Shower trays, which form the base of a shower enclosure, come in a wide variety of styles, dimensions and materials and are made to match the wide variety shower enclosures available. 

Materials include ceramic, enamelled steel, laminated wood, marble, resin stone (sometimes called cast stone), reinforced acrylic sheet, acrylic capped ABS sheet, and acrylic-capped high density foamed resin. Plastics technology is developing all the time and there may be other materials on the horizon. 

Traditional trays are available in a ceramic material called ‘fireclay.’ These are thick-walled and robust and very heavy. Almost as equally heavy are trays manufactured from ‘resin stone’ - this is a careful blend of resins and chalky stone minerals capped with a highly polished ‘gel coat’. Lighter weight trays are available in reinforced acrylic or acrylic-capped ABS.

Trays may be high or low walled and with or without adjustable legs and side panels. Some are supplied complete with waste fittings and there may be a choice of high gloss or silk surface finish.

So the choice for the consumer is huge but generally speaking it is best to pick your new tray at the same time that you buy your new shower enclosure. You need to ensure that the two are fully compatible.

Features and Benefits

Checklist: What to look out for/ things to ask about

• Cleaning – how easy is the product to access for cleaning?
• Company pedigree – for how long has the manufacturer and retailer been trading. Is the manufacturer a member of any trade organisation such as the BMA?
• Compatibility – ensure the dimensions of your chosen tray match the dimensions of your enclosure. Sometime enclosures come complete with their own tray for a guaranteed fit.
• Customer service – what does the manufacturer and retailer offer?
• Durability - how durable is the tray surface? Compare the different materials and choose the best to suit your particular application.
• Fittings supplied - does the tray come complete with the waste fitting and side panels (if necessary)?
• Guarantee – what length of warranty and what conditions does the manufacturers give?
• Safety – compare the claims which the manufacturer makes regarding the effectiveness of the slip resistant floor pattern it supplies.
• Spare parts – what is available and for how long in the life of the product?
• Water outlet – will the waste cope with the amount of water being sent through it from a power shower? 
• Water outlet – is it accessible from the top for easy cleaning?

Frequently asked questions

Q Are showers trays available made to order, bespoke?
A Bespoke trays are not usually available.

Q How can I remove a scuff mark and a scratch in the base of my tray? 
A Light scuffing can be removed by careful cleaning with a non abrasive cleaning agent. Light scratches in an acrylic surface may be removed by gently polishing with ‘Brasso’ or ‘T-cut’. Deeper scratches are more difficult to remove and may require a specialist firm, with the correct tools and materials. In all circumstances a call to the manufacturer will help. Take special care with trays having a ‘gel coat’ surface.

Q What is the purpose of a tray with “upstands”?
A Upstands on a tray help create a watertight shower enclosure. A tray with 2 upstands is tiled on two walls with tiling going right down over the upstands. A tray with 3 upstands is available when it is to be installed in a recess and tiling is carried out over three walls. A tray with 4 upstands is usually tiled on three walls but on the fourth side the frame for the shower door is fitted inside the upstand giving a completely watertight shower.

Q My ceramic shower tray has a chip in it - what kind of filler do I need to repair it?
A A ceramic tray is not normally repairable. If it is chipped it may also have a hidden crack - and this could be dangerous. The best thing to do is replace the tray completely. Some household insurance policies will cover an accident which has caused the damage. Check your policy.

Q What is the benefit of a 'riser leg'?
A The riser leg, or legs, are fitted to the underside of the tray. They allow the installer to adjust and correctly level the tray by rotating the legs on a screw thread.

Q Which type of trap is best ? 
A There are two main types of 'waste traps' - top access and bottom access. A top access waste allows cleaning above, so that access to the underside of the shower tray is not needed. A bottom access waste is similar to the type used in washbasins where cleaning is from below so access to the underside of the tray is essential.