What you need to know about the shower tray: materials, description, how to do it yourself

When renovating a bathroom, many people remove bulky bathtubs and install modern showers in their place. Currently, plumbing stores offer a huge selection of shower trays, so everyone can purchase the most suitable model for him, taking into account the size and shape of this product. In addition to these characteristics, the functionality of the shower cabin and its appearance should also be taken into account.

Functional characteristics of the shower tray

The main purpose of the shower tray is to collect and drain the used water. But in addition to these functions, this plumbing equipment can perform other equally important tasks:

• The shower tray serves as the base and support for the shower cubicle. It plays the role of a foundation, serves to connect the doors of the cubicle and the walls of the bathroom.

• The design of the tray is very tight, so while bathing the risk of injury is minimized.
• The shower tray helps to reduce the mechanical load on the water drain system.
• The pallet has thermal insulation properties, so it is always warmer than the concrete floor underneath.
• A huge choice allows each person to purchase a product according to their taste, as well as the dimensions of the bathroom. The stores offer products of various shapes and sizes: shallow and deep shower trays 80x80, 70x70, 100x100, 120x90 and others. If you wish, you can purchase completely unique products that can become a real decoration of your apartment.

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Pallet materials

“The steel shower tray is extremely durable, heats up quickly and is not too expensive.”

For the manufacture of shower trays, various types of materials are used, including acrylic, ceramic, stainless and enameled steel. All materials used for the manufacture of pallets must have such characteristics as resistance to mechanical damage and wear, sound and heat insulation, as well as ease of use and ease of maintenance of the product.

Acrylic shower trays are the most popular. They may differ in size and shape, but at the same time, their cost is affordable for most consumers. Acrylic pallets are very light, they have excellent heat and sound insulation, and are also very easy to maintain. Minor damage to the pallet that may occur during operation can be easily repaired with a special polishing paste.

The steel shower tray is particularly durable, it can heat up quickly and is not too expensive. Pallets made of enamelled steel are more susceptible to mechanical stress. During operation, chips may appear on the enamel, and then corrosion. Stainless pallets are more practical, they are more stable and durable, but manufacturers make such products in only a few versions, so their choice is extremely limited.

The cast iron shower tray is rightfully considered the most durable. This is a very durable product that has the ability to warm up well and retain heat for a long time.

Ceramic shower tray due to its high cost, it is not available to all consumers, but due to its impeccable appearance and excellent design, many people prefer this product and purchase it for their bathrooms.

For the manufacture of an elite series of shower trays, natural stone, such as marble, is used. Such exquisite products can only be purchased by very wealthy people. Stone pallets are usually installed in luxurious mansions with designer renovations in all rooms.

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Shower tray dimensions

Nowadays, plumbing stores carry a huge selection of shower trays of various sizes, so such equipment can be selected from miniature bathrooms in small-family apartments, to spacious apartments and private mansions. The standard dimensions of a shower tray range from 80x80 cm to 130x130 cm. Manufacturers that produce luxury plumbing can offer products of absolutely any size.

In addition to dimensions, when choosing a product, you should also consider the height of its sides or depth. Depending on this characteristic, all shower trays are divided into the following groups:

• flat or small - from 2 to 5 cm;
• medium - from 5 to 10 cm;
• high - from 10 to 18 cm.

In the model range, each consumer can find a product of the size and depth he needs, you can also purchase very deep shower trays with dimensions of 70x70 or 80x80 and a side height of 46 cm.

In addition to the dimensions of the bathroom, the physical data of all family members should also be taken into account. It will be extremely inconvenient for full and overweight people to take a shower in a very high tray, for them it is better to choose a product with sides of a lower height.

When performing installation work, do not forget that the shower tray must be installed on a special drain siphon, the height of which is about 20 cm.

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Shower Tray Shapes

The variety of shower trays allows each consumer to choose a product not only in size, but also in its shape. All models of shower trays are divided into the following categories:

• polygonal (square, rectangular and five-sided);
• radius (round or oval);
• asymmetric.

Owners of spacious bathrooms do not miss the opportunity to purchase and install a pallet of complex shape. Some companies accept individual orders for plumbing, they can make a pallet of any shape that the customer chooses. Such exclusive products are usually installed in premium-class mansions with designer renovations in all rooms.

Unfortunately, not all property owners can boast of a spacious bathroom, so compact shower trays are produced for such consumers that can be installed in the corner of the bathroom.

