Contents
- Type of shower enclosure
- Which pallet to choose?
- Dimensions and shape
- Material manufacturing
- Material manufacturing shower doors
- Shower door opening systems
Today shower enclosures are so popular that they gradually begin to force out traditional baths. They are chosen when there is not enough space for a bathtub and a washing machine, or when it is necessary to minimize the time required to take water procedures. In addition, a shower cabin is a good opportunity to save, because water consumption is reduced by 5-6 times compared to using a conventional bath. Appearance, functions, sizes can be completely different, and in order to choose a shower cabin it was easier, better to know in advance what the modern market offers us, and what exactly we want from this device.
Type of shower enclosure
Depending on the configuration and equipment, all shower enclosures can be divided into structures of open or closed type. The first is also called shower corners.
The open-type shower cubicle is the simplest and most affordable option. It often consists of only two walls and a pallet, and the walls of the bathroom are the other walling structures. As a rule, there is no top cover in such cabinsNaturally, the shower head and faucet are present and are attached to the wall tiled. This is a relatively cheap way to build a shower in your home, but you can try to save even more, and replace the finished tray with a tile with a special coating that resists slipping. In this case, you need to install only the doors, which will serve as a fence. Even more cheaply the design can be, if instead of doors to use a curtain of moisture-proof fabric, but this option is difficult to attribute to the category of showers, so we will not consider it.
The enclosed shower enclosure is an independent construction consisting of two walls, hermetic doors, a shower tray and a top cover. Of course, such products are more expensive, but the time for home improvement in the soul is reduced by several times, and its functionality only increases. In addition, ready-made showers can be more or less easily moved to a new location or a new apartment. The walls behind the shower can be laid out with the simplest tiles in order to reduce the cost of repairs in the bathroom, but it is not recommended to leave them without finishing at all.
The functionality of of such structures can bribe anyone. Of course, you can choose a shower box with a minimum of functions, and you can keep an eye on the option with a wide range of options. So, many models are equipped with lighting, radio, telephone, hydro massage and rain shower .More sophisticated features include: cascade shower, aromatherapy, ozonation, Charcot's shower, Turkish bath, telephone, steam generator, etc. The more opportunities the cabin has, the higher its price is, naturally. In an attempt to equip the most comfortable and multifunctional resting place, do not forget to think over all the details and understand how necessary this or that opportunity is, and whether it can be realized in the conditions of your apartment.
If the shower cabin is equipped with with hydromassage, the pressure in the water supply system should be at least 2-3 bar, otherwise this excellent function will not work. In advance, it is better to clarify this indicator in the housing office, and only then make your choice. By the way, some manufacturers produce shower cabins in which the hydromassage will work even with low water pressure, so it’s necessary to know what the water pressure in the apartment is.
Some models of shower boxes can even replace the bath, but even here you need to keep your ears up. Turkish bath , which has a positive effect on health, may be present in the shower cubicles. This mode provides for increasing the humidity to 100%, and the temperature of the steam rises to 40-500C.This is the maximum that the human body can withstand, and it is better not to believe the producers declaring a steam temperature of 600 ° C - this is an obvious exaggeration. Not only is it almost impossible, it is also dangerous for health. If there is a separate compartment in the box, decorated with wood, then he can easily replace the trip to with the Finnish sauna .
What manufacturers have not just come up with to increase comfort! In addition to the bath function, modern shower cabins can also be equipped with aromatherapy , and smells are known to have an effect on the body: they relax or invigorate, soothe, elevate mood, heal. It remains only to choose an aromatic oil, pour it into the corresponding hole, and turn on the “bath” function so that the outgoing steam is saturated with particles of the substance used.
If the shower box is equipped with steam generator , then pay attention to the availability of a fan as well. His task is to drive the air around the cabin and evenly distribute the temperature. If there is no fan, the outgoing steam will rise up: the feet will be cold, and the head is hot, which is not very comfortable.
The function of tropical shower is equipped with almost all, even the most budget shower boxes. The large-diameter watering can is located in the lid, has a lot of holes, and during operation it creates the impression of a real summer rain.
