Walk-in or tray shower screen: which to choose
Comparing tray-free (walk-in) and classic tray showers: waterproofing, slope, drain, glass thickness, price and leak risk. Engineering guide from REAL GLASS in St. Petersburg.
A tray-free (walk-in) shower screen is one of the most common requests during a bathroom renovation in St. Petersburg. Flush with the floor, it looks premium and visually enlarges the room, but it demands proper waterproofing and slope. Let's break down when to skip the tray and when it's more practical. Written by Armen Arutyunyan, co-owner of REAL GLASS, glass-construction design engineer with 12 years of experience.
01What "tray-free" means
A tray-free (walk-in) shower is a zone where the floor itself acts as the tray: tiling sloped to a drain, with a glass screen that simply blocks splashes. There are no kerbs or thresholds to trip on or trap grime. The floor is continuous with the rest of the bathroom, so the room isn't visually chopped into zones and feels larger.
The classic option with a tray uses a ready-made basin (acrylic, cast marble, ceramic) with a kerb that the glass rests on. A tray is simpler and faster to install, but creates a step and a visible joint.
02Walk-in vs tray: comparison
| Criterion | Tray-free (walk-in) | With a tray |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Premium, continuous floor | Visible kerb and joint |
| Waterproofing | Critical, done in advance | The basin holds water itself |
| Floor slope | Required, towards the drain | Not needed |
| Cleaning | No kerbs — easier | Basin-to-glass joint collects scale |
| Accessibility | Step-free, comfortable for all | 30–100 mm kerb |
| Install time | Depends on floor readiness | Faster |
| Leak risk | Only if waterproofing fails | Minimal |
| Repairability | Harder to open the floor | Basin is easier to replace |
03Waterproofing is everything in a walk-in
90% of walk-in shower problems are not the glass but the floor. If waterproofing is done wrong, water seeps into the screed and to the neighbours below. A correct walk-in build-up:
- Coating or roll-on waterproofing running up the walls at least 150–200 mm.
- Waterproofing tape in corners and around the zone perimeter.
- Screed slope of 1–2% (10–20 mm per metre) towards a point or linear drain.
- Sealing the drain inlet — the most vulnerable spot.
At the measure our engineer checks how the floor is already built and calculates the water throw — how far splashes reach. If the slope is insufficient, we suggest a longer fixed screen or a low glass kerb so water stays in the zone.
04Which drain to choose
| Drain type | Features | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Point | Cheaper, four-way "envelope" slope | Small zone |
| Linear (channel) | One-way slope, higher throughput | Wide walk-ins, rain showers |
| Wall channel | Slope away from the wall, discreet | Premium builds |
For a rain shower with high water flow, a linear channel is preferable: it drains faster and stops water spreading across the room.
05Glass thickness and hardware
Tray-free screens usually use thicker glass — it's stiffer and won't flex without a kerb as a bottom support.
| Thickness | Where we use it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 mm | Small screens, bath screens | Lighter, cheaper |
| 10 mm | Standard for walk-ins | Best stiffness-to-price |
| 12 mm | Large single fixed panels | Maximum stability |
The glass is always tempered — on impact it crumbles into safe granules without sharp edges (GOST R 54170-2017). Optionally we apply an Easy Clean coating: the surface becomes hydrophobic, water beads off and almost no scale builds up.
06Price and what drives it
The cost of a walk-in shower in St. Petersburg depends on glass area, thickness, hardware and install complexity. Ballpark by type:
| Configuration | From |
|---|---|
| Straight walk-in screen | from 40,000 ₽ |
| Corner, tray-free | from 55,000 ₽ |
| With a door (hinged/sliding) | from 60,000 ₽ |
| Tinting, Easy Clean, custom | +10–30% |
We quote the exact price after a free measure and fix it in the contract — no surprises at the end.
07Common mistakes
- Building a walk-in without enough slope — water pools and runs out of the zone.
- Saving on waterproofing "over existing tiles" — the rework costs as much as a new renovation.
- Choosing a screen that's too short — splashes fly past.
- Using thin glass on a large single panel without support.
08Floor materials for a walk-in
Since the floor acts as the tray, the material and how it's laid matter as much as the glass:
| Material | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain stoneware | Durable, waterproof, wide choice | Needs anti-slip class R10–R11 |
| Mosaic | Follows the "envelope" slope easily | Many joints — more grout |
| Natural stone | Premium look | Needs sealing against moisture |
| Microcement | Seamless surface | Quality depends on the installer |
For the area under the showerhead choose an anti-slip finish: wet smooth tile is a hazard. Fine mosaic is handy because it hugs the slope to the drain.
09Underfloor heating in the shower
Underfloor heating beneath a walk-in isn't a luxury but practical: it speeds drying so the bathroom doesn't stay damp and grow mould in the joints. An electric mat is laid under the tile around the drain. This matters in St. Petersburg with its damp climate and long heating season.
10Clear or frosted glass
Clear glass looks weightless and maximises space but needs more frequent cleaning — drops show more. Frosted (satin) glass, or a frosted band, adds privacy and forgives streaks but slightly "closes off" the zone. Graphite or bronze tinting is a compromise: scale shows less, with a premium look.
11Walk-in in a small bathroom
A paradox: in small St. Petersburg bathrooms a tray-free shower often beats a cabin. It doesn't eat the corner with a solid box, lets the eye travel through, and makes the room feel larger. The minimum working width is from 600 mm, but 800–900 mm is more comfortable. A single fixed screen without a door is the most compact and affordable solution.
12Care and durability
Tempered glass lasts for decades and won't yellow. To keep it clear longer: squeegee the water after a shower, wipe weekly with a non-abrasive cleaner. The Easy Clean coating makes care much simpler. Once a year we tighten the hardware — that's part of the warranty service.
13Who should pick what
Choose tray-free if you're renovating from scratch, value a single continuous space and are ready for proper waterproofing and slope. Choose with a tray if you're only replacing the shower without opening the floor, or need a fast install.
At REAL GLASS we produce tempered-glass shower screens in St. Petersburg on our own line and install in a single day. See glass showers or book a free measure across St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast.
