If you are thinking about how to choose a shower cabin, the advice of a professional will definitely not be overkill. In practice, it has been proven that most of today's young people are inclined to purchase a shower cabin, not a bath. Sometimes they are installed together. Purchasing a cabin is a responsible occupation, it is necessary to take into account not only the maximum price that you are willing to pay for the equipment, but also the type of future purchase. All this must be calculated based on the characteristics of the room for which it is purchased. An important step in the choice will be the measurement of pressure in the system, since it plays an important role in the adequacy of the functioning of a particular model.
The beauty of the shower cabin lies in the versatility of the interior solution. It fits perfectly into any, even the most exotic interior, while retaining important functions.
Existing species
Plumbing stores offer a huge selection of products. Among them are many models of shower cabins. Diversity dims the eyestherefore, the question of how to choose a good shower cabin becomes the most relevant. For convenience, a conditional classification was introduced. In fact, there are only two types of assembly: monolithic and prefabricated. Monoblocks are delivered to your home ready-made, and the second ones you assemble directly at the installation site. If we consider the type of construction, then the following options are distinguished:
- Closed type. Such booths have a pallet, walls, several built-in doors and a ceiling. The full-fledged design is airtight and has many additional features that bring additional bonuses. When assembled, it is placed on legs, thanks to which you can move the cabin and change the interior as needed or desired.
- Open type. In other words, a shower. Unlike the previous version, it has only a pallet and several walls with doors. Most often they are mounted in the corner of the bathroom, sometimes you can find a shower standing against the wall, but this option is more suitable for an exception to the rule. The open type is very convenient for small spaces. The big downside is limited functionality. However, for those who prefer a basic shower with no frills, this option saves a significant amount of money.
The most common is the combination of a shower cabin with a bathtub. The optimal case combines a shallow bath (about 40 cm) and a shower. Manufacturers often provide them with additional features that make water procedures more pleasant and useful. Such cabins are presented in a variety of options, they differ in the installation of a cabin above the bath (on the edge, in the center or around the perimeter). Among them you can find both open and closed. How to choose the right shower cabin? According to your requests and the required pallet.
Existing pallets
The pallet is one of the most important parts of the design. The external qualities of the shower cabin and the method of installation will directly depend on its shape and dimension. The main material is important. Thanks to him, the comfort and safety of the installed plumbing is determined. To decide how to choose a shower cabin with a bathtub, you need to decide what you want to get in the end. Therefore, pallets can be divided into high and low.
If the pallet has a wall height of 10 to 35 centimeters, then it is called high or deep. This option perfectly replaces the mini-bath. This tray is also handy in case of blockage. It will collect excess moisture in itself, will not let it leak to the floor. However, if there are people with disabilities in the house or those who find it difficult to step over high sides, then this can become a significant barrier to comfortable use. Some bathrooms have a small step extension that allows you to conveniently enter the shower, but for modernization you will have to sacrifice at least a quarter of a square meter.
Low trays are suitable for those who are wondering how to choose a shower cabin without frills. With a maximum wall height of 20 centimeters, they are convenient, practical and compact. ATas an installation, you can use a low pedestal, or you can install it directly on the floor. A flat sump is not the best option for those who constantly clog their drains or have poor drainage.
Choose the shape of the pallet
The shape of the pallet is the main aesthetic point in the question of how to choose a shower cabin. The advice of a professional lies in the method of installation. It is important to realize that a pallet is not only a decoration, but also a complex technical design. Manufacturers have made sure that most shower trays can be installed in any part of the room. It should be clarified whether the model you have chosen is a universal option. If the dimensions of your bathroom leave much to be desired, then install a booth in the corner. In this case, it is better to give preference to an asymmetric or semicircular shape.
Basic shapes of shower stalls:
- semicircle;
- square;
- rectangle;
- angle;
- trapeze;
- asymmetry.
If you decide to make a global experiment in your bathroom, then consider non-traditional models, but carefully ask the consultant how to choose a shower cabin with a custom-shaped deep tray, so that later you do not have to return the purchase back.
Main materials used to make pallets
How to choose a quality shower cabin, the material from which its pallet is made answers. Modern manufacturers prefer acrylic, but among allvarieties are found in steel, cast iron and stone models. Each of them has pros and cons.
The big advantage of acrylic models is considered to be high levels of hygiene. Pollution does not eat into the material, the weight of the product is small. The downside is that acrylic cannot be cleaned with abrasive products, as the surface can be scratched. Despite the possibility of recovery, this significantly complicates the operation process.
Pallets made of steel are covered with enamel. The advantages are high strength and low heat transfer. Minus - in the sounds of water when taking a shower. The soft material rattles when a jet of water hits the tray.
The models made of sanitary ware are called ceramic. They are renowned for their durability and practicality. A significant disadvantage is the fragility of the material. From a slight blow, a piece may fall off or a scratch may appear. In addition, sanitary ware and sanitary ware are cold metals. Before water procedures, it is recommended to warm them with a jet of hot water. This is the rarest type of shower enclosure.
Unlike cast iron bathtubs, pallets made of this material are not in demand due to high pricing and significant weight.
The most noble and pretentious are products made of natural stone. It is almost impossible to find such models in stock. But if you want to equip your restroom with a stone tray, you will be the ideal customer for high-end stores. Huge advantage in beauty, durability, strength,aesthetics recedes when you find out the price for such a sophistication.
