Why every centimetre counts#
In a bathroom, sanitary connections, doors, windows, pre-wall installations and circulation space all have to fit within a frequently limited area. Particularly in renovation projects, niches and angles rarely correspond to standard dimensions.
Using a standard product can leave unused areas, require complicated tile cuts or create spaces that are difficult to clean. With a made-to-measure product, the product adapts to the room instead. This makes better use of the available space and enables cleaner connections.
A few centimetres can make a big difference#
A difference that appears small on a plan can be clearly noticeable in everyday use. A shower tray measuring 94 rather than 90 centimetres wide can, for example, fill an existing niche completely. With a bathtub, a few additional centimetres create more interior space and comfort.
90 to 94 cm comparison – comparison between a standard-size shower tray and a perfectly fitted VARIO version.
70 to 176 cm comparison - comparison between a standard-size bathtub and a perfectly fitted VARIO version.
Made-to-measure products are particularly beneficial in the following situations:#
• Limited space
Made-to-measure washbasins and shower areas make optimum use of compact floor plans and provide more freedom of movement.
• Sloping walls and unusual angles
Custom Designs can accommodate pitched roofs, service shafts and oblique angles. This allows the product to blend harmoniously into the existing architecture.
• Non-standard niches
A shower tray or shower area made to fit the niche uses all the available space. This reduces adjustment work and creates a clean finish.
VARIO or Custom Design?#
Schmidlin offers two types of made-to-measure product.
VARIO: made to fit by the centimetre
VARIO products are suitable when the length or width needs to be adjusted within a defined range. Selected bathtubs, shower trays, shower areas and washbasins are available in one-centimetre increments.
Fixed prices and a standard delivery time of ten working days make planning easier. With the “Subito” option, delivery is possible within four working days. VARIO is therefore ideal when the product shape can remain unchanged but its dimensions need to be adapted.
Custom Designs: when the shape also needs to be individual
Custom Designs are used when angles, corners or technical details need to be adapted in addition to the length and width.
Depending on the product, the available options include:
- dimensions in millimetre increments;
- oblique angles;
- bevelled, rounded or sharp corners;
- custom holes;
- seamless enamel aprons.
This allows even complex floor plans to be resolved in a clean and visually appealing way.
Good results start with precise measurements#
Length and width are not the only factors to consider. Wall build-ups, sanitary connections and the subsequent installation are equally important. The following questions help with preparation:
1. What finished dimensions are actually available?
Plaster, waterproofing and wall tiles must be taken into account in addition to the structural dimensions.
2. Are the walls square and plumb?
Measurements at floor level may differ from those taken at the height of the bathtub or washbasin rim.
3. Where are the drain, taps and pipes located?
Their position affects the choice of product and any Custom Design requirements.
4. Can doors, drawers and passageways still move freely?
As well as fitting the floor plan, the product must allow the bathroom to be used comfortably.
5. Which construction and installation tolerances must be allowed for?
Even a made-to-measure product requires sufficient installation clearance. The final measurements and connection planning should therefore be carried out by the professionals involved.
Early coordination helps ensure that the product, tile layout and installations are perfectly aligned.
A made-to-measure product is not only worthwhile when no standard product will fit. It can also be the better choice for making consistent use of the available space, reducing adjustment work and achieving a clean design.
Particularly when renovating, it is therefore worth resisting the immediate choice of the next smaller standard size. Sometimes, just a few centimetres can turn a compromise into a convincing, long-term solution.
Conclusion
More than a solution
Are you planning a bathroom with limited space, sloping walls or an unusual niche?