The shower tray is an essential part of any shower enclosure. But with so much choice in shower tray sizes, shapes, materials and heights, it can be difficult to know which tray to buy. 

This buying guide teaches you how to choose a shower tray. First, it covers how to measure a shower tray to ensure you get the right size and lists the different shower tray sizes and shapes available. Next, it looks at shower tray heights and advises on what you need depending on the type of floor it’s being placed on. It also covers types of shower tray accessories, installation and maintenance, highlights some things to consider before buying and answers some frequently asked questions. 

View our range of shower trays.

When choosing a shower tray, there are three main factors to consider:

1. The shower enclosure
   If you’re buying a shower tray to go with a shower enclosure you already have, the tray shape must match the shape of the enclosure. This is because the tray and enclosure, when joined together, must form a tight seal to ensure water can’t escape.

2. The space in the bathroom
   A bathroom’s size and layout will often dictate the type of shower tray and shower tray sizes that can be installed. For example, space-saving square and quadrant-shaped shower trays best suit small bathrooms and ensuites. But larger bathrooms can accommodate more spacious rectangular and offset quadrant shower trays. Also, consider if there’s enough space in the bathroom for the type of enclosure door you want. For example, a hinged door needs space to open, while a sliding door doesn’t.

3. The plumbing and pipework and position of the waste
   In some homes, pipework for shower tray drainage is hidden beneath a wooden floor. But in homes with solid floors, the pipes sit above the floor. The type of set-up you have may dictate the height of the shower tray you need. For example, if the plumbing is hidden, you can choose any height shower tray. However, if the pipes are above floor level, you’ll need a raised shower tray to sit above the pipes. Also, check where the waste on the floor is. The hole for the waste in the shower tray needs to line up with the waste on the bathroom floor.

If you’re replacing an old shower tray with a new one, and want the same size and shape, simply measure the old tray’s width and length, then buy a tray that matches. If it’s a quadrant shower tray, you’ll also need to measure the radius of the curve, which you can do as follows:

1. Measure one side to get the length
2. Measure from one side up to the point where the tray starts to curve
3. Work out the difference between these two measurements. That figure is the radius
4. For example, if measurement 1 is 800mm and measurement 2 is 300mm, the radius is 500mm.

If you’re installing a shower tray and enclosure for the first time, you can check if it will fit comfortably in the space by using its measurements to make a cardboard cutout. You can then place the cardboard in the area you want the tray to go to get an idea of how well it fits and how spacious it will be. This is particularly helpful for P and D-shaped shower trays and will help to ensure you get the best shower tray size for the space. 

Shower trays are available in several heights, categorised into flat, low-profile and raised options. The type you choose will depend on the location of the plumbing pipes and the waste on which the tray will sit on top.

If the pipes and waste are below the floor, you can choose any height of shower tray. However, the most popular choice is a low-profile or flat, flush-fitting shower tray. Both trays sit flush to the floor, but the flat tray has no lip around the edge, while the low-profile tray has a small outer lip. Both allow easy access to the shower and create a minimalist, contemporary look. 

Alternatively, if the pipes and waste are above the floor, you’ll need a raised shower tray. They have a high outer lip, and the base of the tray is raised above the floor to accommodate the plumbing pipes and the wastes underneath.

Turning a low-profile shower tray into a raised one by using a shower tray riser kit is possible. This consists of adjustable legs and clip-on side covers which conceal the legs and pipe work. These covers can be removed easily as and when needed to gain access to the pipes.

Shower tray heights range from 25mm to 95mm, and a riser kit can raise them up to 125mm. 

Shower trays are available in a variety of materials, which all have different qualities as follows:

• Acrylic
  Acrylic is the most affordable, low-budget option for shower trays, which makes it a popular choice for many people. It's a lightweight 4.5mm thick material, so it's usually reinforced with wood. It's durable, easy to clean and naturally non-slip when wet. But it's prone to scratches, and the material is slightly flexible, which increases the risk of breakage.

• Acrylic-capped stone resin
  Acrylic-capped stone resin shower trays are made from shards of stone bonded with polyurethane resin. They are moulded into shape and polished before being covered in an acrylic finish. This material is durable, easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and warm to the touch. And unlike acrylic, it won’t bend or warp.

