The modern market offers a huge range of shower cabins that are healthy competition for traditional and familiar to every bath. Saving free space and water, compactness, ease of use, all sorts of additional functions - this is an incomplete list of the advantages that shower cabins have, while having only one significant drawback - the inability to take water procedures in the supine position.
In order for the operation of the shower cabin to be truly convenient and complete, its choice must be approached with knowledge of the matter, being able to navigate the main characteristics and various additional nuances. It is with information regarding these points that you are invited to read further. After studying the information below, you can choose a shower cabin that fully meets all your needs and wishes.
Choosing a shower cabin carefully
In accordance with the design features of the execution, all models of shower cabins presented today can be divided into 3 groups: open, closed, and also combined variations.
Combined variant
shower cabins
The arrangement of such structures is extremely simple: a floor pallet is attached to the selected wall or corner of the room, connected to the sewer riser, after which the cabin walls are mounted around the perimeter of the base. The most popular are the options in which the walls are installed from 1 or 2 sides. The walls of the room, not involved in the installation of the components of the cabin, are finished with tiles or other suitable material.
Open showers do not have their own ceiling. This is also a plus, because. the total cost of the structure is reduced, and the disadvantage, because. installation additional elements, such as, for example, a tropical or cascading shower, becomes unfeasible. The objectively available maximum is a showerhead connected to the mixer with a flexible hose. That is, the only function of open showers is the usual quick shower.
In some cases, the installation of structures of the type in question is carried out even without installing a floor tray. In such a situation, the functions of the pallet are taken over by a pre-poured concrete base, finished with non-slip tiles. The walls are fastened to profiles, the manufacture of which can be made of steel, brass or aluminum.
Important! In order for the design to retain its original external qualities for as long as possible and performance characteristics, for its arrangement it is necessary to use profiles with an anticorrosive coating.
Information regarding the strengths and weaknesses of open showers is given in the following table.
Table. Pros and cons of open showers
open cabins
The design of such products is autonomous. In addition to the pallet and walls, the ceiling base is included among the constituent elements. In its design, the closed cabin is a portable box that can be equipped with a variety of additional features making showering as comfortable as possible.
The pallets of enclosed cabins are usually made of steel and acrylic. Models with ceramic and cast iron pallets are also available for sale. For the manufacture of load-bearing elements and the ceiling, metal coated with an anti-corrosion compound or polymer compounds with high strength characteristics are used. The side walls are made of various glass modifications.
Closed shower cabins are more functional, but they are much more expensive than their open counterparts. Information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of such structures is given in the table.
Table. Pros and cons of closed showers
A combined cabin differs from a box (closed type design) only in the presence of a pallet, which is characterized by increased depth and, as a rule, dimensions. In practice, the buyer of such a product gets at his disposal a shower cabin with a small bathtub, which allows you to install all sorts of additional devices, turning an ordinary box into a hot tub, jacuzzi, etc.
To install a combined cabin, you will have to allocate more space than for arranging the previously considered open and closed models. The purchase of such a unit will be advisable if the area allocated for its placement is at least 7 m 2.
Table. Advantages and disadvantages of combined showers
When choosing a shower cabin, special attention should be paid to each of its structural elements. Start with the pallet and its dimensions, which can vary over a very wide range - from a modest 800x800 mm to a spacious 1.5x1.5 m and even more. Trying to determine the best option, pay attention, firstly, to the area of available space in the room allocated for installing the cabin, and secondly, to your personal preferences.
In the case of open and closed showers, the most popular are the following overall variations:
Combined boxes are more spacious:
The given overall dimensions are relevant for cabins, the pallets of which have the correct geometry. In a room with limited space, a more rational solution would be to use a pallet with an irregular shape, for example, a semicircular one. Also, a model with a corner tray, for example, in the form of a quarter circle, will fit well into the interior of a small room.
Shower tray semicircular 
The most popular pallet shapes are shown in the following table.
Table. Popular shower tray shapes
| Pallets with correct geometry | Irregular geometry pallets / corner pallets |
|---|---|
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In addition to the shape and size, when choosing a pallet, you need to pay attention to its depth. The range is impressive: both completely flat products are available on the market, equipped flush with the floor of the room, as well as very high structures that rise 30-40 cm or even more above the floor.
