Want To Install A Stone Resin Shower Tray? Here’s How!

Let’s Begin…

Showers as a whole can be one of the hardest fixtures to install, however the shower tray is one of the easiest. In this article, we will explain how to install, use and maintain a stone resin shower tray. Why a stone resin shower tray you ask? Because we believe it is generally the best option for the buyer. Let’s explore why!

Do I Need A Shower Tray?

Most of the time, yes, you will need a shower tray. This is because the shower tray catches the shower water and the washed off waste and funnels it into the drain. You won’t need one however if you waterproof your bathroom and turn it into a wet room. This is when you don’t have a shower enclosure or tray, but simply the shower system and a drain on the floor. (Usually a linear shower drain). Wet room’s do not need shower trays, as the floor itself acts as the shower tray. Installing a wet room could be very convenient if you are trying to maximise a small space, however they can be quite the tricky install. The benefit of a shower tray is, they are quite simple to install, and, as stated before, most of the time you will need a shower tray for your shower to work properly.

What Is The Best Material For A Shower Tray?

Stone resin is the best material for a shower tray. Why? Because stone resin does not warp in the humidity and heat of the bathroom. Acrylic shower trays are also very durable and can often last upwards of ten years, however, they are more likely to warp under the strain of the bathroom environment. This makes stone resin the best choice for someone looking to futureproof their bathroom.

Why Should I Pick A Stone Resin Shower Tray?

Why should you specifically buy a stone resin shower tray rather than an acrylic shower tray? The simple answer is the stone and resin combo are stronger and more durable than acrylic. You are less likely to scratch or crack the stone resin tray, meaning it should last longer and you can more confidently use it for extra tasks, such as showering your dog. Dog claws can be quite dangerous for acrylic, as its skin is quite brittle. Stone resin on the other hand is much less brittle and much more scratch resistant.

However, acrylic is generally lighter and more flexible which could make for an easier installation depending on your fitness level. As well as this, acrylic trays come with some other non-slip options which could be beneficial. However, stone resin is naturally much less slippery than acrylic. Think about your needs and wants and make a decision on material based off of that, but we recommend going for stone.

How Are Stone Resin Shower Trays Made?

Stone resin is made from broken down stone that has been shaped by the use of resin. The application of the gooey resin allows the stone pieces to be moulded and set into shape. This methodology is what applies to all stone resin products, from basins to shower trays.

Our stone resin shower trays are cast as one piece, meaning they are much less likely to leak or come apart than shower trays made of multiple pieces, because there are no innate gaps. This also simplifies the installation even further as there are less parts to manage.

Which Stone Resin Shower Tray Should I Buy?

You need to buy a shower tray that fits your needs. For example, if a member of your household has mobility issues, then a flush shower tray is probably the best fit for you, as it is floor level and gets rid of the need for a step. However, if you do not have much space under the flooring for plumbing, then a raised shower tray would be for the best as it affords you extra space for the essential plumbing.

If you are trying to save space, then we recommend getting a quadrant or pentagonal shower tray, as they take up less space than the alternatives. However, if you are looking to have as much space as possible within the shower, then it is best to go for a rectangular or square shower tray, as they have innately bigger surface areas.

Which Shower Enclosure Matches My Shower Tray?

You need to purchase a shower tray and shower enclosure that are a matching shape. For example, the quadrant type of shower enclosures and trays have a curving face and would not be compatible with any other type. If you were to try and install the wrong enclosure over your tray, the shower would not work as intended.

As well as this, you need to ensure the sizes match. If your shower tray is bigger than your enclosure, or smaller than your enclosure, it once again will not work as intended. This could lead to water damage in your home, so take extra care to make sure you buy the right size and shape of enclosure to match your tray.

Tooling Up

Now you understand what a stone resin tray is, it’s time you understood how to install one. First up when fitting a shower tray, you need to collect your tools. For this job, you will need a spirit level, a pencil, a shovel or a trowel and a mix of sand and cement.

Your mix of sand and cement is very important, you will need to mix them at the rate of five sand for every one cement and you will need enough for at least 8mm deep of the mix to the same surface area as your tray. You will need a bucket or something similar to mix and store this.

Preparation

Now you have your equipment ready, you need to ready the area. You need to clean the bathroom floor extremely thoroughly, making sure there is no debris or build up on the floor, as that could interfere with installation. This is because any loose debris could stop the tray from being level or cause gaps in the seal. As well as this, any unchecked filth or mould build up could spread to your new installation, which would be less than ideal.

