A buyer’s guide: shower tray 101
20th September 2022
Shower trays are not typically a first thought when it comes to a bathroom renovation or wet room design. Attention is usually directed to which is the best type of bath (a luxurious stone freestanding bath, of course), basin and taps. However, shower trays are a feature that do require serious consideration – a bathroom design detail to confirm the sense of a contemporary zen-like ambiance that also needs to deliver high functionality.
How to choose the best shower tray for your bathroom
Integrating harmoniously into your bathroom design scheme, the shower tray is a décor accessory that can be stylistically coordinated with the other bathroom elements – but its usability and reliability need to rein supreme. With so many shower tray options available, there are several fundamental elements to consider before you make a purchase:
The current bathroom flooring
There are two different types of shower tray: low-profile and raised. Low-profile shower trays are visually appealing creating a seamless floor and entry point into the shower. The option to instal a low-profile shower tray is dependent on whether the waste pipes can be set in the floor. In scenarios where it isn’t possible or there is an uneven surface, a raised shower tray is the solution.
The size and shape of the bathroom space
Proportion and scale are central to successful bathroom design. It’s key to honour the dimensions and size of the bathroom. Choose an appropriately sized shower tray to complement the room: too small and you risk compromising the integrity of the space, and too large the balance.
The quirks of the space and the location of the utilities also influence the best place to position a shower. When it comes to shower placement, pay attention to:
- The journey of the waste and drainage to the soil pipe. During a shower installation, wooden beams are often drilled to accommodate the pipes, but this should be limited. It is advisable to rethink the location if too many supporting beams need drilling.
- Any aspect of the space that is awkwardly shaped or has features that may encroach on the shower, such as a chimney breast or sloping roof that requires a non-standard shower tray shape or size.
What is the best material for a shower tray?
Acrylic and natural stone resin are the most popular materials for shower trays. Acrylic plastic shower trays are lightweight but are prone to movement over time. Issues arise when flex-induced cracks appear in grouting resulting in leaks. In the worst-case scenario, the shower tray can crack – not all acrylic shower trays are created equal.
Stone shower tray designs are crafted from a technical solid compound mix to exploit the luxurious natural properties of stone. Lightweight yet strong, durable, and rigid they are resistant to movement and therefore very unlikely to ever leak – the ideal partner for wet rooms and showers. Slip resistant and customisable, even for the most awkward of spaces, natural stone resin is a high-performance material that oozes opulent sophistication.
If you are undertaking a bathroom remodel or refurbishment and would like some advice or guidance about which of our stone shower trays will meet your needs, contact The Luxury Bath Company today. The Hockley is a textured matt white shower tray, and the Lowry a gloss white – supremely stylish, incredibly functional, and available in all sizes for complete creative freedom to celebrate The Art of Bathing®.