Shower tray with high sides 
Scheme of the shower cabin Borneo Comfort Lodi 90 high tray
In addition to personal preferences and ease of use, when choosing the height of the pallet, you need to take into account the placement of the sewer pipe. So, for example, buying a floor-mounted or just a very low pallet can cause a number of inconveniences, which will have to be solved either by installing the structure on a special pedestal, or by raising the general floor level.
Shower cabin connected to the sewerage 
Shower cabin device
More convenient, but also correspondingly increasing the cost of the final cost of work, is the connection option shower tray via sololift. This product is a special compact sewage pump, whose main function is to pump out wastewater.
If you don’t want to spend time, effort and money on the implementation of the solutions listed above, buy a deep pallet with a height of about 30-40 cm. To make it more convenient to overcome the high side, you need to attach an external step to it, if the presence of such is not provided for by the design features initially.
The production of modern shower trays is carried out using different materials, each of which has both a number of strengths and its own individual weaknesses. Information about this is given in the following table.
Table. Materials for the manufacture of shower trays
| materials | Basic information |
|---|---|
| A popular material for the manufacture of shower trays. The production technology using acrylic makes it possible to obtain trays for shower cabins of various shapes and sizes, effectively integrating various additional mechanisms and elements into products. Acrylic is extremely easy to care for and lasts an average of about 10-15 years. Acrylic products can be repaired - small mechanical damage can be repaired with a special paste or sanded without much difficulty. Important! When buying an acrylic pallet, be sure to specify whether an internal reinforcing layer is present in its design. In the absence of such, the installation of the pallet must be carried out on a metal frame, otherwise the pallet will bend and eventually simply break under the weight of users. |
| The material is characterized by impressive strength and durability - on average, shower trays made of cast iron last 2 times longer than their acrylic counterparts. Cast iron heats up more slowly than acrylic, but retains heat much longer. Among the subjective shortcomings of cast iron shower trays can only be attributed to an impressive weight and a limited range of shapes. |
| Ceramic trays have an excellent appearance and fit perfectly into any interior. Plumbing products made from this material do not cause any difficulties and inconvenience during use, they serve for a long time, but they heat up slowly and require careful handling. Among the subjective disadvantages of ceramic shower trays can be attributed to their rather high price. |
| The material is an improved form of the previously discussed acrylic. The main difference lies in the presence of quartz dust in the quartz, due to which the finished product is characterized by higher strength and durability. |
| An expensive option, characterized by excellent indicators of aesthetics, strength and durability. Most stone shower trays are based on marble. More a budget option- porcelain tile. The strength of porcelain stoneware is also quite high, and modern technologies production allow you to style it like marble and other types of stone. |
The next important constructive element shower cabins are doors. Choosing a specific option, you will have to decide on the method of opening the doors and the material of their manufacture.
Information on existing methods for opening shower doors is given in the following table.
Table. Shower door opening systems
| Door construction | Description |
|---|---|
| swing | The door is equipped with several hinges mounted on the side of the panel. The opening is outward. The main advantage of hinged doors is the fact that they allow the entrance opening to be opened as wide as possible, thereby providing free access to the inside of the cabin for users with a wide variety of physiques. |
| Articulated | The ends of the door are equipped with swivel hinges mounted on top and bottom. This type of attachment is safer and more reliable than the option discussed above. In terms of convenience and ease of use, there are no differences from the previous system. |
| Sliding | The best option for a large cab. The design consists of 2 or more panels, "running" one on the second. In general, the principle of opening such doors is similar to the use of systems installed in wardrobes. |
| Swivel | When space is limited, a swing door can be a great solution. The design is equipped with a hidden track, along which the hinge moves smoothly, which ensures the opening of the door and unhindered access to the shower. |
| folding | This option is also very well suited for rooms with little free space. Folding doors are most often installed in cabins that have a rectangular or elongated shape. The opening of the door, folding in two, can be carried out inside the cab. |
Each of the varieties of opening systems considered in the previous table has both a number of advantages and its disadvantages, and the choice of a specific option remains generally at the discretion of the user. To the study available materials the manufacture of doors and stationary walls needs to be approached more thoroughly. The options are listed in the following table.
