Modern bathroom styles can benefit greatly from careful selection of types of shower tray that suit both layout and aesthetics, enhancing the overall showering area. Stone resin shower trays and acrylic shower trays offer durable, stylish solutions that complement both traditional bathrooms and contemporary layouts, while maintaining a safe bathroom floor.
Many quadrant shower trays or square trays can maximise space in small bathrooms, providing functional designs with an anti-slip surface that ensures secure, worry-free use. Consideration of shower tray sizes and shower tray height is essential for pairing with the existing shower enclosure and achieving shower tray alignment. Low-profile trays and raised shower trays provide options for solid floor installations or concealed plumbing, while walk-in shower trays support seamless access.
Rectangular shower trays and offset quadrant shower trays add versatility for use of shower screen types and door configurations, including hinged doors and sliding doors. Evaluating shower tray types, materials, and available shower tray ideas can help determine which shower tray is best for a safe, stylish, and functional bathroom environment.
Shower tray types - materials and construction
There are a few shower tray material types to consider. Factors which will influence your decision include affordability, durability, ease of use, weight, etc. The main ones are:
• Stone resin - is made from a mixture of crushed natural stone and resin, producing a strong and durable base. They are heavy, stable, and known for their long-lasting performance and solid feel underfoot – example, MX Elements Low profile shower trays Stone Resin Rectangle 1650mm x 800mm Flat top
• Acrylic and acrylic-capped – full acrylic is less common, but is light, value-for-money, and easy to install, while acrylic-capped versions have a tougher surface for added durability. Either offers a smooth finish, modern look, and resistance to chips and cracks – example, Aqua i Classic 80mm High Rectangular Shower Tray 1200mm x 760mm
• Other composite materials – both stone resin and acrylic are types of composite materials. Other popular composites used in shower tray manufacturing are:
o Fibreglass reinforced resin
o Marble composite – example, Eastbrook Volente Rectangular Shower Tray - 1800mm x 760mm
o Mineral composite – example, MX Minerals Slate Effect Rectangular Shower Tray 1700mm x 800mm - Jet Black
o Polyester resin with stone aggregate – example, Tissino Giorgio2 Rectangular Slate Effect Shower Tray 1800mm x 750mm
o RAKSOLID – example, RAK - Feeling Rectangular Shower Tray 1200mm x 800mm Solid Black
o Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC)
o Solid surface composites (like Corian or Hi-Macs)
• Others – although steel and ceramic are also used, we do not sell these at Plumbing World
For further details, read our blog article – Best material shower tray options and types.
Space considerations for compact shower trays
Optimising floor space in small bathrooms requires selecting size shower tray solutions that provide maximum showering area without overcrowding. Efficient shower tray types ensure sufficient space for doors and easy access while maintaining a practical bathroom floor layout.
Small shower trays
Square shower trays and compact quadrant trays offer ideal solutions for small bathrooms, providing functional designs with anti-slip surface protection. Low-profile trays can be installed with adjustable legs or riser kit solutions, creating space underneath for plumbing. Offset quadrant shower trays maximise room in corners, and acrylic trays or stone resin trays provide durability accompanied by style, and safe showering area access.
Large shower trays
Rectangular shower trays and wet room trays expand floor space, giving a luxurious wet room look while maintaining easy access and a stylish feature. Walk-in shower trays combined with bi-fold doors or hinged doors create a seamless shower enclosure, optimising both function and comfort. Larger stone resin shower trays provide anti-slip surfaces, durable construction, and compatibility with diverse shower tray material options, supporting both contemporary and traditional bathroom styles.
Pipework and upstands
Careful planning for waste outlet positions ensures raised trays and low-profile trays integrate perfectly with existing solid floors. Upstands and watertight seal features protect the bathroom floor, maintaining durability while supporting functional shower tray types and layouts.
