XPS Shower Tray Slope and Drain Specification Guide
A prefabricated XPS shower tray should be specified as a drainage component, a tile substrate, and part of the wet-area waterproofing assembly. The tray size alone is not enough. Buyers also need to confirm the slope, drain position, drain standard, interface method, surface, packaging, and included accessories.
Short answer: ANGESEN shower trays use a blue XPS core with gray cementitious surfaces. The normal factory-formed drainage slope is 1.5% to 2%, and custom slopes are available. Buyers can choose a drain embedded and sealed at the factory or a prepared recess for bonding the selected drain during installation.
This guide explains the practical decisions a distributor, importer, OEM buyer, or project supplier should record before requesting a quotation.
What Is an XPS Shower Tray?
An XPS shower tray is a prefabricated shower base made around an extruded polystyrene core. Its coated surfaces provide a stable, tile-ready face, while the formed geometry directs water toward the drain.
The ANGESEN construction uses a blue XPS core and gray cementitious surfaces. Compatible tile adhesive can be applied directly to the prepared face after the substrate, drain connection, perimeter transitions, and waterproofing details have been checked.
Unlike a loose board cut on site, a shower tray is manufactured around a defined drainage layout. That makes the approved drawing important: tray length, width, thickness, high and low points, drain location, and interface geometry need to work together.
Buyers comparing a complete bathroom program can also review tile backer board, shower curbs, prefabricated niches, and wet-area accessories.
What Shower Tray Slope Should Be Specified?
The normal ANGESEN shower tray slope is 1.5% to 2%. The final value can be customized according to the tray size, drainage direction, drain type, tile plan, and approved project drawing.
A 1.5% slope represents a fall of 15 mm over one meter. A 2% slope represents a fall of 20 mm over one meter. Those simple calculations help buyers review whether the selected tray thickness and drain position are compatible with the intended layout.
| Slope | Approximate fall over 1 m | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5% | 15 mm | Normal factory-formed option where the approved layout allows it |
| 2% | 20 mm | Normal factory-formed option where additional fall is required |
| Custom | Confirm by drawing | Special tray size, drain position, tile plan, or project requirement |
The slope should not be selected in isolation. A long drainage path may need a different thickness profile from a compact tray. A linear drain along one edge also creates a different surface geometry from a center drain receiving water from several directions.
For that reason, the quotation request should include a dimensional drawing when the tray is not selected from an existing model.
Center, Linear and Single-Slope Layouts
ANGESEN supplies several shower tray layouts for different drainage plans.
Center-Drain Shower Tray
A center-drain shower tray directs water toward a central, offset, or selected point drain. It is useful when the drain location sits within the shower floor rather than along an edge.
The buyer should confirm the distance from the drain center to each tray edge. This is especially important when replacing an existing base or matching a fixed plumbing rough-in.
Linear-Drain Shower Tray
A linear-drain shower tray directs water toward an elongated drain channel. The drain can be positioned according to the approved tray and bathroom layout.
The quotation should state the channel length, orientation, offset from the tray edge, grate requirement, outlet connection, and whether the drain component will be embedded at the factory.
Single-Slope Shower Tray
A single-slope shower tray uses one principal fall direction. It can simplify large-format tile planning because the tile surface follows one plane, subject to the selected drain and installation design.
The buyer should identify the high edge, low edge, drain side, finished tray thickness, and the relationship between the shower floor and adjacent bathroom floor.
Two Drain-Interface Options
The drain interface is one of the most important choices in the order specification. ANGESEN supports two supply methods.
| Interface option | Factory scope | Buyer or installer scope | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embedded drain | Drain component is integrated into the tray and the interface area is waterproof sealed at the factory | Connect the approved outlet and complete surrounding installation details | Programs that want a defined tray-and-drain combination |
| Prepared recess | Tray is manufactured with the approved recess or groove | Bond and seal the selected drain component during installation | Buyers using a local drain brand or market-specific connection method |
An embedded drain should be ordered with the exact component specification. A prepared recess should be matched to the drain body dimensions and bonding method. The quotation and approved drawing should identify which approach applies; it should not be left to assumption after production.
European and North American Drain Compatibility
Conventional European and North American drain specifications are supported. Because outlet and plumbing conventions vary by market, the order should state the required standard and dimensions rather than relying only on a product name such as “standard drain.”
Useful confirmation points include:
- Outlet diameter and connection method
- Vertical or horizontal outlet orientation
- Point drain or linear drain
- Drain body and grate dimensions
- Stainless-steel or plastic component
- Embedded or prepared-recess interface
- Required drain position and edge offsets
- Local installation or inspection requirements supplied by the buyer
Drain components can be supplied in stainless steel or plastic. The selected material, grate, drain body, outlet, and included parts should all appear in the quotation and order confirmation.
Can Tile Be Installed Directly on the Tray?
Yes. Compatible tile adhesive can be applied directly to the prepared gray cementitious surface. The tray still needs to be installed as part of a complete wet-area system.
Before tile installation, check the supporting substrate, tray level, drain connection, tray-to-wall transition, curb connection, corners, and any penetrations. The selected adhesive, sealing accessories, tile format, and installation method must be compatible with the project.
A tile-ready surface does not mean that perimeter and interface details can be skipped. Those details determine whether the tray, wall boards, curb, niche, and drain operate as one continuous assembly.
Related Sealing and Fixing Accessories
Shower trays can be supplied together with compatible sealing and fixing accessories. Depending on the project, the product mix may include tape, corner treatment, collars, adhesive, membrane, fasteners, washers, or other wet-area components.
Not every drain or accessory is included by default. A distributor program should create a written bill of materials that separates:
- Tray and selected model
- Drain body, grate, and outlet components
- Curb or water bar
- Wall backer board
- Niche or bench
- Sealing accessories
- Fixing accessories
- Packaging and labels
- Installation or technical documents requested for the market
This product-level clarity helps prevent missing components when the goods reach the distributor or jobsite.
Packaging, MOQ and Lead Time
Carton and pallet packaging are both available for shower trays. The right method depends on tray size, product mix, handling requirements, destination, and whether the shipment combines trays with boards and accessories.
Shower trays, niches, curbs, and benches do not use one fixed MOQ. The commercial requirement is confirmed according to the product mix and order. Their normal production lead time is approximately seven days longer than the corresponding tile backer board schedule. Special sizes, custom drain geometry, and project-specific configurations may require additional time.
Buyers should therefore request delivery planning with the final product mix, not estimate it from the board schedule alone.
Shower Tray Quotation Checklist
Provide the following information for a practical quotation:
- Tray length, width, and thickness
- Required 1.5%, 2%, or custom slope
- Drain type and position
- Outlet standard and connection dimensions
- Embedded drain or prepared-recess interface
- Stainless-steel or plastic drain component
- Grate style and dimensions, if included
- Carton or pallet packaging preference
- Quantity and product mix
- Destination market and delivery terms
- OEM logo, label, barcode, or carton requirements
- Drawing for custom geometry
For private-label programs, review the OEM manufacturing process. For distributor stock and mixed product planning, review wholesale supply and the Tile Backer Board Knowledge Hub.
Final Specification Principle
A shower tray order should be approved as a complete drainage and tile-substrate configuration. The tray model, slope, drain position, interface method, outlet standard, component material, included accessories, packaging, and drawing revision should agree across the quotation, sample, and production order.
To review a standard model or custom tray, contact ANGESEN with the tray dimensions, drain layout, target market, packaging preference, and expected quantity.