Table. Materials for the manufacture of doors and walls of shower cabins
| Material | Peculiarities |
|---|---|
| Plastic based material. Can be matte or transparent. Polystyrene is characterized by high resistance to moisture and has a fairly modest weight, but is relatively short. Also, polystyrene doors cause certain inconveniences in terms of care - on plastic surfaces often traces remain in the form of smudges of dirty or soapy water, while the range of cleaning products that allow you to safely care for plastic is very limited. |
| You don’t have to worry too much about the safety of this option: firstly, the glass is tempered, i.e. quite durable, secondly, its thickness exceeds 4 mm. Glass is not affected by mold and fungi, it is characterized by unpretentious care and long service life. |
| Do not confuse with polystyrene - polymethyl methacrylate (plexiglass) is a completely different material. In terms of transparency, plexiglass does not differ from plain glass (tinted variations are also available, as in the photo), but it is characterized by a more modest weight and additionally surpasses polystyrene in strength. The operation of plexiglass should be as careful and accurate as possible, because. it is easily scratched, and it is impossible to get rid of the damage. Frosted plexiglass, along with this, can be restored by grinding. |
| By its design, triplex is similar to automotive glass: 2 tempered glasses with a transparent reinforcing film between them. The material is very durable and safe - even if the triplex breaks, the fragments will remain on the reinforcing film and will not hurt anyone. However, the cost of such material on the corresponding high level. |
The simplest budget open-type showers in most cases do not have any additional complex features - you are unlikely to find a model in this category equipped with anything other than a faucet, elementary lighting, a shower head and a simple radio.
Closed and combined cabins benefit significantly in this regard. For example, the management of bathing procedures in such boxes can be carried out by electronics - a small display and a special console.
In general, the decision on the choice of additional functions remains with the buyer of the hydrobox. You are also invited to familiarize yourself with the information about the most popular special options, the presence of which makes the operation of the cabin more pleasant, simple and efficient.
Table. Additional functions
| Functions | Description |
|---|---|
| The visitor takes a reclining position. From above, a rather strong pressure of water with a temperature of about 36 degrees pours on a person from a height of over 1 m. |
| The body of the cabin visitor is washed by many jets of water. Thin streams are directed from top to bottom. |
| A visitor to the shower cabin is simultaneously washed by an average of up to 10 jets of water coming from different directions. The pressure is moderate. The water temperature can be adjusted to your liking. |
| The cabin visitor's skin is exposed ultraviolet rays that positively affect blood circulation and eliminate harmful bacteria. |
| Steamed skin is exposed to air bubbles. The presence of this mode in the cabin with a deep tray allows you to use the hydrobox as a Jacuzzi. |
| Just a few clicks on the appropriate buttons, and the space of the shower cabin is filled with pleasant aromas. Steamed skin is saturated with useful essential compounds, which has a beneficial effect on its condition as a whole. |
| With this function, the cabin can be turned into a full-fledged Turkish or Finnish bath. Under the influence of steam, the pores of the skin are cleansed, blood circulation is normalized and the state of the body improves in general. |
Not less than important criterion cabin choice is its manufacturer/porter. Information about the most popular and trusted companies operating in different price segments can be found in the following table.
Table. Choosing a shower cabin manufacturer
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| domestic producers | Among Russian brands, who have received the greatest confidence from buyers, can be noted the following manufacturers: - Domani-Spa; - Eurolux; - Alavann; - Aqualife. The quality of modern locally produced plumbing products is practically not inferior to foreign counterparts, and the cost, at the same time, is much more pleasant. |
| Expensive foreign plumbing | In the higher price range, German manufacturers, for example, Westerhof, Sturm, as well as Edelform and others, have proven themselves best. The cost of the products offered starts at an average of 70 thousand rubles, but the quality is at its best. |
| Middle segment | High-quality, functional and more modest in terms of price compared to German products offer Italian manufacturers(Axa, Primo, Valencia, etc.), Finnish companies (Timo, Novitek) and Czech manufacturers (Luxus, Riho). |
| Budget segment | The most budgetary shower cabins are traditionally offered by Chinese manufacturers. There is only one recommendation here: do not buy a product manufactured under the brand name of a completely unknown company - you risk getting an extremely poor quality design. Among the proven Chinese manufacturers, it is worth noting such companies as: HX, Avanta, Baraka, Eago, etc. By buying their products, you can save a lot of money and get a shower cabin of quite acceptable quality at your disposal. |
Summarizing the information studied, we can give several recommendations for choosing a cabin for a user with specific requests and needs.
If the cabin is bought exclusively for a quick shower without various additional frills, the best option is an inexpensive classic open-type model. There will still be no point in acquiring an expensive huge box with many functions, since you do not see an urgent need for them.
If you want to get the most out of water procedures and pleasure, buy a combination cabin with a full range of necessary functions.
