Useful tips for choosing your shower tray
Thickness and gradients
Although Spanish standards do not have limits on the minimum and maximum gradients, the shower tray must be sufficiently thick in order to easily drain the water. Otherwise it would not have the right gradient and the water would not slide down the tray into the drain.
Trays that are considered to be extra-flat have a thickness between 2.5 and 3 centimetres, not including the trim which some models may have.
Dimensions
The choice in the dimensions of the shower tray will depend on the size and layout of your bathroom. If the shower space is not very wide, you should choose a tray that is angular or square shaped. If you have a larger space available you can opt for a larger sized rectangular tray.
You must also consider if the shower tray needs to fit into an irregular space (a pillar, corner, etc.) as not all materials can be cut. For example, trays made out of ceramic and acrylic material will not be able to be cut, however some composites made from resin and mineral fillers can be customised at the client’s request.
Textures
We speak about texture when we refer to the relief on the surface of the tray. Textures can imitate natural materials like slate, cement, leather, wood, etc. These minimal reliefs are not unpleasant to touch and do not create puddles on the surface, which is a key factor for making the tray non-slip and thus, safer.
As with the dimensions, not all types of trays allow for textures, so it will depend on the tray’s composition.
Colours
For tastes in colours, it has never been better. White shower trays are most common in our homes as they provide more spaciousness and brightness to the space. Furthermore, light colours mask the possible appearance of limescale.
There are extensive options for customising shower trays given how some types of tray allow you to choose from a wide range of colours and patterns, some even have the option of printing the client’s own design on the surface.
Drain valve
It seems like a minor detail, but we cannot forget or overlook the aspect of the valve. To be more aware of its importance we have to take into account that it is the drainage point for all the water. What is more, once the shower tray is installed, we will not be able to access the valve to detect a leak without having work done.
For this reason, we must ensure that the valve equipping our shower tray is one of quality and can successfully drain the shower’s flow.
Shower tray grid
The grid is the part of the shower tray that conceals the drain and through which the water is filtered.
Besides the aesthetics, we recommend that the grating be made of stainless steel or even from the same material as the shower tray and that it is flush with the tray, meaning that it sits at the same level as the shower tray. This avoids the risk of you tripping over it when you are in the shower.
To summarise, it is very important that you take the technical details that enable your tray to work properly into consideration. Also, if we are looking for a generic tray (with standard formats) or even one that fits our needs in terms of shape and aesthetic requirements, this narrows down the options. We hope that these tips help you choose your ideal shower tray!
