How to choose the right shower tray: materials, heights and installation
Today, the shower tray is one of the most important elements in a modern bathroom not only from a functional point of view, but also as a key design feature. It’s no longer just a support base, but a central component that defines the style, comfort and quality of the daily bathroom experience.
Whether you are renovating or designing your space from scratch, choosing the right shower tray means evaluating several key factors: materials, thickness, installation type and dimensions. In this guide, Bertani walks you through every detail to help you make an informed choice and create a bathroom that’s both stylish and functional.
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Types of shower trays
Today’s market offers a wide range of solutions, each designed to meet specific needs in terms of space, aesthetics, and functionality. Before choosing, it's essential to understand the options to determine which is best for your bathroom project.
Flush-to-floor shower trays
Flush-to-floor shower trays are a symbol of modernity and minimalist design. Installed level with the floor, they create a seamless, step-free surface that enhances the sense of space.
Ideal for:
• Contemporary or minimalist interiors
• Barrier-free bathrooms
• Projects requiring increased accessibility
These features are perfect for creating elegant, clean and easy-to-maintain bathrooms.
However, some technical conditions must be verified:
• Available screed depth for drain installation
• Slope required for correct water drainage
• Any structural constraints of the environment
If you are dreaming of a bathroom with clean lines and visual continuity, flush-to-floor trays are the perfect choice, but they require precise planning and professional installation.
Raised shower trays
Raised shower trays are the most traditional and versatile solution. Installed on the existing floor, they remain slightly raised with a visible edge of a few centimetres. They're especially suitable for renovations, as they allow technical issues to be resolved without invasive work.
Advantages:
• Ideal when the screed cannot be altered
• Easier to install than flush-to-floor trays
• More budget-friendly in most cases
Nevertheless, it is also good to consider the less favourable aspect.
Drawbacks:
• Small step at the entrance (important for accessibility)
• More visible in terms of aesthetics
However, there are slim and refined models that combine style and function, making them ideal if you want to contain costs without compromising on elegance.
Ultra slim shower trays
Ultra slim trays offer a perfect balance of design and practicality. They are thin, light and aesthetically discreet.
• They have minimum thicknesses (as thin as 2.5–3 cm)
• They can be laid with no major structural work
• They are visually discreet and modern
Perfect for projects that avoid invasive renovations, although you look for a modern style bathroom.
Materials Compared
The choice of material is one of the most important aspects when selecting a shower tray. Beyond aesthetics, in fact, each material has different implications in terms of comfort, maintenance, durability, and design performance.
Below, we analyse the main solutions available on the market to help you make an informed choice.
Ceramic
The ceramic shower tray is a timeless classic. Reliable, solid, and always a key player in the most functional bathrooms.
Its advantages:
• Excellent resistance to impact and wear
• Smooth, glazed surface that is easy to clean
• Affordable costs and wide availability
It is the perfect choice for those who value solidity and want to keep the budget under control.
However, it may feel colder to the touch and more slippery if not treated with anti-slip finishes.
Discover our selection of ceramic shower trays on our website.
Solid surface
Solid surface materials, such as Corian and Cristalplant, are synonymous with modernity thanks to their essential aesthetics, pleasant feel, and excellent bathroom performance. These are composite, compact, and homogeneous materials, free of porosity, ideal for creating seamless, minimal surfaces.
Solid surface shower trays stand out for:
• Custom sizing, thanks to the possibility of cutting and adapting them to any type of space
• Elegant matte finishes, with neutral palettes that integrate perfectly into both modern and contemporary classic settings
• Antibacterial properties and easy cleaning, due to their compact and hygienic surface
• But the real strength of this material lies in its restorability over time. Scratches and surface marks can be removed with fine-grit sandpaper or abrasive pads like Scotch-Brite, while deeper cuts or chips can be repaired with specific kits. The result is a uniform, regenerated surface with no visible discontinuity.
If you are looking for a designer shower tray, durable and always like new, solid surface is a solution that combines aesthetics, functionality, and easy maintenance.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a practical and accessible choice, particularly suitable for less demanding contexts:
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Warmer to the touch compared to ceramic
• Often among the most economical options on the market
It is the right solution for less demanding environments, such as guest bathrooms or second homes. However, it is more delicate, less resistant to scratches, and may become dull or change colour over time if not properly maintained.
Resin
Resin shower trays are among the most versatile and widespread categories on the market, although the term “resin” is often used generically for very different materials.
In particular, this category includes marble-resin and mineral-marble trays, which differ in chemical composition.