If the room allotted for installing the cabin does not shine with impressive dimensions, take a closer look at corner model with a pallet made in the shape of a quarter of a circle and having sides 800-1000 mm long. With regard to the doors, at the same time, the sliding option will be the most convenient.
If the area of the room to be equipped is more than 7-8 m2, you can choose any cabin. A closed hydrobox is well suited.
Do you have small children in your family? Consider purchasing a model equipped with a deep tray - among other advantages, this design makes it possible to refuse to purchase and use a separate baby bath.
If the pressure in your pipes plumbing system leaves much to be desired, when choosing a shower cabin, be sure to study the requirements for this moment given in the manufacturer's instructions. With a pressure of less than 1.5 bar, as a rule, it is not necessary to count on a comfortable and full use of the plumbing in question.
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Simple and multifunctional shower enclosures 
Shower cabins 
The area required to install a shower enclosure is almost half that of a bathtub
Good luck choosing!
Quite a few years ago, such a type of plumbing as shower cabins was known and available only to the wealthy part of the population of our country, being considered a manifestation of luxury. Today, the majority of people are increasingly inclining their choice in favor of a shower, refusing a bath. What types of shower cabins does it offer us modern market plumbing and what to choose?
Corner shower
A shower cabin is a limited space intended for taking a shower and other water procedures. By type, they are divided into open and closed.
This type of shower cabin got its name because its design does not have a closed ceiling, but limits the space only on four sides.
Moreover, two or three of the sides are limited by the walls of the bathroom, and the others - by the walls of the booth. These are the so-called open shower enclosures.
At first glance, these booths may seem like a simple and cheap option.
But let's take a closer look at the features of their designs and installation.
Having picked up transparent doors with opening inside the cabin, you can not only visually expand the bathroom, but also increase its usable area.
Installing such a shower enclosure on the floor involves, instead of buying a pallet, a number of activities, namely:
Water drains into the grate and goes through the pipes into the sewer system. The kit may include a siphon to cut off odors from the sewer.
The drain pipe is mounted in the floor with a slope of at least 2-3 degrees. In this case, it is necessary to raise the floor in the bathroom to a certain height.
The ladder must be chosen from high-quality stainless steel, which will last without problems for a dozen years.
Open shower enclosures made of clear glass, expand the space of the bathroom and give lightness and elegance.
The following types of shower enclosures are called shower boxes. They are considered closed because they have a roof and represent a space closed on all sides.
They are not difficult to install in any place where the water supply and drainage are mounted.
They differ in a number of ways:
Let's look at multifunctional shower cabins - what are their functions, what are their features, and what you need to pay attention to.
Note!
In some diseases, the use of hydromassage is contraindicated: heart attack, hypertension, oncology, urolithiasis, etc., as well as at the time of exacerbated conditions of chronic diseases.
In order not to harm your health, get a doctor's recommendation!
Don't skimp on quality water filters.
Otherwise, hydromassage plumbing will not work for long.
Before buying a hydro box, it will be useful to find out the value of the water pressure in the pipes of your house, as well as on the floor.
If the pressure is less than 2-3 bar, the whirlpool and sauna functions will not work.
In addition, almost any shower box is equipped with a radio and hands-free telephone, as well as additional side and top lighting, a mirror, a seat, a handrail, shelves for cosmetics and wall-mounted liquid dispensers. detergents.
Note!
Multifunctional shower cabins consume a lot of electricity.
For safe use, it is imperative that a separate wiring line of sufficient cross section be laid with the cabin grounding.
Studying the types of shower cabins, one cannot fail to say about their very important component - the pallet on which the cabin is mounted.
Pallets are divided by depth:
As well as the material from which they are made.
The trays have a non-slip surface, and the colors are often matched to the color of the accessories or cabin walls, creating a stylish ensemble.
Cast iron and steel pallets have an enamel finish that is quite vulnerable to scratches and bumps.
They differ similarly to bathrooms: cast iron is quieter when water falls, while steel hums and rumbles. Cast iron also retains heat longer.
Ceramic trays are durable and impeccable in terms of hygiene, since the care of these materials has always been easy. They do not lose their dazzling brightness for a long time.
But they are quite fragile, like any ceramics. Another drawback is their low thermal conductivity, due to which the tray is initially cold, so standing barefoot in the shower is not always pleasant.
