Check out our top tips for buying the right shower tray.
Which material?
Acrylic and plastic are common types of tray as they’re lightweight and affordable, but they can chip and crack. An increasingly popular option is stone resin, which is strong, luxurious-looking and easy to install. Corian is also an extremely durable material, but is more expensive than stone resin. Ceramic is hard wearing and resistant to even the most abrasive cleaners, but is heavy and difficult to install. If money’s no object, natural stone gives a spa-style finish, but is extremely heavy and may not be suitable for some floors.
Where can I put it?
Almost anywhere, although obviously it depends on the position of windows and doors. The direction the joists run will also affect where you can put the waste pipe – ask your plumber for advice.
What size tray?
As big as you have space for. Draw a scale plan of your room and try different tray shapes and sizes, not forgetting to factor in the added dimensions of false walls to house pipework for the shower and trajectory of the door.
What colour?
White is the most popular colour, but trays are also available in cream and a pinky colour called pergamon. Some stone resin trays can still be ordered in ‘discontinued’ colours such as champagne, avocado and turquoise – visit www.tubz.co.uk for details.
Are all trays suitable for all enclosures?
Not necessarily. To ensure your tray and enclosure fit well together, buy both from the same retailer.