Shower trays: varieties, selection, installation

The shower tray is one of the main components of any shower cabin, which is responsible for the removal of waste water from the shower into the sewer. Today this element is actively used not only in apartments, but also in baths, hotels and public pools. In this article you will get acquainted with the varieties of shower trays, as well as with the features of their selection and installation.

Shower trays are an indispensable part of any shower. Their main task is to protect the floor of the bathroom from moisture, as well as the collection of running water coming from the tap and its output into the sewer system.

Among the key functions of shower trays are the following:

• effective protection of furniture and flooring of the bathroom from water splashes, which can provoke in the places of chips, between the tiles the development of fungus and germs;
• reduction in mechanical stress and pressure from water pressure on the drain system of the shower;
• thermal insulation of human feet (from the concrete floor);
• due to the connection of the doors and the base of the shower cubicle, the complete tightness of the device is ensured;
• fixation of the feet on the base of the shower cabin, which allows you to safely take a shower without the risk of slipping on a wet surface.

The main advantages of shower trays:

• a huge selection of models of various shapes and sizes, which allows you to choose the option for any bathroom and for any stylistic solution;
• due to the spectacular appearance of some models of pallets, the shower cabin can become the compositional center of the bathroom;
• the protective properties of the shower tray can significantly improve the external performance of furniture in the bathroom and extend its service life;
• a pallet is a necessary element when installing an angular shower cubicle with sliding doors, in addition, angled trays can qualitatively save free space in the bathroom.

The depth of the tray directly affects the usability of the shower. Depending on this parameter, all shower trays can be divided into 3 independent categories: low, medium depth and deep.

Low shower trays include samples up to 10 cm high (usually 5–7 cm). The main plus of such models is that they look spectacular with any shower. In addition, in low models it is not necessary to step over the high side - that is why such options are chosen for the elderly or disabled. Such pallets are built directly into the floor, which forces them to plan their installation during the repair of the premises.

It is believed that models of low pallets can only be used in apartments with good sewage, which effectively passes standing and incoming water.

If we talk about medium models of shower trays, then their depth usually does not exceed 300 mm. To install such samples, a small platform is needed, however, in this case too, the side in the cabs is not particularly high. In pallets with medium depth, you can bathe small children or wash clothes, which can be very convenient for large families whose apartments do not have a separate bath.

High options include models with depth from 30 to 40 cm or more. Such pallets are full fonts that can be used not only for showering, but also for bathing, washing clothes and linen. It is in the deep type pallets that special seats are usually installed. For older people or people with disabilities, tall models will not seem too comfortable - it will be difficult to step over them, as well as easy to slip.

The quality of any pallet depends not only on the literacy of its installation, but also on the material from which it is made. The raw materials used affect the service life, external qualities and usability. Among the materials that are most often used in the manufacture of shower trays, it is possible to distinguish acrylic, kvaril, steel, ceramics, plastic and natural stone.

Acrylic is today considered the most popular material in the manufacture of sanitary ware for the bathroom.

pros

• Care. Acrylic does not need special care, it is easily cleaned of dirt and polished.
• Comfort. Acrylic baths warm up very quickly and do not make noise when water sprays.
• Weight. Acrylic showers are quite lightweight, which allows them to be mounted in any conditions and does not force the installation of additional supports.
• Repairs. When acrylic models break down or when cracks form on their surface, such samples are subject to quick repair and do not lose strength.
• Forms. Due to the structure of acrylic, shower trays of any shape and size can be made, which allows them to be used in any style.
• Price. Acrylic is one of the relatively affordable materials.

Minuses

• Low rates of rigidity. Due to the light and soft structure, acrylic pallets need an additional metal frame in order not to deform.
• Poor mechanical resistance. Acrylic does not tolerate falling heavy objects - scratches and cracks quickly form on this material.
• Short service life. Acrylic models usually last no longer than 10-15 years.

Kvaril can be considered an improved version of acrylic. This is a relatively new material in the plumbing market, and it is rarely used to create pallets. The key features of qvar duplicate the advantages of acrylic, but this material is much more expensive, stronger and more pleasant to use.