But there is a way out: rubber shower mats made of high quality non-slip material with the addition of antibacterial components. This little thing will not only make the surface of the pallet pleasant to the touch, but also more stable.
Acrylic - relatively new material, always warm to the touch, has an ambient temperature and a non-slip surface, so it is a bestseller.
It is easy for him to give any interesting shape because of its flexibility. Such pallets are drawn from straight acrylic sheets on special forms.
They are light, strong enough, do not change their original color. The appearance of scratches is easily corrected by rubbing with a special paste.
Mounted on an aluminum frame for additional rigidity.
The walls and doors of the cabins are made of impact-resistant glass or acrylic. Acrylic surfaces come in any transparency and color range.
The glass is easy to clean, drops of water run off it faster, do not leave marks, and it does not become cloudy during prolonged use.
Doors are:
Sliding doors are more hermetic, have a roller movement mechanism, and do not require additional space to open.
Having studied in detail all the possible nuances and functions of shower cabins, it is worth weighing the wishes of all family members. It makes no sense to overpay for an unnecessary function if no one is going to use it. Good luck choosing!
When renovating a bathroom top choice stands between the shower and the bath - of course, if the area of \u200b\u200bthe room does not allow the installation of both plumbing fixtures. As for the shower cabin, in order to choose a specific model, you need to carefully study the entire range offered by manufacturers. Cabins differ in many respects and can have a lot of additional functions.
All shower cabins can be divided into open and closed. The choice is often determined by the financial capabilities of the buyer. A closed-type shower cabin has significant advantages over an open design and is not inferior to it in any indicator.
The low cost of such devices is due to the small number of elements. The cabin consists of a pallet and doors, often even side walls are missing. Water comes from the shower head, sometimes there are side jets for hydromassage. The main thing to choose this case- pallet type.
Open showers are a pallet + opening doors
The shape of the tray depends on what place you have prepared for the shower cabin. If the plumbing will be placed in a corner, purchase pallets in the shape of a circle sector. If the booth will stand along one of the walls or be in a niche, square or rectangular pallets will be the best choice. Please note that a semi-circular pallet will require curved doors, and their purchase will cost more than buying regular flat doors.
The dimensions of the pallet determine the capacity of the shower itself, so you need to focus on the most, let's say, a large family member. When choosing a cabin in a store, don't hesitate to step inside and perform a few motions that mimic taking a shower. Agree, it will not be very comfortable to swim, clinging to the walls or doors with your elbows.
An equally important indicator is the depth of the pallet. If there are elderly people in the house, it is better to prefer a pallet with low sides. A deep tray is chosen if the shower is the only bathing device. In such a cabin, you can easily bathe babies or pets, the tray can play the role of a practical and capacious tank for hand washing. You will learn all the subtleties in a separate article.
Such cabins are a separate plumbing device - it can be placed even in the center of the room, if the area allows. Cabins of this type are called boxes - from the English "box" (box). In addition to doors and a tray, they have side walls and a top cover, forming an absolutely hermetic structure. The cost of such a cabin is at least twice as high. open version. Additionally, each of the numerous functions of the device is evaluated.
Possible functions of the shower box:
Let's start with the pallet. The choice of material affects the external aesthetics, tactile sensations when bathing in the cabin, the durability and strength of the product, as well as the safety of the swimmer. Please note that most of the bottom surface should not be smooth. Often the bottom of the pallets is covered with protruding hemispheres or ribs.
The material is incredibly durable, but has a significant disadvantage - it heats up for a long time. To take a shower with comfort, you need to warm up the tray for a while hot water. There is an excessive consumption of water and no savings.
Steel pallets are no less durable than cast iron, but they also have a drawback. The flow of water creates an incredible noise, falling from a height onto a steel pallet. In addition, the enamel chipped over time and may darken.
Plastic pallets have gained their popularity due to their low price and stylish design. appearance. Acrylic warms up quickly, is pleasant to the touch, does not create noise. Such pallets are sufficient.
Important! A significant disadvantage is fragility- Acrylic may not withstand the fall of a heavy object or intense load on the bottom. This not only entails the cost of purchasing a new pallet, but can also lead to a dangerous situation and injury to swimmers.
In favor of acrylic, we can say that it is easy to wash, and small scratches are to be polished.
Ceramics in the design of the bathroom looks solid and elegant. Such pallets are stable and reliable, but they are fragile, prone to scratches on the surface and may darken over time. WITH ceramic product must be handled with care.