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Cast iron shower tray

The main advantages of cast iron shower trays are as follows:

1. High strength.According to this characteristic, cast iron pallets rightfully occupy a leading position. They are very resistant to external damage and have a virtually unlimited service life.
2. The hot-tech enamel coating makes the cast iron pallets particularly resistant to scratches and impacts.
3. Good stability. Significant weight eliminates the possibility of overturning of the product, while it is not required to improve the stability of the bottom additionally. Cast iron pallet can withstand a person with any body weight and not be deformed.
4. Noise isolation. A cast iron pan almost completely absorbs water noise, while plastic or steel pans are known to be very noisy.
5. Excellent heat capacity. Heavy cast iron pallets absorb heat energy well and can also store it for a long time. Thanks to this quality, such pallets are considered very comfortable and reliable equipment.

In addition to the positive characteristics, cast iron pallets have a number of disadvantages, these include:

1. Large weight, which can exceed 40 kg with a cast-iron shower tray measuring 900x900 mm. The mass of the product is distributed between its 4 legs, so you should choose only durable and high-quality flooring for the bathroom.
2. Limited choice. Cast iron pallets are made using a rather complex technology, which significantly limits the imagination of designers. In the manufacture of cast iron pallets, attention is focused on the appearance of their legs, and not on the shape and size of the products themselves.
3. The high cost of cast iron shower trays: it can be several times higher than the price of products made of plastic and other materials.

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Steel shower trays

“The most common model is the steel enameled shower tray 70x70 cm”

Like all products, steel shower trays have both advantages and disadvantages. The positive aspects of these products are as follows:

1. Steel pallets, unlike acrylic models, are not subject to destruction or cracking.
2. The low cost of steel, as well as ease of manufacture, make it possible to sell steel pallets at an affordable cost for many consumers.
3. Steel pallets are characterized by such qualities as durability, lightness and excellent performance. That is why they are usually installed in sports complexes, hostels, railway stations and other public places.

Steel pallets can be produced in various sizes and in a variety of shapes. The most common model is the steel enameled shower tray 70x70 cm.

In addition to a large number of positive characteristics, steel pallets also have negative sides, namely:

1. Loud noise from water droplets hitting the steel case.
2. High thermal conductivity. Such pallets do not hold heat well, so the hot water collected from them cools down very quickly. Agree that not everyone will be unpleasant to stand barefoot in cold water.
3. Tendency to deform. Under heavy loads, steel pallets can change their configuration and fail prematurely.
4. Installation inconvenience. This disadvantage is associated with the manufacturing technology of steel pallets, in which it is impossible to provide a leg for this design. Therefore, in order to place a siphon for draining water, you should independently develop and manufacture a stand or legs for a steel pallet.

Tree

The interior of any living space, for the decoration of which natural materials were used, always looks especially cozy, so many people choose just such a classic option for their houses and apartments. In private houses and cottages with log walls, a wooden floor is lined and all surfaces are sheathed with natural clapboard.

The bathroom may also have wooden elements, such as a shower tray. Such an original design is usually in the form of a small open barrel, it can create a real rustic flavor in the bathroom. Such pallets can be made of ash, oak or larch, they always look very original and attractive.

Wooden pallets should be installed in bathrooms with only natural materials, as they do not match with mosaics, plastics and tiles. Wood products are usually made by hand, so they are very expensive. Despite the treatment of the surface of the pallet with a protective layer, their service life is very short, after 3 years of operation it begins to deteriorate and leak.

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Plastic

Owners of summer cottages also have the opportunity to take water procedures in comfortable conditions. For such purposes, inexpensive plastic pallets are usually used, which can be installed directly in the fresh air as a summer shower, and also used indoors. Manufacturers produce plastic pallets of various shapes, sizes and depths. For their manufacture, pallets usually use polyethylene or polypropylene, these materials perfectly tolerate both hot and cold weather, and are also very resistant to household chemicals and aggressive environments.

Another indisputable advantage of plastic pallets is their affordable price, which is why many people purchase just such models for their bathrooms and shower rooms.

Ceramic shower trays

Beautiful appearance, original design, variety of shapes - this is not a complete list of the advantages of ceramic shower trays. Many consumers choose these products for their excellent sound absorption properties. The sound of water falling on a ceramic tray is barely perceptible, while steel products only amplify all sounds.

Ceramic trays are notable for their significant weight, but this is more of a positive characteristic, not a disadvantage. A shower cabin with such a tray will be very stable and durable, people with a large body weight can take a shower in it.

