Steel Shower Tray - Art Deco or Simple Perfection

Steel Shower Trays - Footballers to Psycho's

Steel is synonymous with modern life and commerce. Apart from the plate glass windows that dominated The Crystal Palace and early department stores, you will struggle to find a substance more married to modernity than stainless steel. Yet whereas glass has often been deployed in an ostentatious and most un-Victorian fashion, steel has quietly forged itself a reputation for practicality and reliability. Much like the theory of evolution, stainless steel was first conceptualised during Queen Victoria's reign before gaining widespread acceptance in the early twentieth century. Science is an apt analogy here, because stainless steel is the go-to medium for many aspects of modern living.

One of the more prosaic manifestations of stainless steel in contemporary life is the humble shower unit. While the Victorians were happy to wallow in a tepid pool of dirty water lugged upstairs by the maid, we would rather blast the filth away with the aid of a power shower. When we think of the shower unit, we think modernity, hygiene, sanctuary... and of Janet Leigh's untimely demise in Psycho. That iconic scene must surely rank as the shower tray's zenith in cinematic history.

Casting such morbid associations aside, the steel shower tray possesses all the attributes that a modern bathroom demands. Firstly, it's tough and sanitary. Stainless steel is the material of choice in surgical instrumentation, the catering industry and domestic households. The chromium component of this wonder alloy forms an inert and non-permeable surface, meaning that it is resistant to scratches, will not corrode and leaves bacteria with nowhere to gain a foothold. This means your shower tray is near clinically clean provided you pay it the most basic of attention. Even Psycho's Norman Bates - a man with unique purification needs - would have to concur that the steel shower tray is the epitome of cleanliness. The benefits of this attractive material go beyond mere hygiene however.

Stainless steel has also found its way into modern construction disciplines such as art deco architecture, and is used heavily in industrial and agricultural hardware manufacture. These facts nod to three other features of stainless steel: amazing strength, durability and a pleasing aesthetic. As shower tray materials go, stainless steel has outstanding longevity. If it were a footballer, it would be a Paolo Maldini or a Ryan Giggs. Like these two greats, steel still looks remarkably untouched by Father Time, and continues to shine long after lesser materials have lost their lustre.

A Steel Shower Tray - Eco Friendly and as tough as Bruce Willis

The remarkable resistance to wear and tear possessed by stainless steel ensures that the metal shower tray simply cannot be chipped. Like Bruce Willis, it's virtually unbreakable. On top of that, it is a good deal lighter than ceramic, marble or granite, which makes steel easier to transport and install. The real trump card, however, is the ease with which stainless steel shower trays can be customised. It's more adaptable than Meryl Streep. Stainless steel fabrication allows more flexible designs than stone or ceramic offerings. Bespoke steel trays can be tailored in countless ways. For example, a variety of metallic finishes can be specified, while drainage holes can be inserted in multiple positions. One popular customisation is a detachable front panel for waste outlet removal and general maintenance. This is a practical impossibility for stone equivalents; once again steel scores highly on hygiene. Finally, there is the potential for bespoke upstands that can be tiled over to form a water-tight seal where shower tray meets wall, meaning no costly leaking and water damage to the surrounds. When you factor in the potential for metal shower trays to be fabricated into virtually any shape, it's clear to see why they're the preferred material in hotel bathrooms, gyms, fire station shower rooms and other commercial installations throughout the world. No matter what shape your bathroom or swimming pool, that steel shower tray will fit snugly.

Best of all, stainless steel is eco-friendly, so you can sleep easier at night if environmental issues are prone to preying on your mind. Most steel products are virtually 100% recyclable at the end of their considerable lifespan. New material is composed of 60% recycled material, so stainless steel is customisable, classy, cost-effective and - above all - considerate.

So there you have it: stainless steel makes for an excellent domestic shower install. It is the de facto material for commercial and public institutions that have similar needs, be it a hotel, hospital, swimming baths or sports centre. It is easy to transport, simple to install, and completely customisable. The metal shower tray cleans easily, is remarkably damage-resistant and hygienic, and marries modern style with postmodern ecological awareness.