If you are thinking about how to choose a shower cabin, the advice of a professional will definitely not become an excess. In practice, it has been proven that most modern young people are inclined to the option of acquiring a shower, rather than a bath. Sometimes they are installed together. The purchase of 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 equipment, but also the type of future purchase. All this must be calculated based on the characteristics of the premises for which it is purchased. An important step in the selection 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 maintaining important functions.
Existing species
Plumbing stores offer a huge selection of products. Among them are many models of shower cabins. From the diversity of the eyes scatter, so the question of how to choose a good shower, becomes the most relevant. For convenience, a conditional classification has been introduced. In fact, there are only two types of assembly: monolithic and prefabricated. Monoblock delivered to your home ready-made, and the second you collect directly at the installation site. If we consider the type of design, then the following options are distinguished:
- Closed type. Such cabins 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 its legs, thanks to which you can move the cabin and change the interior as necessary or desired.
- Open type. In other words - a shower corner. 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. A big minus in the limited functionality. However, for those who prefer a normal shower with no frills, this option allows you to save a significant amount of money.
The most common is the combination of a shower with a bath. The optimal case combines a shallow bath (about 40 cm) and a shower. Manufacturers often provide them with additional functions that make water procedures more pleasant and more useful. Such cabins are presented in a variety of options, they differ by installing the cab above the bath (with the edge, in the center or around the perimeter). Among them, you can find both open and closed. How to choose a shower cabin? According to your requests and the necessary pallet.
Existing Pallets
The pallet is one of the most important parts of the design. The external qualities of the shower cabin and the installation method will directly depend on its shape and dimension. Important is the basic material. Thanks to him, the comfort and safety of the installed plumbing is determined. To decide how to choose a shower with a bath, you need to decide what you want to get in the end. Thus, 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 suitable in case of blockage. It will collect excess moisture in itself, will not allow it to leak onto the floor. However, if the house has people with disabilities or those who find it difficult to step over high sides, this one can become a significant barrier to comfortable use. Some bathtubs make a small extension-step, which allows you to conveniently enter the shower, but for modernization you will have to sacrifice at least a quarter square meter.
Low pallets are suitable for those who are considering how to choose a shower cabin without frills. With a maximum wall height of 20 centimeters, they are convenient, practical and compact. As an installation, you can use a low pedestal, or you can install directly on the floor. A flat pallet is not the best option for those who constantly clog the sewer or the drain works poorly.
Choose a pallet shape
The shape of the tray is the main aesthetic moment in the question of how to choose a shower cabin. Professional advice is in the installation method. It is important to realize that the pallet is not only a decoration, but also a complex technical design. Manufacturers made sure that most shower trays could be installed anywhere in the room. It should be clarified whether the model you have chosen is a universal option. If the size of your bathroom leaves 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.
The main forms of showers:
- semicircle;
- square;
- rectangle;
- angle;
- trapezoid;
- asymmetry.
If you decide to make a global experiment in your bathroom, then consider unconventional models, but carefully ask the consultant how to choose a shower cabin with a deep tray of a non-standard shape so that you do not have to return the purchase back.
The main materials used for the manufacture of pallets
How to choose a high-quality shower cabin, the material from which its tray is made meets. Modern manufacturers prefer acrylic, but among the variety there are steel, cast-iron and stone models. Each of them has pros and cons.
A great advantage of acrylic models are high hygiene. Contamination is not eaten into the material, the weight of the product is small. The downside is that acrylic can not be cleaned with abrasive products, since you can scratch the surface. Despite the possibility of recovery, this greatly complicates the operation process.
Steel pallets are enameled. The advantages are high strength and low heat transfer. Minus - in the sound of water when taking a shower. Soft material rattles from a jet of water on the pallet.
Models made of sanitary ware are called ceramic. They are famous for their increased durability and practicality. A significant minus is the fragility of the material. From a light blow, a piece may fall off from it or a scratch may appear. In addition, sanitary porcelain 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 the high price policy and considerable weight.
The most noble and pathos are considered to be natural stone products. To meet such models in stock is almost impossible. But if you want to equip your restroom with a stone pallet - you will become an ideal customer for elite-class stores. A huge advantage in beauty, durability, strength, aesthetics recedes when you find out the price of such a refinement.
These are not all options for how to choose a shower. For the bathroom, pallets are often made with their own hands. To do this, you will need cement mortar, tiles and blocks.