Artificial marble is a durable and beautiful material that is made from marble chips and a synthetic substance. Minor damage to the surface is almost invisible, especially on dark colors.
It is easy to care for such a pallet, it retains heat well and is not noisy.
The main materials used for the manufacture of shower doors are plastic And strained glass. Glass retains a presentable appearance much longer, but it also costs more. Among the varieties of economical plastic, give preference to matted options.
Cabin or box doors can be hinged or sliding. A hinged system will cost less, but cabins with such doors are usually chosen for bathrooms of sufficient area. Sliding doors are more compact and save valuable space.
Please note that the doors do not have to be two. You can get by with just one door leaf, for example, if the cabin is installed in a niche. You can also use one curved door for a corner booth, but for such a design decision you will need quite a lot of free space. The durability of the swing system is determined by the material of the hinges. Opt for solid metal hinges - inexpensive Chinese booths can be fitted with powder pressed material hinges.
The sliding door leaf moves along the upper and lower rails with the help of a roller. The system also has magnets and rubber seals for tight closing. When using the door, make sure that the roller does not leave the canvas. Doing so may damage the system and cause door leaf simply pulls away from the roller.
The budget option is plastic guides, they are short-lived and flimsy. More expensive and reliable - metal guides made of steel or aluminum. You should not save on the quality of a sliding system - its replacement will cost an amount equal to the price of a shower cabin. For high-quality expensive systems, it is easier to find parts if they need to be replaced, and reputable brands often provide an impressive warranty period for their products.
Almost 30 years ago, classical bathrooms had a serious alternative competitor - a shower cabin. Despite the fact that in the shower you cannot take a horizontal position and lie down, it has a number of advantages that can tip the scales in favor of choosing a shower cabin. These advantages include: small dimensions and space occupied, accelerated acceptance of water procedures, as well as all sorts of additional options.
In this article, we will consider all the features of choosing shower cabins, what points you need to pay attention to before purchasing, and what types of shower cabins exist.
First of all, when choosing a shower cabin, you should remember that it has long ceased to be an inconspicuous accessory. Today it is a full-fledged part (element) of the interior. Therefore, it should harmoniously correlate with the design of the bathroom.
But how not to make a mistake and choose the shower cabin that is necessary in all respects?
Actually, this is not difficult task- the main thing is to know exactly the dimensions of the bathroom, as well as decide what you want and what financial opportunities you have.
The main factors for choosing a shower cabin include:
The usual typical shower cubicle consists of three main elements: the bottom tray, the door and the walls.
According to the design, shower cabins are:
Open-type showers are built into the walls of the bathroom and are prefabricated models. The installation takes place as follows: a pallet is mounted on the floor near the wall or in the corner of the bathroom, a water outlet (sewerage) is connected to it, then the side walls of the shower room are installed directly to the perimeter of the pallet. They are installed on one or two sides.
On the remaining sides, facing tiles are laid. A distinctive feature of this type of shower cabins is that they do not have a top base - you won’t be able to use a tropical (or cascade) shower - you will have to be content with a classic shower head with a flexible hose connected to a water faucet.
In some cases, the bottom pallet is completely abandoned: the platform for the pallet is sometimes poured from concrete and has monolithic structure with a ceramic tile cladding with an anti-slip surface. In this case, the walls are mounted using metal aluminum brass or steel profiles protected from corrosion by a special coating.
Pros and cons of open showers:
Cons of open type showers:
Due to the characteristics of the device, closed showers are a completely autonomous plumbing unit. It consists of: pallet, walls and ceiling. In other words, this is a miniature closed box with many auxiliary functions.
It is easy to dismantle if you need to carry out repairs or when moving. The ceiling covering and the main parts of the structure are made of metal or polymer compounds. The walls, by analogy with open showers, are made of plain or plexiglass. On average, the cost of shower cabins of an acceptable level of this type starts from 30-39 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons of closed showers:
Negative properties:
There are no particular cons, except for the higher price. You can search and find individual shortcomings of certain models, but they will reflect the shortcomings of a certain model of a particular manufacturer.
Combined showers are a design with a deep tray (more common is an acrylic, cast-iron or steel bathtub), closed by side walls. The top can be open or closed (depending on the specific brand and model range).
This design combines the benefits of a whirlpool tub or (for example) a Jacuzzi with all the benefits of a shower cabin (for example, a rain shower).
