A Guide to Shower Tray Sizes for Walk-In Showers

March 29, 2024
Wet Room Kits
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If you are looking for the contemporary elegance and accessibility of a walk-in shower, it all starts with finding the right-sized shower tray. Walk-in showers are the stars of modern bathrooms—spacious, luxurious, and oh-so-stylish. However, selecting the ideal shower tray can seem like a puzzle when faced with all those measurements.

Don't worry, here's a straightforward guide to getting the perfect fit and understanding popular walk-in shower tray sizes for your UK bathroom revamp.

Shower Trays: The Essential Base

The shower tray is the foundation of your walk-in shower. It collects the water and guides it towards the drain or waste, ensuring your bathroom stays dry. There are many shower tray sizes, shapes, and materials available, so the key is finding the perfect fit for your dream bathroom.

Why Choosing the Right Walk-In Shower Tray Size Is Vital

Selecting the perfect walk-in shower tray size goes beyond simply finding something that looks good. The right dimensions are crucial for the functionality and safety of your walk-in shower. A tray that's too small won't adequately contain water, leading to potential leaks that can cause costly damage to your bathroom and possibly even to floors below.

Instead, a properly sized tray ensures efficient water drainage, preventing standing water from becoming a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Don’t forget that the tray size and shape must be compatible with your chosen shower enclosure.

Shower Tray Shapes and Sizes

Shower trays come in various shapes and sizes to complement your individual space and needs:

Square: A classic choice, perfect for a streamlined aesthetic. These trays tend to offer a generous showering area.
Rectangular: Ideal for maximising shower space in longer, narrower bathrooms. You'll find rectangular shower trays in a wide range of sizes to accommodate various footprints.
Quadrant: Designed with a curved front, quadrant trays fit snugly into corners to optimise bathroom space.
Offset Quadrant: This is a slightly different take on the classic quadrant. One side is longer than the other, providing a touch more room inside the shower.

How to Measure Your Shower Space

Before you get swept away by the stylish world of walk-in shower trays, it's crucial to take accurate measurements of your bathroom space. Here's how:

Measure floor space: Clear the shower area and measure the length and width of the available floor space. Note any alcoves or protrusions.
Account for doors: Factor in the clearance required for your chosen shower enclosure door (single panels need less space than pivot or sliding).
Manoeuvring space: Leave at least 700mm in front of the shower for comfortable entry and movement.
Waste pipe location: Measure from the wall to the existing waste pipe to ensure your chosen tray's drainage hole aligns correctly.

Remember: If in doubt, consult a professional installer for help with measurements to ensure a perfect fit.

Standard Walk-In Shower Tray Sizes

While walk-in shower tray sizes can vary, a few standard options are popular in UK homes. Understanding these standard sizes gives you a starting point to envision how each might fit within your own space:

Shower Tray Size	Description
800mm x 800mm	This square tray is a great choice for smaller bathrooms or ensuites. It offers a comfortable showering space in tighter areas. It's a popular choice when upgrading from a small, enclosed shower cubicle for a more open feel.
900mm x 900mm	Another excellent option for compact spaces, offering a bit more wiggle room. This square format offers a slight step up in comfort, especially if you prefer extra room to move around while showering. It remains a space-saving solution.
1200mm x 800mm	If you have the room, this rectangular shape provides a more comfortable shower experience. It introduces more length while retaining a narrower width, making it great for when you have some linear space rather than a square footprint.
1200mm x 900mm	Ideal for a spacious walk-in shower experience. This format offers substantial length, perfect for those who want a roomy showering space, but the narrower width keeps it from dominating the bathroom.
1500mm x 900mm	Perfect for a luxurious, roomy shower. This larger rectangular size offers both length and width, making it a great choice for a more expansive shower. If you have the space, this size provides a truly indulgent showering experience.
1700mm x 900mm	There is plenty of space to stretch out for the ultimate showering experience. This size emphasises length, providing excellent freedom of movement. It is ideal for taller individuals or those who truly want the maximum spaciousness within their walk-in shower.
1800mm x 800mm	These dimensions mimic a standard bathtub, making replacement a breeze. This is a key size to remember if you're planning to remove a bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower. It will fit seamlessly into the existing space without additional restructuring.

Choosing Your Ideal Height

Shower trays don't just vary in size; they also come in different heights:

Low-profile trays: Perfect for a minimalist, modern look. Trays with a low profile blend seamlessly with the bathroom floor and present minimal risk of tripping.
Raised trays: May be necessary if your plumbing and waste pipework cannot be concealed beneath the floor. Riser kits can further elevate trays if needed.

Additional Considerations

Before you buy a shower tray, think about these factors:

Your shower enclosure: Ensure the shower tray size complements your shower screen or enclosure.
Material: Choose from traditional acrylic, contemporary stone resin, or even slate for a touch of luxury.
Style: Your tray should match the overall aesthetics of your bathroom.

Wet Rooms: The Ultimate in Open-Plan Showers

If you crave ultimate spaciousness, a wet room could be the way to create a minimalist, spa-like bathroom experience. Wet rooms don't use a traditional shower tray. Instead, the entire bathroom floor is waterproofed and sloped subtly to guide water towards a drain. This creates a seamless and open shower with a truly contemporary look.

Shop Wetroomstop for Shower Trays and Wet Room Supplies

Choosing the ideal walk-in shower tray size is the first step towards a bathroom that's both beautiful and practical. Consider your space limitations, personal preferences, and desired aesthetic to pick the tray that matches your style and functional needs.

Wetroomstop offers a fantastic selection of walk-in shower trays at competitive prices. Whether you're using traditional tiles or vinyl flooring, you're sure to find the perfect shower tray to enhance the look and functionality of your bathroom.

We provide low-profile shower trays ideal for achieving the sleek appeal of a wet room, with their minimal height and seamless look. These trays feature built-in slopes for proper drainage. Our trays come in various sizes for flexibility in design, allowing you to find one that precisely suits your space needs.

Get in touch with us today for more information, product recommendations, or installation advice.

Get the Perfect Fit: A Guide to Shower Tray Sizes for Walk-In Showers