You might think that a shower tray is among the least important items of furniture in your entire bathroom. Being so close to the floor, it often goes unnoticed, but it can actually have quite a large impact on your bathroom as a whole. If you are thinking of installing a new shower or replacing your existing one, giving a little thought to the type of shower tray you plan to install will have a great impact on the feel of your shower as well as its functionality.

Material
Material can affect the physical feel of the shower as well as its durability, so it is well worth considering who will be using the shower and how often, and whether you have any preference in terms of appearance.

• Acrylic

Acrylic is a lightweight material which allows for a lot of flexibility with design. No other material is easier to alter. Acrylic is reinforced with wood, and is warmer to the touch than other materials.

• Ceramic/fireclay

Shower trays made from this material are usually expected to have a lot of use. Showers in public places mostly feature trays with ceramic/fireclay trays. The material is heavy, durable and can withstand heavy wear.

• Stone Resin

The happy medium between the two previous materials, stone resin shower trays are more heavy and durable than acrylic ones, but not to the excessive degree that ceramic shower trays are.

• Stove Enamel

Stove enamel he enamel is baked on at around 850 degrees C, and is so hardwearing that it is acid resistant, impact resistant and scratchproof. These bathroom shower trays are incredibly stable and long lasting.

Shape

People will often forget that shower trays come in many different shapes and sizes, and if you want to use your bathroom space effectively, you should give some consideration to the shape of the tray as well as the material. If you want a specific door design, you should consider how it fits with the shape of your tray too.

• Square shower trays are ideal for corners, as by their nature they fit them well.
• Rectangular shower trays are ideal for those with enough space to install larger showers, or for those who want their shower to stretch from one wall to the other.
• Curved shower trays are similar to square trays, and are ideal for corners, but they offer a little more elegance.

Apart from the varying shape, most shower trays are usually also available in a range of sizes. You should be able to find your perfect shower tray in the right size and shape for your bathroom or shower room.