Tips on Buying a shower Tray

So you have decided to give your bathroom a make-over of simply you are adding/replacing a shower in your bathroom. Here are a couple of handy tips that that will stand you in good stead once you hit the bathroom showrooms.

I like to think that the decision should be made up by mixing the practical and emotive persuasions that we aspire to, so with that in mind lets look at the practical side first.

If possible and within budget,

• Resin/Stone Shower Trays:
  Choose a good quality Solid Shower tray. These are typically made from a Resin-stone mixture that is similar to concrete in strength. They have a smooth white finish to them so they look great. it is worth noting that they are heavy and will not deflect. (although the floor joists that they are placed on may, which is why seals fail over time, All sealux products are made to allow for joint movement whilst keeping a watertight seal)

• Acrylic capped Shower Trays:
  Using the best of both materials (Resin/stone and Acrylic) these offer the strength and rigidity matching the Stone/resin based shower trays with a smooth acrylic capping skin for a smooth finish. Many of the new slimline styles that are becoming more and more popular use this material.

• Acrylic Shower Trays:
  Lighter and cheaper, the acrylic shower trays got a bad rap for being flimsy, however in recent years they are now more rigid than the previous generations, if you are going to buy one of these, insist on a good established brand.

Choose the shape and size,
Choose the biggest sized shower tray possible, most of us like the sense of space when we shower. Remember you are most likely going to have this partitioned off with a screen and or door so it will take up a sizable amount of room.

What Shape:

• Pentagonal
  For space saving options there is nothing that can beat the economic Pentagonal design, remember the smaller the space the smaller the area to move around, ideal solution for small en-suites.

• Quadrant:
  Brings a curve into the design and offers slightly more space than the Pentagonal option. If you like the look of these then you should price up the enclosure screens and sometimes the curved screens are more expensive than the flat screens.

• Rectangular:
  Come in many sizes but are mostly used where space is readily available, the larger ones are often used when fitting a wet-room and have a contemporary feel to them.

• Square:
  For those who like the uniform look then square is hard  to beat, they are available in many sizes and can be placed in corners of a bathroom. They are extremely flexible as to where they can be placed almost anywhere in a bathroom (pending the size) and hence are a very common and sensible choice.

Finally no matter what you choose ALWAYS insist on a reputable installer, choosing your shower tray is the easy part, getting it installed properly takes research and gusto! Ask them to use a Sealux product (Trimlux, AquaStrap, Sealux or Cladseal) so you can rest assured that your investment is watertight.