Steel Shower Trays

What is a Steel Shower Tray?

Also known as an enamel shower base a Steel Enamel shower tray is essentially in its most basic elements steel and glass. The tray has a very strong steel base to it, so the tray is secure and doesn’t move or flex. The steel base then is then coated in enamel which is made from powdered glass and then the tray is fired to harden it. The process of enamelling the steel tray results in a tray that is solid and strong in a material that matches the other ceramics in your bathroom.

Steel Shower Tray Styles

Steel enamel trays allow for squarer edges and thinner trays. As Acrylic and Stone resin trays are moulded into shape, they do not have the same crisp definition in corners and edges as a steel enamel tray. This gives the steel trays a very contemporary and minimal feel. Due to the precision engineering of steel trays, you will also find more flush to the floor tray options. 

Steel Tray Sizes 

Most acrylic and stone resin trays are available in standard sizes but you tend to find more size variations from steel tray manufacturers such as Bette & Kaldwei as the due to the nature of the manufacturing process it is easier to make strong larger trays. As the trays are steel they are stronger and can have less support under them, the acrylic equivalents cannot get to larger sizes without more support under them. 

Tray Colour options

As the strays are being enamelled the manufacturer can easily add colour to the enamelling, which means there is a vast array of colours available for steel trays. Whilst coloured tray are more popular than ever and there are colour options for the non-steel trays, they do not have the same breadth of availability. If you are interested in a particular RAL colour for your shower tray just speaks to one of our sales team and we can get this priced up for you. A non-white tray would be a special order, as this would need to be made in the factory to your specifications; you would typically see a longer lead time for these trays. 

Steel Enamel Warranty 

Due to the build quality and the strength of steel shower bases made by both Bette and Kaldewei both offer a 30-year manufacturers guarantee. You will not find the same length of guarantee for acrylic and stone resin trays. In terms of strength and stain resistance, a steel enamel shower tray is clearly the best option. 

Cost 

On average steel enamel, shower bases are more expensive than acrylic or stone resin trays, as it is a much cheaper process to produce those trays and they are moulded to shape from sheets of acrylic and stone resin. By contrast, Bette hand finishes every single steel enamel tray to ensure the design and finish is perfect.