Made to Measure Shower Trays Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Your Complete Guide to Bespoke Shower Trays

When it comes to designing a luxury bathroom, the shower is no longer just a practical necessity—it has become the star of the room. Whether for a private residence, a boutique hotel, or a larger hospitality project, a beautifully designed shower can transform a space into an indulgent retreat.

One of the most critical but often overlooked elements of a shower is the shower tray. Choosing the right tray isn’t just about function; it impacts the aesthetics, safety, durability, and overall performance of the bathroom. A standard off-the-shelf tray may work in a lot of cases, but in high-end projects where precision and design integrity matter, made to measure shower trays are the solution of choice.

At Versital, bespoke shower trays are not only our best-selling product, but also the one we receive the most questions about. This guide has been put together to help designers, specifiers, and renovators understand everything they need to know about selecting, designing, and specifying a made to measure shower tray.

Why Choose a Made to Measure Shower Tray?

For many projects, standard trays just don’t cut it. Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, and designers often want to push boundaries with layouts, angles, and custom features. A bespoke tray provides:

• Perfect fit: No more awkward gaps or filler panels.
• Design freedom: Create showers in unusual shapes or oversized dimensions.
• Long-term performance: Avoid issues with leaks or water pooling by ensuring the tray is engineered precisely for the space.
• Luxury finish: Match your tray to the rest of the bathroom design with a wide range of colours and finishes.

For hospitality venues especially, choosing a made-to-measure tray reduces the risk of costly repairs later. A poorly fitted tray or failed wet room could lead to water leaks, structural damage, and guest complaints something most hotel operators can’t afford.

The Benefits of Stone Resin Over Alternatives

Versital shower trays are manufactured from solid composite stone resin, which offers superior strength, stability, and performance compared to alternatives such as acrylic or ceramic.

• Stone resin: Strong, durable, solid underfoot, and retains heat.
• Acrylic: Lightweight, but prone to flexing and cracking over time.
• Ceramic: Attractive but heavy, difficult to install, and prone to chipping.

For projects that require longevity, safety, and a seamless finish, stone resin remains the material of choice for premium bathroom design.

How to Template for a Bespoke Shower Tray

When working with unusual layouts such as angled walls, alcoves, or curved spaces creating a template ensures your tray fits precisely. At Versital, we can guide you through this process step by step:

1. Create a base template using strong cardboard, plywood, or hardboard.
2. Mark out the exact shape and size of the shower area, including walls, angles, and any unusual features.
3. Cut to size to make sure it sits flush within the intended space.
4. Mark the waste position so the tray can be manufactured accordingly.

This process removes guesswork and guarantees that your tray arrives ready to install.

Safety and Anti-Slip Properties

Safety is essential in both domestic and commercial bathrooms. All Versital trays come with a Category 2 anti-slip rating, certified by SATRA, making them suitable for everything from family homes to luxury hotels. We have two options of textured anti slip which have a different appearance and level of skip resistant properties.

We always provide samples of the anti-slip textures before purchase, so designers and clients can see and feel the finish for themselves. While you can opt out of anti-slip if desired, we recommend keeping it for added safety especially in hospitality environments where guest safety is paramount.

Are Bespoke Shower Trays Suitable for Wet Room Style Installations?

Absolutely. In fact, Versital trays are often a preferred alternative to wet room tanking systems. Unlike traditional wet room setups, they:

• Arrive ready to install.
• Require no tanking.
• Reduce installation costs and time.
• Eliminate the risk of grout failure and leaks.

Many designers working on hotels and residential projects use our trays as a hassle-free solution for wet room style showers. Not only do they look sleek and modern, but they also protect against the common pitfalls of wet rooms.

Fixing Problematic Wet Rooms

One of the most common reasons clients come to us is to fix leaking wet rooms. When tanking systems fail, it often results in costly repairs. A bespoke tray provides a robust, watertight solution that can be cut precisely to size even in awkward spaces resolving existing issues without needing to redesign the entire bathroom.

