Shower trays: varieties, selection, installation

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

Shower trays are an indispensable part of any shower stall. Their main task is to protect the bathroom flooring from moisture, as well as to collect the running water coming from the tap and discharge it into the sewer system.

Among the key functions of shower trays are the following:

• effective protection of furniture and bathroom flooring from water splashes, which can provoke the development of fungus and microbes in the places of chips, between the tiles;
• reduction of mechanical impact and pressure from the pressure of water on the drainage 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 stall, the complete tightness of the device is ensured;
• fixation of the feet on the base of the shower stall, 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 an 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 bathroom furniture and extend its service life;
• the pallet is a necessary element when installing a corner shower cabin with sliding doors, in addition, corner-shaped pallets can qualitatively save free space in the bathroom.

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

Low shower trays include samples up to 10 cm high (usually 5–7 cm). The main advantage of such models is that they look spectacular with any shower... In addition, in low models, you do not need to step over a high side - that is why such options are chosen for the elderly or disabled. Such pallets are built directly into the floor, which makes planning their installation already during the renovation of the premises.

It is believed that models of low pallets can only be used in apartments with good sewerage, 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 area is required, however, in this case, 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 bathtub.

High options include models with depth from 30 to 40 cm or more. Such pallets are full-fledged fonts that can be used not only for taking a shower, but also for bathing, washing clothes and linen. It is in deep pallets that special seats are usually installed. For the elderly or disabled, tall models will not seem too comfortable - it will be difficult to step over them, and it will also be 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, appearance and usability. Among the materials that are most often used in the manufacture of shower trays are acrylic, kvaril, steel, ceramics, plastic and natural stone.

Acrylic is considered the most popular material in the manufacture of bathroom fixtures today.

pros

• Care. Acrylic does not need special care, it can be easily cleaned from dirt and polished.
• Comfort. Acrylic bathtubs warm up very quickly and do not make noise when hit by jets of water.
• The weight. Showers made of acrylic are quite lightweight, which allows them to be mounted in any conditions and does not require the installation of additional props.
• Repair. In the event of breakage of acrylic models or the formation of cracks on their surface, such samples are subject to rapid recovery and do not lose strength.
• Forms. Thanks to the acrylic structure, shower trays can be produced in all shapes and sizes, allowing them to be used in any style.
• Price... Acrylic is one of the relatively affordable materials.

Minuses

• Low stiffness values. Due to their light and soft structure, acrylic pallets need an additional metal frame to avoid deformation.
• Poor resistance to mechanical stress... Acrylic does not tolerate falling of 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. It is a relatively new material on the sanitary ware market and is rarely used to create pallets. The key features of kvaril 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 acrylic, but quartz acts as a filler, which will endow the quaril with increased strength and rigidity.

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

Pros.

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

Minuses.

• High noise level. When water spills on steel pallets, they make a very loud noise.
• Low coating strength. Despite the stiffness of steel, the enamel that covers such units can crack from careless blows or from prolonged use. In addition, steel models with walls thinner than 3.5 mm can bend slightly 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 toughest, strongest and most reliable materials from which only sanitary ware and bathroom furniture can be made.
• No noise... Thick cast iron almost completely absorbs noise vibrations from water, so showering in a stall with a cast iron tray will always be pleasant and quiet.
• Life time. Most cast iron shower trays can be used successfully for decades - this is one of the most durable materials.
• Appearance... Cast iron, thanks to various coatings and treatments, can look good in any style solution.

Minuses

• Price. Unfortunately, high-quality cast iron pallets are more expensive than steel and even acrylic ones.
• The weight. High-quality cast iron has a lot of weight, which makes it difficult to install such pallets in the bathroom and forces you to install additional fasteners.
• Mechanical shock. The enamel with which the cast iron is covered can crack and wear off from 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, but it retains the accumulated heat for a rather long time.

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

pros

• Appearance... Like acrylic, ceramics have a pleasant snow-white gloss that immediately attracts attention.
• Life time... With proper care and use, ceramic trays can last up to 30 years.
• Low noise level... Ceramics, like acrylic and cast iron, do not make noise when exposed to water jets.
• Forms. Features of ceramics make it possible to manufacture pallets of all shapes and sizes.

Minuses

• Poor impact resistance... Ceramics, unlike other materials, relatively poorly tolerates mechanical damage and shock, from which real cracks and chips can form. In addition, a perfectly flat surface is required for the installation of the ceramic tray.
• The weight. Ceramics are not as heavy as cast iron, but they also have a lot of 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 owners with a large budget for bathroom decoration - samples from natural stone are more expensive than all other analogues.

pros

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

disadvantages

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

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

Some owners prefer to make their own shower cabins along with pallets. 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 disadvantage of such models is that they need better sealing to keep moisture out.

