How to Choose the Right Shower Tray – Complete Buying Guide

How to Choose the Right Shower Tray – Complete Buying Guide

How to Choose the Right Shower Tray – Complete Buying Guide

A shower tray might not be the most glamorous part of your new bathroom, but choosing the right one is incredibly important.

After all, it quite literally forms the foundation of your shower.

The wrong size, shape or configuration can leave you with an enclosure that doesn't fit properly, awkward drainage or an installation that's far more complicated than it needed to be.

And with square, rectangular, quadrant, offset quadrant, low-profile, anti-slip and walk-in shower trays all available, there's rather more to consider than simply picking the white rectangle that looks about right.

In this Allbits Shower Enclosure Guide, we'll explain how to choose the right shower tray, including sizes, shapes, materials, tray heights, wastes, anti-slip options and compatibility with your shower enclosure.

If you're planning the whole shower from scratch, our Complete Shower Enclosure Buying Guide is another useful place to start.

What Is a Shower Tray?

A shower tray provides the base of a showering area.

Its job is to create a stable surface for showering while directing water towards the shower waste so it can drain away effectively.

Most conventional shower enclosures are installed onto a compatible shower tray, although walk-in and wet-room installations may use different arrangements.

Shower trays are available in numerous:

  • Shapes
  • Dimensions
  • Heights
  • Materials
  • Finishes
  • Waste configurations

So while two trays might look remarkably similar in a photograph, they aren't necessarily interchangeable.

You can see the different styles currently available in the Allbits Shower Trays collection.

Which Shower Tray Shape Do I Need?

This is the first big decision.

In most cases, the shape of your shower tray will be determined by the type of shower enclosure you're installing.

Square Shower Trays

Square shower trays are a straightforward choice for square corner enclosures.

Popular nominal sizes often include options such as:

700 x 700mm
760 x 760mm
800 x 800mm
900 x 900mm

Exact sizes depend on the particular manufacturer and range.

Square trays work particularly well when you want a simple, symmetrical showering area.

They can also be used with different door configurations depending on the compatible enclosure.

Rectangular Shower Trays

Rectangular shower trays provide more length than a square design and can create a more generous showering area.

They're particularly useful with:

  • Rectangular shower enclosures
  • Sliding shower doors
  • Hinged enclosures
  • Walk-in shower panels
  • Larger showering spaces

The additional length can make the shower feel significantly more spacious without necessarily requiring a huge increase in depth.

Allbits currently offers 12 rectangular shower-tray ranges, alongside dedicated walk-in and wet-room options.

Browse Shower Trays at Allbits

Quadrant Shower Trays

A quadrant shower tray has two straight edges designed to sit against the bathroom walls and a curved front.

It pairs with a compatible quadrant shower enclosure.

This shape is particularly popular in:

  • Small bathrooms
  • En-suites
  • Corner installations
  • Bathrooms where floor space is limited

The curved front removes the projecting corner you'd get with a square tray, helping create more usable floor space around the shower.

Allbits' current Genesis 80mm quadrant tray, for example, is available in 800 x 800mm and 900 x 900mm standard quadrant sizes.

If you're deciding between quadrant styles, our Quadrant vs Offset Quadrant Shower Enclosures Guide explains the differences in detail.

Offset Quadrant Shower Trays

An offset quadrant tray follows the same general principle but has one side longer than the other.

That extra length creates more showering space while retaining the curved front.

For example, the Genesis 80mm range currently includes offset sizes such as:

900 x 760mm
900 x 800mm
1000 x 800mm
1200 x 800mm
1200 x 900mm

These can be excellent when your bathroom has more usable wall space in one direction than the other.

But there's an important extra consideration.

Check the orientation.

Some offset trays and enclosures require the correct left- or right-hand configuration.

Never order based purely on what you think left hand or right hand means.

Check the manufacturer's technical drawing for the exact products you're buying.

Otherwise, Bathroom Tetris makes an unwelcome return.

😂

Does the Shower Tray Have to Match the Shower Enclosure?

Yes — they need to be compatible.

This is probably the most important point in this entire guide.

