How to choose a shower cabin - advices of professionals

Buying a shower cabin is a responsible step that requires careful preparation. Deciding on the choice will not be easy. So on today's market there are a lot of options. Our article will help you not to get lost in the variety of configurations, equipment, modes and functions of shower cabins.

Today in stores there are several types of shower enclosure designs.

Open-type shower cabins They allow enclosing an area between two walls or in the corner of the bathroom. Even in the smallest bathroom there is a free square meter for an open-type shower enclosure, because the design allows you to vary its size and location. The complete set of such shower enclosures usually includes a partition, a tray and a shower.

Enclosed shower cabins is a real tight room with a floor, ceiling, four walls and a door. Often such cabins are equipped with additional useful features, such as whirlpool, Turkish bath or aromatherapy.

Enclosed shower cabin does not require special installation, it is enough to connect it to the water system. You can place such a cabin anywhere - in a corner or in the middle of the bathroom.

В a set of built-in shower cabins Includes only control panels and partitions. Cabins of this type are usually installed in the corner of the bathroom or in a recess between the walls. Inside it is customary to place benches and sunbeds and use the shower stall for various bathing procedures.

1. The simplest and most accessible model of the shower cabin - is shower enclosure. Shower enclosure is an open type of shower enclosure, which is installed, as the name suggests, in the corner of the bathroom. It is one of the cheapest models: it includes only partitions, a tray, a mixer tap and a shower head with a hose. Installation of such a cabin will require some preparation - for waterproofing purposes it is necessary to lay out with tile areas of the walls, where the shower enclosure will be located.
2. Another inexpensive option - a simple shower cabin without a roof. All other necessary elements - the walls, door and tray of this model are present. Its undoubted advantage over the shower enclosure is that additional waterproofing is not required here, the cabin is completely ready for installation.
3. Sauna in the apartment - a tempting thing, but not practical, in addition, not everyone can afford it. A shower cabin equipped with a steam generator can be an excellent alternative. With it you can enjoy the healing properties of steam and heat right in your bathroom!

The most luxurious option is, of course, a shower cabin with built-in sauna. Such cabins consist of two rooms - in one there is a shower with whirlpool and in the second - the sauna. The most expensive models of the cabin walls are covered with rare species of wood, the same wood to make and accessories - seats, shelves, etc.

Combined shower cabin is a combination of bath and shower cabin. In this case the shower cabin can enclose the whole bath or some of its part. This model allows saving a lot of space in the bathroom.

The area that will have to be sacrificed when installing a shower enclosure in the bathroom, largely determined by the type of cabin. The minimum size of the tray of a standard square shower enclosure - 0,8 sq.m. A shower cabin of this size will fit in almost any bathroom.

For owners of more spacious rooms, there is a great choice of shower cabins of different shapes and sizes in stores - rectangular, round, oval, you can even find cabins in the form of a shell or snail. Shape and size are some of the main factors that determine the cost of the shower cabin. The larger the cabin and the more complex its design, the higher the price will be.

When choosing a tray for a shower, first of all, you should be guided by its size and material of which it is made. Determining the size of the tray you need to consider not only its length and width but also its depth.

As mentioned above, The length and width of the tray will depend on the availability of space in the bathroom And from the size of the people who will be using the shower cabin. Determining the depth of the tray, you should consider a few other factors.

In the absence of a bath and the presence in the family of small children, you should opt for a deep tray, height of 25 cm. If necessary, such a tray replaces the bathtub, in it you can bathe babies and wash things.

If there are no special requirements, you can choose a tray of medium depth - from 10 to 20 cm.

The material used for the production of the tray, largely determines its cost. The most expensive trays are made of natural materials - wood and marble. These materials are environmentally friendly, have excellent noise insulation and are pleasant to the touch.

When choosing a tray made of cheaper materials, special attention should be paid to its durability, because the tray is under much more pressure than the bathtub. The most durable materials for shower trays are steel and cast iron. However, such trays can become a cause of dissatisfaction to your neighbors, as the noise that creates the water jets hitting them, it turns out quite strong.

The most popular material for making pallets is acrylic. It is inexpensive, looks great, has a wide variety of shapes and colors, and, in addition, acrylic pallet is very easy to care for. The only drawback of such trays - is their insufficient strength, but it is easy enough to correct it when mounting the construction: acrylic trays are installed on special legs-frame, which helps to distribute the load and makes the whole structure more stable.

Another great option - it is ceramic shower trays. Ceramic is a natural material that can make the interior of your bathroom more refined and noble. However, ceramic shower trays require especially careful maintenance and lose their appearance over time.

Shower cabins use several types of partitions.

The most basic and cheapest option - the curtains of waterproof material. They are perfect for shower enclosures and built-in shower cabins.

More substantial fences are installed on plastic or aluminum frameworks. Shower enclosures include shower walls or doors.. For their production PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), plastic and tempered glass are used. It is better to buy shower walls made of opaque, frosted materials, as they retain their appearance longer. Transparent enclosures require special care.

