Steel shower tray: characteristics, features, installation

For the manufacture of shower trays using different materials, the properties of which depend on the characteristics of the finished products. Today we want to talk about steel models, to consider their advantages and disadvantages, and also to pay attention to how to install the steel shower tray with your own hands.

Steel shower trays

Characteristics and features

If we consider the shower bowls and divide them into groups according to the materials from which they are made, we will notice that steel products will be the most budgetary:

Low cost is one of the indisputable advantages of steel models, but it can also have the opposite effect: the majority of buyers believe that low cost is a sign of poor quality.

This is not entirely true, and often the low price is caused by the peculiarities of the production of products, the cost of materials, and also (and this is especially important) by existing market trends and the associated marketing policy of producers of goods.

In the case of steel pallets, it is impossible to say that they are definitely worse than their counterparts, but in some positions metal models really lose. Their model range is not so diverse, especially in terms of design. It is difficult enough to find a bowl of an unusual shape, square and rectangular shapes prevail on sale, corner models are much less common.

There is also a limitation on the depth of the vessel, and it is almost impossible to find really deep steel shower trays, since this parameter is limited to 160 mm. In this case, models with a maximum depth of 130 mm are more common, and any pallet with a depth of more than 40 mm is called deep. However, this feature is typical not only for this class.

On the other hand, steel is an excellent structural material, which is distinguished by high strength and durability, which is not afraid of high temperatures, impacts, heavy objects falling, fungal infections and other similar effects. The low cost makes steel models especially in demand for installation in suburban and suburban showers.

Products are made of carbon steel coated with anti-corrosion wear-resistant enamel. If you remember the cast-iron bath, you can imagine what it is about. The bowl can be equipped with a frame for installation, special legs or be supplied without them.

Note! By the way, baths can serve for decades and look good at the same time, so stereotypes about the quality of steel bowls are largely contrived.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the low cost, steel pallets have a number of advantages due to which the demand for this class of products remains fairly stable.

We list the main ones:

• High strength characteristics of steel. The material is not afraid of high temperatures, does not crack, does not crack, can withstand considerable weight, well tolerates impacts and falling objects;
• Low cost. With a perfectly acceptable quality, products are many times and an order of magnitude cheaper than their counterparts made of ceramics or artificial stone. Even acrylic bowls cost about two to three times the price;
• The ability to choose the color of enamel. Unlike ceramic and acrylic counterparts, steel bowls can be coated with enamel of various colors and shades, which makes it possible to much more harmoniously fit it into the interior of the bathroom;
• Easy do-it-yourself installation. The product is easy to install using conventional tools, without having special skills in construction and plumbing works.

Note! When installed on a frame, there is no need for wet processes and the construction of a brick podium, which makes installation much easier and faster.

Of course, there are disadvantages.

We will list only the most significant of them, if they do not confuse you, it means that you can ignore the rest:

• Steel is afraid of electrochemical corrosion. The enamel coating may lag behind the surface or be damaged by mechanical impact, and then the bowl will begin to actively rust and deteriorate;
• Appearance and variety of forms leave much to be desired;
• Steel surfaces are very slippery, especially in the absence of corrugation;
• When water flows from the shower, there is a noticeable noise;
• If under the bottom there is no frame or solid foundation, it may sag under the weight of an adult. This is dangerous by cracking enamel.

Note! It should be noted that, unlike shower trays made of ceramics, steel heats up quickly from water, and you can use the booth almost without preheating the bowl.

Installation

Installation of steel pallets in two ways: on the podium of brick or concrete, as well as on a special steel frame with legs. It is advisable to choose a model with a frame and adjustable legs.

In the absence of a frame at the installation site, pre-lay the podium of brick. For this, the floor is freed from finishing to a clean screed, on which a ceramic brick construction is laid (silicate is not suitable due to its low moisture resistance).

The design is a parapet with a height of 0.5 - 1.5 bricks around the perimeter of the bowl:

Inside the structure, a sewer pipe with a water seal is laid to the riser (a mouth is inserted outside, into which the drain pipe will enter) and is poured with cement mortar. The height of the fill should be such that the bowl fell on it bottom, and the sides fell on the curb.

To fix the bowl to the brickwork, you can use silicone sealant, cement glue, epoxy resin or foam. Connections to the wall must be treated with silicone.

Note! Before final fixation, it is necessary to test the structure for leaks. Only then can the pallet be fixed with glue and sealed the joints with silicone.

At the end, the podium is faced with tiles or other material, and the joints with the walls are decorated with ceramic or plastic plinths.

Conclusion

The enameled steel shower tray is a budget-friendly option that is perfectly acceptable in quality, which is perfect for a country site as well as for a city apartment. The video in this article will help you install the product yourself in the shower.