Shower with or without a shower tray?

Added: Tuesday, 1/18/2022


Modern interiors are characterized by large, open spaces supported by minimalist solutions. Bathrooms equipped with shower cabins without shower trays are a great example of this trend. They look very attractive, although they also have their drawbacks - special attention should be paid to their installation. Check out our guide on how to install a shower without a shower tray !

Dark, stylish bathroom without a shower tray and a Dallmer bathtub

From this article you will learn:

  • what are the advantages of a shower cabin without a shower tray,
  • what to pay attention to when installing a cabin without a shower tray,
  • what products are worth using during installation.

Advantages and disadvantages of a shower cabin without a shower tray

A shower without a shower tray is a solution that is still gaining in popularity. They are chosen by owners of new apartments and investors carrying out general renovations of their interiors. This does not mean that this type of cabins will work in every case. Before making a decision, you should consider all the advantages and disadvantages of a shower without a shower tray.

The undoubted advantage of this solution is its modern and attractive appearance. The lack of a shower tray allows you to maintain elegant minimalism in the bathroom. This, of course, also helps keep the room clean. The amount of space where pollutants and harmful microorganisms could multiply is reduced.

It is also worth noting that a shower without a shower tray definitely makes arranging a small bathroom easier. By giving up the shower tray, you can save a lot of valuable space. It is not only about space for other interior elements, but also about ensuring visual spaciousness. Thanks to this type of cabin, the owner of a bathroom with a modest size does not have to worry that a massive shower tray will visually dominate the entire room.

A modern, bright bathroom with a shower without a shower tray

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Just like any other solution, a shower cabin without a shower tray has its drawbacks. In this case, it is primarily about the challenges that installers face. Installing this type of shower requires prior preparation of the entire surface. Therefore, it is worth taking care of it already at the construction stage, or during a general renovation of the bathroom. Otherwise, installing a cabin without a shower tray will consume a lot of time and money.

So what type of shower cabin is worth choosing? The lack of a shower tray will undoubtedly prove to be a very practical solution, and in some cases even mandatory. Such a shower often takes the form of a walk-in cabin, i.e. without a door. It is an essential element of the so-called barrier-free bathroom, intended especially for the elderly and disabled.

However, it should be remembered that the installation of a shower cabin without a shower tray should be planned already at the bathroom design stage. Investors who only intend to superficially modernize their interiors will do better by giving up this solution and choosing a traditional shower with a shower tray.

What should you remember when installing a shower without a shower tray?

Assuming that the property owner is planning to redecorate the bathroom from scratch or completely renovate it, you can safely move on to designing a cabin without a shower tray. What should you pay attention to then?

Installing a shower without a shower tray requires, first of all, choosing the right place. The shower can be placed in an existing recess or in the corner of the room, where the walls of the cabin will be placed. However, the most important thing will be the proper shaping of the floor. A gentle slope of 2% should allow the water to move naturally towards the drain. Moreover, there must be approximately 11 - 15 cm of free space under the tiles for all connection elements. In many apartments, the ceilings are not thick enough, so this criterion should be verified before starting any work.

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The next stage involves choosing the right solution - primarily the shape of the cabin. It is also in this step that the investor may decide to give up the door. Under the right conditions, they will not be needed at all. Sometimes one or two windows are enough. This solution not only makes it easier to use the shower (especially for seniors and people with disabilities), but also has a very positive effect on the appearance of the bathroom. This is another step on the way to perfect minimalism.

The lack of a shower tray translates into freedom in choosing the shape of the cabin. You can freely adapt it to the specificity of your bathroom. The most commonly used solutions include square, rectangular and semicircular showers. The next step is to select doors - swinging or sliding. The former require additional space in the bathroom, while the latter save some space. The above-mentioned walk-in cabin will also be an interesting choice.

Stylish bathroom with a walk-in shower

Installing a cabin without a shower tray also requires the selection of an appropriate drain. The investor may decide to:

  • Point drain – consisting of a siphon installed in the floor and a grid installed at floor level. Sometimes it is covered with a ceramic tile, making it almost invisible. Typically, point drains are placed in the center of the shower cabin, which requires designing a two percent slope on each side. This solution is small in size, so it may not be sufficient for larger amounts of water.
  • Linear drain – characterized by a larger surface and mounted either against the wall or on the border of the cabin. In this case, it is enough to ensure a two percent slope of the floor on one or both sides of the drain. The entire system consists of a shower channel built into the floor and a grid installed at tile level. It is also possible to integrate the channel with a siphon - such a compact design saves a lot of space. It is then installed at a depth of less than 10 centimeters below the floor level.

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The installation of the cabin itself should be preceded by appropriate moisture insulation . Thanks to this special layer, water does not seep under the bathroom tiles and does not pose a threat to the rooms below. At this stage, roofing felt, bituminous coating or synthetic resin foil is placed in the shower area. You can lay tiles on such a prepared substrate - when selecting them, it is worth paying attention not only to their aesthetics, but above all to their durability .

Install a shower cabin with the Dallmer brand!

If you are designing shower cabins without shower trays, buy the necessary Dallmer products . In the Onninen wholesaler you will find, among others , floor drains and sewage grates enabling the installation of reliable drains. High-quality components will enable you to create functional and aesthetic solutions for modern bathrooms.

Note that linear or point drains are the basis of every shower. Even though it can be done without a shower tray or even without walls, a water drainage system will always be absolutely necessary!

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