Doors for shower enclosures can be sliding or hinged. Sliding doors allow you to save space in the bathroom, but their mechanism is less reliable than that of hinged doors.

Frame fences consist of several leaves, connected together by special fasteners. Such partitions are used in shower cabins in the form of regular geometric shapes. For shower cabins of more complex, "fancy" forms, frameless shower enclosures are used.

Shower set usually includes: shower tray, side walls, roof, shower hose and shower head, faucet. In addition, the shower cabin can be equipped with equipment for whirlpool, steam generation, etc.

The faucets in the shower cabin can be with two valves or single-lever (ball mixer). Both types have their advantages, so the choice will largely depend on your design preferences.

Almost all modern faucets are equipped with an aerator - a special attachment on the spout of the faucet that cleans the water, equalizes the jet, and helps reduce water consumption.

Many faucets are also equipped with a thermostat, which allows you to keep the water temperature set.

Choosing a shower head - is a matter of taste and individual preference. In addition to the usual functional shower head with a hose, there are static and overhead shower heads. Static shower heads are attached to one of the walls of the shower, and ceiling - to the roof. Some models of shower cabins allow combining all kinds of showers.

In addition to plumbing, shower enclosures are equipped with hydro-massage panels, steam generators and other devices for treatment and relaxation, which we will talk about below.

The shower enclosure is not only designed to serve hygienic purposes. Some models have additional features that can improve your health, strengthen your nerves and simply give you minutes of pleasure.

One of the most popular functions is a whirlpool. Special panels for whirlpool are installed in almost all models of shower cabins. These panels provide a mixture of water jets with air bubbles. The impact on the body of such water-air flow helps to relax and relieve muscle tension.

Another useful function is a steam generator. It heats water and turns into a steam of pleasant temperature - 40-50 degrees, so it feels like you're in the bath or sauna. Exposure to steam is very beneficial for the whole body, especially for the skin, as it helps to clean the pores. Before installing a shower enclosure, equipped with a steam generator, make sure the bathroom has a reliable electrical wiring.

Shower cabin can also provide you with a pleasant and useful procedure such as aromatherapy. For this purpose, an aromatic oil is filled into a special container. Inhalation with essential oils has a soothing effect and, in addition, can treat some diseases - you only need to choose the right oil.

Function ozonation comes in handy if you're taking a shower after physical or dirty work. Ozone gas, which is sprayed by special equipment, kills unpleasant odors and has a disinfecting effect.

There are also shower cabins with infrared rays, which heats your body from the inside, while you take a shower. But! You should not spend more than half an hour a day under the influence of infrared waves, and besides this procedure has a rather long list of contraindications.

The quality of hydromassage in the shower largely depends on the nozzles that are used for this. Jets are holes on the whirlpool panel, from which the jet of water comes out. They are made of brass or plastic.

The number of jets on the panel and their design affects the feeling of massage. In some models of shower cabins nozzles are able to direct water jets at different angles (such nozzles are called "rotary").

Hydromassage in the shower cabin usually has several modes. For example, the wave mode allows you to massage the body from top to bottom, and contrast shower during the massage changes the water temperature from warm to cool and back..

A great advantage of shower cabins with whirlpool is that the panels with jets are located so that you can enjoy the whirlpool not only while standing, but sitting if the cabin provides seating.

In modern shower cabins you can not only take a shower and wellness treatments, but also to have fun and even work. Many models are equipped with equipment that allows you to listen to music, watch movies or talk on the phone while taking a shower.

If you want your new shower cabin to stay in perfect condition as long as possible, then be prepared to make some effort.

You should wash your shower enclosure after every shower, or at least once a day. To do this you will usually use a soft cloth (it can be a special wipe) and a special liquid cleaner.

Once or twice a week the shower cabin should be disinfected with any suitable means, except alcohol, acetone and abrasive substances.

To maintain the shine, shower enclosure partitions and metal parts should be periodically treated with a glass cleaner and the tray with a special polishing agent for the material it is made of.

In addition, you must monitor the quality of tap water and be sure to use filters, because hard water over time damages sanitary equipment.

The highest quality showers and components for them are made in Europe. In Germany, the companies are "Villeroy & Boch" and "Huppe", in Austria, "Laufen", in Italy, the famous "Jacuzzi" and "Albatros". These manufacturers work only with high quality materials, so you can be sure that their showers will last for many years.

However, high quality costs a lot of money, so if you're on a tight budget, you should pay attention to showers of a lower class. The following companies are also well proven in the market of sanitary ware: Spanish "Roca", Finnish "Finland", Swedish "Geberit" and "Gustavsberg", as well as the Slovenian "Gorenje", which is known in Russia, mainly for its manufactured appliances.

Finally, let us list the manufacturers that can boast the lowest prices and satisfactory quality of their products: Finnish "IDO", Polish "Cersanit", "Ravak".

The choice is yours!