Since showers of this type are noticeably larger in size compared to the rest, they are suitable for bathtubs with an area of more than 7-8 square meters. The average price of such cabins starts from 65 thousand rubles.
Pros and positive traits combined showers:
Cons of combined showers: the main and practically the only drawback is the very high price.
Different models of shower cabins differ in size and dimensions. An obligatory factor that is very important to consider is the area of \u200b\u200bthe room for a bath or shower. You also need to take into account the location of communications - sewerage, hot and cold water supply, etc.
The most common forms of wall pallets are: rectangular, square and semicircular. Corner trays can also be in the form of an ellipse or a quarter of a circle.
However, if the area of the room is too small, you can choose a shower with an irregularly shaped tray. Usually it is a shape in the form of a quarter of a circle, or a semicircle.
Regarding the height of the pallet - it can go both flush with the floor and rise to a height of about 40 cm. It should be borne in mind that if it becomes necessary to install a low pallet, it is imperative to find out if connecting the sewer will not be a problem that will have to be solved in the process installation. And if it does, provide for the installation of a base or supports that will slightly raise the pallet and allow you to connect without hindrance.
An alternative to supports can be a small pump that pumps dirty water from the pallet.
Shower trays are made from wide variety all kinds of materials. Let's consider the most common of them.
Steel. Steel pallets lies in their strength and reliability. But not everything is so good - from the minuses one can single out noise during operation, as well as damage and chipped enamel after a while.
Cast iron. Cast iron pallets also have high strength and reliability, but this material has a very significant drawback - since the thickness of the pallet walls is large, the cast iron heats up very slowly. This means that before entering the shower with such a tray, it should be warmed up a little under jets of hot water - there can be no question of any economical water consumption. In addition, cast iron is a very heavy material.
Acrylic. Acrylic trays, just like bathtubs, in Lately very popular. This is facilitated by low cost, a wide variety of shapes, easy cleaning, and fast heating of the material. If there are small scratches on the acrylic base, they can be easily removed by sanding. But not everything is so smooth. The disadvantages of acrylic pallets include their ability to bend if a person has a lot of weight.
Ceramic trays. Ceramics has more disadvantages than advantages. For example, it is very fragile, and can break or crack when a heavy object falls on it. Using a shower with such a tray is very careful.
Artificial marble or natural stone. Pallets made of marble or stone are very durable and easily warmed up to the desired temperature (retaining heat for a long time). The main disadvantage of these pallets is the high price.
Commercially available shower cabins have several basic door opening systems.
All of the above types of door designs have certain advantages and disadvantages, which cannot be said about the material from which the doors and walls of the shower cabin are made.
So, let's try to figure out what material has the largest number advantages:
1. Glass. Of course, this is not simple glass, which is used to glaze windows and balconies. This glass is tempered and is at least 4 mm thick. In terms of hygiene, glass doors are considered the most acceptable choice, since mold or fungus does not form on the surface.
2. Organic glass. The scientific name for plexiglass is polymethyl methacrylate, which is often mistakenly confused with polystyrene. In terms of transparency properties, it is equivalent to ordinary glass, while its weight is much less. Plus it's more durable. ordinary glass or polystyrene. The main drawback of plexiglass is that the surface is prone to scratches that cannot be removed by grinding (only frosted glass can be polished).
3. Triplex glass. This kind tempered glass very similar to the glass that is installed in cars. Such glass consists of two layers of tempered glass, between which a reinforcing film is placed. The main advantages of such glass are strength and safety. Respectively main disadvantage- unacceptably high price.
4. Polystyrene. Basically, polystyrene is plastic. Usually it comes in two types: transparent and matte. It is moisture resistant and light weight.
Unfortunately, the material has more than enough shortcomings: short service life, difficulty in maintenance (visible soap streaks remain on the plastic surface), application special means for cleaning ... The best place to install plastic showers is summer cottages or guest houses.
Modern shower cabins have reached perfection in technical terms, and even the simplest models, in addition to an ordinary mixer, also have a cabin light and even a simple FM radio.
Many closed or combined models are electronically controlled in the form of a console and a digital LCD display. By pressing the buttons, it is possible to fully control all available shower functions.
In addition to the basic functions of shower cabins, many manufacturers add all sorts of additional “bells and whistles” to new models, providing even more comfortable conditions taking a shower.
Let's consider some of them:
Some shower cabins are equipped with telephones, multimedia players and many other additional features. The cost of showers due to these "bells and whistles" can reach 2 million rubles!