Kvaril belongs to the class of polymer concrete. The main binder here is precisely acrylic, but quartz acts as a filler, which will endow the quartz with increased strength and rigidity.

A cheaper alternative to acrylic pallets can be considered metal or steel models - they cost less than acrylic and also do not need special care.

Pros.

• Strength. Due to the high stiffness of steel, such shower trays are considered relatively strong and resistant to mechanical stress.
• Life time. Steel shower trays usually last up to 20 years or more.
• Appearance. Steel models are enameled, which allows the element to fit perfectly into any style of the bathroom.

Minuses.

• High noise level. When water gets on steel pallets, they make a very loud noise.
• Low coating strength. Despite the stiffness of the steel, the enamel that covers such units can crack from careless impacts or from prolonged use. In addition, steel models with walls thinner than 3.5 mm may slightly bend over time, which will also put pressure on the integrity of the enamel layer.

Cast iron samples are usually chosen by owners who want a durable, reliable and easy to use pallet.

pros

• Rigidity. Cast iron is considered one of the most rigid, durable and reliable materials from which plumbing and bathroom furniture can only be made.
• No noise. Thick cast iron almost completely absorbs noise vibrations from water, so taking a shower in a booth with a cast-iron tray will always be pleasant and quiet.
• Life time. Most cast iron models of shower trays can be successfully used for more than a dozen years - this is one of the most durable materials.
• Appearance. Cast iron, thanks to various coatings and processing, can look good in any style solution.

Minuses

• Price. Unfortunately, high-quality cast iron pallets are more expensive than steel and even acrylic.
• Weight. High-quality cast iron has a large weight, which makes it difficult to install such pallets in the bathroom and forces to install additional fastening.
• Mechanical shock. The enamel, which is coated with cast iron, can crack and wear off due to mechanical stress.
• Poor thermal conductivity. Cast iron, especially if it is thick and of high quality, heats up much longer than steel and acrylic models, however, it retains the stored heat for quite some time.

Among shower trays, ceramic models are as popular as acrylic. Such products look very harmonious in any style, however, they are best combined with porcelain and faience in the decor of the bathroom.

pros

• Appearance. Like acrylic, ceramics have a pleasant snow-white gloss, which immediately attracts attention.
• Life time. With proper care and maintenance, ceramic pallets can last up to 30 years.
• Low noise. Ceramics, like acrylic and cast iron, do not make noise when water sprays.
• Forms. Features of ceramics allow the manufacture of pallets of various shapes and sizes.

Minuses

• Poor impact resistance. Ceramics, unlike other materials, tolerates mechanical damage and impacts relatively poorly, from which real cracks and chips can form. In addition, a perfectly flat surface is required to mount the ceramic tray.
• Weight. Ceramics are not as heavy as cast iron, however, they also have a large weight and require special conditions for fastening and installation.
• Low side. Most often, there are models of ceramic pallets with low sides, which can be inconvenient for large families without a font.

Usually, stone shower trays are chosen by the owners with a large budget for the design of the bathroom - samples from natural stone are more expensive than all other analogues.

pros

• Appearance. Natural stone (especially granite and cast marble) looks aesthetically beautiful and rich at the same time.
• Style. For some styles, stone is the main material in the interior, and therefore a stone shower tray in this case is ideal.
• Rigidity. Products made of natural cast stone have high strength and rigidity, which significantly increases the period of use of such shower trays. The stone is able to withstand mechanical shocks and is not afraid of scratches.
• Low noise floor. Water falling on a stone does not create loud noises.

disadvantages

• Price. The cost of models made of natural stone will be a "heavy burden" for many consumers. Variants of artificial stone can be considered a more budgetary alternative, but their strength and durability indicators are much worse.
• Weight. Any natural stone products weigh a lot - sometimes even more cast-iron options. This forces owners to install additional mounts during installation.
• Low thermal conductivity. All fonts, bathtubs and pallets made of natural stone will heat up for a very long time, however they give off this heat quite slowly.

