TL;DR: A quadrant shower enclosure is a corner shower with two straight sides against the walls and a curved glass front, sitting on a matching curved tray; the standard sizes are 800mm, 900mm and 1000mm, and ours start at £482.
- A quadrant has two equal sides; an offset quadrant has one longer side, such as 1000 x 800mm or 1200 x 800mm.
- Sliding doors save space in front of the shower; hinged doors give a wider way in.
- The tray must match the enclosure's size and curve, so plan the two together.
- 6mm glass is common on curved doors; 8mm feels heavier and more solid.
- Measure the corner wall to wall and check the enclosure's fitting range before you order.
A quadrant shower enclosure is a corner shower made of two straight wall-side edges and a curved glass front, shaped like a quarter circle. The curve takes up less floor space than a square enclosure of the same size, which is why quadrants are popular in en suites and smaller bathrooms.
This guide explains quadrant and offset quadrant shapes, standard sizes, door types, trays and heights, using the enclosures in our range. Prices are our prices at the time of writing and include VAT.
What is a quadrant shower enclosure?
A quadrant shower is built into a corner. The two back edges run along the walls, and the curved front holds the doors. The enclosure sits on a quadrant shower tray with the same curve, and the walls inside are tiled or panelled.
Because the front curves away from the corner, you lose less of the room than with a square shower, and the rounded shape is easier to walk past. You might see the same thing called a quadrant shower cubicle, a curved shower enclosure or simply a shower quadrant.
Quadrant vs offset quadrant
| Shape | Sides | Typical sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrant | Equal | 800 x 800mm, 900 x 900mm, 1000 x 1000mm | Square corners, small bathrooms and en suites |
| Offset quadrant | One side longer | 900 x 760mm, 1000 x 800mm, 1200 x 800mm, 1200 x 900mm | Longer, narrower spaces where you want more room to move |
Offset quadrants come in left-hand and right-hand versions, depending on which wall the long side runs along. If you are searching for an extended or large quadrant, you are usually looking at either a 1000mm quadrant or an offset shape.
Quadrant shower enclosure sizes
The standard quadrant shower enclosure sizes in the UK are 800mm, 900mm and 1000mm, measured along each wall. 900mm is the most common choice. 800mm suits a small quadrant shower enclosure in a tight en suite, and 1000mm gives more elbow room.
Here are the enclosures in our quadrant shower enclosures collection.
| Enclosure | Doors | Glass | Height | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modena 6 | Double sliding | 6mm | 1850mm | 800, 900, 1000mm | £482 to £639 |
| Modena 8 | Sliding | 8mm | 1900mm | 800, 900, 1000mm | £839 to £1,049 |
| Vellora | Hinged, reversible | 6mm | 1900mm | 900, 1000mm | £890 to £1,111 |
The Modena 6 starts at £482 for 800mm in chrome. The Modena 8 is chrome only, at £839 for 800mm, £1,017 for 900mm and £1,049 for 1000mm. The Vellora starts at £890 for 900mm in chrome, with the higher prices for the 1000mm size and brushed bronze or gunmetal.
How to measure for a curved shower enclosure
The size name matches the tray, but the glass is made to fit a slightly smaller range so it sits on the tray edge. Our 900 x 900mm Modena 8 and Vellora fit 870mm to 890mm, for example. Adjustable wall profiles take up small differences where walls are slightly out of true.
- Measure along each wall from the corner, at floor level and again at about head height. Use the smaller figure.
- Check the corner is square and the walls are upright with a spirit level. If they lean, the adjustable profiles need to cover the difference.
- Check the height to the ceiling, any sloping ceiling and the shower head, against the enclosure height plus the tray.
- Allow space in front for the doors: sliding doors need none, hinged doors need room to swing.
- Fit the tray first, then measure the enclosure off the tray and check it against the fitting range on the product page.
Sliding or hinged quadrant shower doors?
Most quadrant shower doors slide. Two curved doors run on rollers and part in the middle, so nothing swings out into the room. That makes sliding doors the practical choice where a toilet, basin or bathroom door is close to the shower. The Modena 6 has double sliding doors on easy-glide rollers, and the Modena 8 has 8mm curved sliding doors.
