Walk in shower is a broad term covering everything from a slim tray with one glass panel to a fully tiled level access floor. They cost very different amounts and suit very different rooms. This guide walks through each decision in the order you will actually have to make it.
Decision one, the floor
Slimline stone resin tray
The default for most refits. Around 25mm to 30mm high, warm underfoot, rigid, and many can be cut on site to fit an awkward alcove. It sits on the finished floor with a small step in, which most people never notice. Cheapest to fit, easiest to replace later, and the least risky option in an upstairs bathroom.
Low threshold, recessed tray
The same tray recessed into the floor so the step is only 10mm to 15mm. It needs the floor opening up so the trap sits below the deck, which means an extra day and a look at the joists. A good middle ground if you want a nearly flush look without a full wet room.
Fully level access, tiled floor
No step at all, a tiled floor falling to a linear or point drain, and the whole area tanked. The best looking and the most accessible, and the most expensive because of the structural work and waterproofing. See our wet room installation guide for the detail.
Decision two, size and layout
1200mm by 800mm is the practical minimum. 1400mm by 900mm is the sweet spot in a typical Stoke family bathroom, giving room to move without spray escaping. Anything from 1600mm upwards genuinely feels like a hotel shower but needs the layout planned around it, usually by taking the space a bath used to occupy. Remember to check the door swing and the position of the towel rail before you commit, because a shower that soaks the towels every morning is a design failure, not a plumbing one.
Decision three, the screen
- Single fixed panel. Cleanest look, easiest to clean, needs enough shower length so spray does not reach the open end.
- Panel with a return. A short 300mm return at the open end catches most stray spray. Ideal in shorter enclosures.
- Hinged deflector panel. Same idea but movable, useful if someone in the household needs assistance showering.
- Black framed. Currently popular, hides water marks less well than people expect, but frames a large format tile beautifully.
Specify 8mm glass as a minimum, 10mm if the panel is over 1000mm wide, and always with a factory applied protective coating. Cheap 6mm glass flexes and rattles in its bracing bar.
Decision four, the valve and head
Buy the best valve you can afford, because it is the part you touch every day. A thermostatic valve is essential where children or older relatives use the shower. Concealed valves look tidy but need a wall deep enough to house them, which in a solid brick terrace can mean building out a false wall, so raise it early. A dual outlet valve running a fixed head and a handset is the most useful combination in a family bathroom, since the handset makes cleaning the enclosure far easier.
Match the head to your water system. A 300mm rain head on a low pressure gravity supply produces a disappointing drizzle. If in doubt, we measure the flow rate at survey rather than guess.
Decision five, tiling and drainage detail
Use a slip resistant porcelain on the floor of any level access shower. Keep the grout joints consistent and use flexible grout. Place the drain where the waste can run with proper fall, not simply where it looks central. If you are using a linear drain, running the tiles in the direction of the fall gives you the neatest job with the fewest cuts.
Which option suits which house
- Upstairs bathroom in a 1930s semi, standard joists, budget conscious, choose a slimline tray.
- Ground floor shower room on a concrete slab, choose level access, the slab makes it straightforward.
- Planning to stay long term or needing accessibility, choose level access regardless of floor type.
- Rental or a room being refreshed for sale, choose a tray with a single screen for value and speed.
Get your options priced
We will measure the room, check pressure and floor structure, and quote two or three options side by side so you can see the real difference in cost. Free survey, fixed price in 24 hours, all work carried out by our own insured fitters.
Common questions
What is the smallest sensible walk in shower?
Around 1200mm by 800mm with a single screen. Below that you get spray escaping past the glass unless you add a return panel, which starts to defeat the open feel.
Are frameless screens harder to keep clean?
They are easier, because there are fewer channels for limescale to sit in. Specify a coated glass and squeegee it after use and it stays clear for years.
Do I need a shower pump?
Only on a low pressure gravity system. Combi and unvented systems normally have plenty of pressure, and adding a pump to a combi is not permitted.
Can a walk in shower replace a bath in a family home?
Yes if you keep a bath somewhere in the house. If it is your only bathroom and you may sell soon, think about buyers with young children first.
Which tray is best?
A slimline stone resin tray for most refits. It is warm underfoot, rigid, cuttable to size and far more forgiving to fit than acrylic.
How much does a walk in shower cost fitted?
Typically £2,200 to £4,500 as part of a wider refit, depending on whether you go tray, low threshold or fully level access.