The different types of shower tray shapes
Understanding the variety of shower tray types available can greatly influence your bathroom design, functionality, and overall showering area. Choosing the right shower tray ensures a balance between style, durability, and practical installation for all bathroom styles.
Geometric shapes
These shapes provide a versatile foundation for selecting the perfect shower tray, allowing adaptation to both small and spacious bathroom floor layouts. Many types of shower trays are designed to suit modern, traditional, or compact bathroom styles:
Curved – offer a stylish feature that maximises floor space while providing a functional showering area. Their design complements both shower enclosure doors and sliding shower screens
Offset – create more room in corner bathrooms and integrate seamlessly with sliding doors or hinged doors. These shower tray types suit both stone resin shower trays and acrylic shower trays, making them versatile. The curved front improves the showering area without compromising floor space
Pentagon – provide a unique geometric option for unusual bathroom floor layouts while offering a practical showering area. Pentagon shower trays combine both style and functionality for creative shower tray ideas
Quadrant – are ideal for small bathrooms, optimising floor space and fitting perfectly with corner shower enclosures. These quadrant trays can pair with sliding shower doors or bi-fold doors for easy access and are available in stone resin or acrylic trays
Rectangle – suit larger bathroom floor areas and standard shower enclosure designs, providing maximum showering area. Their classic shape works with raised shower trays or low-profile installations
Square – these trays provide a compact showering area ideal for small bathrooms, and they integrate efficiently with stone resin shower trays and acrylic shower trays. These shower tray types are compatible with hinged doors or bi-fold doors
Depth and height options
Choices for depth and height affect both comfort and installation flexibility, influencing the choice between low-profile, deep, or high wall shower trays. These options ensure that most shower trays suit either solid bathroom floor structures or raised installations:
• Deep – these provide more water capacity and a comfortable showering area and are ideal for modern bathrooms or traditional bathrooms. Deep shower trays work with both shower enclosure types and raised shower trays. Their increased depth can also integrate waste outlets efficiently
• High wall – these shower trays offer extra water containment and a secure watertight seal, ideal for raised shower trays or uneven bathroom floors. These shower tray types improve floor space utilisation and are compatible with enclosure doors
• Low-profile – these trays allow easy installation on floorboards or chipboard bathroom floors while offering a sleek wet room look. These types of shower tray provide easy access and are compatible with adjustable legs or riser kits
Access and installation styles
These determine how practical and user-friendly the shower tray is for everyday use, including level access, wet room, or raised installations. Considering shower tray material and installation requirements ensures optimal durability and function.
• Level access – level access low-profile trays offer seamless integration with the bathroom floor, providing easy access and a minimalist wet room look. They work well with anti-slip surfaces to improve safety in both stone resin trays and acrylic trays
• Raised vs walk-in shower tray solutions – raised shower trays offer easy plumbing access and installation on solid floors, while walk-in shower trays provide modern shower tray ideas. These shower tray types suit both quadrant trays and rectangular designs, offering flexibility in showering area layout
• Wetroom – these trays integrate with floor-level drainage, providing a sleek wet room look and maximising floor space. These types of shower tray options can include stone resin shower trays or acrylic trays for a durable and naturally anti-slip surface solution
Additional considerations for bathroom shower trays
Selecting the perfect shower tray requires understanding all additional considerations, including types of shower tray materials, sizes, and practical installation requirements. Successful planning means each showering area integrates with your shower enclosure and available floor space. Having a complete appreciation of the relationship between bathroom styles, shower tray types, and functional design enhances numerous aspects of your shower tray selection.
Specialised options with custom shower trays
Custom stone resin shower trays and acrylic shower trays allow tailored designs to suit bathroom styles and unusual floor space layouts. These shower tray types can include offset quadrant shower trays, quadrant trays, or square trays, offering the maximum showering area while maintaining a wet room look. Adjustable features, including riser kits and adjustable legs, provide precise installation on solid floors or uneven surfaces. Choosing stone resin trays or acrylic-capped stone resin provides style and a long-lasting bathroom shower tray solution.
