Our modern life proceeds in a rapid stream, and therefore bathing in our time is already a luxury. Now the most popular water treatment is a shower. An invigorating welcome in the morning before work and a relaxing rain before bed. This habit has appeared in many Russians. In many apartments, initially there is no suitable paraphernalia, and therefore many people are looking for it in stores. But some are thinking about how to make a shower cabin yourself.
As for the abundance of the plumbing assortment that we can observe on the market, the dimensions of the booths are almost identical to each other. Only the design, brand and, in fact, the cost itself are changing. And the price of such plumbing is in a wide range, depending on labor costs and materials used. But back to the topic and try to figure out whether it is generally possible to translate into reality what was intended?
Training
Any work always begins with the preparatory stage, which involves drawing up a clear plan (it is better to schematically show the shower stall in detail), making the necessary measurements, drawing up estimates, as well as preparing the necessary materials and tools. By the way, about the latter: if the goal is to make the shower cabin yourself, then you need to prepare everything you need:
- bricks (for a pallet);
- cement;
- metal mesh;
- waterproofing composition;
- drill (without it, well, just no way);
- paint brush;
- putty knife;
- beacons;
- building level;
- roulette.
Immediately before starting work, it is necessary to determine the place where the shower will be located. Choose the desired form in accordance not only with personal preferences, but also in accordance with the characteristics of the room. Choose the dimensions of the base. If the dimensions of the bathroom allow, it is better to make it more spacious in order to comfortably take water procedures.
It is also necessary to determine the height of the cabin: will it be up to the ceiling, or will there be some kind of space. But it can perform a number of functions - quick drying, ventilation. As a rule, the standard height is 1000x1000 mm, but if desired, it can be changed at your discretion. It is only worth considering the thickness of the material when creating the structure.
Foundation
In relation to any shower cabin, the tray is its foundation, because it needs to withstand the mass of the human body. Also, its purpose is to collect and remove dirty water into the drain system. In this case, the installation of the pallet will depend on its shape:
- round;
- rectangular;
- oval;
- angular.
And depending on the height of the sides, the base for the shower can be flat or shallow or resemble a miniature bathtub. Moreover, in the first case, due to the small height of the sides, showering is greatly simplified, since there is no need to step over a high obstacle. At the same time, such pallets require a good drainage system, since a lot of water simply does not fit.
When deciding how to make a shower cabin in an apartment yourself, you can choose a base that resembles a bathtub. It is quite deep, which allows you not to worry about water drainage. In this case, sometimes the pan can serve as the bath itself if necessary. But this applies to finished products that can be purchased at the store. This will save money and time on the arrangement of the shower area. So, how to make a shower cabin yourself without any help yourself?
Varieties of finished pallets
Currently, the range of pallets is represented by products from various materials:
- steel;
- cast iron;
- acrylic (kvarila);
- ceramics;
- stone (natural or artificial);
- wood, glass.
The steel base has an enamel coating, but at the same time, the strength of such a surface is not very high, and cracks may appear over time. Heating is slow, and the soundproofing properties are also not very good. The only thing that pleases is accessibility. If you need to make a shower yourself instead of a bath, this will result in significant savings. In addition, there are models with legs that can be adjusted in height. And in addition to products with thin sides (1.5 mm), there are thick-walled pallets (3.5 mm) that produce less noise.
Cast iron pallets are characterized by high strength and durability. Although the surface also heats up for a long time, it retains heat longer. The cost of these products is low, which is a plus. However, they are heavy, which makes installation difficult, and the choice is rather modest.
Acrylic pallets are very popular due to the fact that they can be given almost any shape. The service life of products, as a rule, does not exceed 10-15 years. At the same time, they are not very durable and are easily damaged from falling heavy objects. The load limit is not more than 130 kg. In addition, a sturdy frame is required to install the pallet. Kvaril is already an improved version of acrylic with the inclusion of silica dust. Just look at the photo of the shower stalls - and you will want to do the same yourself right there.
Ceramic pallets are easy to care for, and their surface looks harmonious against the background of sanitary ware, sinks and other plumbing. The material is also durable, slowly heats up, and its cost is quite high. As for the color scheme, most of the products are white and beige. Due to the fragility of the material on the pallet, it is better to try not to drop anything. Although there is an alternative - porcelain. Such products are even more expensive, but also the strength and quality at a higher level.
Polyester resin-based artificial stones are as durable as natural materials and have sound-absorbing properties. And thanks to the wide color gamut, it is possible to make pallets with imitation for any necessary natural material.