These are not all options on how to choose a shower cabin. For the bathroom, pallets are often made with their own hands. To do this, you will need cement mortar, tiles and blocks.
Shower stall dimensions
Cubicle size is a significant factor in choosing a shower enclosure. Pro tip: look for a model where the size allows you to successfully put it on the available area without harming a person of any build. Agree, water procedures should be comfortable and pleasant, so the shower should be as spacious as possible. There are standard sizes that differ significantly from each other and are easily matched to the individual needs of someone who is thinking about how to choose a shower cabin for the home. Ideally, if it has a place to move away from the water jet.
How to choose the size of the shower, of course, will affect the free space. For the smallest apartments, you can stop at small-sized models, the size of which does not exceed 100100 centimeters. There are models smaller than the indicated numbers, but they are inconvenient to use. The minimum value is 9090 centimeters.
For standard bathrooms, medium-sized models are used, the size of which reaches 130130 centimeters. This option is the most requested. It combines compactness and ease of use. Shower cabins of this size have a small ledge for sitting or storing cosmetics and the most necessary functional set.
Owners of a large space can afford full-size models. Their size is up to 170 by 180 centimeters. Basically, cabins of this size are equipped with all possible options.
The height of the booth most often corresponds to the ceiling standards. The lowest - 170 centimeters, the highest - about 250. To accurately determine the height, you should look into the technical data sheet of a particular model. It indicates the vertical size or the size of the room where the shower stall will be installed.
Types of shower doors
In any shower design, whether it be a booth or a corner, doors are provided. Consider which doors it will be more convenient for you to use and, based on this, approach the question of how to choose a shower cabin for the bathroom. In total, there are two types: sliding and swinging. By number: one-, two-, three-leaf. In order to save space, the doors are most often placed on rollers that open the door, smoothly moving it along the cabin walls. This type of door is recognized as the safest.
If you are lucky and you are the owner of a luxury apartment, then you can afford to install a shower with hinged doors. They need space to move freely. In addition, there should be room for a person to move in the bathroom, so this option is unacceptable for standard apartments. This option can be advised to those who are wondering how to choose a shower cabin for a private house with a large area and several bathroomsrooms.
After installation, be sure to check the smoothness and tightness of the closing of the valves. Properly positioned doors must not allow water to flow or cold air to pass through. In addition, regardless of the opening-closing option, the move should be smooth and easy. It is possible to talk about the correct installation only if the doors open and close with a slight movement of the hand.
Case material
There are two types of materials from which doors and walls are made: plastic and tempered glass. If you are thinking about how to choose an inexpensive shower cabin, then opt for the first option, it is much cheaper.
The glass body is durable and strong. In the event of an impact or other physical impact, the glass will most likely survive. You must be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay a lot of money for such a cabin or corner. If you want to create a stylish shower in your bathroom, then use a stone tray and glass, completely transparent walls for this. Such an interior will become a real work of art and will delight the owner.
Plastic doors and walls are not that durable. They are not as strong as the previous version. In addition to the low cost, plastic has another significant advantage: shower enclosure manufacturers offer a large selection of textures so that the walls fit seamlessly into all interior solutions.
Both glass and plastic elements may havematte finish. Glass can be preserved for a long time in its original form, and plastic begins to turn yellow over time, scuffs appear and compounds in water are strongly eaten, especially with a high pH content. If we touch on the question of how to choose the right shower cabin according to the thickness of the body, then the optimal wall thickness is from 5 to 7 centimeters, buying glass doors and walls less than 3 millimeters thick is not advisable.
Popular Manufacturers
Each of the consumers dreams of using only high-quality and durable shower cabins. How to choose a manufacturer you can trust? The modern market offers a huge number of options from which the eyes run wide. In order not to get confused about how to choose a shower cabin, professional advice is to choose products from well-known, trusted manufacturers. Plumbing stores are teeming with products from domestic and imported companies. Produced in Russia are somewhat cheaper than foreign comrades. Statistics show that cabins from the world-famous companies Jacussi and Albatros are in the greatest demand, and therefore the price of such models will be much higher. In the middle price range, you can find domestic Aquapol and Atlantis.
Some care tips
After sorting out the question of how to choose a shower cabin for your home and install it, it's time to deal with the proper care of your new acquisition.
As with any plumbing device, the cabin must be carefully monitored andservice it on time. Not only cheap, subject to darkening and contamination products, but also expensive models need proper care. Caring for a shower cabin is complicated by a large amount of water and various impurities. It's no secret that bathroom maintenance is the most difficult part of properly cleaning an entire apartment or house. Try to carry out preventive actions so that later you do not fight with old, ingrained dirt by washing your hands. In addition, foreign faucets are not designed for water of such hardness, because of this, some owners face serious problems.
Prevention is the best cure for problems
Wipe the walls and tray after taking a shower with a special tool and wipe with a dry cloth. This is not at all difficult to do, and you don’t have to wipe dried soap stains. The metal parts of the cabin must also be treated at least once a week with a special anti-plaque agent. Turn off the lights when you leave the booth, this will extend the life of the bulbs.
Thus, if you want to put a shower cabin in your apartment or private house, then carefully evaluate the water supply system and the place suitable for installation. Choose a price category. After that, proceed to the choice of dimensions, materials of the pallet and body. If you wish, you can choose models equipped with various additional functions: hydromassage, rain shower, heating, Finnish sauna and even aromatherapy.
