Shower Trays

Why Choose a High-Quality Shower Tray?

Choosing a high-quality shower tray is crucial for creating a safe, reliable, and long-lasting showering space. All premium trays (such as the ones you'll come across on this page), are built from durable materials that can resist cracking, warping, and everyday wear.

Premium shower trays also offer better stability underfoot, more effective drainage, and improved resistance to leaks, all of which will help protect your bathroom from potential water damage.

In addition to all the practical and functional advantages, high-quality trays for showers often come in a wider range of shapes, sizes, and finishes, allowing you to achieve the exact look you want without making any compromises.

Types of Shower Trays Available

There are many different types of shower trays that you can choose from, each offering its own benefits when it comes to style, practicality, and installation. The most popular types of shower trays include:

Square Shower Trays

Square shower trays are one of the most versatile options available, as they can fit neatly into corners and pair well with a wide range of shower enclosures, including sliding, hinged, and bi-fold door designs.

Their balanced shape, which we offer in sizes ranging from 700mm x 700mm to 820mm x 820mm, also makes them a suitable choice for both small and medium-sized bathrooms.

Rectangular Shower Trays

Rectangular shower trays are another very popular choice, particularly among UK homeowners with bathrooms that are a bit more spacious. Their elongated shape provides a generous showering area, which makes them ideal for walk-in designs and larger shower enclosures.

Quadrant Shower Trays

Quadrant shower trays are the most popular space-saving option. They are designed to fit neatly into the corner of your bathroom, and their signature curved front helps maximise floor space while still providing a comfortable area to shower.

Offset Quadrant Shower Trays

Offset quadrant shower trays are the larger and more spacious version of standard quadrant trays. They feature the same curved front but with one longer straight side, which will give you extra room to move without taking up a significant amount of floor space.

Pentagonal Shower Trays

Pentagonal shower trays are a more stylish alternative to traditional quadrant trays. They feature a clean, five-sided shape, which allows them to create a modern look while still fitting neatly into the corner of your bathroom.

Walk-In Shower Trays

Walk-in shower trays are designed to create a spacious, open-feel shower area that not only looks good, but is easy to access. This type of shower tray is typically longer and wider compared to standard shower trays, providing plenty of room to move while helping you achieve a luxurious, spa-like feel in your bathroom.

Wet Room Shower Trays

Wet room shower trays are specifically designed for level-access installations. As a result, they sit flush with the floor of your bathroom to create a seamless, fully open showering space. This type of shower tray typically features built-in gradients that help guide water efficiently towards the drain, ensuring reliable performance without the need for a raised step.

Slate Effect Shower Trays

Shower trays with a slate effect combine the natural look of stone with the practicality of modern materials. This type of tray can be an excellent choice if you're looking to add texture and character to your bathroom while also increasing safety and comfort, thanks to the material's built-in anti-slip properties.

Anti-Slip Shower Trays

Anti-slip shower trays are designed with a textured surface that provides additional grip underfoot, which significantly reduces the risk of slips and falls while showering. This type of bathroom shower tray is an excellent choice for family bathrooms, households with children or older adults, and virtually anyone who wants added peace of mind in wet conditions.

Shower Wastes and Traps

The shower waste and trap are two essential components of any shower tray installation. The purpose of the waste is to sit within the tray and allow water to drain as quickly as possible, while the trap prevents any unpleasant odours from coming back up through the plumbing.

At H&P, we have a large selection of wastes and traps to suit a wide range of shower tray styles and plumbing requirements. So, you can rest assured that you'll find a solution that aligns with the needs of your project.

Shower Tray Sizes & Shapes Explained

Shower trays come in many different shapes and sizes. This makes it easy to find an option that fits your bathroom's layout and personal preferences - whether you're working with a compact en-suite or a large walk-in shower space.

From standard options such as square and rectangular trays to quadrant, offset, and pentagonal designs, each shape offers its own set of benefits when it comes to style and practicality.

As far as sizes are concerned, at H&P, our shower trays range from 700mm x 700mm all the way up to 2000mm x 900mm. With all that in mind, let's take a look at the factors you need to consider to choose the right shower tray for your bathroom.

Choosing the Right Shower Tray for Your Bathroom

Choosing the right shower tray for your bathroom is essential for creating a comfortable, practical, and long-lasting showering space. The ideal tray will not only fit the layout of your pipework and shower enclosure, but it'll match the overall style of your showering space.

When selecting a shower tray, consider factors such as size, shape, material, and height profile. Aside from that, you should also take into account your existing plumbing, the type of floor you have in the bathroom, and the amount of space you have to work with.

Taking all of the above into account will help you choose a tray that is not only functional and built to last for many years, but also complements the overall look and feel of your bathroom.

Installation & Maintenance Tips

Installing and maintaining your shower tray properly is crucial for ensuring long-term performance and preventing leaks. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind when it comes to installing and maintaining your shower tray:

• Make sure the tray is level to help the water drain and prevent pooling
• Use a strong and stable base to provide the tray with the support it needs
• Seal all edges to create a barrier between the tray and the surrounding walls and flooring
• Fit the waste and trap securely to prevent water from leaking
• Avoid the use of harsh chemicals to protect the tray's finish
• Check the seals regularly and reseal any areas where the silicone has worn away

Proper installation and routine maintenance will go a long way not only in keeping your shower tray in great condition, but also preventing leaks and ensuring reliable performance for many years to come.

Best Brands & Leading Shower Tray Manufacturers

At Heat and Plumb, we don't source shower trays from just any manufacturer. Over the last 20 years, we've carefully selected and built a relationship with some of the best brands and leading shower suppliers, including Verona, Nuie, Delphi, Mira, MX, and Ideal Standard, to name a few.

