Stone shower trays

Sizes

Standard trays come in fixed sizes, 80 by 80, 90 by 120, 90 by 140 cm, and old bathrooms rarely match them. A stone tray is cut to the space, awkward corner and old chimney alcove included, and it can sit flush with the floor. It can also come from the same stone as the walls or the vanity top.

The fall

Usually 1 to 2%, so 1 to 2 cm per metre.

A linear drain along one wall means the tray slopes one way, which is the easiest to cut and to stand on. A central drain needs four slopes towards the middle, so more thickness and more time at the workshop.

The tray is 3 cm or more, so it isn't too thin at the drain.

Grip

Polished stone loses its grip with soap and water, so we don't use it here.

Honed is fine for most adults. For a family bathroom we'd rather go brushed or leathered, which grips better and hides water marks. If an older person uses the shower, we suggest bush-hammered or grooved stone, it has the most grip of all.

A gîte sometimes needs a slip figure on paper. The supplier has it, and our stone and grip guide explains the test.

Hard water

Limescale builds up in the texture and round the drain. Granite and quartzite don't mind descaler, marble does. If you want marble in the shower, squeegee after each use, pH-neutral cleaner, and accept that the finish will change. Beige marble shows it least.

Waterproofing

Water gets through stone, so a membrane goes under it and round the drain first, laid by whoever prepares the floor. We fit onto a floor that's already watertight.

Weight

A 90 by 140 cm tray in 3 cm granite is about 100 kg. On an upper floor with old timber joists, have them checked. A big walk-in tray can be made in two pieces with the joint along the drain.

See the bathroom page or call +33 7 45 20 76 39.