SENSTEC comes in 4 different shapes: square, rectangle, quadrant (a right-angled triangle with a rounded top) and offset quadrant (a rectangle with one corner rounded). To make sure the shape you want fits perfectly, SENSTEC also comes in a range of 42 different sizes.
But which is right for you?
SENSTEC is available in 4 shapes
There isn’t a golden ratio for what size shower you should have compared to your bathroom floor space but anything over 900cm is considered a reasonable space. It’s important to consider the clearance space you’ll need for your shower enclousre door (if it hinges out into the bathroom space).
Finally deciding the function shower and where you are going to store your in-shower products can help finalise the decision made around the size and shape of your shower tray. Are you going to have a walk-in shower, will the enclosure cover the whole tray or just part and where will the shampoos be accessible will all be factors when choosing size and shape.
SQUARE
Square shower trays come in 3 sizes; 800×800, 900×900, and 1000×1000 with an additional 25mm which can be shaved off each wall-touching side to give you even more flexibility and the perfect fit.
Square shower trays are often used in the corners of bathrooms much like a quadrant-shaped tray but the square has a lot more flexibility when it comes to choosing a shower enclosure. A square tray will allow you to have sliding or hinged doors, which gives you a lot more options when it comes to deciding exactly how and where you want to enter your shower.
QUADRANT
The quadrant comes in 1000 x 1000, 900 x 900, and 800 x 800, and like all SENSTEC trays, can have 25mm taken off any wall-touching side.
The Quadrant gives a much smoother line than the square tray without having the same pointed edges. The quadrant is perfect for the corner of a room and is especially great in small spaces as the rounded edge reduces the overall footprint of the tray, giving you more floor space. If you’re considering a quadrant, be sure to look at what type of shower enclosure you’d like before making your purchase as the choice can be limited compared to square or rectangular trays.
OFFSET QUADRANT
An offset Quadrant is a similar shape but this time it’s a rectangle with a rounded edge. A great way to elongate your showering area with a walk-in style rectangle whilst still having the smooth sweeping edge which also saves space. The offset quadrant comes in a left and right version depending on where you want the curved edge.
RECTANGLE
Our most popular shape is the rectangle which comes in a huge range of sizes (see table below). This shape is great for larger or walk-in showers and, like the square, has a lot of options when it comes to enclosures.
The rectangle shape is our most popular for a few reasons. The rising popularity of replacing baths for showers has given people a lot of space in their bathrooms for large walk-in showers. People prefer these as you get the benefits of a wet room, being able to move around the shower and walk in/out of the water, while still containing any dirt or liquid in one area. The downside of being able to walk up and down the shower tray is the risk of slips and falls increases dramatically, leaving you with even more reasons to buy an anti-slip shower tray.
Summary
In summary, SENSTEC offers 4 distinctive shower tray shapes: square, quadrant, offset quadrant and rectangle, all available in various sizes for a precise fit in your bathroom.
The square tray provides design flexibility, accommodating sliding or hinged doors for convenient shower access. The quadrant, with its rounded edges, optimizes space, making it ideal for compact bathrooms and corners with the offset quadrangle elongating two sides to make the shape more rectangular for a more ‘walk-in’ style shower.
Our most popular option, the rectangle, comes in a wide range of sizes, perfect for spacious or walk-in showers. However, do consider the risk of slips and falls, emphasizing the need for a SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray for added safety and peace of mind.
When you’re in the market for an anti-slip shower tray, the lack of comprehensive information can leave you uncertain about what is an anti-slip shower tray and how to choose the right type. Understanding what anti-slip is and its significance can help you make an informed decision for a safer showering experience.
Defining Anti-Slip:
Anti-slip refers to a design specifically crafted to prevent slipping or to remain stationary. In the context of shower trays, this feature becomes crucial to avoid slips and falls during a shower, considering the inherent slipperiness of the shower environment.