Your shower tray and enclosure need to work together in terms of:

  • Shape
  • Size
  • Curvature or radius
  • Orientation
  • Installation dimensions
  • Position of the enclosure on the tray

Don't assume that any tray advertised as 900mm will automatically work with any 900mm enclosure.

For quadrant enclosures in particular, the radius and curve need to be compatible.

For example, Allbits' Genesis 80mm quadrant and offset trays use a 550mm radius and are designed for compatibility with most standard quadrant and offset quadrant enclosures.

Where possible, choosing a known compatible tray and enclosure combination removes a lot of uncertainty.

What Size Shower Tray Do I Need?

The correct size depends on two things:

Your available bathroom space and your chosen shower enclosure.

If you're replacing an existing tray but keeping the enclosure, measure the existing installation very carefully.

If you're replacing everything, you have more flexibility.

Before ordering, establish:

  • Maximum available width
  • Maximum available depth
  • Position of walls
  • Position of nearby sanitaryware
  • Door clearance
  • Shower enclosure dimensions
  • Tray dimensions
  • Waste position

Our How to Measure for a Shower Enclosure – Complete Guide covers the measuring process in much more detail.

And yes...

Measure twice.

We've been together long enough now that you knew that was coming. 😂

Is a Bigger Shower Tray Better?

Only if you've got room for it.

A larger tray generally creates a more spacious showering area, which can make everyday use more comfortable.

But making the shower bigger at the expense of everything around it isn't necessarily good bathroom design.

You still need comfortable access to:

For a compact bathroom, a well-positioned 800mm quadrant may work far better than trying to squeeze in a large rectangular enclosure.

The goal isn't:

"What's the biggest shower tray I can physically fit?"

It's:

"What size gives me a comfortable shower while keeping the whole bathroom practical?"

What Is a Low-Profile Shower Tray?

A low-profile or slimline shower tray has a relatively shallow overall height.

These are extremely popular in modern bathrooms because they create a cleaner, less bulky appearance.

The live Allbits range includes several slim options.

The Ascent Premier stone-resin tray, for example, has a 35mm low-profile design, while Genesis anti-slip trays are available with a 40mm profile.

Low-profile trays can work beautifully with both traditional enclosures and walk-in showers.

However...

Can Every Shower Tray Be Installed Low to the Floor?

Not necessarily.

This is where bathroom reality occasionally spoils the Pinterest photograph.

Your installer needs sufficient space for:

  • Shower waste
  • Waste pipe
  • Correct drainage fall
  • Connections
  • Floor construction

If the pipework can't be accommodated beneath the floor, the tray may need to be raised.

That's why some shower trays can be combined with leg and panel kits.

For example, the Genesis 80mm quadrant tray can be paired with an optional 135mm leg and panel kit where additional access beneath the tray is useful.

So don't choose a tray purely because you want it sitting almost flush with the floor.

Check what's actually achievable in your bathroom first.

Stone Resin vs Other Shower Tray Materials

Shower trays are manufactured from different materials and constructions depending on the range.

One common premium option is stone resin.

Stone-resin trays are generally valued for their substantial, solid construction.

Current Allbits examples include the Genesis and Ascent Premier ranges. The Genesis quadrant tray combines stone resin with an ABS acrylic cap, while the Ascent Premier uses stone resin with a gel-coat finish.

When comparing tray materials, don't look at the material name alone.

Also check:

  • Tray weight
  • Installation requirements
  • Surface finish
  • Slip resistance
  • Manufacturer guarantee
  • Cleaning instructions

The overall product specification matters more than simply deciding that one material is universally "best".

Should I Choose an Anti-Slip Shower Tray?

An anti-slip or slip-resistant tray can be well worth considering.

These trays incorporate a surface designed to provide additional grip underfoot when compared with a conventional smooth finish.

They can be particularly appealing for:

  • Family bathrooms
  • Multi-generational homes
  • Accessible bathrooms
  • Anyone who simply prefers additional grip

Allbits currently has dedicated anti-slip square and rectangular Genesis trays, as well as quadrant options.

The Genesis 40mm anti-slip quadrant tray, for example, has achieved a B rating in independent slip-resistance testing.

