При возникновении желания купить душевую кабину it is necessary to think over many things. How to approach this issue correctly and competently - we give advice and interview specialists Are you tired of the old bathtub? Do you need to replace the shower? Do you have a bathroom and need to save a lot of space? Are you attracted by the aesthetics and functionality of a full-fledged shower cabin? We tried to cover the topic of choosing the latter as much as possible, so that all aspects of the problem can be solved, as they say, "on the shore".Before you start choosing the interioryour bathroom a shower cabin instead of a bathtub, you need to go through the approval procedure in the BTI. This applies to those cases when you want something new in an established space. Large plumbing fixtures are always displayed on BTI plans, so when changing the position or unit, you must also make a documentary change in the plan. Having done this, you can begin to select a cabin based on the size of the room, your wishes and, most importantly, your financial capabilities. Nina Novikova, Hogarth-Art: - When starting to choose, it is important to determine the desired type of product: a cabin with a tray and a roof or a curtain with a tray / without a tray, as well as the dimensions, manufacturer and desired set of functions - the presence / absence of chromotherapy, aromatherapy, hydromassage, steam / Turkish bath options. These options are either included in the shower cabin package, or, in the case of curtains, can be implemented using additional equipment.Type of shower cabin They can be closed andopen. The first ones are distinguished by the fact that they are completely sealed and form a single internal space between the ceiling, walls and tray, allowing to expand the range of functions many times, not limited to just a shower. Of course, the downside of such a system will be the price, so an open option is usually selected, which is attached to the wall and does not close from above. The resulting element is more of a shower corner, but not a full-fledged cabin. Nina Novikova, Hogarth-art: - The advantage of the cabin is that it is a turnkey solution, sealed and functional, which does not require additional efforts to choose a method of draining water, massage nozzles, shower, and so on. Disadvantages - standard sizes and configurations, limited height (as a rule, for people taller than 185 cm, cabins are inconvenient to use), a smaller choice of design. The advantages of curtains are the ability to choose a product for any taste and size, equip it functionally according to your own wishes, as well as a wide choice of decor and design. Disadvantages: humidity in the room due to the lack of a roof, the need in most cases to use floor and/or wall-mounted drains, overhead shower elements, hydromassage nozzles, more complex installation and connection of the entire system as a whole. Pallet Main dimensional characteristicThe main component of a shower cabin is the tray, which immediately sets the compactness parameter (the width range is from 60 to 200 centimeters). Depending on the shape - square, semicircle, rectangle - the appearance of the entire structure will change. If the tray is high (about 20-30 centimeters), then you will have to step over it to get inside, but you will be able to carry out some water procedures that are impossible with a low and flat option. This type of tray is also undesirable with a slow drain. And for those who are used to washing only in the bathtub, there are combined options, in which one part is a full-fledged shower cabin, and in the other there is an opportunity to lie in the water and relax. Vadim Matevosyants, interior designer: - I prefer metal trays with enamel, but this is not such a democratic option. There are also acrylic trays, which are very budget-friendly, but capricious in operation. You must be careful with detergents. Most often they come complete with glass curtains and a shower system, as well as hydromassage. Material When choosing a shower cabin, special attention should be paidAttention should be paid to the material of the tray. The gradation includes: cast iron, steel, acrylic, ceramics (sanitary ceramics, sanitary porcelain), artificial and natural stone, Creon. Acrylic is the most popular, it is loved for its ease of maintenance, practicality and low price. The steel tray has high strength and thermal conductivity, but not sound insulation. Therefore, it is characterized by a very loud noise of drops of water falling on the surface, especially with a small sheet thickness. But the most durable and reliable option will be cast iron, although the price (and weight) is overpriced. The ceramic tray is prone to chips and scratches, but otherwise durable and beautiful. And do not forget about the relief coating on the tray against slipping! Nina Novikova, Hogarth-art: - I recommend paying attention only to well-known European brands whose products really meet high quality standards. Such as Kermi, Duka, Teuco, Huppe - each of these manufacturers has its own high-tech developments that allow to increase the service life of the product, as well as make its use as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Cabin The geometric dimensions of the pallet mustbe at least 80 centimeters long and wide, so that you can at least turn around and raise your arms in the cabin. The height depends on the ceiling of the bathroom, but generally ranges from 170 to 270 centimeters. Doors are installed either hinged, or rotary and sliding, or sliding. The roller opening mechanism of the latter significantly saves space, so they are usually chosen. The material of the walls - glass or plastic - should be selected based on the budget and expectations for reliability of operation. The frame is made of aluminum or the same plastic. You should also pay attention to the transparency of the wall and its thickness (from 3 to 10 centimeters). Vadim Matevosyants, interior designer: - You need to choose a shower cabin primarily based on the size. The standard desired size for a cabin is 900 x 900 mm. When planning, it is better to include this size and more. When there is very little space, you can get by with dimensions of 800 x 800 millimeters. Read also: . How to take a shower Standard equipment— mixer and tap. But the more expensive the cabin, the more interesting control system options are offered by manufacturers. A special console allows you to adjust the temperature, hydromassage modes, flow rate, ventilation, number of jets, set a timer and even turn on music and receive phone calls. All information is displayed on the display, and you can even control it remotely from the remote control. Vadim Matevosyants, interior designer: — They also come with a built-in sauna and some kind of functional combination of a bath and a shower cabin. I try to choose cabins with an overhead shower ("tropical rain") and a hand shower. I also advise you to pay attention to such an addition as a foot massage, and be sure to look at the presence of forced ventilation. And if you are a music lover, then choose a shower cabin with a radio or Bluetooth system.Additional features Closed cabinsare equipped with mirrors, shelves, shampoo dispensers, headrests, seats, and their functional characteristics can be very broad. Ozonation, aromatherapy, chromotherapy, contrast shower, hammam or Finnish sauna atmosphere — and that's not all. Hydromassage of all body parts is possible thanks to the chaotic, at first glance, arrangement of nozzles throughout the volume. The required pressure is 3 atmospheres, but if the pressure in the house is weak, there are cabins that work at 1.5 bar. Nina Novikova, Hogarth-Art: — What pleasant and useful additions should you pay attention to:
- water-repellent coating - makes cleaning easier and helps keep the glass clean;
- Special mechanisms that allow the car / curtain doors to be opened both inside and outside;
- Possibility to decorate the glass;
- the ability to use cut-to-size trays made of various materials with curtains, as well as drains with a wide selection of grates of various designs to create a unique bathroom.