Dimensions shower
The size of the booth is a significant factor in deciding how to choose a shower. Professional advice: take a look at the model where the size allows you to successfully put it on the available area without harming the person of any complexion. You must admit that water procedures should be comfortable and pleasant, therefore the shower cabin should be as spacious as possible. There are standard sizes that differ significantly from each other and are easily selected according to the individual needs of someone who is thinking about how to choose a shower cabin for the home. Ideally, if there is a place in it to move away from the stream of water.
On how to choose the size of the shower, of course, will affect the free space. For the smallest apartments, you can focus on small-sized models, the size of which does not exceed 100 * 100 centimeters. There are models smaller than the indicated numbers, but they are inconvenient to use. The minimum value is 90 * 90 centimeters.
For standard bathrooms, medium-sized models are used, the size of which reaches 130 * 130 centimeters. This option is the most popular. It combines compactness and usability. In shower cubicles of such sizes there is a small ledge for sitting or storing cosmetics and the most necessary functional set.
Holders of large space can afford full-size models. Their size is up to 170 by 180 centimeters. Basically, cabs of this size are equipped with all possible options.
The height of the cabin most often meets the standards of the ceiling. The lowest - 170 centimeters, the highest - about 250. To determine the exact height, it is worth looking into the technical passport of a particular model. It indicates the vertical size or the size of the room where the shower will be installed.
Types of shower doors
In any shower design, whether it is a cabin or a corner, doors are provided. Think over what doors it will be more convenient for you to use and proceeding from this, approach the question of how to choose a shower cabin for a bathroom. In total, two types are distinguished: sliding and oar. By quantity: one-, two-, tricuspid. For the sake of saving space, the doors are most often placed on rollers that open the door, smoothly moving it along the walls of the cabin. This type of door is recognized as the safest.
If you are lucky and you are the owner of luxury apartments, then you can afford to install a shower with swing doors. For their free movement you need space. In addition, there should be room in the bathroom for a person to move, so this option is not acceptable for standard apartments. This option can be advised to those who are wondering about how to choose a shower cabin for a private house with a large quadrature and several bathrooms.
After installation, be sure to check the smoothness of movement and tightness of closing the wings. Water must not leak or cool air pass through properly set doors. In addition, regardless of the option of opening and closing, the stroke should be smooth and easy. It is only possible to talk about the correct installation if the doors open and close with a flick of the wrist.
Case Material
There are two types of materials from which doors and walls are made: plastic and tempered glass. If you are thinking how to choose an inexpensive shower cubicle, then opt for the first option, it is much cheaper.
The glass case is durable and durable. In the event of a shock or other physical impact, the glass is likely to survive. You must be prepared for the fact that for such a cabin or corner you will have to give a lot of money. If you want to create a stylish shower in your bathroom, then use a stone tray and glass, completely transparent walls. Such an interior will become a real work of art and will delight the owner.
Plastic doors and walls are not so durable. They are not so durable compared to the previous version. In addition to low cost, plastic has another significant advantage: manufacturers of shower cabins offer a wide selection of textures so that the walls fit seamlessly into all interior solutions.
Both glass and plastic elements can have a matte finish. It is possible to preserve the glass for a long time in its original form, and the plastic begins to turn yellow over time, scuffs appear and compounds in water, especially those with a high pH content, are strongly eaten. If you touch on the question of how to choose a 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 consumer wants to use 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 one's eyes run wide. In order not to get confused about how to choose a shower cabin, the advice of a professional is to choose goods from well-known, trusted manufacturers. Plumbing shops teem with products from domestic and import companies. Produced in Russia are somewhat cheaper than foreign comrades. Statistics show that cabs from world famous firms Jacussi and Albatros are in the greatest demand, in connection with this 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 we figured out the question of how to choose a shower cabin for the house and install it, it was time to figure out the right care for the new acquisition.
As with any plumbing device, the cabin must be carefully monitored and serviced on time. Proper care requires not only cheap, prone to darkening and contamination products, but also expensive models. Care of the shower is complicated by a large amount of water and various impurities. It is no secret that caring for the bathroom is the most difficult part in the proper cleaning of the entire apartment or house. Try to carry out preventive actions so that you do not later struggle with old, stubborn dirt, washing your hands. In addition, foreign faucets are not designed for water of such rigidity, because of this, some owners face serious problems.
Prevention is the best remedy for problems
Wipe the walls and the tray with a special product after showering and wipe with a dry cloth. It’s not at all difficult to do this, and you won’t have to wipe the dried soap stains. The metal parts of the cab also need to be processed at least once a week using a special anti-striking agent. Turn off the backlight the moment you leave the cab, 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. Select a price category. After that, proceed to the selection 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.