A chipped or cracked shower tray is a surprisingly common problem — and one that homeowners often feel forced into replacing when repair is frequently possible and far more cost-effective. This guide covers the main shower tray materials, the types of damage that occur, and how professional repair works.
Types of Shower Tray We Repair
Acrylic Shower Trays
The most common type in UK homes — light, inexpensive and easy to install. Acrylic trays can crack from point loading (standing at the same point repeatedly on a tray with insufficient support beneath) or from impact. Chips at edges and around waste holes are also common. Repair uses acrylic-specific compounds applied and polished to match the existing surface.
Stone Resin Shower Trays
Stone resin trays — brands like Kudos, Merlyn, Roman and Tissino — are more premium and considerably heavier. They can chip, particularly at the edge or waste hole. Stone resin repair uses similar techniques to composite sink repair — colour-matched epoxy compounds sanded and polished to match the matte or slight texture of the original surface.
Ceramic Shower Trays
Less common than they once were, ceramic trays are repairable using specialist vitreous china repair compounds — the same products used for bath and basin chip repair.
Crack Repair vs Chip Repair
A chip at the edge or surface is relatively straightforward to repair. A crack through the tray requires more assessment — if the crack is from substrate movement or inadequate support, the underlying issue needs addressing before the surface is repaired, otherwise the crack will reappear.
