keep the water in. The shower base itself sits flush on the floor, providing the foundation for your shower tray.
What is the best surface for a shower tray?
The most stable surface for a shower tray is a shower base. This also prevents the need to lay mortar and sand and is more sturdy. Stability is really important, as it makes for a safer shower.
What can I use instead of a shower tray?
There are a couple of options if you don’t want to use a shower tray. The first and most obvious is a tiled shower. A tiled shower floor can look wonderful, but it must be installed properly, with the right fall to waste. If it’s not installed properly, water may run out of the shower.
A shower base without a tray is another option. These are sturdy and like shower trays, come in a range of materials, sizes, shapes, and colours. However, like tiles, opting for a base instead of a tray will be a bit more expensive.
Where to buy the best bathroom shower trays in Ireland?
At Deluxe Bathrooms, we stock a range of quality shower trays. We’ve got something for every project, and you can shop our full range of bathroom shower trays right here.