To design a functional bathroom, you need to know the types of shower tray materials available. Choosing the best shower tray in the UK means a stylish, safe, and practical shower that will fit any floor and layout. Consider buying quadrant shower trays or offset quadrant models for more space and more room to shower comfortably. Other trays or custom shapes are available for unique layouts or accessible bathrooms. Using expert tips, wood, other materials, and height options means a correct installation and a perfectly positioned drain for shower waste management. Read on as we explore the best shower materials in the UK.
What are the main types of shower tray materials?
If you have ever wondered “What are shower trays made of?” Well, shower trays are available in a range of materials designed to suit bathroom styles, durability, and practical installation requirements. Selecting the right shower tray ensures a perfect fit, efficient waste drainage, and long-lasting durability for your showering area.
1) Stone resin shower trays – a form of composite material
Stone resin is a popular choice for shower tray materials, offering durability and a smooth, textured surface. This stone resin tray combines crushed stone and resin for a highly durable material that can withstand daily wear. Stone resin shower trays provide a seamless look and suit low-profile shower trays and raised trays in various bathroom settings. Gel-coated stone resin adds extra protection, improves durability, and ensures a perfect tray for all standard shapes. Many rectangular shower trays and quadrant trays are manufactured using stone resin, giving a top-quality materials feel in a wet room or shower enclosure. Stone resin maintains its durability while offering easy access, space efficiency, and a floor-level fit.
Here are three examples of stone resin shower trays to buy from Plumbing World:
2) Acrylic shower trays, including Acrylic capped stone resin – another form of composite material
Acrylic trays and acrylic shower tray options offer lightweight solutions with a smooth, glossy surface suitable for shower enclosures. Acrylic-capped stone resin combines strength with an acrylic surface for durability, easy cleaning, and a seamless look. Pure acrylic is less common and represents a low proportion of the market, but it remains popular for low-profile shower trays. Acrylic trays suit raised trays, quadrant trays, and standard rectangular shower trays with riser legs for accessible bathrooms. Many bathroom installations prefer acrylic shower tray options for their durability, easy access, and ability to fit perfectly in floor-level configurations. Acrylic-capped stone resin ensures extra protection, is exceptionally durable, and works with standard shapes and curved fronts in modern bathroom spaces.
Here are three examples of acrylic shower trays to buy from Plumbing World:
3) Other composite shower trays
As well as stone resin and acrylic, which are both composite materials, numerous other composites are used as the material of choice for shower trays. These include:
- Fibreglass reinforced resin – offers lightweight, durable, and easy access trays designed to fit shower enclosures and wet room layouts
- Marble composite – combines crushed natural stone with resin to produce a lightweight, durable, and visually attractive stone resin tray
- Mineral composite – blends mineral fillers with polyester resin, creating a dense, solid shower tray surface with durability and textured finish
- Polyester resin with stone aggregate – forms a basic stone resin tray that is affordable, durable, and suitable for floor-level use
- Proprietary materials – options like RAKSOLID or Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) deliver highly durable, low-profile, or raised tray solutions
- Solid surface composites – examples like Corian or Hi-Macs provide custom trays with a seamless appearance, extra protection, and a perfect fit
4) Ceramic shower trays
Ceramic trays are traditional shower tray materials used in classic bathroom installations for a seamless look and natural appeal. Heavyweight ceramic offers a highly durable surface, is resistant to scratches, and provides extra protection in floor-level layouts. Ceramic trays suit standard shapes such as rectangular shower trays and quadrant trays, but they require careful installation and maintenance. These trays are rarely stocked by modern suppliers like Plumbing World due to weight and installation challenges.
5) Steel shower trays
Steel shower trays comprise a top-quality material that can withstand impacts, scratches, and daily wear. These are floor-level or raised trays and require professional installation for a perfect fit. Steel trays give a seamless look, durability, and easy access in shower enclosures, but are not stocked by Plumbing World. Steel trays suit standard shapes and low-profile trays, a very durable option for traditional or industrial bathrooms.