How To Install A Stone Resin Shower Tray

Stone resin shower tray installation is pretty simple, so let’s break it down.

Step 1: Mark The Location

First thing’s first, press your shower tray into position and draw its outline, as well as the outline of the drain hole. This is important to do as it will allow you to work from a guide as you install your tray. Now, remove the shower tray and put it somewhere safe while you continue with the next steps.

Step 2: Spread The Cement

Once you have done that you must spread your sand and cement mix over the surface area of the marked off floor. You must take care not to put any where the drain pipe will go and to ensure you stay within the drawn lines, as the installation could become very messy otherwise. This mix of sand and cement will be what attaches your tray to the floor, so be sure to be thorough when applying it to the outline.

Step 3: Place The Shower Tray

Now, it's time to begin shower tray fitting. Place the tray onto the mix and gently press it into position to affix it to the ground. Then use the spirit level to ensure it is straight and if it is, let it dry. If it isn’t level, readjust it until it is and then let it dry.

Step 4: Hook Up The Pipes

Once it has dried into place, connect the waste pipes to the hole you have left. This will connect your tray to the plumbing system and make sure any water that meets the tray is safely drained away.

Step 5: Seal The Shower Tray

Finally, seal your shower tray to the wall to make sure there can be no leaks or mould growth. Sealing is often brushed over, so let’s dive into the details and explain exactly how you should seal your shower tray.

What Is The Best Way To Seal A Shower Tray?

When it comes to sealing shower trays, silicon is your best friend. Silicon sealant is ideal for sealing your shower tray because it is waterproof and anti-fungal. The humid, water soaked environment of the bathroom is the perfect breeding ground for fungus and nasty bacteria if you are not careful, that is why it is so important to use hygienic, anti-fungal sealant like silicon. So, you’re going to use silicon, but how do you use silicon? Here’s how!

Step 1: Load The Silicon Gun

When you buy silicon sealant, it more than likely comes in a tube with a nozzle on the end. Depending on the brand, you can either squeeze the tube, or more than likely, you can load it into a custom gun like mould that will squeeze the silicon out for you. Slot your silicon tube into the gun mould.

Step 2: Cut The Nozzle

Now, the silicon tube will have a nozzle at the end of it, you want to cut the nozzle to make an opening wide enough to cover the gap between the shower tray’s edge and the wall. Use a ruler and measure the gap, then measure the width of the nozzle and cut when you find the appropriate size. Once this is done, you’re ready to start sealing.

Step 3: Sealing The Shower Tray

Now, the moment of truth! You will want to weigh down the shower tray, to ensure it does not move once you have sealed it, so it is advised to have someone in socks or barefoot standing on the tray as you seal it. Simply run the gun along the edges where the tray and the wall meet. Make sure the gap between them is no longer visible and then simply wait for the silicon to dry. Once it has, test it by running some water. If there are any leaks, plug those gaps with more silicon.

Tada!

You’ve successfully installed a shower tray… But what now?

Using The Shower Tray

Now you can use the shower tray of course! (Once the rest of the shower is fitted). Simply stand on top of the tray and turn your shower on, you will see that the water shoots off of yourself, is collected by the shower tray and then poured into the draining system below.

Stone resin is extremely hardy, meaning you are less likely to damage or break it. However, it is always best practice to now wear footwear in the shower, in case of damage. However, flip flops and similar items should be fine.

How To Clean A Stone Resin Shower Tray

Make sure to use a nonabrasive piece of cloth and to wipe down the tray with warm water and cleaning liquid at least once a week. This will ensure that the tray stays as clean and hygienic as possible. It is important to clean at least weekly, as buildup of filth and grime could prevent the shower from effectively acting as a cleaning instrument.

How To Repair A Leaking Shower Tray

They day may come where you find water leaking from your shower tray, but don’t panic.

This is typically a very easy fix.

More often than not, these leaks form from the weakening of the shower tray seal. All you have to do to repair this is shut off the water to the shower, cut the existing seal and then reapply a new silicon seal.

However, if there is still a leak after this, then there is probably an internal issue with the plumbing and you should seek an expert.

To Conclude…

Overall, there are many reasons to get a stone resin shower tray, but only one proper method of installation. If you found this useful, you may enjoy the rest our article series on different elements of showers, such as our ultimate shower guide, our walk-in shower guide, or our deep dive into shower trays in general.