When there isn't enough space in the bathroom to accommodate a traditional bathtub, it's time to think about alternatives. The most affordable and popular replacements are the shower cabin and the shower enclosure. In the article, the reader will get acquainted with their differences, and will also be able to unambiguously decide for himself which is better: a shower cabin or a shower corner.
There is no single recipe
Strictly speaking, it is impossible to unequivocally and uncompromisingly answer the question of what to choose - a shower cabin or a shower corner. After all, each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main difference is in price. The cost of a shower corner lies in a cheaper price segment. There is such a steady trend that it is better to abandon the shower cabin altogether than to buy a budget model. Everything in them is of poor quality: design, type of material and plumbing. But on the other hand, it is quite possible to buy a good shower corner for the same price.
The second significant factor is ease of installation. This item includes both the wall material and the installation location. But before you start comparing the two options, you need to clearly understand what is the difference between a shower enclosure and a shower cabin.
What's the difference?
Intuitively, it seems that the shower enclosure is simpler and more understandable. And this is a correct assumption. Its installation and installation is much faster than that of a shower cabin. After all, this is just a pallet and a glass door, if you figure it out, so there are no difficulties here, just as there is no rich functionality. A shower cabin, on the contrary, is a whole range of functions for carrying out hygiene procedures, but its installation also requires more time.
It is worth noting separately a tangible difference. The corner has no roof, and it is also leaky (unlike the cabin). That is, you need to take into account the features of the room. When making a choice, a shower cabin or a shower corner, in a wooden house, for example, you should stop at the cabin.
Comparison
In addition to the main differences, there are a number of points, familiarity with which will help you make the right choice. The list also includes the differences listed above, but in a detailed form.
- Price. For the cost of a cheap cabin (about 10000-12000) you can buy a good quality shower enclosure (about 11000). This is an important criterion.
- Corners are more durable, they require little maintenance and special care (glass is easy to clean). Behindshowers, on the other hand, need to be carefully monitored and are quite difficult to clean (acrylic is prone to dirt accumulation).
- For a shower cabin, preliminary preparation of the room is not required. It is enough to have a sewerage and water supply, and a number of additional works are needed for the corner. This is wall decoration with waterproof material, a flat floor and a supply, installation of a faucet with a shower.
- Which is better, a shower enclosure or a shower cabin? The issue of durability is unambiguously resolved in the direction of the first option.
- The shower enclosure requires water filters and does not fit into every bathroom design. For example, strict classic. The corners are made in a minimalist style, so they always fit.
- Cabins can have any pallet, but only low ones near the corners.
These are the main differences, but it is worth considering certain nuances so as not to make a mistake in choosing.
Who suits what
Besides technical characteristics, it is important to choose an option for your needs. If you need a place to take a shower and only, then a shower corner is also suitable. In the event that you want to use features such as Turkish bath, hydromassage, lighting and a high tray, then the choice should be made in favor of the cabin.
Installation area matters. It is wrong to assume that the shower cabin takes up little space. This is a rather bulky design, especially if the pallet is high. The corner is mounted directly to the wall, taking up lessplaces. Therefore, the answer to the question of which is better: a shower cabin or a shower corner, remains open.
For shower enclosures, there are several types of tray material, but the most common is cast iron. It has excellent conductivity, but is too heavy and prone to damage. The second place is occupied by steel, which favorably differs in lighter weight and greater durability, but there is also a significant drawback. This material is quite easily deformed due to its small thickness.
Other things to consider
Caring for a shower stall is very different from wiping the corner. If you choose from the point of view of the practicality of cleaning, which is better: a shower cabin or a shower corner, the second option definitely wins. It's easier to get it perfect. In the shower cabin, after a year or two of use, mold forms (especially in the rubber lining on the shutters), filters for various functions clog. Shower cabins must be cleaned thoroughly and constantly, otherwise they will quickly become unusable.
According to reviews, a shower cabin or a shower corner are installed approximately the same in complexity, but for a corner it is advisable to pre-fill a concrete pallet and tile it from the outside. It is not recommended to completely lay out the structure with tiles, especially if the shape is radial (round). Even mosaics. In addition, it is very easy to slip on such material.
The disadvantages of the most popular pallet materials have been discussed above, so it is worth taking a closer look at acrylic configurations.
Many buyers pay attention to stylish models with tinted doors, relying on their convenience. But this advantage has a downside. Any contamination can be seen much better on a dark surface.
Reviews
Which is better: a shower cabin or a shower enclosure?
As statistics show, shower enclosures receive more negative ratings than corners. And the point is not that everyone is trying to buy a cheap model, but that caring for them is too “confused”. Corners, on the other hand, are in high demand due to their low cost and ease of use.
Analyzing the reviews, you can understand what is better: shower enclosures or shower cabins in terms of operating time. You can come to a simple conclusion that even cabins of an average and slightly above average price can become unusable in just a couple of years. Perhaps it's the lack of proper cleaning in the bathroom, but it is also likely that manufacturers save on materials.
If the water is hard, then all the equipment for additional functions becomes unusable faster. Good water filters are needed, according to users.
Conclusion
Summing up, we can say that there is no clear recipe for choosing a shower cabin and a corner. You can, of course, go from the opposite. If, for example, the installation of a corner is simply impossible due to wall covering. The choice always depends on the specific circumstances.
After reviewit will be easier for the buyer to decide on the information. Choose a shower cabin or a shower corner, what is the difference, you now know.