What is an Anti-Slip Shower Tray:
Anti-slip shower trays are designed with either a specially applied coating or an integrated anti-slip design to enhance safety (Read more about this here). Their purpose is to prevent accidents caused by the slippery conditions created during a shower and the use of products in the process. Choosing an anti-slip shower tray is a proactive step towards preventing slips and falls, especially for vulnerable individuals or those seeking a secure and worry-free showering experience.
A SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray makes a bathroom a safer place to shower.
Regulations and Standards for Anti-Slip Shower Trays:
In Europe, for domestic purposes, traditional shower trays must adhere to specific manufacturing standard regulations, notably the CE marking in compliance with EN 14527. However, when it comes to ‘anti-slip’ shower trays, there are no further mandatory regulations or standardised testing procedures, which can lead to a confusing buying experience.
The Challenge with Marketed ‘Anti-Slip’ Trays:
The absence of standardised regulations means that any shower tray can be advertised as “anti-slip”. This unfortunate reality highlights the importance of being well-informed and discerning when selecting the right anti-slip shower tray for your needs.
SENSTEC’s Integrated Anti-Slip Design:
At SENSTEC, we have taken a different approach to ensure that our anti-slip shower tray genuinely delivers on its promise. Our design incorporates anti-slip properties directly into the tray during the manufacturing process, rather than relying on an applied coating. The integration of “dimples” within the tray ensures that the anti-slip properties will remain effective for the entire lifespan of the shower tray. This is just one of the advantages of a SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray. Our product was developed through years of research to achieve the perfect combination of dimple shape and spacing. Only when we achieved exceptional anti-slip performance while maintaining effortless cleaning and comfort underfoot were we satisfied with the design. (Read more about cleaning anti-slip here)
SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray made with the anti-slip built into the mould.
Consistency and Reliability:
SENSTEC trays are shaped in a mould and made by hand, ensuring that each tray is identical. Following completion, each SENSTEC tray undergoes an in-depth inspection process to meet our high standards.
This consistency ensures that a new SENSTEC tray will have the same anti-slip properties as when it was 1, 3, or 10 years old. In addition, our dimples are designed to allow dirt to be carried away with the water, preventing them from becoming slippery. So, as long as the tray is cleaned like a normal tray, its anti-slip effectiveness will not diminish.
Putting SENSTEC to the Test:
At SENSTEC, we don’t solely rely on our claims; we subject our products to rigorous testing. Our anti-slip shower tray successfully underwent both the Pendulum and Barefoot Ramp tests.
In the Pendulum test, a score of 36 indicates a 1 in 1 million chance of slipping. SENSTEC achieved an average score of 48, an off-the-scale result, earning the design a spot in the Low Slip Potential category. (Read more about the Pendulum Test here)
Similarly, the Barefoot Ramp test requires a score of 24 degrees for the best classification (Category C). SENSTEC surpassed this requirement, recording an average of 30 degrees, further validating the effectiveness of our anti-slip properties. (Read more about the German Ramp Test here)
Summary:
Anti-Slip shower trays offer the best, least intrusive way to make your showering easier and safer. They come in many forms, varying in price and level of maintenance, but any type of anti-slip can improve your showering experience if properly maintained.
Adding stickers, paints, or mats to the tray after manufacture is a quick fix, but they will require reapplication/replacement and must be kept clean to avoid slipperiness, which is a time-consuming process.
Building the anti-slip into the tray is a more reliable, consistent solution that would involve fitting a new tray.
When choosing, consider the “Barefoot Ramp Test,” arguably the best test for evaluating the effectiveness of an anti-slip. If the tray you’re considering lacks a test rating, consider why that might be.
As a benchmark, SENSTEC has barefoot ramp test results of 30 degrees. Also, think about how easy the solution will be to maintain; if it appears that dirt and grime could get trapped, then this will become unsightly and, in turn, become slippery.
It’s hard when buying a new bathroom to find the right balance between value vs luxury as well beauty vs safety. This normally leaves buyers confronted with the question ‘Is an anti-slip shower tray worth it?’. Here is why we think it is worth your hard earned money.
