When it comes to choosing a shower tray, the abundance of shapes and materials available in the market can leave customers baffled. However, informed suppliers and installers can steer their clients in the right direction. Emma shares her top tips for helping buyers narrow down their options and make an informed decision.
Start with size
The size of a customer’s bathroom will determine an appropriate shape and size for their shower enclosure and tray. For smaller bathrooms, a space-saving square-style enclosure fits seamlessly with LAUFEN’s range from 800x800mm to 1000x1000mm. Larger rectangular shower trays are more suited to bigger bathrooms, with LAUFEN offering sizes ranging from 1000x800mm to a super spacious 2000x1000mm. Fortunately, even for customers with awkwardly shaped bathrooms, you don’t have to sacrifice design and style. Solutions include a bespoke solution that is customised to fit the space available. LAUFEN’s marbond shower trays can be cut to size to suit all individual requirements.
Consider material priorities
When choosing a shower tray for daily use by multiple family members, it is important to consider the materials it is made from. Durability is key to withstanding daily wear and tear. Additionally, the appearance and texture of the shower tray are important factors to consider, and sustainability should also play a role in the design decision.
LAUFEN has found a substitute for conventional resins in the production of its shower trays. The resin in Marbond trays is made entirely from recycled PET bottles, which has two benefits. Firstly, existing materials, such as PET beverage bottles, are kept in circulation for much longer, especially in the case of durable bathroom products that are often used for over a decade. Secondly, conventional resin is no longer needed for the production of Marbond products, reducing their CO2 footprint by more than 20%.
There is also no compromise in the quality of the finished product. LAUFEN’s Marbond shower trays are durable, stable, repairable and easy to clean. What’s more, their surface structure is noise-reducing, anti-slip, and has a pleasant and warm touch.
Choosing the right colour
White bathrooms are no longer de rigueur. Dark colours have stepped into the fray, with moody tones a huge interiors trend. Before choosing your shower tray, consider what else is going on in the room. What colour are the walls or tiles? What brassware is your customer going for? What flooring do they have? Would they prefer their shower tray to blend in with the floor or stand out? White looks clean and fresh, but LAUFEN’s new colours – Matt Concrete and Matt Black – can bring a contemporary edge to your shower room.
Look at all the individual elements in the room on a moodboard (online or otherwise) and see which colour tray works best.
Think about depth When choosing a shower tray, you have the option of one that fits flush with the floor or one that is laid on top of it. The decision between the two may be influenced by the space needed for the waste. If the property is under construction, inform the fitter at the outset so that the plumbing can be accommodated. If your customer is renovating an existing space, their designer will need to check whether there is enough space for the waste. Fortunately, there are varying waste depths and solutions available to solve this problem. While some people prefer a shower tray that is laid on top of the floor, this look is less contemporary and works better in a more traditional setting. Additionally, a raised border around the edge can provide an attractive finish and be useful for containing water – which is more suitable for a family bathroom where children are regularly showering. However, elderly or disabled individuals may find a step-free flush tray safer and easier to use. Consider the drain One of the most significant considerations when it comes to installing a shower tray is the position of the drain. This is critical because it ensures proper water drainage and prevents water from pooling on the surface. The drain on LAUFEN shower trays is usually positioned on the same side as the shower head and near to the edge of the tray to enhance your customer’s showering experience and ensure they are not standing on the drain.
The new LAUFEN Pro S shower trays have a hidden linear drain that seamlessly integrates with the colour of the tray. Alternatively, the square-shaped drain cover for the Pro collection comes in three designs that can be matched to the five available tray colours.
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