Porcelain vs Acrylic Shower Tray
Acrylic shower trays are cheaper, lighter, and easier to install, making them ideal for most UK homes. Porcelain trays are heavier, more durable, and give a premium look, but cost significantly more and require professional installation in most cases.
What Is a Porcelain Shower Tray?
A porcelain shower tray is made from fired ceramic clay with a vitreous enamel glaze, producing a hard, dense, non-porous surface. These trays are heavy — typically 30–60 kg depending on size — and require a solid, level substrate to bear the load. They are resistant to scratches, staining, and discolouration, and their surface does not degrade noticeably with age. Porcelain trays are most often found in higher-end bathroom installations where longevity and appearance are the priority. For guidance on working safely around your bathroom plumbing during installation, see our Plumbing Guide.
What Is an Acrylic Shower Tray?
An acrylic shower tray is formed from a sheet of acrylic plastic, usually reinforced underneath with fibreglass or a resin-stone composite to add rigidity. They are lightweight — typically 5–15 kg — making them straightforward to manoeuvre and fit, even as a DIY project. Acrylic trays flex slightly underfoot, which can create a small amount of movement over time, but modern reinforced versions have largely addressed this issue. They are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours. If your new tray develops a leak after fitting, our guide on how to fix a leaking shower tray covers the most common causes and repairs.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Porcelain | Acrylic |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per unit (typical UK) | £200–£600+ | £50–£250 |
| Durability | Excellent — scratch and stain resistant | Good — can scratch over time |
| Appearance | Premium, glossy, tile-like finish | Clean, functional; wide colour range |
| Install Difficulty | High — heavy, needs solid base, often professional | Low to moderate — DIY-friendly |
| Maintenance | Low — wipe clean, grout if tiled surround | Low — avoid abrasive cleaners |
| Lifespan | 20–30+ years | 10–20 years |
Porcelain — Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely durable and scratch-resistant surface
- Non-porous — does not absorb water, bacteria, or staining
- Retains appearance for decades without fading or yellowing
- Adds a high-end aesthetic that can improve property appeal
- Compatible with underfloor heating systems beneath the substrate
Cons
- Heavy — typically 30–60 kg, requiring a reinforced, level floor
- Significantly higher purchase cost than acrylic
- Chips if struck hard, and chipped enamel is difficult to repair invisibly
- Professional installation usually required, adding to total cost
- Limited size and shape options compared to acrylic
Acrylic — Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable — significantly cheaper to buy than porcelain
- Lightweight and easy to handle, suited to DIY installation
- Warm to the touch underfoot — more comfortable in cold bathrooms
- Wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours available
- Minor surface scratches can sometimes be buffed out with specialist products
Cons
- Can scratch with abrasive cleaning products or rough use
- May flex slightly underfoot if not fully supported, which can stress sealant joints
- Surface can yellow or dull over many years, particularly with hard water
- Lower perceived quality — may not suit a high-specification bathroom renovation
- Shorter average lifespan than porcelain
Which Is Better For…?
- A rental property or buy-to-let bathroom: Acrylic. Lower upfront cost, straightforward to replace if damaged, and practical for tenant use. Maintenance is simple and replacement is affordable.
- A family bathroom with heavy daily use: Porcelain. The hard-wearing, non-porous surface handles repeated use without degrading, and it resists the soap scum and staining common in busy bathrooms. Ensure you reseal the shower tray joints periodically regardless of material.
- A ground-floor or timber-joist floor: Acrylic. The low weight of an acrylic tray places minimal additional load on an existing timber subfloor, reducing the risk of structural concerns. A porcelain tray’s weight should be assessed against floor load capacity first.
- A high-specification master en-suite renovation: Porcelain. The premium finish, longevity, and compatibility with natural stone or large-format wall tiles make porcelain the obvious choice for a high-end look. See our Bathroom Guide for full renovation planning advice.
- A DIY-only installation with no tradesperson budget: Acrylic. Most reinforced acrylic trays can be installed by a competent DIYer with basic plumbing knowledge. Porcelain’s weight and substrate requirements make professional fitting strongly advisable.
UK Cost Comparison
Acrylic shower trays typically cost between £50 and £250 for the tray itself, with reinforced stone-resin acrylic options at the higher end of that range. Standard porcelain trays start at around £200 and can exceed £600 for larger or designer formats. Installation costs add to both: a competent DIYer can fit an acrylic tray for the cost of fixings and silicone sealant, whereas professional installation of a porcelain tray typically costs £150–£350 in labour on top of the tray price, depending on location and floor preparation required. If you notice water escaping after installation, consult our guide to fix a leaking shower tray before the problem causes damage to the floor below. For ongoing maintenance, knowing how to reseal a shower tray correctly will extend the life of either material significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a porcelain shower tray better than acrylic?
Porcelain is more durable and longer-lasting, but acrylic is more affordable, lighter, and easier to install. The better choice depends on your budget, floor structure, and how long you plan to stay in the property.
Can I install an acrylic shower tray myself?
Yes — most reinforced acrylic trays are designed with DIY installation in mind. You will need basic plumbing skills to connect the waste, and the tray must be fully supported and level before sealing.
Do porcelain shower trays crack easily?
Porcelain is hard and brittle rather than flexible. It will not crack under normal use, but a heavy impact — such as dropping a heavy object — can chip or crack the enamel surface, which is very difficult to repair invisibly.
How long does an acrylic shower tray last?
A well-maintained acrylic shower tray typically lasts 10–20 years. Lifespan is reduced by use of abrasive cleaning products, inadequate floor support causing flexing, and failing sealant joints that allow water ingress.
Do I need to seal a porcelain shower tray?
The porcelain surface itself is non-porous and does not need sealing, but the joint between the tray and any wall tiles or enclosure panels must be sealed with sanitary silicone and checked regularly for deterioration.
When fitting either tray type, use a solid mortar or adjustable riser leg system to achieve full contact support across the entire base — unsupported voids beneath any tray accelerate sealant failure at the edges, regardless of material. Tilers often apply a thin mortar bed and let the tray settle into it before the waste is connected, which eliminates flex permanently.
Sources
- Which? — Shower buying guide: types and materials explained — which.co.uk
- HSE — Slips and trips: slippery surfaces in wet rooms and bathrooms — hse.gov.uk
- Checkatrade — Cost to fit a shower tray in the UK (2024) — checkatrade.com
Safety Notice: Electrical and plumbing work can be dangerous if done incorrectly. In the UK, certain electrical work must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations and certain plumbing work with Part G. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician (NICEIC/NAPIT registered) or plumber (CIPHE/WaterSafe registered). This guide is for general information only — it is not a substitute for professional advice.