Types of anti-slip shower trays and their advantages:
The two main types of anti-slip shower trays are those with integrated anti-slip properties and those with an applied coating.
On an integrated anti-slip tray, the anti-slip properties are built directly into the tray, ensuring they do not degrade over time or with use. This creates a dependable level of anti-slip that you can rely on, particularly in commercial settings where consistency is crucial.
Applied coatings are used on shower trays after the manufacturing process, with paint or stickers being the most prevalent options. These coatings are often inexpensive and can be applied even after the shower tray is installed. But they aren’t without their issues. Regular reapplication is necessary, creating an inconsistency in the expected level of anti-slip performance on a day-to-day basis.
Timing is everything:
Which route to go?
For a lot of people, that decision will have already been made for them. If a shower tray is already installed, replacing the tray isn’t a cost-effective option and the only other route to safer showering is with an applied coating. Keeping them clean can be time-consuming or often impossible and reapplication will be needed from time to time, but anything is better than slipping.
If a bathroom is being remodelled, there’s a lot more options out there. Installing a shower tray with an integrated system would give a higher standard of anti-slip which would last the lifetime of the tray. An integrated anti-slip will be a premium, but the tray will give better anti-slip properties with less of the drawbacks associated with an applied coating.
A SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray – Safe & Stylish
Conclusion, Is An Anti-Slip Shower Tray Worth It:
For most people, wanting an anti-slip tray comes after an event that made us feel unsafe in the shower, that could be a near miss while showering, a friend who fell or an injury that’s changed our confidence on our feet.
To make a current bathroom safe again, the only options are buying a sticker, anti-slip paint or any other applied coating in order to add grip to the surface.
When remodelling a bathroom, that’s when the real choice can be made. If feeling safe in the shower is of the utmost importance, allocating a larger budget to the shower tray will allow for a top-of-the-range anti-slip solution. Providing safety and confidence with none of the drawbacks, like reapplying or being difficult cleaning. If the budget doesn’t allow for this, or the priorities lie elsewhere, then an allied coating can bridge the gap between a fully integrated anti-slip shower tray and a basic tray.
Taking a shower should be a refreshing and safe experience, but the risk of slips and falls in wet and soapy environments can make it a hazardous task. That’s why many people turn to anti-slip solutions for their shower trays, such as stickers, mats, paint, and coatings. However, the question arises: How easy or hard is it to clean these anti-slip shower trays?
In this article, we will explore the cleaning challenges faced by various anti-slip products and shed light on an innovative solution offered by SENSTEC—a patented anti-slip shower tray designed for both safety and ease of maintenance.
Understanding the Cleaning Challenges:
Over time, regular anti-slip products, such as stickers and mats, can accumulate dirt and grime that becomes increasingly difficult to clean fully. Despite thorough efforts, remnants of grime may linger, compromising the effectiveness of these anti-slip measures. Additionally, during the cleaning process, the anti-slip properties of these products can be damaged, rendering them less effective and potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
Introducing SENSTEC’s Anti-Slip Shower Tray:
SENSTEC has developed an anti-slip shower tray with a patented “dimple” design, which offers both reliable grip and effortless cleaning. Unlike traditional anti-slip products, the dimple pattern allows dirt and grime to flow freely, preventing the accumulation of gunk and making it easier to maintain cleanliness. With SENSTEC’s innovative solution, you can enjoy a safer showering experience while still having something that isn’t hard to clean.
SENSTEC comes in any colour and a wide range of sizes.
Easy Cleaning Instructions:
SENSTEC provides simple and effective cleaning instructions to ensure the longevity of their anti-slip shower trays. All you need is some soap, warm water, and a soft cloth. Simply wipe clean the shower tray after use to maintain all the tray’s anti-slip qualities and keep it looking brand new. If cleaned, SENSTEC will not lose any of its anti-slip qualities over the lifetime of the tray, unlike many alternative products. By following these instructions, you can keep your tray clean and maintain its reliable anti-slip properties.
“Our housekeeping team have found them very easy to maintain using our eco-friendly cleaning products. Guest feedback has been very positive to our new look bathrooms.”