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Classification of ceramic shower trays

All models of ceramic pallets can be categorized according to the following criteria:

1. Material.

For the manufacture of pallets, materials such as sanitary ware and sanitary ware are usually used. Both types of ceramics are produced on the basis of white clay, but they differ in their properties. Sanitary ware pallets have a porous structure, therefore, they have increased water absorption, in order to compensate for this property, a layer of water-repellent coating is applied to finished products.

The composition of sanitary ware includes such components as quartz and spar, they help to reduce the water absorption of pallets, but also significantly increase their price.

2. The size.

Ceramic trays can have different bottom sizes. Standard products are in the shape of a square: the most common ceramic shower trays are 90x90 or 80-80 cm, but recently, products in the form of a rectangle with a length of 100 to 140 cm and a width of 70 to 80 cm have increasingly appeared.

3. Depth.

All models of ceramic trays, depending on the height of their rim, are divided into flat - up to 2 cm high, low - from 2 to 15 cm, and high - over 15 cm. It is almost impossible to buy a high ceramic shower tray in plumbing stores in our country .

The height of the product will affect the course and features of the installation work. Absolutely all types of pallets can be installed flush with the floor, for this you do not need to use additional fasteners. If you opted for a low or high pallet, then such products can be installed in a recess in the floor, in which case you should use special fasteners.

4. Form.

Ceramic trays can be made in the form of a square, rectangle, polyhedron, quarter circle and rectangle with a rounded instead of one of the corners.

5. Cover type.

On the surface of some pallets, manufacturers apply a layer of anti-slip coating, they also produce uncoated products. Regardless of this, all models of ceramic trays have a corrugated bottom, on which it is almost impossible to slip while bathing.

6. Color.

Each consumer will be able to choose a ceramic shower tray of the desired color. Currently, in plumbing stores you can buy pallets of soothing light colors, as well as bright and colorful shades.

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Acrylic shower trays

The most common shower trays are acrylic models. For their manufacture, polymeric materials based on acrylic acid are used. This material has become popular relatively recently, and it has been used for the manufacture of plumbing for no more than 30 years.

Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic shower trays

“Acrylic shower trays, if necessary, can be modified independently using a metal tool”

The popularity of acrylic shower trays is due to the many positive characteristics of these products. First of all, this is the variety of forms, which is achieved due to the plasticity of the material used. Manufacturers produce acrylic pallets of any shape, including very complex configurations, as well as various depths, sometimes exceeding 50 cm.

When purchasing plumbing for your bathroom, you should always remember that the greatest stability will have a shower stall with a simple flat-shaped tray that can be securely installed and fixed. The advantages of acrylic pallets include the following qualities:

• excellent hygienic properties
• convenience and comfort of use;
• ease of washing and cleaning;
• warm and pleasant to the touch surface;
• resistance to the appearance and reproduction of bacteria;
• sound absorbing properties.

Acrylic shower trays, if necessary, can be modified independently using a metal tool. This allows you to create an individual shower tray with your own hands.

Some consumers also attribute their low weight to the advantages of acrylic pallets, but it should be noted that light products are less stable, especially compared to ceramic or cast iron models.

Acrylic pallets have only one significant drawback, which is their lack of strength. Due to the high cost of the material and the complex manufacturing technology, many manufacturers produce pallets with a wall thickness of 4 mm to make their products more accessible to consumers. With an increase in the thickness of the pallet wall to 6 mm, the price of the finished product increases several times.

Classification of acrylic shower trays

All models of acrylic shower trays can be categorized according to the following criteria:

1. Material:

homogeneous acrylic pallets;

Composite trays made of ABS plastic with acrylic coating.

2. Product shape:

Rectangular, including square;

Pentagonal, having one right angle for ease of installation;

sector, having the shape of a quarter of a circle;

asymmetric, which is a rectangle with one rounded corner.

3. Edge height:

low, up to 20 cm deep;

high, over 20 cm deep.

size 4.

Most acrylic shower trays have dimensions of 90x90, 100x100, 110x110, 120x120, 135x135 and 150x150 cm. Such sizes of acrylic trays are considered standard, there are practically no deviations from this size range.

For spacious bathrooms, manufacturers produce oversized acrylic shower trays, for example, 140x80 or 170x90 cm. Such products are designed for large shower boxes in large apartments or private houses.

