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28th January 2021

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Lakes Bathrooms launches SMC low-cost shower tray range

Shower specialist Lakes Bathrooms has launched a new collection of lightweight, sheet moulded composite (SMC) shower trays. The new entry level range of trays is designed as a high volume, lower-cost option to traditional stone resin.

As a new manufacturing methodology in most of the bathroom market, yet well proven in other industries, SMC uses fibre reinforced polymers, moulded with heat and pressure. Quality is consistently high says Lakes Bathrooms and, thanks to the impregnated fibres, the resulting shower trays are strong and yet lightweight - every design weighing in at less than the 25kg one man lift target and around 50% lighter than stone resin counterparts.

Integral to the design of the new SMC trays is the pattern of strength forming ribs that criss-cross the back of the tray. The underside is hollow to reduce unnecessary weight, yet the tray is robust thanks to this strengthening lattice.

Unveiling the new range, managing director of Lakes Bathrooms, Robin Craddock explained, "SMC manufacturing is a superb process for highly repeatable, high volume products, that is ideal for the bathroom market and for shower trays in particular. It has very high set up costs so has been out of reach for many manufacturers in the past, but we are now able to capitalise on this process and material, resulting in lightweight, low cost trays that will be ideal at entry level."

As with the ABS counterparts from Lakes Bathrooms, the new SMC trays are all low profile, 40mm in height. Designed to be easy to fit, the trays also come with the option of an easy plumb kit for raised installations. This kit contains side panels, push fit legs - that secure quickly into pre-set locators - and a 90mm high-flow chrome waste kit. The trays are packaged to avoid damage on site and come edged, wrapped and boxed with strong carry handles.

Selling in large volume, small batch quantity, or even singly, the new trays come in a choice of 12 introductory sizes. This selection is based upon market trends for the most popular and hence fastest moving shapes and styles, says Lakes Bathrooms.

T: 01684 853870
F: 01684 276979
E: [email protected]
W: www.lakesbathrooms.co.uk

25th November 2011