Selective guide

Shower installation: types of shower cabins, masters' advice on equipment choice

What is best to choose for the bathroom:a shower cabin or a massive hydrobox? It is known that taking water procedures in a shower cabin significantly saves time, square meters, water, approximately 5 times, respectively, and the budget. Due to lack of time, it is not always possible to bask in a foam bath. Most often, you need to quickly cheer up in the morning or relieve stress in the evening. A shower cabin is an ideal solution to comfortably and in a short period of time put yourself in order.

Types of shower cabins

What types of shower cabins are there?There are closed and open models. Closed ones are equipped with a roof and are completely insulated around the perimeter. Thus, steam does not enter the bathroom, which means that condensation does not occur. Cleanliness and order are ensured. Open cabins do not have a roof and only partially enclose the shower area. Doors or partitions are installed between the existing walls. This type of shower cabin is considered more economical.

Corner shower cabin: saving space, budget, water and time

Corner shower enclosure adjacent to the walls,in a standard small bathroom will significantly save useful space. This option will allow you to additionally accommodate the most modern washing machine, sink, laundry basket and other necessary items. Modern models are distinguished by a variety of configurations and shapes. The most popular cabin, the outer panel of which is rounded. Although there are cubic and symmetrical cabins. But their format with protruding sharp corners for small spaces is ineffective. A shower cabin can well become an alternative to a traditional bath. And if it is equipped with a CD player, radio, telephone and color music, then you will definitely not get bored in it. There are also models for aromatherapy lovers.

There is no way without a bath

If you are one of those people who do not have a bathcan't do without it, and on weekends you allow yourself to relax (and the area allows it), choose the "two in one" option. Manufacturers of modern plumbing offer combined formats, where the shower cabin is combined with a bathtub. Moreover, the sizes can be completely different. There are excellent corner models for those who need to save space.

Optimal size of shower cabin

When choosing a shower cabin, you need to considerthe optimal size that will suit all family members. For some, a 70 x 70 cm cabin is enough, while others feel more comfortable in dimensions of 130 x 130 cm. In an effort to save square meters, it is important not to overdo it. You need space to bend over or raise your arms. The optimal size of a shower cabin is considered to be at least 80 x 80 cm. Ekaterina Stepanova, interior designer: - Recently, my clients and I have become more comfortable with using a shower cabin bought in a store, rather than assembling it ourselves. To do this, a tray with sides and a slope for draining water is laid out of mosaic. Glass doors are purchased separately. This looks more aesthetically pleasing and lasts much longer, since in this version the doors do not slide along the guides, but simply open using hinges. To choose the size of the shower cabin, you need to measure the maximum available space for it, and plumbing sellers will guide you on the models that can fit there. Do not forget to leave space for opening the door. It is also advisable to provide a heated towel rail or at least a towel hanger nearby.

Special attention to doors

There are hinged and sliding doors in showerscabins. Swing doors require more space. To save space, choose options that open inward. But the most popular now are sliding doors. They are held in place with a magnetic rubber band. Keep in mind that such models come in two-, three-, four- and six-winged. The more wings, the stronger the frame, but there is less space inside the cabin. Shower doors can be made of safe tempered glass or polystyrene (plexiglass, plastic). The first option is more expensive, due to the fact that dirt and water do not linger on them. They are easy to clean and do not fade over time. There are options with rough, matte or transparent glass on sale. If it breaks, the windshield effect will work. The smooth surface of the fragments will not allow you to be injured. The second option is budget. But with long-term use, such doors lose their attractive appearance. To make stains less noticeable, buy opaque plastic doors (with a pattern or matte).

How to choose a pallet

Interest in pallets should be shown.How reliable and practical are they? Manufacturers offer acrylic, ceramic, cast iron, marble, metal trays. Let's briefly outline their main advantages and disadvantages:

  • Acrylic tray.The most inexpensive and popular. It is considered hygienic and quite durable. But if it weighs more than average, it can bend. To avoid slipping, it is better to give preference to a ribbed model.
  • A metal tray is reliable and durable. But it makes noise when water gets in. Over time, it loses its attractive appearance and absorbs dirt and rust.
  • Ceramic tray - stable and beautiful. If heavy objects fall on it, it may break or crack.
  • Cast iron tray - durable, time-tested. Has excellent noise absorption, resistant to scratches and mechanical damage. However, it has low thermal conductivity.
  • Marble tray - looks elegant, resistant to abrasion, chemical and mechanical influences. Durable and strong. High cost is perhaps the biggest disadvantage.

Manufacturers have developed flat ones for the disabledtrays. There are also options that need to be mounted in the floor. Our opinion: - Since modern shower cabins are equipped with additional functions, the main one of which is hydromassage, you should buy such models only if there is good pressure in the house. If you choose a cabin with an additional steam function, a fan must be present. It will allow you to distribute the temperature evenly and ensure the necessary air circulation.

Subtleties that you need to know if you decide to install a shower cabin yourself

  • Install the shower cab according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Sewage, electricity and water must be installed before the cabin is installed.
  • It is important that the sewer outlet from the floor does not exceed 70 mm. Otherwise the pallet will have to be installed on the podium.
  • Apply sealant to the joints of the elements. On average, drying will take at least 24 hours.
  • The rapid pace of life dictates its own rules andwater procedures. Although it is now easy to buy a ready-made candy bar in the bathroom cubicle, you can buy all the components and components separately. Involve specialists or independently perform the installation and eventually get an individual design project.
  • Expert opinion

    Areg Samvelyan, engineer, managerarchitectural and construction company Graduated from MGAPI. In the early 2000s, he opened the architectural and construction company "Alef Build", whose main area of ​​activity is the development, design, construction, reconstruction, and major repairs of residential and commercial real estate. In addition to the aesthetic component, when choosing a shower cabin, you need to take into account some technical aspects so that in the future, using the cabin brings pleasure, and not suffering from improper connection. I will highlight several points that you need to pay attention to at the design stage (it is better to involve specialists in this):

  • It is necessary to determine beforehand the pipes of hot and cold water supply and sewer pipes with the model of the shower cabin and its location.
  • For the installation of any sanitary element, it is important to allow the least number of refractions of the pipes, so that the system does not fail during a water hammer.
  • It is desirable to install water pressure regulators. They underestimate the power of the hammer and compensate for the mixture of hot and cold water (if someone opened a hot or cold water tap in the next room or dropped the water in the toilet, you do not experience a sudden temperature drop in the shower).
  • It is necessary to provide for a sewage outlet. That the water flows naturally, and not forcedly, the slope of the sewage pipe should be about three degrees. It is also desirable to install fine filters so that the nozzles are not clogged.
  • Also, make sure to ground to avoid electric shock and put the RCDs on the power of the shower.
  • pinterest.com

    Comments

    comments