Shower trays: features of choice

The modern market offers the widest selection of shower enclosures and individual trays, which differ in a variety of shapes, materials, designs and shades.

Shower trays are a versatile element in wash areas. They can be either part of the hydrobox or an independent design.

The main task of the pallet is to protect the flooring and walls from gushing jets of water and wet splashes scattering in all directions.

The pallet has several important functions:

• collects and drains running water;
• acts as a "foundation" for the installation of shower enclosures;
• used as a connecting link between the walls and doors of the hydrobox;
• eliminates excessive stress on the drain structure in the shower;
• makes hygiene procedures comfortable and safe;
• acts instead of a heat insulator, protecting the feet of a person from the cold concrete floor.

The main advantage of pallets is that they can be installed even in a small bathroom, thus significantly improving the ergonomics of the sanitary zone of an apartment or house.

Today, the stores offer a large selection of models of a wide variety of shapes, shades and textures, while the price run is also quite wide, so everyone can choose a model for themselves based on their own taste and available budget.

The complete set of the shower tray depends on the characteristics of the brand and manufacturer.

Ceramic pallets, as well as extra-thin models, which are designed for embedding, as a rule, are not equipped with anything - only a pallet goes on sale.

Medium-height pallets are usually sold with a special stand, metal frame and legs.

For a better water flow, a slight slope of the pipes is required. Unfortunately, in our country, the standard sewage system is designed in such a way that the pipes are led out not into the floor, but into the walls, so there is a free space of about 15-40 cm between the pallet and the floor covering.This looks rather unaesthetic, so designers recommend installing a screen.

Most often, it performs decorative functions - it simply masks the space between the floor and the pallet, which certainly arises during the installation of the siphon. Usually this element is removable and lightweight, so if necessary, it allows you to quickly get to the pipes and sewer hole.

Some manufacturers supplement pallets with a siphon.

The modern plumbing market has long been not limited to a couple of options for shower trays. Today, consumers are offered deep and shallow, smooth and corrugated, white and colored, round and square pallets.To make it easier for a simple layman to navigate in all this diversity, we will consider the features of each of the available options.

Cast iron sanitary equipment has long and firmly won consumers due to its high performance:

• High strength and reliability - due to their physical and technical characteristics, cast iron pallets can withstand heavy loads. That is why they are suitable even for people of heavy build.
• Durability - it's not a secret for anyone that the lifespan of cast iron is very long - enameled baths and accordion batteries are familiar to everyone and everyone, they are still used in many old houses and this is the best indicator that, with proper use, such plumbing can serve 20-30 years old.
• Good sound absorption - due to the thick walls and the special structure of the alloy, the water jets, hitting the pallet, practically do not emit any sounds, making it comfortable for the rest of the family to stay in the apartment or house.

Nevertheless, the material is not devoid of disadvantages, and very significant ones:

• Great weight. Cast iron is a very heavy alloy, the weight of some models reaches 60 kg, which makes it very difficult to transport and install such a structure.
• High price. Despite the fact that mainly domestic manufacturers are engaged in the manufacture of cast-iron pallets, their cost remains invariably high.
• Considerable assortment. The cast iron processing technology does not allow creating pallets of complex shapes, therefore, stores offer mainly square and rectangular models with low sides.
• Long warm-up. The thick bottom of cast iron heats up very slowly, so a person who washes for some time is forced to either stand with their feet on a cold base, which is not entirely pleasant, or spend time warming up the pallet - and this, in turn, leads to an increase in water consumption.

The stainless steel shower tray is perhaps a classic in the plumbing genre. As a rule, they are purchased for a summer residence or a private house. Quite a budget option that has many advantages:

• Ease. The design is lightweight, so its delivery and installation does not present any inconvenience, the maximum weight of such a product does not exceed 15 kg.
• Low cost. The prices for steel pallets are very democratic; you can buy cheaper only plastic from an unknown Chinese manufacturer.
• Brittle coating. Since the walls covered with enamel differ in their small thickness, the metal begins to "play" under the weight of human weight and, over time, microcracks form on the coating.
• Poor soundproofing. Steel does not muffle sounds, so the water falling on the metal makes a rather strong roar.
• Unaesthetic appearance. Metal pallets are distinguished by the simplest design and do not differ in attractiveness and grace.