When it comes to anti-slip shower trays, cleanliness and safety are paramount. While conventional anti-slip products may become challenging to clean and lose their effectiveness over time, SENSTEC’s patented dimple design ensures easy maintenance and lasting grip. By adhering to straightforward cleaning instructions, you can keep your SENSTEC tray clean and rely on its anti-slip properties for a safe and enjoyable showering experience. Investing in an anti-slip shower tray that prioritises both safety and ease of cleaning, like SENSTEC, is a wise choice. Say goodbye to the arduous task of scrubbing away the grime and embrace a worry-free shower experience with an anti-slip solution that keeps you secure and your shower tray spotless.
David from Beggs and Partners in Belfast talks about cleaning SENSTEC amongst other subjects in his Showroom Spotlight video available HERE.
There are numerous methods of manufacturing shower trays, stone resin backed vacuum formed acrylic sheet or gel-coat, pressed steel, injection moulded and poured polyurethane to name a few. This is how shower trays can be made- but not the answer to the question- How do you make a shower tray anti-slip?
At the moment there are two main methods for the manufacture of anti-slip shower trays. Currently the most widely used method of making an anti-slip shower tray is the application of a coating after shower tray manufacture. The second is a shower tray made with integrated anti-slip properties therefore the anti-slip properties are already built in.
Applied Coating
An applied coating is just that, applied after the shower tray is manufactured. You start with a normal shower tray as per BS EN 14527 and you apply a coating. This can be done by hand or by a degree of automation and may or may not go through a curing process.
The coating is in effect like a layer of sandpaper, the particles making what was a smooth surface less smooth. Depending on the granule size, shape and density, will have an impact on the slip resistance values.
One thing that I want to make clear is that any form of anti-slip shower tray is better than a normal standard shower tray- it really is a case of anything is better than nothing. That does not mean that it will be good enough- just better than nothing. Because of a lack or regulation- this is what our industry has been reduced to- a sorry state of affairs.
Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of both main methods of manufacture.
Advantages of an Applied Coating
There are several advantages to applied coatings. A major advantage is from a manufacturing perspective because the base shower tray production, processes and tooling require no change, and as a result is the most cost-effective solution.
Also, if a shower tray is sold without the factory applied anti-slip coating, DIY kits are available allowing the anti-slip coating to be applied after the shower tray is installed. For the 1000’s of shower trays installed long before anyone put the words anti-slip and shower trays together, this is a great solution.
Disadvantages of an Applied Coating
On the flip side there are also several disadvantages with coatings to be considered when looking at this option and weighing up against cost.
Most if not all shower trays that come with an applied coating have limitations of use. A good example of this is that the use of hair dye is prohibited. I don’t know about your house but this would be a problem in ours!
Another thing to be aware of and which is often overlooked is the life expectancy of the coating. A shower tray without the coating may well have a product guarantee of 15 years, but the coating itself can have a guarantee of as little as three. This is because of the temperature cycles in the tray, hot, cold, hot, cold….having an impact on the adhesion leading to eventual breakdown.
A further notable disadvantage to coatings is the cleanability. A shower tray that has been given a slip resistance value will have been measured in pristine condition, no build-up of body fat, dirt and grime. This body fat, dirt and grime will impact negatively on any slip testing. Coatings are notorious for being difficult to clean.
One more disadvantage is that the coating when applied manually can be either applied heavy or light, thick or thin. What is the slip resistance value of a ‘light’ coating when compared to a ‘heavy’ coating?
Integrated Anti Slip Properties
The second main method to manufacture an anti-slip shower tray is to design in the anti-slip properties into the tooling. This like everything also comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Integrated Anti Slip Properties
A major advantage of integrated manufacture of the anti-slip properties is that the anti-slip properties will be with the shower tray for the life of the shower tray. There will also be no limitations of use over that of a normal shower tray- pass me the hair dye!
Also, as the anti-slip properties are included in the tooling, every shower tray made from that tool should in theory have the same anti-slip properties, hence removing the variation associated with a thick/thin heavy/light coating.