Table comparing the best shower tray material options
| # | Feature | Stone Resin | Acrylic capped | Ceramic | Steel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affordable price | Moderate cost | Low cost | Higher cost | Higher cost |
| 2 | Anti-slip coatings | Available on a stone resin tray for a wet room tray safety | Optional acrylic-capped stone resin | Rarely available | Sometimes added |
| 3 | Curved front | Customisable shower enclosure shapes | Standard acrylic shower tray | Standard shapes | Standard shapes |
| 4 | Daily wear durability | A stone resin shower tray withstands daily wear | Moderate durability | Highly durable | Highly durable |
| 5 | Easy access | Suitable for low-profile tray or raised trays | Lightweight and manageable | Heavy, less easy access | Heavy, limited easy access |
| 6 | Floor level | Floor level fit possible for a wet room tray | Works for floor-level or raised trays | Floor level achievable | Floor level possible |
| 7 | Installation | Requires careful installation for a perfect tray | Simple installation | Professional installation | Requires professional installation |
| 8 | Material composition | Crushed stone with resin (stone resin tray) | Acrylic-capped stone resin | Ceramic | Steel |
| 9 | Perfect fit | Custom-sized shower trays available | Standard and custom options | Standard shapes | Standard shapes |
| 10 | Popularity | A stone resin shower tray is a popular choice | Common for acrylic trays | Less common | Less common |
| 11 | Seamless look | Offers a seamless look in the shower enclosure | Smooth surface, optional | Smooth glazed surface | Smooth polished finish |
| 12 | Withstand daily wear | Highly durable stone resin | Durable acrylic-capped stone resin | Extremely durable | Extremely durable |
Criteria for selecting the best material for a shower tray
Choosing the best shower tray material and right shower tray is essential to create a safe, durable, and stylish bathroom environment. Considering key factors in addition to the table above ensures your shower enclosure will fit perfectly and provide comfort in everyday use.
- 1) Additional protection - select gel-coated stone resin, anti-slip coatings, or other extra protection features
- 2) Affordable price - select an affordable shower tray, which also has durability, practicality, and is manufactured from top-quality materials
- 3) Anti-slip coatings - essential for wet room tray safety and general shower tray use, providing stability and easy access
- 4) Durability – buy a stone resin tray or acrylic-capped stone resin for daily wear, long-lasting materials, and performance
- 5) Installation - ensure compatibility with floor level or raised trays and enjoy the peace of mind a professional installation brings. Alternatively, choose a DIY shower tray installation project!
- 6) Material composition - choose between a stone resin shower tray, acrylic shower tray, or other top-quality materials for bathroom suitability
- 7) Shapes - available in many shapes, including rectangular shower trays, quadrant trays, and curved low-profile trays, maximising space and the showering area
- 8) Weight - consider lightweight acrylic trays or heavier stone resin trays. This will depend on the room size and the installation characteristics
Conclusion – what is the best shower tray?
Choosing the right shower tray means considering the different types of shower tray materials and their durability, with an anti-slip surface and floor preparation also being important. Square or low-profile trays give you flexibility for traditional or modern bathroom layouts. Wet rooms require reinforced materials for long-term stability and optimal showering for daily use.
Height options and drain position planning are key to getting a perfect fit in a small space. Combining natural stone, acrylic, or composite materials gives you style, waste management and durability. Add anti-slip coatings, professional installation and precise measurement, and you are protected against daily wear and tear and comfort. Finally, shower tray size, shape and configuration choices will give you a safe, functional and beautiful showering area.
Contact us
So, if you have ever wondered “What are shower trays made of?”, well, now you know! Understanding the best material for a shower tray is only one part of the buying decision, though, and if you need support, we are here to help. So, if you need advice on which is the best shower tray for your circumstances, why not contact us?
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