Coloured shower tray ideas for bathrooms
Modern coloured shower tray options, including black, grey, or slate-effect white, offer a stylish feature to suit any bathroom style. These shower tray types can pair with shower enclosure doors and sliding or hinged shower screens for maximum versatility.
Futureproofing with durable shower trays
Durable stone resin shower trays and acrylic trays ensure long-lasting functionality, accommodating high-use showering areas in small bathrooms or larger spaces. Selecting the best shower tray for your layout enhances practicality while reducing the need for future replacements. High-quality shower tray material supports various shower tray sizes and shapes, including low-profile trays or raised shower trays, for flexible installation. These durable stone resin showers provide peace of mind and ease of maintenance across multiple bathroom styles.
Sustainable manufacturing of bathroom shower trays
Eco-friendly stone resin shower trays and acrylic trays are a stylish feature in modern bathrooms with minimal environmental impact. Recycled materials and sustainable production methods mean shower tray types that are functional and responsible. Using sustainable shower tray material also means long-lasting bathroom floor installations without compromising on durability.
Safety features built into shower trays
Anti-slip surface options in stone resin trays or acrylic shower trays make the shower safe for all users, especially children or elderly family members. Specialised shower tray types have naturally anti-slip surfaces for extra security in walk-in shower trays or low-profile wet room trays. Choosing a shower tray material with built-in safety features means reliable showering area performance and compliance with safety standards. Custom shower tray ideas can have waste outlets and watertight seal designs to reduce risks even further.
Installation and maintenance
Proper fitting of shower trays ensures they line up with the existing shower enclosure doors, floor space and plumbing. Fitting raised shower trays or low-profile trays gives you a secure, watertight showering area. Cleaning and maintaining stone resin shower trays and acrylic trays will extend the life and keep the look of the shower in your bathroom. Choosing the right shower tray material makes installation easier and reduces future repairs.
Accessories
Adding riser kits, waste outlets, and grills will enhance the functionality of shower tray types, including offset quadrant shower trays and quadrant trays. These shower tray ideas will give you flexibility for different bathroom floor layouts and shower enclosure doors. Proper accessory selection will give you durable performance and a secure watertight seal for the shower area.
Budget and cost factors
The cost of a shower tray depends on your choice of stone resin shower trays, acrylic shower trays or custom shower trays, which affects the overall bathroom budget. Larger shower trays or offset quadrant shower trays will increase the cost of the shower tray but offer more functionality. Low-profile trays or raised trays will affect the installation cost and bathroom floor preparation.
Cheaper shower tray options are square trays, rectangular trays, and other shower tray ideas that may give budget-friendly solutions. Durability and material selection, like stone resin trays or acrylic trays, affect long-term value and maintenance cost. Balancing budget with style and functionality will give you practical and beautiful bathroom shower tray installations.
Conclusion - which shower tray is best?
Choosing the right shower tray is a balance between design, durability, and practical installation for all bathroom styles. Stone resin trays and acrylic trays are long-lasting and fit small bathrooms and large bathrooms alike, providing a safe showering area. Low-profile trays and raised trays are versatile for solid floors, accessible designs without compromising on looks.
Rectangular trays, square trays, and wet room trays maximise shower tray size and functional space for all layouts. Coloured trays or acrylic-capped stone resin surfaces add both style and practicality for everyday use. Riser kit and riser legs ensure correct installation, durable performance and reliable drainage. Proper planning of shower tray material, alignment and dimensions will give you long-term satisfaction with your new shower enclosure.
Contact us
Buy all the types of shower tray you could need here at Plumbing World. If you are lacking shower tray ideas and need some advice, our friendly team is here to help. We can suggest which shower tray is best for your bathroom, based on the information you provide.
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• Call us – 0121 508 9987
• Emails – send emails to onlinestore@plumbingworld.co.uk
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