As a result of that, every tray in our range comes from a trusted and reputable supplier that is known for their commitment to quality, durability, and long-lasting performance. That way, you can be confident that whichever tray you choose has been built to last for many years to come.

Why Buy Your Shower Tray from Heat and Plumb?

At Heat and Plumb, our goal has and always will be to make bathroom upgrades as straightforward and hassle-free for our customers as possible. With 25,000+ positive reviews and a rating of 4.7 out 5 on Trustpilot, we are proud to be one of the most trusted suppliers of shower trays in the UK. Other reasons you should buy your shower tray from us include:
 

• We stock 190+ different shower trays that you can choose from
• We offer free, fast, and reliable shipping to 98% of UK addresses
• All shower trays we sell come from trusted and reputable manufacturers
• All our products come with long manufacturer guarantees
• We have an excellent 5-star customer support team that is always happy to help

When shopping with us, you can do so with absolute confidence, knowing you're buying a shower tray that's built to last and backed by a retailer that puts customer satisfaction above all else.

FAQs About Shower Trays

What is the difference between a shower tray and a shower base?

There is no difference between a shower tray and a shower base - both refer to the same product. The terms are used interchangeably in the bathroom industry to describe the surface that sits beneath the shower enclosure and directs the water towards the waste.

How do I choose the right size shower tray?

To choose the right size shower tray, start by measuring the width and depth of the area where you plan to install it. You must also take into account the size of your shower enclosure (or the size you plan to buy).

If you already have the pipework and the waste in place, make sure that the tray you buy is compatible with the layout of your drainage system.

What is the most common shower tray material?

Most shower trays in the UK are made of stone resin and acrylic. This is because both materials offer an excellent balance of durability, practicality, and value for money.

Are anti-slip shower trays worth it?

The textured surface of an anti-slip shower tray will provide additional grip underfoot and greatly reduce the risk of slips and falls, particularly in wet or soapy conditions. So yes, anti-grip shower trays are definitely worth it, especially if you have children or older adults in your home.

Can I install a shower tray on a wooden floor?

Yes, you can install a shower tray on a wooden floor. Before you do so, however, the wooden floor must be solid, level, and reinforced to prevent the tray from moving as flexing can cause the tray to shift, crack, or break its seal. 

What is the difference between quadrant and offset quadrant trays?

The main difference between quadrant and offset quadrant trays is their shape and the amount of usable showering space they provide. Quadrant trays have two straight sides of equal length with a curved front, while an offset quadrant tray has one longer straight side, which creates a larger internal showering area.

Do I need a low-profile or high-profile shower tray?

That will depend on the layout of your bathroom and your installation requirements. Low-profile shower trays sit close to the floor and offer a sleek and modern look. As a result, they can be an excellent choice if you want easy access or a minimalist finish. 

They do, however, require the waste pipe to be built into or below the floor, which can make them unsuitable for upstairs bathrooms.

High-profile shower trays, on the other hand, sit higher off the ground and are often used when the waste pipe can't be recessed into the floor. They are much easier to install and provide more space underneath for the pipework, which makes them a more practical option for upstairs bathrooms or older properties.

Are wet room trays suitable for all bathrooms?

They can be a suitable choice for many bathrooms, but aren't ideal for every situation. Wet room trays require the floor to be prepared for a level-access installation. The floor must also be fully waterproofed and built at a slight slope so the water can easily drain.

To give you an example, a wet room tray can be a great choice for a ground floor bathroom but can pose quite the challenge if the bathroom is upstairs, as the floor structure may need reinforcing to support the tray and allow for proper drainage.

How long should a shower tray last?

High-quality shower trays typically last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. If installed and maintained properly, your shower tray can last even longer, especially if it's made of stone resin or another durable material.

What waste size do I need for my shower tray?

Most modern shower trays require a standard 90mm waste, which is designed to handle a high flow rate and prevent water from pooling. With that being said, always check the product specifications for your specific shower tray before purchasing a waste, as some older or more compact trays may use a 50mm or 60mm waste instead.

What is a slate-effect shower tray?

A slate-effect shower tray is a modern shower tray designed to mimic the natural look and feel of real slate. It's typically made from durable and lightweight materials such as stone resin or acrylic composites.

As a result, it combines the visual appeal of natural stone with the practicality, strength, and easy maintenance of a standard shower tray.

Can shower trays be cut to size?

Some shower trays can be cut to size, but it depends on the material they're made of. For example, stone resin trays can often be trimmed slightly to fit awkward spaces (make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and use the correct cutting tools).

There are some shower trays, such as those made of acrylic, that should not be cut under any circumstances, as this can weaken the structure, compromise stability, and potentially void the manufacturer's guarantee.

Are walk-in shower trays the same as wet room trays?

No, they're not the same. Walk-in shower trays are typically low-profile and are designed to sit on top of the floor (or slightly recessed) while still containing the shower water within the showering area.

Wet room shower trays, on the other hand, are specifically designed for level-access installations. They are fully recessed into the floor with the goal of creating a completely flush and open feel wet room layout.

How do I prevent my shower tray from leaking?

To prevent your shower tray from leaking, make sure that it has been installed properly, sealed using high-quality silicone, and fitted with a securely tightened waste and trap.

If you've been using your current shower tray for a number of years and are suspecting a leak, check for worn or cracked silicone around the edges and reseal if necessary. You should also check and ensure that the waste connection hasn't loosened over time, as this is another common cause of slow leaks.

Do all shower trays require sealing?

Generally speaking, yes, all shower trays require sealing to a certain degree. Sealing your tray before using the shower is crucial as it will help prevent water from escaping between the tray and the surrounding walls and flooring, which can lead to significant amounts of water damage over time.