More recently, shower enclosures with the infrared heating function began to appear on the market. Such radiation has a positive effect on the body, and allows not only to warm up and sweat, but also to disperse blood circulation, improve the condition of many systems and organs.
Shower boxes can be of different sizes and configurations. In a small bathroom, it is better to choose an angular model, and if the area allows, then you can purchase a whole SPA center, where the tray will more resemble a huge bath. By the way, such an mix of a shower cabin and bath is a great option, because it combines the capabilities of two devices, and the temperature with the doors closed for a long time will remain the same.
Which pallet to choose?
Dimensions and form
The initial value when choosing a shower cabin are , its dimensions are .In this matter, attention should be paid to both the size of the bathroom and the parameters of family members. The minimum dimensions of the pallet, which can be met and for which the box remains comfortable, are 80 * 80 and 90 * 90 cm. The maximum values in width and length are close to 170 * 180 cm. If there is no clear confidence that the cabin will be comfortable for everyone, thenit is better to let the largest member of the family climb into the store right in the store and check how it fits in height and size.
Another important parameter is the pallet depth .If a shower stall is the only place to take water procedures, if children or animals are bathed in it or large items are washed by hand, then it is better to opt for with a depth of 25-45 cm .In the end, you get a mini-bath. But if there are elderly people in the family, then it will be much more convenient for them to use the shower cabin with the flat tray. By the way, today, from the Western countries, we have a tendency to embed flat pallets into the floor, and equip the water with along almost imperceptible grooves around the perimeter.
Most often, pallets are made in the form of an rectangle, square, sector of a circle or half a circle of , but you can also find options in the form of oval, polyhedron, circle, shell , etc. Shower cabins with a rectangular tray are cheaper, but in a small bathroom they are not very comfortable, they take up space, and you have to constantly cling to the corner. In this case, it is better to choose a rounded pallet and overpay for radial walls.
Material manufacture
The material from which the pallet is made is another key parameter when choosing a shower cabin. It depends on him how the whole product will be durable, durable and expensive. Unlike baths, where, when bathing, the load of the lying one is evenly distributed over the entire plane, in our case the weight of a person affects one point, therefore the requirements for the reliability of the pallet are increased.
The most common today are such pallets:
-
acrylic pallet
acrylic .They confidently occupy the first place in terms of popularity. This is a cheap material that has good heat-saving properties, does not make noise, and most importantly, from it you can get a pallet of any shape. At the bottom, as a rule, there are small bumps or slightly noticeable stripes that resist slipping. Such pallets with a large weight bathing can sag, so to give greater stability, they must be equipped with a fifth leg, which is located in the middle, just in the place where the load is maximum. Also on them, over time, there are scratches, but they are easy to sand. Now quartz trays have appeared on the sanitary market: with all the advantages of acrylic, they have increased strength and stability, but they are more expensive;
-
cast iron pan
cast iron and steel are rarely used for the manufacture of shower trays. Cast iron is heated for a long time, heavy, difficult to transport, does not differ in a large variety of forms, and steel pallets are too noisy when water splashes fall on them. But it should be noted that these materials are considered the most durable and reliable;
- ceramic pallets attract attention for its decent snow-white appearance. This is a safe material, absolutely hygienic, and therefore perfectly suited for use in plumbing. Such products ideally fit into a classical interior of a bathroom, but also they cost much.
ceramic pallet
can be attributed to other disadvantages of a large weight and excessive fragility: the fall of a heavy object can damage and split such a pallet. In order for ceramics to retain their original appearance, it is necessary to take care of it carefully: otherwise, it may darken or turn yellow;
- pallets made of artificial marble are not yet so common, but due to their performance they can easily compete with acrylic ones. They are made of marble chips and various synthetic additives. The result is a durable, sturdy product that is resistant to poor quality water. The material keeps heat perfectly,
marble
marble pallets absorb noise, it is also easy to clean;
- wooden pallets - it is rather a whim in favor of an exclusive interior, as they are very expensive. Made from elite wood species, mainly from teak. Such products are eco-friendly and beautiful, but their cost and the need for painstaking care are still able to scare away many buyers.