In previous years, porcelain and earthenware products served as a special indicator of luxury and the status of a home owner. Over time, the situation changed and ceramics became available. Pallets made of this material are cheaper than stone ones, so the demand for porcelain and earthenware is unabated.

The advantages of such pallets include:

• Variety of shapes and textures. Ceramic trays come in a variety of shapes. They can be round, oval, rectangular and even trapezoidal, this allows you to implement any design ideas in the interior of the bathroom.
• Aesthetic appearance. The glazed surface creates a unique shine and shine, for which this material is so appreciated by customers. Ceramics go well with any tile materials and shades.
• Ease of use. Earthenware and porcelain trays are easy to use, the only thing they require is periodic washing with the simplest detergents, except abrasive ones.

But, as you know, nothing is perfect, so ceramic trays have disadvantages:

• Fragility - any clay-based products are sensitive to mechanical damage; if handled carelessly, pallets can easily crack and crack.
• Lack of legs included - when installing a pallet of this type, a perfectly flat surface is required, which leads to an increase in labor costs for installing a hydrobox.

This is a very expensive material, so pallets made of cast marble, onyx or granite are rare in our homes. Such products are most often made to order according to individual schemes and drawings.

There are quite a few advantages of such pallets:

• Unique texture - any stone, even artificial, looks very stylish and expensive, even very high-quality ceramics cannot be compared with its patterns.
• Long term of use - such pallets can serve faithfully for more than 20 years. In terms of durability, such a material leaves behind even cast iron.
• Absolute sound absorption - thick walls made of stone reliably drown out the sounds of flowing water, therefore, while taking a hygienic shower, no extraneous sounds are heard.

However, marble materials as raw materials for pallets are not without drawbacks:

• Heavy weight - individual structures reach 100 kilograms, moving them is not the easiest task, therefore, to install such a base, you will need to install a reinforced base.
• Weak thermal conductivity - the material heats up for a rather long time, so it takes time for the pallet to reach a temperature that is pleasant for a person's feet.
• High price - the cost of the product consists of the price of the material itself and the cost of work on its installation. Both are distinguished by a tangible high cost, so a stone pallet will "cost a pretty penny" to its owner.

Acrylic pallets are the second most popular after steel, this is due to the low price of the product, combined with exceptional performance. Such pallets are often installed in the country.

They are practical, lightweight and attractive, and in addition they reliably absorb noise.

The only drawback of acrylic is its poor resistance to mechanical damage and a tendency to deformation. Under the weight of a large person, such a pallet can crack, and from the fall of any objects, dents are formed at the base. That is why such products are mounted on a reinforced base, thanks to which the stability increases and the pallets retain their strength under a load of up to 130 kg.

A kind of material, however, quite often used in eco-houses, as well as in bathrooms decorated in country or Provence style. As a rule, wooden bases are produced in the form of a low barrel - this gives them a rustic charm. Larch or ash is used as raw material, which are highly environmentally friendly and stylish in design.

The disadvantages are obvious - wood is subject to decay rather quickly, therefore, in conditions of constantly high humidity and exposure to large streams of water, even materials treated with protective compounds last no more than 5 years, in addition, wooden pallets are made by hand, therefore their prices are appropriate - even the cheapest a copy will cost users at least 10 thousand rubles.

This is a budget option that is optimal for summer cottages and summer houses, since plastic can only be used as a temporary option.

These products are usually made from environmentally friendly polypropylene, so they can be installed indoors.

Plastic is resistant to temperature extremes, household chemicals, pallets made of this material are distinguished by a wide variety of shapes and shades, and their cost even competes with acrylic.

However, the service life of such bases is low. They do not differ in strength to stress and wear resistance; with regular use, their period of operation is unlikely to exceed 3 years.

Today, the plumbing market is literally overflowing with dozens of modifications of pallets of the most diverse shapes. The choice of the optimal model should be in accordance with the dimensions of the bathroom or shower stall.

Suitable for small spaces:

• rectangular;
• square;
• triangular;
• pentagonal.

Such pallets necessarily have one right angle, which can be easily attached to one of the corners of the bathroom, thereby significantly saving bathroom space.

If the room is more overall and there is no special need to save space, then the options for the execution of pallets are much wider - round, oval or trapezoidal options will look original here.

Quadrangular models are considered the most comfortable, they look harmonious when mounted along a wall in a shower room or, for example, near a washing machine.