It's important to remember, though, that no shower surface can completely eliminate the risk of slipping.

Normal care is still required when the tray is wet.

What Shower Waste Do I Need?

 

The shower waste allows water to leave the tray and connect into the bathroom's waste pipework.

And this is one of those tiny details that can cause a disproportionately large amount of annoyance if forgotten.

Before ordering your tray, check:

  • Waste-hole diameter
  • Compatible waste type
  • Waste position
  • Available depth below the tray
  • Drainage requirements

Different trays can require different wastes.

For example, the Genesis 80mm quadrant range has an optional 50mm shower waste, while the Ascent Premier 35mm tray is compatible with standard 90mm shower wastes.

Never assume that the waste from your old shower tray will automatically fit the new one.

Check first.

It's a very inexpensive item compared with the amount of colourful language it can generate halfway through an installation.

😂

Where Should the Shower Waste Be Positioned?

Waste position varies between trays.

It may sit:

  • In a corner
  • Near one end
  • Centrally
  • Along a linear drainage channel

The best position for your installation depends partly on the existing pipework.

If you're replacing an old tray, choosing a new one with a conveniently positioned waste can sometimes make installation easier.

But don't choose a tray purely because its waste hole happens to be in roughly the right place.

The tray still needs to be suitable in every other respect.

Always check the manufacturer's technical drawing before ordering.

What Is a Walk-In Shower Tray?

A walk-in shower tray is designed to work with a more open shower arrangement, typically incorporating fixed glass screening rather than a conventional enclosed door system.

These are often rectangular and can provide a generous showering area.

A low-profile design can help maintain the clean, minimalist appearance people associate with walk-in showers.

If you're deciding between an open shower and a conventional enclosure, our Walk-In Shower vs Shower Enclosure vs Wet Room guide is the perfect companion article.

**********

Shower Tray vs Wet-Room Former – What's the Difference?


  

They're related, but they aren't necessarily the same thing.

A conventional shower tray is a finished showering surface designed to contain and drain water.

A wet-room installation usually involves a suitably designed former or tray system that creates the correct falls towards the drain and forms part of a waterproofed floor construction.

The finished appearance can therefore be much more integrated with the surrounding bathroom floor.

Allbits currently lists 39 wet-room shower tray products within its Shower Trays section, so customers have plenty of options if they're heading down the wet-room route.

Wet rooms require particularly careful waterproofing and installation.

This is definitely not the moment for:

"It looks about right, that'll do."

Big Al does not approve. 😂

White, Black or Grey Shower Tray?

White remains the classic shower-tray finish because it works with almost any bathroom style.

But it isn't your only option.

Some contemporary tray ranges are available in darker finishes.

For example, the Ascent Premier 35mm tray is currently available in white, grey and black stone finishes.

A coloured tray can look fantastic when coordinated with:

  • Matt black shower frames
  • Gunmetal brassware
  • Dark bathroom furniture
  • Stone-effect tiles
  • Contemporary walk-in screens

Just remember that trends come and go.

Choose something you'll still enjoy looking at after the bathroom showroom honeymoon period has worn off.

Do I Need a Raised Shower Tray?

A raised tray can be useful when access beneath the shower is needed for waste pipework.

Instead of installing the tray directly onto the floor, adjustable legs can support it while a removable or matching panel conceals the space underneath.

This can be particularly helpful where:

  • The floor can't easily be altered
  • Waste pipework needs to run above floor level
  • Access to plumbing is important
  • You're renovating an existing bathroom

Not every tray uses the same riser system, so check whether a compatible leg and panel kit is available for your particular model.

Which Shower Tray Is Best for a Small Bathroom?

For a compact bathroom, the shape of the tray can matter just as much as its dimensions.

A quadrant tray can be particularly effective because the curved front reduces the amount of floor space projecting into the room.

An offset quadrant can work well where you've got additional length along one wall.

A small square tray may suit a straightforward corner installation.

But don't automatically buy the smallest tray you can find.

You still need enough room to shower comfortably.

The best solution is the tray that provides sufficient showering space while leaving the rest of the bathroom easy to use.

Which Shower Tray Is Best for a Walk-In Shower?