Shower Door
Shower Door - an important element that is responsible for tightness, comfort and appearance. First of all, it is necessary to determine the material of their manufacture and the opening system.
Material for the manufacture of doors to the shower enclosure
The doors of the shower enclosure can be:
- glass;
- plastic.
Naturally, the glass doors are a more expensive option, but with them the entire cabin looks more solid. Tempered glass with a thickness of 5-8 mm is used, so the risk of breaking it is reduced to zero. Such doors are reliable and durable, do not lose their original appearance. They can be made of fully transparent, frosted, tinted glass, have some kind of pattern. In terms of care, there is nothing difficult, but in order to always reign in the bathroom order and comfort, it is better to wipe the glass doors after each shower - it does not take much time.
Plastic doors is a more affordable option, but over time the material dims and becomes not as attractive to look as when buying. If the budget is limited, and only cabins with plastic curtains are considered, then it is better to choose matte, because with time the turbidity will not be seen that way.
Shower door opening system
Today, most shower enclosures are equipped with the following types of doors:
- hinged;
- sliding.
The swing system provides for one or two doors that are attached either to the walls of the room or to the surface of the shower stall. Be sure to pay attention to the hinges: if they are made of powder pressed metal , and so often do the Chinese manufacturers, the system risks quickly fail. Solid metal hinges are more reliable. Shower cabins with hinged doors are cheaper, but if the goal is to save space, then it is better to choose a model with a sliding system: there is often not enough space in the bathrooms so that the doors can swing open normally.
shower boxes with sliding doors work on the basis of the wardrobe. There are two guides, magnets and rubber strips are fixed on the doors to ensure maximum tightness. The movement is carried out thanks to the rollers, which drive along the guides. The latter can be plastic, aluminum or steel. Plastic elements are unreliable and in a few years they will become loose, ceasing to hold the rollers securely. Their replacement will cost almost the same as a shower cabin, so it’s better to pay a little at once, but choose a product with metal guides. Swing systems are a good option for rooms where every square centimeter is counted.
Another interesting option, an alternative to the usual doors - protective screen .It shares space, is in a stationary position, but at the same time provides access from two sides. This solution looks very stylish and unusual, but is only suitable for large bathrooms.
Manufacturers of shower cabins
Everyone who makes repairs in the bathroom wants a new plumber to work as long as possible. Remembering that the miser pays twice, you should not rush on too cheap models without appropriate documentation and guarantees. It is better to pay a little more, but be sure of the quality and reliability of the product. In the market of shower cabins, each manufacturer has already gained a corresponding reputation, according to which it is possible to single out bona fide companies.
In terms of quality, European-made shower cabins are in the lead, and the price can be completely different. For example, booths from German companies Villeroy & Boch, Hueppe, Hoesch, Kermi belong to the premium segment in the same way as Italian Jacuzzi, Albatros and Cerutti .In the middle price segment featured a Spanish company Roca , Italian Hatria , Swiss Geberit , Finnish Ideal Standard , Slovenian Gorenje and others. The most lucrative offers on the European market are the shower cabins Cersanit, Ravak and IDO.
Domestic manufacturers recently pleased with the increasing quality of products. Now on the market such manufacturers as confidently appear as Bandhours, Doctor Jet, Akrilan, Radomir, Aqua Joy, Indeo, Aquarelle, Aquatika .
Not bad among domestic users shower cabins from South Korea from Niagara .But there is no unanimous opinion about Chinese manufacturers: there are those that offer products of very low quality, without any guarantees, and there are more or less good ones. The latter include Aqualux, Fituche, Appolo, Golden Fish .
In Conclusion
Shower stall - a great alternative to the bath. With it, you can save space, the amount of water used, to acquire many useful features such as aromatherapy or a bath. This is a great option when you need to place all the necessary plumbing, furniture and equipment in a small area. When choosing a shower stall, it is worth weighing a lot of factors of : room size, family members size, budget, room interior, personal preferences. A variety of shapes, sizes, materials, functions of these products will allow everyone to find the ideal option that best meets the requirements and desires. By the way, now there are also models on sale that combine a bath and a shower cabin: with their help, these two necessary items can be positioned in a small room.