Pallets of complex configurations are much more expensive than square and rectangular ones, and the entire hydrobox of such a shape as a whole will not be cheap, because such products, as a rule, are piece and made to order.

Very often, the owners of baths and private houses equip their shower rooms with the simplest inexpensive pallet in a minimalist style, or refuse to use it altogether - in this case, they simply build the floor covering with a slight slope, so that the water drains into a special hole in the floor. In addition, the option of installing a shower cabin, rather than a separate tray, remains popular.

However, we will not dwell on these options, but we will analyze the most popular types of pallets. Studying the offers of various manufacturers, three categories of goods can be distinguished:

• deep pallets;
• shallow;
• average.

Deep pallets have a height of 25 cm, the height of the middle ones ranges from 10 to 25 cm, the height of the wall of a flat pallet does not exceed 10 cm.

Deep pallets, as a rule, have an oval, semicircular or round shape, they can also be made in the form of a corner. Such products harmoniously fit into any shower area and at the same time can significantly save space. They look aesthetically pleasing with glass hydroboxes or made of polystyrene.

Deep products combine the functionality of a tray and a small bathtub, which is why they are often installed in families with small children who love to splash in the water.

Flat pallets are considered the best way to equip sanitary areas for children and people in adulthood or people with disabilities, since they do not have a high side over which you have to step over whenever there is a need to take a shower.

For a long time, pallets were produced in a single color - white, but nowadays the choice of shades is much greater. The modern industry offers a large selection of a wide variety of shades of red, green, blue, beige and even black.

Many models have a pattern. Typically, there are two options - repeating prints, such as floral designs, and laser engraving. With its help, phrases and unusual inscriptions are most often applied.

A distinctive feature of modern pallets is the presence of a raised bottom. This makes the product not only more attractive but also safer, since any roughness prevents slipping and minimizes the risk of falling in the shower.

A rather fashionable trend, which has become widespread in recent years, is the absence of sides. In this case, the traditional thicket is replaced by a stylish pallet, which is mounted almost flush with the floors. Of course, this only makes sense in cases where the installation of the hydrobox itself is not planned. The success of the installation of such structures requires additional operations, namely:

• raising the floor in the bathroom;
• arrangement of an effective drainage system, since water will in any case overflow through the pallet and if the drainage system is not organized well enough, moisture will quickly penetrate into the joints of the walls and floor and remain there, leading to damage to the material, as well as the appearance of pathogens.

Usually, special ladders are equipped, which are decorated with a lattice. Such a pallet should only be installed if its owner is ready to take care of it and regularly carry out cleaning work in the shower room.

Another modern trend is the lack of plums. Naturally, there is a drain in such structures, but it is quite effectively disguised. The principle of operation of such products is simple - the pallet is sold complete with a beautiful insert, which is slightly smaller in size than the total area of ​​the pallet, thanks to which the water is diverted into a special "additional bottom". In addition, the decorative strip often has a composite structure, in which case the drains go through the slots. The inlay is most often made of the same material as the main pallet, but sometimes manufacturers produce metal models with a moisture-resistant wood inlay.

Backlighting has become very popular in recent years. Agree, a shower tray with LEDs will look stylish and very decorative! This unusual solution is gaining more and more popularity among consumers all over the world. Naturally, the lamps under your feet will not be able to play the role of full-fledged lighting, but they will certainly add zest to the bathroom interior.

Some DIYers prefer homemade shower trays. This is especially true in private houses, when the bathroom can have non-standard shapes and dimensions.

In this case, first you need to prepare a place for the future structure, after which the selected area is waterproofed - this is very important in order to protect the floor and walls from pathogens, mold and mildew. Next, you need to equip a drain - for this you can purchase a ready-made drainage system in the store, which is called a "shower ladder". Then you need to connect the drain hole to the sewer and seal all joints and gaps with sealant.

At the next stage, the foundation is laid out. As a rule, brickwork or cement screed is made at home, and after it is completely dry, the walls are laid. For this, silicate brick is used, but ordinary brick can also work. The order of work is as follows:

1. A metal mesh is laid on the prepared base.This is important for the formation of a monolithic structure.
2. The sides are laid out - experts recommend laying the material in a square, and making the protruding corner a little beveled. This will reduce the risk of injury about the corner, and in addition, it will be able to visually expand the space.
3. After 4-5 days, you can start waterproofing the pallet. To do this, it is covered with a film or roll coating.
4. Then, a concrete screed is formed over the entire area of ​​the pallet, which is designed to completely hide all the brickwork. At the same time, it is very important to make a small angle of inclination so that water can drain into the drain hole.
5. At the last stage, another waterproofing layer is laid and a self-leveling mixture is applied, then the surface is revetted with the selected material. Most often, ceramic tiles are used for this.