Expensive and stylish pallets are made from natural stone, often marble, granite, travertine are used. This is the best way to solve the problem of how to make a shower cabin yourself without a tray or with a base. This material is heated in a short time and is able to retain heat for a long time. At the same time, the products are very strong, durable, and the original pattern, formed by natural conditions, allows you to create a unique solution. But, like cast-iron pallets, stone products have great weight and massiveness.
It is possible to make pallets from wood and glass, which by their originality will give odds to almost any other artificial material. At the same time, glass products look more elegant and elegant. A special coating is applied to their surface, which provides protection against mechanical damage. Itโs impossible to slip on it, which is already a plus. But you have to pay for quality - the cost of such pallets is high.
Wooden bases look no less elegant and original. For production, mainly larch or oak is used, and the material itself is processed by steam under high pressure. Making yourself a shower cabin with your own hands using this material is not difficult. Especially if you have certain skills in working with wood.
Despite some advantages of the purchased options, not everyone prefers them, trying to do everything on their own. Yes, it is difficult, it takes a certain amount of time, but at the same time, a place for the adoption of a water procedure can be created in almost any size.
Brick base
Step 1. To make a brick pallet, the first thing is to decide on a place to drain the water. To do this, it is worth bringing the pipe to the place of erection of the pallet, which is connected to the sewer. The drain hole may be centered on the base to ensure uniform drainage of water. The height of the drainage channel should be approximately 200 mm from the floor. The drain is threaded into the pipe, after which it is fixed to the floor by means of clamps.
Step 2. Now it is necessary to treat the floor and walls with a waterproofing composition, which will avoid the formation of mold during the use of the shower.
Step 3. How to make a shower tray yourself? This can be started after a little preparation (step 2). To do this, from the bricks should form the contour of the base. At the same time, its shape can be any, only it is worth considering the features of the bathroom. The pallet is easiest to erect a square type.
Step 4. A metal mesh is laid around the perimeter of the base, which will give strength to the entire home-made structure.
Step 5. Brick spreads the entire surface of the base. After that, a cement screed is made on top. In this case, you must try not to damage the drain channel, and you should also form a slope in its direction so that the water in the pan is not collected.
Step 6. After the screed has dried, it is necessary to cover the surface with a leveling mixture. In conclusion, it remains to finish any material.
A diagram of such a design is as follows:
Tile Pallet
The question of how to make a shower cabin in the bathroom ourselves worries everyone who does not want to acquire a factory design. And this can be helped by tiles, which are suitable not only for wall cladding, now with its help you can erect a base for a sanitary construction.
The construction of a pallet made of tiles is practically no different from the construction of a brick base. That is, the whole procedure is almost similar:
- Determine the place for the drain channel, bring the sewer, install the drain itself.
- To process the floor and walls with waterproofing mortar.
- The outline of the base is also laid out with bricks.
- The bottom of the pallet is covered with a metal mesh to increase strength. After this, it is necessary to put construction beacons and pour cement screed with crushed stone.
- When everything dries, you can start laying tiles or mosaics. Joints between tiles should be treated with waterproofing grout.
On this basis is ready, and you can subsequently proceed to the installation of walls. However, it is worth considering one no less interesting option for a home-made shower.
Interesting option
How to make a shower cabin in the house yourself? The answer will be to present an interesting version of a shower cabin without a pallet, which is not only suitable for private real estate, but will look great in any apartment. This is especially true for those families where there are elderly people, since it is more difficult for them to step over high sides. With a competent approach, such booths will look stylish and elegant.
Only design should be done at the stage of repairing the entire room. And if the floor is already done, then you can not avoid the differences in its level between the floor of the bathroom and shower.
How to make a shower cabin yourself without a tray? The photos below demonstrate that this is not such a difficult job. Actually, the process itself will be as follows (consider the option with a floor drain):
- Stage No. 1. Installation of a mold for concrete is done in the selected location for the booth. To do this, use 50x100 mm boards or a finished frame.
- Stage No. 2. A waterproofing layer is laid at the bottom of the mold, for which a rubber membrane is suitable. At the same time, its end should go to the walls to a height of 20 cm. The canvas is attached to the boards, starting from the corner with the help of nails or a stapler.
- Stage number 3. Now itโs worth equipping a drain for water. At the intended location, cut a hole according to the size of the drain. Then the plate is installed and fastened with bolts. Then a drain is put in, only before pouring concrete it should be closed with a protective tape.
- Stage No. 4. A cement mortar is made, according to the instructions for the packaging of the material. But you can purchase the finished mixture, which will greatly simplify the task. The thickness of the floor near the walls of the mold should be 60 mm, and in the drain area - 30 mm, not more.
