The best pre-pitched shower pan depends on your shower dimensions, drain location, and whether you want a tile-ready floor or a finished shower base. Schluter KERDI trays suit buyers seeking a lightweight, waterproofed foundation for tile, while the Tile Redi pan offers a one-piece molded base with an integrated curb and drain. The Mersviton option is an acrylic shower base with a slip-resistant texture rather than a tile-ready tray.
| Product | Best suited for | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Schluter KERDI 36 x 72 | Wide showers with a side outlet | Waterproofed, tile-ready tray |
| Schluter KERDI 38 x 60 | Showers with an off-center outlet | Waterproofed, tile-ready tray |
| Tile Redi 36 x 60 | Tile projects needing an integrated curb | One-piece molded pan |
| Mersviton 60 x 32 | Buyers wanting an acrylic finished base | Left drain and textured floor |
| Schluter KERDI 36 x 48 | Compact showers with a center outlet | Waterproofed, tile-ready tray |
Schluter KERDI 36 x 72 Side-Outlet Tray
This lightweight polystyrene tray measures 36 by 72 inches and has a side outlet position. Its built-in KERDI waterproofing and ready-to-tile surface are intended to reduce preparation compared with building a traditional mortar bed. The maker lists multiple configurations, including center and perimeter drain placements.
Best for: A wide shower layout that matches the listed side-outlet position. It was selected for combining a large footprint with integrated waterproofing and a tile-ready surface. Confirm the outlet location and tray dimensions against the planned plumbing before choosing it.
Schluter KERDI 38 x 60 Off-Center Tray
This prefabricated sloped tray is 38 by 60 inches, with an off-center outlet position. It incorporates KERDI waterproofing and is designed for tile application. The product information notes that the tray can avoid a traditional mortar-bed setup and that the range includes other sizes and configurations.
Best for: Remodels or new construction where an off-center outlet and these dimensions fit the plan. Choose it over a center-drain model when the specified outlet position better matches the plumbing. The main limitation is that the listed outlet position may not suit every shower layout.
Tile Redi 36 x 60 Single-Curb Pan
Tile Redi describes this 36-by-60-inch pan as a one-piece molded PVC base with an integrated drain, curb, and splash walls. It has a center brushed-nickel square grate and a pre-pitched design. The product information says it is ready to install with a half-inch layer of modified thin-set and does not require an additional waterproofing membrane or coating.
Best for: Buyers who want a tile-ready base with the curb and drain incorporated into one piece. It was selected as an alternative to separate tray and curb components. Check that the center drain and single-curb layout match your project; those fixed design details limit placement choices.
Mersviton 60 x 32 Left-Drain Shower Base
This 60-by-32-inch acrylic shower base has a left drain, stainless steel drain cover, and slip-resistant textured floor. The listed features emphasize scratch and stain resistance, easy maintenance, and compatibility with different wall materials and finishes. Unlike the tile-ready trays above, this product is presented as an acrylic base with a finished textured surface.
Best for: Buyers prioritizing a ready-to-use acrylic floor rather than a tile surface. It was included as a practical alternative for a 60-by-32 layout. Its left drain is a key limitation: avoid it if the project requires a center or right drain.
Schluter KERDI 36 x 48 Center-Outlet Tray
This lightweight polystyrene tray measures 36 by 48 inches and has a center outlet. Its built-in KERDI waterproofing and ready-to-tile design make it a compact option for a tiled shower floor. The product information also describes other available tray sizes and drain configurations.
Best for: A smaller shower plan with a center drain. It was selected to give buyers a more compact Schluter option than the 36-by-72 and 38-by-60 trays. Verify the actual shower dimensions and drain alignment before purchase, since the listed size and outlet position are specific.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Pre-Pitched Shower Pan
Which drain position should you choose?
Match the pan’s outlet location to the planned drain plumbing. The options here include side, off-center, center, and left-drain layouts. A pan with the wrong outlet position may require changes to the plumbing or a different product. Confirm the drain location from the product details and your bathroom plan before ordering.
Do you want a tile-ready tray or a finished base?
Schluter KERDI trays are described as waterproofed and ready for tile. Tile Redi is also presented as tile-ready, with a molded curb and integrated drain. The Mersviton base has an acrylic textured surface, so it is a different choice for buyers who want a finished shower floor instead of tile. Compare the installation approach as well as the dimensions.
How should you compare dimensions?
Check both length and width against the shower footprint, then verify how the drain and curb fit the layout. A 36-by-72 tray is much longer than a 36-by-48 tray, while the 60-by-32 acrylic base has a left drain. Do not assume that similar measurements mean the products have the same outlet or perimeter design.
What installation details matter?
Review the specified substrate, setting materials, and waterproofing requirements in the product documentation. Tile Redi lists installation with a half-inch layer of modified thin-set. Schluter describes integrated KERDI waterproofing and a ready-to-tile surface. Follow the current manufacturer instructions for the exact model and confirm the complete shower assembly requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pre-pitched shower pan?
It is a shower floor base formed with a slope intended to direct water toward the drain. Confirm the slope and installation requirements in the specific product documentation.
Are all the products listed tile-ready?
No. The Schluter trays and Tile Redi pan are described as ready for tile. The Mersviton product is an acrylic shower base with a textured surface.
Can I choose a pan based only on its dimensions?
No. Check drain position, curb configuration, and installation requirements as well as length and width.
Which option has a left drain?
The Mersviton 60-by-32-inch acrylic shower base is listed with a left drain. The other products have their own specified outlet positions.
Does a waterproofed tray eliminate every waterproofing step?
Product descriptions identify built-in waterproofing on the Schluter trays, but the full installation still depends on manufacturer instructions and the surrounding shower assembly. Verify requirements for the specific project.