Waste Position, Shape, and Style

Flexibility is key in luxury bathroom projects. With bespoke trays, you can specify:

• Waste position: Central, offset, or wherever suits your layout.
• Waste size: Standard is 90mm (British standard), but other options are available.
• Waste system: Supply your own or opt for our DALLMER waste set, renowned for quality and compatibility.

This level of precision makes bespoke trays an invaluable tool for designers seeking both form and function.

Cost of Bespoke Shower Trays

So, how much does a bespoke shower tray cost? Prices typically start from around £1200 RRP + VAT, but the final cost depends on:

• Size and shape.
• Choice of finish.
• Complexity of the design.
• Waste positioning and additional features.

For designers, this means you can tailor the tray to fit both the design brief and the budget. We also offer free colour samples so clients can see finishes first hand before committing.

Waterproof and Stain Resistant

One of the standout benefits of Versital trays is the protective gel coat applied to each one. This coating makes the tray:

• 100% waterproof.
• Stain resistant.
• Easy to clean (no more scrubbing grout lines).
• Extremely hygienic – the gel coat has Steritouch anti-microbial protection built in as a standard.

This makes them particularly attractive for hotels and busy homes, where maintenance needs to be simple and effective.

Colour and Finish Options

Design freedom is a major part of what makes bespoke trays so appealing. At Versital, we offer:

• Classic whites and creams for timeless bathrooms.
• Marble-effect finishes to emulate natural stone.
• Sparkle finishes for statement bathrooms.
• Pantone-inspired and RAL colours for bold, creative schemes.

With such variety, designers can specify shower trays that complement vanity tops or wall panels for a completely unified look.

Size and Shape Possibilities

We can manufacture bespoke trays up to 2.5 square metres in a single piece. This allows for:

• Oversized luxury showers.
• Double or triple shower areas with multiple waste outlets.
• Odd shapes (with templates).

No joins, no awkward cuts—just one seamless piece tailored exactly to your requirements.

Proudly Manufactured in the UK

Every Versital shower tray is handmade by skilled craftsmen in Bolton, near Manchester. For designers, this means:

• Shorter lead times compared to overseas suppliers.
• Complete confidence in quality control.
• Supporting British manufacturing.

This combination of craftsmanship and modern technology ensures consistency, quality, and performance in every tray we produce.

FAQs About Bespoke Shower Trays

• Q1: How long does delivery take for a bespoke tray?
  Lead times vary depending on complexity, but most trays are delivered within around 4 weeks.
• Q2: Can I order samples before specifying?
  Yes, we offer up to 3 free samples so you and your client can see the finishes in person. However, if you do need more get in touch and we can usually help.
• Q3: Do you provide installation support?
  Yes, we provide detailed installation guides, and our team is always on hand to offer advice.
• Q4: Can bespoke trays be used in commercial projects like hotels or gyms?
  Definitely. In fact, they are ideal for high-traffic environments due to their durability and waterproof finish.
• Q5: What’s the maximum weight a stone resin tray can withstand?
  Our trays are extremely robust and designed for daily use in both domestic and commercial environments. With proper installation, weight capacity is not a concern.

Why Designers and Specifiers Choose Versital

For designers and specifiers, confidence is key. Choosing Versital means:

• Reliable British manufacturing.
• Expert guidance throughout the design and ordering process.
• Customisation without compromise.
• Durability and performance that reduces the risk of future problems.

With projects ranging from boutique hotels in London to residential renovations, our trays have been trusted across the UK for over 40 years.

Final Thoughts

A shower tray may not be considered by everyone to be the most glamorous element of a bathroom, but it is one of the most crucial. With a Versital made to measure tray, designers and specifiers can achieve the perfect balance of style, safety, and functionality ensuring that every bathroom project stands the test of time.

If you’re ready to discuss your project, contact our sales team at 01204380780 or request a free bespoke shower tray quotation today.