- Stage number 5. Now you can start laying the finish coating using tile or porcelain tiles. The size and color of the material is any.
Thus, the task of how to make a shower cabin yourself do not differ in complexity. But before that, you should decide on the dimensions of the shower cubicle in advance, and they will depend on the area of โโthe room. Marking should be done, while it is better to have plumbing in the corner of the bathroom.
Wall requirements
The walls of the room, where the humidity level is quite high, have certain requirements. In many apartments, the issue is solved by conducting high-quality waterproofing of the walls, as is the case with the floor. Even in those cases when the tiles will subsequently be finished.
As for the shower, a slightly different approach is required with regard to wall cladding. It is advisable to pre-sheathe the walls with waterproof gypsum plasterboard, but it is better to opt for special water panels or moisture-resistant gypsum sheets.
These materials better cope with moisture, and are also more durable and more durable. If tiles are used, then a water-repellent joint is required to grout the joints. These additives contain special compounds that trap moisture and prevent it from getting beyond the surface of the walls.
When deciding how to make a shower cabin yourself, these requirements should not be ignored! To level the walls, sanitizing plaster can be used. Its uniqueness lies in two layers: the first retains moisture, preventing it from absorbing into the walls, and due to the second, salts in the liquid crystallize, preventing them from appearing on the surface.
Formation of a fiberglass shower
After the base is completely ready, you can proceed to the actual formation of the cabin itself, that is, the installation of walls. And in addition to the above options in the "Requirements" section, the shower area can be distinguished using other materials: the same brick, tile, artificial or natural stone. But the most popular option is the use of fiberglass. Here we will consider it in more detail.
If the square shape was originally chosen, then everything is much easier - you need to put only two walls. In the case of any other form, it all depends on its complexity. While the pallet was being mounted, measurements were already taken of the height of the cabin. In addition, it is worth determining in what place the shower head will be located, as well as the mixer itself.
And before you make the shower cabin in the bathroom yourself, it is worth checking once again the accuracy of measurements with a building level. Then, using a drill, you should make mounting holes for the profile, after which it is attached to the walls. Fiberglass walls are installed in the finished side panels, which are fixed by means of special devices. A sliding door is placed next, and the entire cabin is carefully sealed.
Doors
Let us dwell on this important point. Usually their installation is carried out at the last stage of creating a shower. The door not only separates the dry space and the wet zone, with it you can zoning the whole room. With standard rectangular shapes of the cabin, you can pick up any doors according to size. It can be either a whole canvas or an accordion. And the last sliding option is more convenient.
In most cases, the doors are made of glass, while triplex or hardened material enters the production. This choice is due to safety: if the glass breaks, its fragments will remain on the film, which eliminates their spread throughout the room. Yes, itโs expensive, but when choosing how to make a shower yourself, you should not save, as personal safety and all other family members are much more important.
Moreover, the installation process itself also matters. As an optimal option - buy special guides, rollers, furniture profile. The guides are fixed in the upper and lower parts of the cabin, and a frame is formed from the profile, where the selected door material is placed. Then, holes for the rollers are drilled in the doors. After their installation, the door is finally fixed in place and leveled with respect to the vertical plane.
Plumbing and Sewerage
Connecting a shower cabin to the sewer and water supply is the most important and crucial stage. Therefore, it is recommended to entrust the work to professionals, but if you have certain skills and experience, you can do it yourself.
Water pipes are led to the wall, where the cabin itself will be located. As an emergency additional measure, it is worth putting ball valves. In case of an unforeseen situation, they can be used to quickly shut off water. If necessary, you can still install water filters. Thanks to them, the water supply system will work longer, and the quality of the liquid itself will improve by an order of magnitude.
All parts of the water supply are connected by flexible hoses and plastic tubes. After the fixture for the watering can is attached. Itโs not enough to know how to make a shower cabin yourself, you must remember to check the operability of the entire created system upon completion. And this is not only water supply, but also a drain.
But as for the sewage system, its connection is made at the stage of installation of the pallet. In this case, it is worth checking the tightness of the connection and the speed with which the water leaves.
Conclusion
The question of whether to purchase a finished design or to do everything yourself, everyone decides for himself. However, it must be borne in mind that the shower cabin must be reliable and not the last role is assigned to the tray itself. And if there is not enough money for the entire structure, then you can at least purchase a base, and it is already easier to deal with walls.
But even when doing all the work on your own, you should pay attention to important points: the shower cabin should be practical, functional, but most importantly - safe to use! If the goal is to make a shower cabin yourself, the above recommendations will help.