With all the variety of pallets on the plumbing market, it is not so easy for the consumer to make a choice.

• It is very important that the tray is as slippery as possible, otherwise there is a high risk of injury when showering. As practice shows, the most slippery pallets are steel. If you buy just such a model, take care of purchasing a rubber mat, but it is better to give preference to models with a grooved bottom or special coatings with an anti-slip effect.

• Very often, when the pouring water comes into contact with the surface of the pallet, a strong noise is created, which interferes with the comfort of the rest of the household. The intensity of the sound primarily depends on the material from which the plumbing is made. Acrylic and stone pallets have the greatest noise absorption, but cast iron and steel ones make rather loud sounds.
• It is rather unpleasant to wash while standing with your feet on a cold surface. Unfortunately, many materials have low thermal conductivity, so they take time to heat up. For example, cast iron, porcelain, earthenware and stone remain cool for a long time, and steel and acrylic warm up almost instantly, such a warm pallet is not only comfortable, but also saves water consumption.
• Acrylic pallets are considered the most convenient to use, since this material does not tend to absorb dirt and form streaks from splashing water. However, the material does not differ in particular wear resistance, therefore, over time or with mechanical damage, it can become cracked, chips and scratches form on it. However, this defect can be easily eliminated with special pastes, which can be bought at any hardware store.

• Porcelain and earthenware trays are very beautiful, but they have a very significant drawback - the material can easily be damaged and split, even if you accidentally drop a light shower head into it.
• The enamel with which cast iron pallets are covered is of very low quality. It starts flying around rather quickly and then you have to completely change the coating. It is not possible to make repairs in part.
• Stainless steel pallets are very easy to clean. They tolerate any cleaning well, even with strong abrasive agents, however, their strength to deflection is low, and if the user has a weight above average, the pallet begins to deform.

• Deep ones allow you to use them as a bath, however, to enter such a container, certain efforts are required. This must be borne in mind if there are children, elderly or sick people in the house. However, in stores you can buy a small step, which greatly facilitates the entry into the hydrobox.
• Floor-mounted pallets look very stylish and attractive, but their installation requires a significant investment of time and money, especially in cases where the neck of the sewer pipe is located just above the floor level. In this case, you will need to either raise the floor or purchase a very expensive solo lift. This is why most users prefer medium-height pallets.

• The dimensions of the room are one of the main factors affecting the height and shape of the pallets installed in the bathroom. If the area of ​​the bathroom is small, then it is worth purchasing corner models, and if the room is spacious, then the product can be installed in the center, and you can give it any shape - round, spiral, but in this case you will have to additionally tighten engineering communications, and this possible only with a major redevelopment or when the house is being built from scratch.
• As for the size, everything is obvious here - the larger the pallet, the more comfortable it is to shower, since if the model is too compact, then there is a high probability that you will have to take hygiene procedures "at attention". As a rule, the hydrobox is selected for the densest member of the family, but if you have to install a small model, then try to keep it at least 80x80 cm.

Finnish, Italian and German companies are the absolute leaders among foreign brands that produce pallets. They use the latest technological developments and the highest quality materials.

The best reviews and most popular among consumers with brands such as Bas, River, Triton other. However, the cost of their products is quite high, so it makes sense for those who are looking for budget options to focus on domestically produced goods.

Well-known Russian companies involved in the manufacture of pallets are the same factories that mastered the production of baths, namely the Lipetsk Pipe Plant and the Kirov Plant. Both of these companies have been part of the concern for a long time. Santo Holding... However, the range of these manufacturers is small. So, in Lipetsk, only steel pallets are produced, and in Kirov, cast iron ones.

As for the pallets made of acrylic and plastic, they are included in the assortment of almost all enterprises that have mastered the production of acrylic bathtubs. By the way, the pallet is often sold as a replaceable part of the hydrobox and is quite rare as an independent trade unit. In this regard, acrylic pallets in our country are made much less than cabins and fences.

But porcelain and earthenware plumbing models in Russia are practically not produced.

See the next video for more details.