A hinged quadrant shower enclosure has doors that swing open. You need clear space in front for them to open, but the way in is wider and there are no runners to clean. The Vellora has hinged curved doors on stainless steel hinges, reversible for left- or right-hand opening.
Quadrant shower trays and curved shower trays
A quadrant shower tray has the same curved front as the enclosure, so the glass sits neatly on the edge. Trays and enclosures are made to a set curve, so the size and radius need to match. The simplest way to get it right is to choose them together; every enclosure in our range is designed to pair with a tray in the same size.
In our shower trays collection:
- Lowline Quadrant & Offset Quadrant Shower Tray, a 40mm stone resin tray made in the UK. Quadrant sizes cost £302 (800mm), £347 (900mm) and £460 (1000mm). Offset sizes run from £355 for 900 x 760mm to £460 for 1200 x 900mm, in left- and right-hand versions, with 1200 x 800mm at £419.
- Surefoot Anti-Slip Quadrant Shower Tray, a 40mm tray with a slip-resistant surface, at £308 (800mm) or £332 (900mm).
Tray prices are without a waste. A 90mm waste and trap is available in chrome, matt black, brushed brass, brushed bronze or gunmetal to match your enclosure. Our enclosures and trays are sold separately, so you can choose the tray surface you prefer.
Corner shower tray sizes
A corner shower can sit on a curved or a square-cornered tray. These are the corner tray sizes we stock:
| Tray shape | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | 800 x 800mm, 900 x 900mm, 1000 x 1000mm |
| Offset quadrant (left or right hand) | 900 x 760mm, 900 x 800mm, 1000 x 800mm, 1200 x 800mm, 1200 x 900mm |
| Square | 700 x 700mm, 760 x 760mm, 800 x 800mm, 900 x 900mm, 1000 x 1000mm, 1100 x 1100mm, 1200 x 1200mm |
Square and rectangular sizes are in our Lowline Shower Tray, which comes in over 50 sizes up to 2000 x 900mm.
Height, finishes and trim
Quadrant enclosures are usually between about 1850mm and 1900mm tall. Ours are 1850mm (Modena 6) and 1900mm (Modena 8 and Vellora). If you are tall, or your shower head will sit high, check the height against the position of your shower and valve.
Chrome shower enclosures are still the most common, but the Modena 6 and Vellora also come in matt black, brushed brass, brushed bronze and gunmetal, so you can match your brassware. The trim around a quadrant, meaning the wall profiles, handles and seals, is part of the enclosure. Keep the seals clean and replace silicone if it discolours or lifts.
When a quadrant is not the right fit
If the corner is long rather than square, an offset quadrant or a rectangular enclosure may suit better. If you have space for a longer shower, a walk-in screen gives a more open feel. See our shower enclosures and our walk-in shower screens guide. For the walls, read shower wall panels vs tiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is a quadrant shower enclosure?
It is a corner shower with a curved glass front and two straight sides against the walls. It sits on a matching quadrant tray.
What size is a small quadrant shower enclosure?
800 x 800mm is the usual small size. Our Modena 6 and Modena 8 both come in 800mm, from £482 and £839.
What size is a corner shower tray?
Quadrant and square corner trays usually come in 800mm, 900mm and 1000mm. We also stock square trays from 700 x 700mm to 1200 x 1200mm and offset quadrants up to 1200 x 900mm.
Is a hinged quadrant shower enclosure better than sliding?
Neither is better in every room. Hinged doors give a wider way in, while sliding doors need no space to swing open. Choose by the space in front of the shower.
Do quadrant shower enclosures come with a tray?
Ours are sold without a tray. Choose a quadrant tray in the same size, such as the Lowline or Surefoot, or ask us to plan the enclosure and tray together.
What makes a luxury quadrant shower enclosure?
Look at the glass thickness, the quality of the rollers or hinges, the handles and the finish. Thicker 8mm glass, stainless steel hinges and a choice of finishes all make a difference you can feel.
Get an itemised quote
Every project starts with a free one-to-one consultation, followed by a clear, itemised quote covering the enclosure, tray, shower and fitting. For overall budgets, see our bathroom renovation cost guide. Visit our showroom at 32 Manor Park Rd, Birmingham B36 0DJ (Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), call 0121 794 2553 or book your free consultation online.