• Stone resin
  Stone resin shower trays are made from a mixture of crushed natural minerals and resin. They are more robust and heavier than trays made with other materials, and they won’t bend, warp or crack, which makes them less likely to break than acrylic shower trays. They are also resistant to scratches.

• PVC and chrome
  PVC and chrome shower trays are raised shower trays. The tray is made from PVC, while the legs are made from chrome. PVC is a tough and durable material that’s easy to clean and has an incredibly long lifespan.

• Plastic
  Plastic is used to make shower tray riser kits rather than the trays themselves. The plastic legs are strong to support the weight of the tray and the shower user. 

Several shower tray accessories are available for installation and fitting. Accessories include height adjustment tools, shower tray feet, and riser kits, which all help to raise and level out a shower tray. There is also installation equipment and shower tray waste fittings.

Some shower trays are relatively easy to install for a competent DIYer, especially if you’re replacing an old tray with a new one that’s the same size and shape. However, a qualified plumber may be required for more complex jobs. 

The type of floor the shower tray is being fitted on should be considered before installation, as some adjustments may need to be made. For example: 

• Installing a shower tray in sand and cement or concrete floor: the plumbing pipes and waste will likely be exposed above the ground, so you'll need a raised shower tray or a low-profile shower tray and a riser kit. This job involves adjusting the shower tray feet to the correct height and ensuring the tray is level.

• Installing a shower tray on floorboards or chipboard: the plumbing pipes and waste will likely be below the floorboards, so you can fit a low-profile or flat, flush-fitting shower tray. These trays are much easier to install because there is no adjustment to the height.

• Installing shower tray on tiled floor: We recommend that the shower tray installation is completed before fitting tiles. Fit the tray first and seal the gap between the tray and floor/walls with silicone. Then lay the tiles up to the shower tray and seal this gap with silicone too. This method will provide the best watertight seal.

• Ensuring the waste in the floor and tray lines up: ideally, buy a shower tray with a drainage hole that lines up with the position of the waste pipe on the floor. But, bear in mind that if a different tray is used or the shower enclosure is being moved to a new position, the waste pipe and plumbing will need to be adjusted before the shower tray fitting.  

The time it takes to fit a shower tray, and enclosure will depend on the job's complexity. But typically, a qualified plumber will take 1-2 days. The work may involve dismantling and removing the old shower enclosure and tray (if there is one), preparing the floor, fitting the tray, making adjustments for low-profile shower tray installation on a solid floor if necessary, and fitting the enclosure panels. Once the tray and enclosure are installed, the walls and floor can be tiled, and the shower can be fitted.

It's important to clean a shower tray regularly to prevent soap scum, limescale and grime from building up. Here are some top tips for keeping a shower tray clean and looking its best:

• Rinse the shower tray with clean water after every use

• Dry the shower tray after every use

• Clean the shower tray with a bathroom cleaner weekly (always check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the cleaner used is suitable)

• Use a limescale cleaner, white vinegar or lemon juice to remove limescale as it appears

• Use vinegar or lemon juice to remove rust marks left by metal cans 

• Regularly remove the waste and clear out any trapped hair and debris

Here’s a recap of the key things to consider when buying a shower tray.

1. What is the plumbing like?
   The location of the plumbing pipes which will sit below the shower tray will dictate which type of shower tray installation you can have. For example, a flat or low-profile shower tray installation is possible if the pipes are below the floor. But if the pipes are above the floor, you'll need a raised shower tray or a low-profile shower tray with a riser kit.

2. What shower enclosure do you have?
   If you're buying a shower tray to go with an existing shower enclosure, the two parts must be the same size and shape. This is so they can form a watertight seal when they are joined together.

3. What is the position of the waste pipe?
   When you're planning to install a shower tray, you must consider where the waste pipe in the bathroom is, as the hole in the tray for the waste must line up with the pipe. In addition, the waste pipe will need to be moved if you plan to move the enclosure to a new position.

4. What type of floor are you fitting the shower tray on?
   The type of floor the bathroom has will determine how the shower tray can be installed. For example, the tray may need to be raised with a riser kit when installing a shower tray on a solid floor. This increases the tray height, so the pipes have space underneath. But installing a shower tray on floorboards is easier if the pipes are hidden below the floor. In this situation, a flat, flush-fitting shower tray or a low-profile shower tray can be fitted directly on the floor for a sleeker finish.