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 samples.

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

• Rectangular. The rectangular option is the standard choice for bathrooms with a lot of free space.

• Radial, semicircular or radius. These pallets have sliding doors, are in the shape of a quarter circle and are installed in one of the corners of the bathroom. This shape 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... These shower trays have only five corners, one of which is straight, so this element is also usually installed in the corner of the room.

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

• Oval. Shower trays with an oval shape are used exclusively in spacious cubicles with deep sides - they serve as a mini-bath.

• Asymmetrical. The main feature of such models is the absence of a definite finished form, due to which they can be used in some definite stylistic solution.

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

• Small. This includes all rectangular or radial pallet models with side lengths or widths of up to 70–80 cm. Such samples are installed exclusively in bathrooms with strict free space restrictions.

• Average. Medium shower trays include models with side widths up to 110 cm. These are the most common and popular options, which are installed in 80% of bathrooms.

• Big ones. These aggregates do not have clear boundaries in the dimensions of the sides - they begin with an indicator of 110 cm, and sometimes end with 200 cm or more. As you might guess, these options are usually custom made and installed in very spacious or combined bathrooms.

Trays in some unusual design are usually made to order and matched to a strictly defined style, and therefore the variety of shower trays design most often ends 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) colors that fit seamlessly into any style. However, when it comes to models made of natural stone or options with an enamel finish, manufacturers allow some variation in colors.

The advantage of painted shower trays can be considered originality, unusual appearance and harmony with the chosen color scheme in the bathroom.

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

• on most colored models, stains from water and soap are more visible;
• colored pallet options become 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 colored coating very quickly loses its attractive appearance due to scratches and cracks and is usually not repairable;
• Another serious disadvantage 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 is a great chance to buy a regular plastic model with a coating that imitates acrylic.

There are no brands that exclusively produce shower trays - usually these are large manufacturers of all types of bathroom fixtures. Among the most famous brands in the range of which you can find high 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.

The material of manufacture is the first thing you should focus on when choosing a shower tray. It is the plastic pallet that will be optimal in terms of price.however, it will need a more accurate installation using a sealant that will hold back deformation during temperature extremes.

If we talk about better quality, but still relatively budget samples, then it is best to stop at the models enamelled steel... This is an excellent option for installation in a country house, since steel makes a loud noise when water hits its surface, which can be extremely unpleasant with regular shower use.

Of the more expensive and highest quality pallets, acrylic and kvarilovy (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 like a minor factor when choosing, but for large families with children or the elderly, this point can be decisive.

• Low shower trays (that is, models with a depth of no more than 10 cm) look beautiful and stylish, however, they can only be used for taking a shower and no more. When choosing such models, a lot depends on the type of curtain in the booth. If it is glass, then the height of the side does not really matter, but the textile curtain will deteriorate greatly from water hitting it. In addition, you need to focus on the quality of the sewage system and water outlets - if they are malfunctioning, then it is better not to choose a low sump, otherwise water will pour over its edges.
• High shower trays characterized by a depth of 40 to 70 cm. The advantage of such options is that they can be simultaneously used both as a font and for taking a shower. However, such models are not recommended to be bought in apartments where elderly people live, who will find it difficult to step over high sides.

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

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

• The tray inside the shower stall should be quite voluminousto comfortably accommodate all of your family members who use the shower.
• Consider the physical characteristics of all household members - there should be enough space in the shower stall to bend your legs or stretch your arms.
• Assess the space before installing the shower tray in the bathroom, which he will occupy in the room, taking into account the location of all the rest of the furniture and the laying of all communications.
• Usually, the optimal length and width of the shower tray starts 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 separate dimensions will look in the style of your particular bathroom.

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

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

• Siphon. When choosing a pallet, you should also pay attention to the diameter of the siphon.For the option with a high side, any siphons are suitable, 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 standing water.

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

• Surface... Such an insignificant factor as the surface of the pallet can affect the health of its customers in the future. 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 options in this case are enamelled steel and plastic pallets, the safest are acrylic and kvaril models, as well as units made of artificial stone.

• Noise. As already mentioned, some materials emit a certain level of noise when exposed to a stream of water. The most noisy are plastic and steel models of pallets, but stone and acrylic products can be attributed to the most pleasant and quiet ones.

• The presence of a seat. A nice addition like a seat is usually only found in deep shower trays. It allows you to conveniently shower or relax during water baths.

• Material heating rate... A factor such as the speed of warming up can greatly affect the usability of the booth. Acrylic and steel models are most likely to heat up, but products made of natural stone, cast iron and ceramics will heat up 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 stall even more pleasant, for example: built-in lighting, spa and massage surface for feet.

You can find out how to make a shower tray from tiles with your own hands below.