Plastic shower trays are considered the most unpopular today. Plastic is a very cheap material, however, it has many more negative features than positive ones. For example, plastic shower trays do not tolerate temperature extremes, get dirty quickly and are problematic to wash, make an unpleasant sound when water gets in and are extremely unstable to scratches and mechanical damage.

Some owners prefer to make their own showers with trays. Most often, it is the owners of summer cottages and private houses who resort to this method.

In the case of creating shower trays with your own hands, absolutely any materials can be used. The most popular and widely available options are mosaic, brick, concrete or tile. The downside of such models is that they need better sealing so as not to leak moisture.

All shower trays can also be classified by shape and size. If we talk about the shape, then there are rectangular, square, radial, pentahedral, round, oval and asymmetric patterns.

• Square. Square type models can be made of completely different materials and are installed in both small and large bathrooms.

• Rectangular The rectangular version is the standard choice for bathrooms with plenty of free space.

• Radial, semicircular or radial. Such pallets have sliding doors, have the shape of a quarter circle and are installed in one of the corners of the bathroom. This form allows you to significantly save free space in the room, but the fact that there are no corners makes it absolutely safe for small children and the elderly.

• Pentahedral. Such shower trays have only five corners, one of which is straight, due to which such an element is also usually installed in the corner of the room.

• Round. Models with this shape are the least common today and are usually installed inside an additional platform that holds the pallet above the floor.

• Oval. Oval shower trays are used exclusively in spacious booths with deep sides - they serve as a mini-bath.

• Asymmetric. The main feature of such models is the absence of a specific finished form, so that they can be used in some specific stylistic solution.

If we talk about classification by size, then here all shower trays are divided into small, medium and large.

• Small ones. This includes all rectangular or radial models of pallets with a length or width of sides up to 70–80 cm. Such samples are installed exclusively in bathrooms with severe restrictions on free space.

• Medium. Medium-type shower trays include models with a width of up to 110 cm. These are the most common and popular options that are installed in 80% of bathrooms.

• Big ones. These units have no clear boundaries in the sizes of the sides - they begin with an indicator of 110 cm, and sometimes end with 200 cm or more. As you might guess, such options are usually custom made and installed in very spacious or combined bathrooms.

In some unusual design, pallets are usually made specifically to order and are selected to a strictly defined style, and therefore the variety of design of shower trays most often ends precisely in color.

Most shower trays made of ceramic, steel or acrylic are usually available in neutral white or black (if we are talking about stone or cast iron) color, which organically fit into any style. However, when it comes to models made of natural stone or enamelled options, manufacturers allow some variation in colors.

A plus of painted shower trays can be considered originality, unusual appearance and harmony with the selected color scheme in the bathroom.

Despite this, colored pallets are much less common, and there are explanations for this:

• on most color models, streaks from water and soap products are more visible;
• color variants of pallets get dirty faster and therefore need regular maintenance;
• there are very few such models on the market, and therefore you will always be limited in the choice of shapes, sizes and colors;
• the color coating very quickly loses its attractive appearance due to scratches and cracks and usually cannot be restored;
• Another serious minus is that large manufacturers of household appliances do not manufacture colored shower trays, and therefore you will have to focus on low-quality and cheap Chinese counterparts.

Experts advise buying shower trays only from official and trusted manufacturers, otherwise There’s a great chance to buy a regular plastic model with a coating that imitates acrylic.

There are no brands that exclusively manufacture shower trays - they are usually large manufacturers of all kinds of bathroom fixtures. Among the most famous brands in the assortment of which you can find quality shower trays, The following can be distinguished: Radaway Argos, Sean, Alpen, Jika, Aqua Toria, Tivoli, Villagio, Recor, Jacob Delafon, Vidima, Kerasan Piatti, Migliore, Glivi and Parly.

Choosing a bathroom tray is not easy and costly. To choose a practical and durable model with a long service life, you will need to pay attention to several criteria at once.

Production material is the first thing you should focus on when choosing a shower tray. The optimum in terms of price will be a plastic palletHowever, it will need a more accurate installation using sealant, which will restrain deformation during temperature extremes.