For a walk-in shower, I'd generally start by considering a low-profile rectangular tray designed for the intended installation.

The length provides room for:

  • Showering
  • Glass screening
  • An open entrance

while the low profile complements the minimalist appearance.

But splash control matters.

Your tray, screen and shower position need to work as a complete system rather than three separate purchases.

Can I Put a New Shower Tray on an Existing Floor?

Possibly, but this depends on:

  • Floor condition
  • Floor strength
  • Level
  • Tray material
  • Waste access
  • Manufacturer installation requirements

A shower tray needs proper support.

Incorrect installation can potentially lead to movement, seal failure or other problems.

Always follow the installation instructions supplied with the tray, and if you're unsure, use an experienced installer.

A spirit level and optimism are not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions.

😂

Should I Buy the Shower Tray or Enclosure First?

Ideally, choose them together.

That allows you to confirm:

  • Matching dimensions
  • Matching shape
  • Compatible radius
  • Correct orientation
  • Suitable installation
  • Appropriate waste

If you've already bought one component, use its exact technical specification when selecting the other.

Don't work backwards from memory.

"I'm pretty sure it was an 800" has been responsible for enough bathroom misery already.

Shower Tray Buying Checklist

Before clicking Add to Cart, check:

  • Tray shape
  • Exact dimensions
  • Enclosure compatibility
  • Quadrant radius where applicable
  • Left/right orientation where applicable
  • Tray height/profile
  • Material/construction
  • Surface finish
  • Slip resistance if required
  • Waste-hole size
  • Waste position
  • Compatible shower waste
  • Floor construction
  • Installation method
  • Riser/leg kit if required
  • Manufacturer guarantee
  • Manufacturer installation instructions

And one final check:

Does it actually fit through the bathroom door?

I'm only half joking. 🤣

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of shower tray?

There isn't one shower tray that's best for every bathroom. The right tray depends on your enclosure, available space, floor construction, drainage requirements and preferred appearance.

How do I know which shower tray fits my enclosure?

Check the exact manufacturer's dimensions and specifications for both products. Shape, size, radius and orientation may all affect compatibility.

Is a 40mm shower tray better than an 80mm tray?

Neither is automatically better. A slimmer tray provides a lower-profile appearance, while a deeper tray or raised installation may suit bathrooms where additional space is required for plumbing beneath it.

Are stone-resin shower trays good?

Stone resin is widely used for substantial, durable shower trays. The current Genesis and Ascent Premier ranges at Allbits both use stone-resin construction in different configurations.

Are anti-slip shower trays worth it?

They can be a useful choice where additional grip underfoot is desirable. However, slip-resistant doesn't mean slip-proof, so normal care is still needed on wet surfaces.

Can I use any waste with any shower tray?

No. Check the waste-hole size and manufacturer's requirements for your specific tray before purchasing a waste.

Does a shower tray have to be bigger than the enclosure?

No. The tray and enclosure need to be specifically compatible. Don't deliberately buy a larger tray assuming that will solve fitting issues.

Do walk-in showers need a shower tray?

Not always. Walk-in showers can be installed with compatible shower trays or as part of suitably designed wet-room/floor-level installations.

Can a shower tray be fitted directly onto floorboards?

Installation requirements vary by tray and floor construction. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific tray rather than assuming it can be installed directly onto a particular floor surface.

Find the Right Shower Tray at Allbits

Choosing a shower tray becomes much easier once you stop thinking of it as a separate bathroom product.

The tray, enclosure, waste and installation all need to work together.

Start with your available space.

Choose the right shape.

Confirm the dimensions.

Check compatibility with your enclosure.

Then look at profile, material, slip resistance, waste position and finish.

Do those things in that order and you're far less likely to discover an expensive surprise when installation day arrives.

At Allbits Plumbing Supplies, you can compare square, rectangular, quadrant, offset quadrant, anti-slip, walk-in and wet-room shower trays to find the right foundation for your new shower.

Shop All Shower Trays at Allbits

Shop Shower Enclosures & Doors

Shop Quadrant Shower Enclosures

Shop Offset Quadrant Shower Enclosures

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