ᐅ Tiled Shower or Shower Tray? Which Tiles to Choose?

Created on: 1 Jan 2012 14:08
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nikca82
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nikca82
1 Jan 2012 14:08
Hello fellow readers,

My husband and I are starting the construction of a new semi-detached house in spring. We are currently planning the bathroom and have an open question regarding whether to install a tiled shower base or a low-profile shower tray. Visually, I prefer the tiled option. Has anyone had this kind of shower or could share some insights on the advantages and disadvantages?

The shower size we have in mind is 90 by 90 cm (35 by 35 inches). What would the approximate cost be, including everything? Which tiles would you recommend?

Thank you very much for all helpful answers.

Best regards,
nikca82
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Bauexperte
2 Jan 2012 10:51
Hello,
nikca82 schrieb:
Visually, I prefer the tiled option: Has anyone here already had such a shower or can share some of the advantages and disadvantages? We are thinking of a 90 by 90 shower; what could it roughly cost with everything included? Which tiles would you recommend?

If the floor construction allows it, I would always recommend a walk-in shower; 90 x 90 is perhaps a bit small – 1.00 x 1.30 meters (3.3 x 4.3 feet) would be better, if your bathroom can accommodate these dimensions.

The advantage is obvious: it’s not necessarily an age issue (this type of shower is also called an accessible or barrier-free shower), but a broken bone can happen easily, and then it might be difficult to lift a leg over the shower tray edge.

In terms of cost, it’s reasonable, but it depends on how extensively your contractor tiles the bathroom. The shower floor element, replacing the shower tray, costs around 1,000 euros in the recommended size, plus the cost for the so-called partition wall, which should be tiled from the inside. Since it is built with lightweight construction, it is not a major effort. And here comes another advantage: if you separate the shower area from the bathroom with a partition wall, you can avoid using a glass door or similar; placing a regular towel in front of the shower is enough – water doesn’t splash further (hence the 1.00 x 1.30 meters). This saves you the trouble of intensive cleaning and frustration over limescale stains, and you won’t feel cold when you finish showering because, without an enclosure, the air and thus the temperature in the room are evenly distributed.

Kind regards
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Nikolaus
30 Oct 2012 21:00
Hello building expert,

since we are currently planning the bathroom, I have read the above-mentioned posts. Our shower area is approximately 1.00 m x 1.00 m (3.3 ft x 3.3 ft), and we are also considering whether to tile the floor or to install a shower tray with a double-leaf glass door.

I’m not entirely sure what you mean by a floor-level shower: a shower tray installed flush with the floor or a tiled floor with a slope for drainage?

Best regards
Nikolaus
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Bauexperte
30 Oct 2012 21:54
Hello,
Nikolaus schrieb:

I am not quite sure what you mean by a walk-in shower …
No shower tray … a level-access shower is a shower where the shower area is flush with the surrounding floor.
Kind regards
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Nikolaus
31 Oct 2012 12:08
Hello building expert,

Thank you very much for your quick response.
I have already read many of your posts, and you seem to know your stuff really well — may I ask you about a different topic?
We have very hard water. Therefore, the heating engineer recommended a water softening system that requires regular salt refills. What is your opinion on such systems? Or are there other options to get "better water" without using salt?

Best regards
Nikolaus
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Bauexperte
31 Oct 2012 13:48
Hello Nikolaus,
Nikolaus schrieb:

I have read many of your posts, and you really seem to know your stuff =>
But I am definitely not a plumbing expert
Nikolaus schrieb:

May I ask you something on a different topic?
The “language” of the internet is informal “you”
Nikolaus schrieb:

We have very hard water. Therefore, the heating engineer recommended a water softening system that requires regular salt refilling. What do you think of such systems? Are there other options to get “better water” without having to use salt?
Recommendation from our construction manager:

"So-called scale conditioners offer the most comprehensive protection against limescale build-up in domestic pipes. These devices are installed directly on the water pipes. Through electromagnetic fields induced by coils wrapped around the pipes, larger limescale crystals are broken down into smaller particles, reducing their ability to adhere to fittings, radiator fins, and the inside walls of the pipes. These devices are easy to install without significant costs or expensive special tools. Additionally, they are very durable and eliminate the hassle of disassembling pipe systems."

Just do a quick Google search!

Kind regards