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How to choose a shower tray

Choosing a shower tray should be based on the following recommendations:

• The type of flooring in the bathroom. You should pay attention to both the finish on the floor and the possibilities of the load-bearing beams. If wooden beams were used in the construction of your house, then it is highly recommended not to install a heavy cast iron shower tray in the bathroom. Uneven loads can lead to deformation and deterioration of the strength of the floor.
• Room dimensions. For small rooms, you should not choose too large structures. During installation, do not forget to leave a little free space around the pallet.

• Features of communications. To connect the pallet, you should purchase a special siphon for water. Before you go to the store for a siphon, you need to measure the diameter of the sewer pipes, the distance from the outlet to the drain, and also from the water supply to the floor and walls. Having made the indicated measurements, you can accurately select the siphon for the pallet and correctly perform the installation work.

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How to make a do-it-yourself tile shower tray

For those people who do not know how to make a shower tray with their own hands, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the technology of this process, as well as the features of each operation.

The main steps in the manufacture and installation of a tile shower tray:

1. Screed filling.
2. Ladder installation.
3. The erection of the side of the pallet.
4. Filling the screed inside the pallet.
5. Waterproofing.
6. Facing.

Filling the screed

The manufacture of the pallet should begin with preparatory operations, during which the existing base must be brought into the appropriate state. First of all, it is necessary to dismantle the old plumbing and tiles, and then check the quality of the rough screed. If an empty sound comes out when tapping the floor, then it is better to remove the old coating, and instead fill in a layer of a new screed, on which the shower tray will be installed.

After that, two coats of primer should be applied to the floor. Now you can start waterproofing. If a liquid mastic was chosen for these purposes, then this material must be applied to the floor, as well as to the walls (up to 400 mm in height). All corners, as well as the joints of the floor and walls, should be especially carefully processed.

After the mastic has hardened, you can start pouring the rough screed onto the floor, this operation should be performed only if the old rough screed is completely dismantled. If you want your bathroom to be warm and comfortable, you can install an underfloor heating system.

Ladder installation

After the screed poured onto the floor hardens, you can proceed with the installation of the ladder. A sewer pipe must be connected to the installation site of the shower tray.So that water does not stagnate in the pan during water procedures, the pipe must be supplied with a certain slope, you can check the slope using a level. Then, under the prepared ladder, you can lay a brick, giving the structure the required height, and fix it with plaster or alabaster.

When the applied mixtures harden well, it is recommended to test the pan for leaks. To do this, you need to pour some water inside and check how quickly it drains into the sewer pipe, as well as how dry all the joints remain. If the slightest leak is found, fix the problem without delay.

The erection of the side

For the manufacture of the side, you can use an ordinary brick. The pallet can have the shape of a square or a rectangle, if desired, you can give it a bend. It is necessary to lay the brick taking into account the chosen configuration, so that the side repeats the shape of the future pallet.

Before proceeding with the laying of bricks, it is recommended to make markings on the floor, which will help to make a side of the desired shape. Now you can start preparing the cement-sand mortar and laying the bricks. The side should be higher than the ladder, but it should not be made too high, just a few centimeters is enough.

Filling the screed inside the pallet

Now is the time to start pouring the final screed inside the shower tray. To improve the quality of the solution, it is necessary to add a little liquid glass or other water-repellent components to it.

Be sure to place beacons before pouring. Do not forget that the screed should have a slight slope, this can also be controlled using beacons.

Waterproofing

After the screed has dried, you can proceed to the final waterproofing. Coat the dried screed and brick sides with mastic, this will prevent moisture from getting inside. The waterproofing mastic must be applied very carefully, and its layer should not be too thick, since after that it will be possible to proceed to the final stage of work.

Facing

When all the preparatory work has already been completed, you can do the facing work. Choose the tile and the way it is placed so that there are as few swatches as possible, then the work will be easier, and the cladding will look much more beautiful.

Facing work must begin from the floor, and then move on to the sides of the structure. Tiles should be laid on the walls in a vertical direction, clearly level, making sure that the rows are even. Lastly, lay the top of the side.

Now you know how to install a tile shower tray. As you can see, there is nothing supernatural in this.

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Conclusion

A huge range of sanitary ware allows each person to choose a shower tray for their bathroom. These products are made from various materials, they differ in size and shape. Shower trays can be purchased by both middle-income consumers and very wealthy people, for whom manufacturers produce exclusive luxury sanitary ware.

Photo gallery - shower tray

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