When renovating a bathroom, choosing a shower pan is one of the most critical decisions—and often the one that raises the most technical questions. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics; factors such as safety, drainage capacity, your home’s architecture, and ease of installation all play a role. At Baño Total, we often get the same question: Is a completely smooth, floor-level design better, or one with a perimeter rim?
Today we’re comparing two of our bestsellers: the ultra-thin Niza plate and the rimmed Asturias plate. Both are made of high-quality mineral-filled resin, but they offer very different technical solutions depending on your household’s needs.
Photo: Niza Shower Tray + Asturias Shower Tray
Niza Shower Pan: The King of Accessibility and Modern Design
The Nizamodel represents the cutting edge in minimalist, open-concept bathrooms. As an ultra-thin shower pan that’s just 3 cm thick, its main advantage is that it can be fully integrated with the bathroom floor, eliminating any step.
Key advantages of the Niza model:
- Barrier-Free Accessibility: Because it can be installed at floor level, it is the ideal option for people with limited mobility or for those looking for a bathroom without visual barriers or physical obstacles.
- Minimalist aesthetic: Its sleek, ultra-thin design makes the bathroom appear more spacious and modern, blending the shower surface seamlessly with the rest of the floor.
- High-strength material: Made of mineral-filled resin, it is extremely sturdy and does not crack, ensuring that the dish body is completely watertight. Unlike traditional ceramic dishes, this model is extremely resistant to impacts and temperature changes.
- Guaranteed safety: It features a high-quality anti-slip coating, which is essential for ensuring stability on a completely flat surface.
Photo: Niza Shower Tray
Asturias Shower Pan: Extra Protection Against Overflow
The Asturiasmodel maintains the same high-quality construction using resin and mineral filler, but incorporates a perimeter edge that defines its functionality. It strikes the perfect balance between the durability of modern materials and the safety of traditional design.
Key advantages of the Asturias model:
- Physical barrier against overflow: Its raised edge acts as an additional safety measure against flooding, preventing water from spilling over the rim if the valve is compromised by dirt or a sudden buildup of water.
- Ideal for quick renovations: In many renovation projects, the slope of the old plumbing does not allow for ultra-fast drainage. The edge of the Asturias provides the “leeway” needed to ensure a watertight seal.
- Visual Sturdiness and Definition: While it remains elegant, its rimmed design provides a sense of solidity that is highly valued in heavily used family bathrooms. Additionally, it makes installation of the shower enclosure easier, as the rim provides a clear support base for the profiles.
- Improved drainage: The toilet bowl's frame itself helps direct water toward the valve more efficiently in installations where leveling the base is difficult.
- Stylish design: Although it features a rim, it maintains a sleek profile that doesn't clash with the bathroom's modern aesthetic, creating a very elegant "framed plate" look.
Photo: Asturias Shower Tray
Comparison Chart: Niza Plus vs. Asturias
|
Feature |
Nizza Dish (Close-up) |
Asturias Plate (With Rim) |
|
Base Material |
Resin with solid mineral filler |
Resin with solid mineral filler |
|
Design |
Ultra-flat / Minimalist |
With a safety border around the edges |
|
Accessibility |
Maximum (At ground level) |
Medium (Small step) |
|
Water Security |
It depends on the slope |
High (The edge retains water) |
|
Non-slip |
Yes (Integrated Treatment) |
Yes (Integrated Treatment) |
What's the best option for your bathroom?
To make the smart decision we recommend at Baño Total, you should consider two key factors: the condition of your bathroom and who will be using it.
Choose the Niza Dish if…
You're looking for a cutting-edge design and want to create a sense of spaciousness. This is perfect if you're planning a professional technical installation with a perfectly level base and have a high-flow valve to ensure the water flows smoothly.
Choose the Asturias Dish if…
You have a family bathroom with children or people who use a lot of water, or if you suspect that your drain doesn't have a steep enough slope. The rim will give you peace of mind knowing that water will never spill out of the shower area.
Photo: Asturias Shower Tray + Niza Shower Tray
Expert Advice from Baño Total
No matter which model you choose or what decision you make, remember that the success of a shower pan depends on proper technical installation. Don’t forget to use high-strength sanitary sealants and always perform a leak test before considering the job complete.
💡 You might also be interested in: How to Install a Flush-Mounted Shower Pan Without Leakage Issues
