What type of shower tray should I have?

barginunter

We have 2 bathrooms to refurb. I fancy a shaped shower tray but I'm told that these may not be very durable.
What type of shower tray is the most durable and leak-proof? I know you can have cast stone, acrylic, resin and probably others.

Wookey

Walk in type if you are downstairs and have solid floors, if you are set on a tray type then personally i would go for a 36" sq, anything over that or a different shape can start to cost a lot of money for doors/screens etc. Some folk will fit a lead tray to put the shower tray into to catch any leakage but i avoid these like the plague as a well fitted and tiled tray should never leak over its lifetime. I would certainly avoid fibreglass type trays.

aa4466

Two things you might want to think about:

1. Avoid the tray altogether. Have a look at shower pods such as those from Douglas James showers. I am going to be fitting a couple of these in my new house. Supposedly they are easy to install, never leak and as there is no grout will never look mouldy. I went to the factory in Hull last year to have a look and they appear to be made out of super tough material that won't flex. Ask me whether they work in a couple of years!

2. If you are going down the separates route then look for a tray that has an upstand on the walls that are going to be tiled / boarded. The tiles or board come down in front of the upstand and it stops leaks getting down the back of the shower tray.

julianashcroft

Don't go for an acrylic or fibreglass tray, they flex too much.

barginunter

The shower I fancy has a tray of glass reinforced plastic - that's a no then. I love it though.

http://www.tescobathrooms.com/shower-enclosures/walk-in/milano-b-shape-walk-in-left-hand

barginunter

aa4466 wrote: »

Two things you might want to think about:

1. Avoid the tray altogether. Have a look at shower pods such as those from Douglas James showers. I am going to be fitting a couple of these in my new house. Supposedly they are easy to install, never leak and as there is no grout will never look mouldy. I went to the factory in Hull last year to have a look and they appear to be made out of super tough material that won't flex. Ask me whether they work in a couple of years!
.

My fitter has advised me not to do this as if there is a leak, finding it and fixing it will be very difficult.

Tucker

I fitted my own shower and if I did it again, I would definitely fit an upstand tray.

The part that can leak easily is the silicone where the tiles meet tray. An upstand tray removes that problem permanently.

cfw1994

aa4466 wrote: »

Two things you might want to think about:

1. Avoid the tray altogether. Have a look at shower pods such as those from Douglas James showers. I am going to be fitting a couple of these in my new house. Supposedly they are easy to install, never leak and as there is no grout will never look mouldy. I went to the factory in Hull last year to have a look and they appear to be made out of super tough material that won't flex. Ask me whether they work in a couple of years!

Just perusing t'internet to replace a cheap and *badly* fitted shower pod that lasted 18 months......& we were interested in these units. Any practical experience now - they look very good !

Also curious how easy they might go through 'normal' 76cm (30") doors ? We are after a 100cm wide unit, but if the base really is rigid to the sides, I suspect it might not go through our doors !!!!

thanks!

evoke

Stone resin.

aa4466

cfw1994 wrote: »

Just perusing t'internet to replace a cheap and *badly* fitted shower pod that lasted 18 months......& we were interested in these units. Any practical experience now - they look very good !

Also curious how easy they might go through 'normal' 76cm (30") doors ? We are after a 100cm wide unit, but if the base really is rigid to the sides, I suspect it might not go through our doors !!!!

thanks!

I haven't got it installed yet as I have only just started building the walls! From what I can remember the shower pods come in two types. One is completely seamless and is designed for new build situations. The second is designed for retrofits and comes in several pieces.

I did find one or two messages on forums from people who didn't like their Douglas James shower pods so I am undecided (and won't have to decide for about a year!)