Shower Enclosure Components in Ireland
A shower enclosure is more than the glass and the tray. To work properly, it needs a way to carry water away, a finish that sits neatly with the floor tiles, and in some bathrooms a simple way to keep water inside the bath or shower area. Shower enclosure components cover these jobs. They include shower drains for level-access showers and wet rooms, tileable covers that let a drain disappear into the floor, and shower curtains for bath showers and simple shower setups. Choosing the right parts makes the shower safer, easier to clean and better looking, whether you are building a new wet room or refreshing an existing bathroom.
Which shower enclosure components do you need?
Shower enclosure drains
In a wet room or walk-in shower without a raised tray, the floor itself becomes the shower base, and a shower drain set into the floor carries the water away. Linear drains are long channels fitted along a wall or across the shower entrance. The floor slopes in one direction towards them, which makes it easier to lay large-format tiles. Square point drains sit in the centre of the shower with the floor sloping towards them from all sides, and corner drains fit neatly into the corner of the shower area. Most include a trap to stop smells rising from the pipe. Browse our shower enclosure drains.
Tileable covers
A tileable cover has a recessed tray on top that you fill with a piece of the same tile used on the floor. Once fitted, the drain almost disappears, with only a slim gap around the edge for water to drain through. This gives the most seamless, high-end finish and is a popular choice in modern wet rooms where the floor tiles are the main feature. See our tileable covers.
Shower curtains
A shower curtain is the simplest and most affordable way to keep water inside a bath when using an overhead shower. It pulls fully back for bathing and easy access, which makes it a practical choice for family bathrooms, rentals and older homes where a glass screen is not an option. Water-resistant, easy-wash fabrics and a range of colours and patterns let you add a touch of personality to the room. Browse our shower curtains.
Shower drain or shower tray: which is right for you?
A shower tray is a ready-made base with a built-in waste, which is quicker to install and suits most standard shower enclosures. A shower drain is used where the floor itself forms the shower base, as in a wet room or a level-access walk-in shower. This gives a step-free, seamless finish that is safer for children and older or less mobile users, and it lets the floor tiles run continuously through the room. A drain-based shower needs more planning: the floor must slope correctly towards the drain, and the whole area must be fully waterproofed with a tanking system before tiling.
What tiles work best with a shower drain?
The type of drain affects the tiles you can use. A linear drain works best with large-format porcelain tiles, as the floor slopes in one plane and the tiles do not need to be cut into a funnel shape. A square point drain suits smaller tiles and mosaics, which follow the four-way slope more easily. Whichever drain you choose, pick a floor tile with good slip resistance for wet areas, and use a tileable cover if you want the drain to blend into the floor. Each product page lists the full specification, including the outlet and flow details. Tile Merchant supplies bathroom products only and does not provide fitting, so we recommend using a qualified plumber or wet room installer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tileable shower drain cover?
It is a drain cover with a recessed tray that you fill with your floor tile, so the drain blends into the floor and only a slim edge is visible.
Should I choose a linear or square shower drain?
A linear drain suits large tiles and modern wet rooms. A square drain is compact and works well with smaller tiles and mosaics.
Do shower drains stop smells?
Most include a trap that holds a water seal to stop smells rising from the pipe. Clean the drain regularly to keep it working well.
Is a shower curtain or a bath screen better?
A curtain is cheaper, easy to replace and pulls fully back. A glass screen looks more modern and is easier to keep clean over time.
Do you deliver shower enclosure components across Ireland?
Yes. We deliver nationwide, and each product page shows the expected delivery time and whether the item is available for collection.