For integrated manufacture, with the use of modelling software the ‘things’ that make it anti-slip can be precision engineered to give a high degree of comfort and also visualisations such as water flow can be considered ensuring no areas for the build-up of body fat, dirt or grime. This is important for consistency of slip testing values.
Two of the most important things when considering an anti-slip shower tray, above the actual slip resistance values are comfort and cleanability. We sometimes need reminded that the normal intended end use is in barefoot, wet and soapy conditions.
Disadvantages of Integrated Anti Slip Properties
The major disadvantage with this type of integrated anti-slip shower tray is the associated costs with new tooling, and let’s face it, costs are important but manufacturers who go down this route see the additional unit cost being justified by the considerable advantages they would claim it brings.
Finally…
A third manufacturing method does exist but is relatively niche, made from a soft material that takes the shape of your feet when you stand in it. I don’t know enough about this product to knowledgeably discuss the advantages and disadvantages but at some time would hope to revisit and update this article.
These articles are designed to give sellers/buyers/specifiers the knowledge to compare different options and to understand why there are differing price points allowing informed decisions to use the anti-slip shower tray best suited for the given situation.
Our task was to use the most relevant international standards on slip resistance to design and manufacture an innovative anti-slip shower tray for use with barefoot, wet and soapy conditions. The anti-slip shower tray should be easily cleaned, offer a verifiable positive user experience and have no limitations on use throughout its lifetime.
“We left the meeting wondering just what we had actually agreed to do! The bar had been set high but we kept in mind that Classic Marble (Showers) Ltd has been at the forefront of design and innovation since 1983 and that we had won numerous product innovation awards for bathroom waterproofing products within our Classi® range.”
Manufacturers of shower trays sold within the EU must have their shower trays CE marked in accordance with the EU Construction Products Regulations including EN 14527.
The first challenge that we came across was the realisation that whilst EN 14527 draws attention to the potential for slipping to increase when the surface of shower trays are wet, it does not detail particular tests or technical parameters for shower trays in relation to slip resistance.As soon as we discovered this to be the case, our managing director joined the UK Slip Resistance Group, UKSRG, in order to raise awareness of this fact and to keep himself and the Classic Marble team fully up to date with changing legislation.
As a result, we found ourselves fulfilling an educational role, as well as developing a new product. Our next challenge was the actual design, so we turned to the aerospace tooling industry for help. This indicates the high level of precision engineering and expertise that the SENSTEC design required.
Our initial research led us to two methods of measuring slip resistance – the Pendulum Test and the Ramp Test, BS 7976-2:2002 and DIN 51097 respectively. We decided to test our product using both standards.
From the outset, we agreed that we should adopt an engineered solution and make the anti-slip design an integral part of the mould.
This would ensure that anti-slip properties would be built into all of our shower trays. In addition, we decided that the anti-slip profile should be made from the same material as the rest of the shower tray surface. This would mean that there would be no limitations of use.
More than three years of continuous research and development ensued and it soon became clear why no-one had yet successfully completed such a project. Prototype tool, tray manufacture, test, feedback results… Prototype tool, tray manufacture, test, feedback… the trials went on and on.
Then finally we cracked it after Prototype tool 42!
Or had we? Only rigorous testing would provide the answer.
• UKAS Laboratory tested to BS 7976-2:2002, showing best category of slip resistance possible, considering wet and soapy conditions.
• UKAS Laboratory tested to DIN 51097, showing best category of slip resistance possible, considering wet and soapy conditions.
• The anti-slip properties are an integral part of the tray manufacture, made from the same materials as the rest of the tray surface, therefore no limitations on use.
• Ulster University Study – 100% of subjects confident that they would not slip in a SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray, as well as 88% reporting a high degree of comfort when standing and moving in the SENSTEC Anti-Slip Shower Tray.
• Easily cleaned – no change required to our cleaning instructions, first introduced in 1983 for our normal shower trays.
• UK Patent No.: GB2551138 & US Patent No.: US 10,765,268
