Contents

– The drop-in tray

– The recessed shower tray

– The tiled shower tray

– How to choose a shower tray?

The shower tray is an essential element because it allows water to be collected and drained. This post will help you choose a suitable shower tray by evaluating the different types of shower trays that exist, with their many shapes, sizes, and materials.

The free-standing shower tray

The drop-in tray is one of the three main types of the tray. You can place it on the floor or a base. It’s best if you don’t want to do any major work, since only the drain and the outlet, if not already provided, require digging up the floor.

And for those who don’t want to have a step to climb, there are also extra-flat shower trays that are only 4 to 5 cm high. However, the drainage system must be vertical, and the flow rate must be sufficient to avoid flooding the bathroom: a 50 mm diameter drainage pipe is a minimum for this type of tray.

This shower tray ranges from $60 to over $1,000, depending on the materials, dimensions, and manufacturer.

 Flush-mounted shower tray

As its name suggests, the flush-mounted shower tray is embedded in the floor or, more rarely, in a base.

The choice of a recessed shower tray is primarily aesthetic for the impression of space it gives and its ease of use. In addition, since there are no steps to climb, it is ideal for children and people with reduced mobility. It is also the preferred shower tray for walk-in showers.

But beware of its installation constraints since it requires significant masonry work if only to make room for the connecting pipes.

Count on $80 to more than $1,000, depending on materials, dimensions, and manufacturer.

Tile Tray

The tiling tray takes the form of a polystyrene or polyurethane sheet, often covered with a piece of waterproof glass fabric.

You can embed it in the floor to create a walk-in shower, for example, or it can be installed.

It is chosen for its lightness and ease of installation, especially since most tiling trays have a slope for drainage, which is essential to prevent water from stagnating. Re-cuttable, it can also be adapted to all constraints and desires.

Count on $150 to over $600, depending on its characteristics, materials, dimensions, and manufacturer.

How to choose a shower tray?

Once you’ve chosen the type of shower tray, there are still many criteria to consider.

Shapes and dimensions

Like the shower enclosure, the shower tray offers many choices in terms of shapes and sizes.

Good to know: make sure that the size of the tray is standard enough to fit shower enclosures.

The square shape is a classic choice in a small bathroom. And if you’re short on space, don’t hesitate to slide your tray into a corner. It comes in 70 × 70 cm, 80 × 80 cm, 90 × 90 cm and 100 × 100 cm.

The rectangular shower tray is often chosen in a long bathroom. Its standard dimensions are 72 × 90, 75 × 100, 80 × 120 and 90 × 120 cm.

The quarter-round shower tray is the space-saving solution par excellence. You will find it in 80 × 80 cm, 90 × 90 cm, and 100 × 100 cm.

Pentagonal, it is ideal for a narrow bathroom. The standard size is 90 × 90 cm.

Note: The drain can be placed in the middle of the shower tray, against an edge, centered, or in a corner.

Materials

Points of comparison

To correctly choose the composition of a shower tray, first make sure that the floor on which it will rest is solid. Heavy shower trays are not recommended for a shower installed on a wooden floor (natural stone, ceramic, etc.), and light materials such as acrylic are preferable.

Other selection criteria: use and maintenance. Daily or occasional use? 

You will use the shower tray more or less frequently, and the material should be more or less resistant and easy to maintain. If you choose an acrylic shower tray, choose a good quality material to be more resistant. Heavier materials will generally have a longer lifespan.

The final criterion is budget since prices vary greatly: $40 to $1,000.

Good to know: compare products carefully, because sometimes you pay for the design or the fashion effect. But beware of cheap shower trays, which are not always durable and slippery.

The most common shower tray materials

The ceramic shower tray (or enameled stoneware) is the most common. Attractively priced, it is resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. However, it is heavy and must be treated with an anti-slip coating to prevent any risk of falling. Expect to pay anywhere from $40 to over $300.

Acrylic shower trays are smooth and lightweight. But it is more expensive than a ceramic model and scratches easily. Count on $80 to over $300.

Synthetic resin shower trays are resistant, durable, and can imitate other materials such as wood, concrete, slate, leather, etc. But it is even more expensive, and some can be sensitive to chemicals. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to over $400.

More original shower tray materials

You’ll have a choice of:

– Solid Surface, a material composed of minerals, pigments, and acrylic or polyester resin, resistant and non-slip;

– Synthetic concrete for a very modern look;

– natural stone, heavy but noble.

All are resistant and suitable for large receivers but very expensive. Count on $150 to over $300.

Another possibility would be wood, warm and original but requiring careful maintenance. Here, you can expect to pay from $500 to more than $1,000.