• Marble-resin is made of marble powders mixed with resins
• Mineral-marble consists of mineral powders and polyester resins coated with a technical enamel film called Gelcoat, which makes it extremely resistant
This surface film allows for faithful replication of natural textures such as slate or cement, creating a highly appreciated stone-like effect, especially in contemporary or industrial-style bathrooms. However, these are not real stone materials, and long-term performance may vary depending on product quality.
Why choose a marble-resin shower tray:
• Wide customization: they can be cut to size to fit niches, irregular spaces, or uneven walls, even during installation.
• Reduced thickness: perfect for flush-to-floor installations, ensuring visual continuity and barrier-free accessibility.
Stone- or Marble-Effect Porcelain Stoneware
The stone effect is one of the most requested finishes today, thanks to its natural, tactile, and contemporary aesthetics.
The surface of stoneware shower trays with a stone or marble effect has a real texture obtained from the material itself, with notable advantages:
• Higher resistance to scratches and wear
• Complete impermeability and hygiene
• Deep and authentic aesthetics, available in elegant finishes
If you are looking for a sophisticated, durable, and truly high-performing stone-effect shower tray, the best choice is porcelain stoneware: it combines natural aesthetics, top quality, and custom installation options, even in high-end design projects.
Enamel Steel
Less common but technically excellent, the enamel steel shower tray combines the lightness of metal with the resistance of high-temperature enamel. Outstanding examples in this field include Kaldewei products, known for their resistance to impact and scratches.
In addition, enamel steel is 100% recyclable, making it a sustainable choice.
Perfect for high-traffic environments or for those seeking a technically flawless product with a minimal, contemporary look.
Coverable Shower Trays
A separate but increasingly appreciated category is that of coverable shower trays, often used in combination with linear drain channels.
These systems (such as those by Schlüter, Makro, and Geberit) are based on:
• Pre-sloped structural panels
• Integrated drains (square or linear)
• Customizable coverings with tiles, resins, or other flooring materials
The advantages are many:
• Total visual continuity with the bathroom floor
• Maximum aesthetic freedom, even for bespoke projects
• Elegant and “invisible” architectural solutions, perfect for a modern walk-in effect
There is also wide flexibility in choosing covering materials, such as porcelain stoneware or ceramic, which can be coordinated with the floor. Alternatively, micro-cement or resin can be used for a uniform contemporary look, while natural or composite materials can be employed for more refined tactile effects.
What are the downsides? Installation must be carried out by specialized personnel to ensure waterproofing and a proper slope. But when done correctly, the result is among the most beautiful and functional available today.
Installation and sizes
The size of a shower tray impacts not only aesthetics but also comfort of use and technical feasibility.
Popular sizes and shapes:
• 70x70 cm: perfect for compact spaces
• 80x80 or 90x90 cm: ideal for small to medium-sized bathrooms
• 120x80 cm or larger: best for spacious and comfortable showers
When planning, consider not only the internal dimensions of the tray but also space for door swing and comfortable access.
Technical details to consider:
• Drain location: should be easy to access and inspect
• Slope: crucial for flush trays to prevent overflow
• Screed depth: essential during the bathroom renovations to fit the drain system
These aspects make the difference between a functional shower and one that causes ongoing issues.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many people underestimate the complexity of choosing the right tray. Here are the most common mistakes that an unprofessional may do:
• Ignoring the actual measurements: just a few millimeters off can make the tray unusable.
• Neglecting the necessary slope: especially in flush-to-floor installations, poor drainage planning leads to water issues.
• Focusing only on aesthetics. The tray must harmonize with tiles, furniture and enclosures.
• Choosing overly cheap materials: robust materials guarantee durability and safety in high-traffic areas.
Bertani’s recommendation is as usual: trust professionals to avoid costly mistakes and choose a product that truly meets your needs.
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Why choose Bertani
With Bertani, a shower tray is never just a purchase.
It is part of a comprehensive design project that brings together aesthetics, functionality and technology.
This means:
• Access selected brands: Agape, Antonio Lupi, Flaminia, Disenia, Nic Design, Galassia, Geberit, Ideal Standard, Duravit, Cielo.
• Expert design consultants providing guidance throughout every step.
• Custom solutions for even the most complex spaces
Contact Bertani for a personalized consultancy
The perfect shower tray exists: you just need to choose the one that suits your aesthetic, functional and technical needs. With Bertani you can rely on a partner who offers more than just products, but as well design expertise, tailored solutions and the joy of experiencing your ideal bathroom every day.