If we talk about better, but still relatively budget models, it is best to stay on models enameled steel. This is an excellent option for installation in a country house, since steel makes a strong noise when water enters its surface, which can be extremely unpleasant with regular use of the shower.

Of the more expensive and highest quality pallets, acrylic and quilic (more durable) models can be considered optimal. These materials heat up quickly, do not get dirty, are relatively scratch resistant and do not make loud noises.

The depth of the pallet (or the height of the side) may seem an insignificant factor when choosing, but for large families with children or the elderly, this point may be decisive.

• Low shower trays (that is, models with a depth of not more than 10 cm) look beautiful and stylish, however they can only be used for showering and no more. A lot of things when choosing such models depends on the type of curtain in the booth. If it is glass, then the height of the side does not play a role, but the textile curtain will greatly deteriorate from water falling on it. In addition, you need to focus on the quality of the sewage system and water outlets - if they do not work properly, then it is better not to choose a low sump, otherwise the water will spill over its edges.
• Tall shower trays characterized by a depth of 40 to 70 cm. The plus of such options is that they can be used both as a font and for taking a shower. However, it is not recommended to buy such models in apartments where elderly people live, who will find it difficult to step over high sides.

The best option, of course, are considered medium pallets - they do not look as bulky as deep ones, and can be used as a mini-bath. The indicators of their depth usually do not exceed 30 cm.

The convenience of using a shower tray largely depends on its size - they must fit the dimensions of the bathroom and not take up too much space. When choosing the sizes of a shower tray, listen to important recommendations.

• The tray inside the shower cubicle should be quite voluminousto accommodate all your family members who use the shower.
• Take into account the physical characteristics of all households - there should be enough space in the shower cabin to bend your legs or extend your arms.
• Before installing a tray in the bathroom, evaluate the space, which he will occupy in the room, taking into account the location of all other furniture and the laying of all communications.
• Usually, optimal length and width of the shower tray start from 90 cm. If you want to buy a model for two, then it is better to consider models with a length of at least 120 cm.
• Convenience and practicality of the model not the main thing when choosing a pallet. Evaluate how this or that model with individual dimensions will look in the style of your bathroom.

In addition to the key aspects of the choice of shower trays, it will be useful to pay attention to the secondary ones - they can also greatly affect the usability of the shower.

• The form. If you want to choose an unusual and original pallet model, then it is better to stay on pentahedral or round options. The universal choice will be rectangular and square models that fit into any interior.

• Siphon. When choosing a pallet, you should also pay attention to the diameter of the siphon.Any siphons are suitable for the high-flange version, since the water in this case will not reach the edges of the unit, but for low pallets it is better to choose wide, large models that will quickly drain stagnant water.

• Installation. It is very important to decide on the installation option when choosing a pallet. Complete with deep units are usually special screens or legs with height adjustment - this greatly simplifies the installation process. In low models, there are no such elements in the kit, which is why owners often have to separately install a screen or podium for the pallet.

• Surface. Such an insignificant factor as the surface of the pallet may in the future affect the health of its customers. It is best to purchase models with a rough bottom or with special relief images that will fix the position of the feet. The most traumatic the options in this case are steel enameled and plastic pallets, the safest are acrylic and quartz models, as well as units made of artificial stone.

• Noise. As already mentioned, some materials emit a certain level of noise when a stream of water enters them. Plastic and steel models of pallets are considered the noisiest, but stone and acrylic products can be attributed to the most pleasant and silent.

• The presence of a seat. Such a nice addition as a seat is usually present only in deep models of shower trays. It allows you to comfortably take a shower or relax during a water bath.

• Material heating rate. A factor such as warm-up speed can greatly affect the usability of the booth. Acrylic and steel models are most quickly heated, but products made of natural stone, cast iron and ceramics will be heated for several minutes.

• Additional functions. In expensive acrylic models of pallets, additional elements can be installed that will make the process of using the shower cubicle even more pleasant, for example: built-in lighting, SPA and massage surface for the feet.

You can learn more about how to make a shower tray from a tile with your own hands.