Hello everyone, Daniela here!
When considering a flush-mounted shower tray, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. Let’s dive in:
Advantages:
• Sleek, modern appearance
• Seamless integration with bathroom floor
• Easier accessibility, especially for those with mobility issues
• Space-saving design
Disadvantages:
• Higher installation costs
• Potential water drainage issues if not properly installed
• More complex waterproofing requirements
Tips for waterproofing:
1. Use a high-quality waterproof membrane
2. Ensure proper slope for water drainage (at least 2%)
3. Apply silicone sealant around edges and joints
4. Install a linear drain for efficient water removal
Did you know? According to a 2021 study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, 60% of homeowners prefer curbless showers in bathroom renovations.
Remember, proper installation is crucial for a leak-free experience. Always consult a professional for best results!.
If you are designing the bathroom in your new home or simply want to renovate the one you already have, you will probably have to deal with the choosing a shower tray. One of the most modern and interesting options is the flush-mounted one, which is to be recessed into the screed and offers an extremely design solution, which at a glance almost seems to make the shower itself disappear. There are many advantages to choosing this type of tray, but one must also take into account the (few) downsides for get the full picture before purchasing. Here is everything you need to know.
What is the walk-in shower tray
Let’s start from the beginning: the flush-mounted shower tray is a common shower tray that must, however, be installed inside the screed, so that it remains perfectly aligned with the floor covering it. In this way, it is possible to have a shower without any kind of step or protrusion, i.e., without any interruption between the bathroom covering and the tray itself. This is a very modern and design-oriented solution, which especially matches the new shower models-such as the walk-in one, where there is a single glass wall to replace the classic enclosure.
Of course, you can choose from lots of different materials to recreate the ideal environment in one’s bathroom. There are, however, two main options: the first is to install a real shower tray in the screed, choosing between one with a normal drain or one without a drain (equipped, in truth, with an almost invisible channel to which it channels the water used). The other option is instead to use the floor directly as a shower tray, taking care, however, to waterproof the area to avoid annoying water infiltration. The latter solution is ideal for those who want a overall continuity within their bathroom..
Flush-mounted shower tray: the advantages
The floor-level shower tray presents undoubted advantages, and not only aesthetic ones. In fact, from this point of view, it must be said that this choice is well suited to the most modern bathrooms and offers a very wide customization, including available materials and colors. In addition, the absence of steps and other obstacles makes the environment larger and thus suits those who can only take advantage of small spaces for making your own bathroom-especially if you choose a walk-in shower, which offers more light and an open feel.
The biggest advantage, however, concerns theaccessibility: Because the shower presents no obstacle in relation to the bathroom floor, it can be used with great convenience even by those with mobility disabilities, younger children, and elderly people, who can more easily have minor accidents when washing. In addition, the shower becomes much easier to clean, precisely because it presents fewer surfaces on which dirt can lurk (especially corners, which often accumulate soap and lime residue).
Flush-mounted shower tray: the disadvantages
And the disadvantages? Unfortunately, they are also present in this type of solution, although they are in most cases circumventable. The first is of a technical nature, and it is the only one that can prevent the construction of a flush shower tray: these are the situations in which the screed is too thin and therefore cannot contain the shower tray and its drain. In this case, the only option available is to.Opt for a middle ground, that is, a semi-recessed plate, which protrudes a few inches and creates a much less bulky edge than the classic one.
The second disadvantage to take into account is the difficulty in installation, which absolutely requires a professional. In fact, the flush shower tray is prone to water stagnation and splashing that can leak out of the compartment, going on to flood the rest of the bathroom. To avoid these inconveniences, it is important that the tray be installed by a technician who can Assess the right slope to give it, so that there are no spillage problems. Beyond that, the flush shower tray has only advantages and often proves to be the best choice for a designer bathroom.
How to waterproof tiles
One of the most important steps in the realization of a shower consists of waterproofing its linings. This applies in all cases, even when a traditional shower pan is installed. Although the tiles and the tray itself are already usually waterproof, each material can have a different porosity and let water seep in larger or smaller amounts. Not to mention the joints, which are probably the “weakest” point in the whole chain. If you have opted for a walk-in shower without a pan, viz. letting normal tiles continue in the shower area, you will need to waterproof these as well.
Of course, this is a job that should always be carried out by a professional, in order to avoid finding yourself, within a few years, with problems of seepage and mold on the walls. However, the steps are usually the same. First, the walls and screed must be prepared, using fixative products on the surfaces and waterproof tape on cracks and crevices. You can then move on to laying the waterproof sheathing, making sure that it is applied correctly. The waterproof sealant should then be spread along the tile joints and in the most critical areas of the shower.
It is essential to wait, between each step, for the materials to dry thoroughly by following the instructions on the various product labels. Once finished, you can check the result by aiming a jet of water at the waterproofed areas to check for watertightness. Only then can you proceed with the application of the chosen coating-in this case, tiles on the walls and floor on the floor, instead of the shower tray. When performed by a professional, with the right tools and high-quality materials, the waterproofing process will prevent you from a lot of problems that would even affect the very stability of the bathroom walls.