On average, the price of a sufficiently high-quality shower cabin ranges from 25 to 45 thousand rubles. And showers domestic manufacturers the quality is not inferior to European companies, and the price is somewhat cheaper than imported products.
Among the largest Russian manufacturers the following companies can be distinguished:
Among the imported manufacturers, German companies stand out by themselves:
Accordingly, the quality of these shower cabins is at the highest level. However, the cost of the products of these companies is much higher compared to domestic firms - you will have to pay from 65 to 85 thousand rubles for the quality.
Chinese manufacturers of shower enclosures deserve special mention, because, buying products at a very low price, you can predictably get the same low quality of workmanship and assembly. However, there are quite well-known manufacturers from heaven:
By purchasing products from these manufacturers, you can save a lot of money.
Summing up all of the above, we can give advice from experts in the field of plumbing.
Showers until recently were inaccessible to many, but now the picture has changed and their growth in popularity is amazing, everyone more people When renovating a bathroom, they prefer not to install baths, but showers. On the market, the choice of cabins is represented by their various types, so it makes sense to understand the functionality of individual varieties.
The shower cabin is a structure that limits the space in which water procedures are taken. All cabins can be divided into open and closed type.
This type includes cabins, in the design of which there is no ceiling, the cabin is limited only by the side walls. As a rule, two (sometimes three) sides go to the walls of the bath, and the rest are their own walls of the cabin. Such models are often called open shower enclosures; these are most often economy class models with a set of basic functions. It is useful to know some of the features of such booths.
For high-quality installation of shower enclosures, it is necessary to carry out thorough preparation, which will consist of such measures as waterproofing, leveling the surfaces of the floor and ceiling. All these are necessary measures to ensure tightness. Doors in booths of this type are attached to the wall by means of steel hinges with extremely limited adjustment possibilities (up to 2 mm). Therefore, at the slightest unevenness, cracks appear that cannot be eliminated, all tightness goes to dust.
Since the roof is not provided for in the design, you will have to forget about such options as “Turkish shower” or, for example, “aromatherapy”. The geometry of the shower enclosure dictates whether it should be installed in a niche or in a corner. Moreover, installation directly on the floor of the bathroom is possible, which is important in the conditions of small apartments.
Making cab doors transparent and inward-opening achieves two goals - the use of space becomes more efficient and visually increases the area of the room.
Installing the cabin on the floor eliminates the need to buy a pallet, but makes it mandatory:
The drain pipe is installed in the floor with a slope of 2-3 °, for which it is usually necessary to raise the floor a few centimeters. When installing a ladder, give preference to stainless steel models good quality then it will last a long time. In an open shower, water goes under the grate of the ladder and flows through the pipes into the sewer. In the absence of a pallet, it is recommended to choose a low-slippery tile for the bathroom floor.
The transparent open-type shower enclosure gives the bathroom design a certain airiness and undeniable elegance.
Another type of cabin is called a shower box and, unlike the shower enclosures described above, this is a closed type construction, with a roof and its own walls on all sides. Installation is relatively simple, the main thing is the ability to supply and drain water.
Shower boxes can be simple (the main and practically the only function is the shower) or multifunctional (there are other functions besides the shower). You can choose the shape of shower boxes - a semicircle, a rectangle, a circle, etc. Dimensions from 70X70 cm to 100X100 cm, which is determined by the parameters of the pallets (rectangular cabins from 80X120 to 80X210). Other differences between models of this type of cabin come down to the height and materials of the pallet, walls and doors.
Of greatest interest are multifunctional cabins, we will dwell on their capabilities in more detail. Useful is the hydromassage function, which can be of a horizontal or vertical type. In expensive models, you can find a horizontal type, for which instead of a pallet there is hydromassage bath. Water is supplied through nozzles installed in the sides in certain positions. Nozzles regulate the intensity of water flow of air bubbles.
Hydromassage is suitable for everyday use, helps relieve fatigue, improves well-being, metabolism and blood circulation, and has a positive effect on digestion and bowel function. It is a good prevention of cellulite, as it promotes the breakdown of subcutaneous fat. Hydromassage should be used with caution in the presence of certain diseases, as there may be contraindications for hypertension and urolithiasis, oncology, during the exacerbation of various chronic diseases.
If the nozzles are located on the wall of the shower cabin, then we are dealing with a vertical type hydromassage. The number of nozzles determines which parts of the body will be massaged. In this regard, pay attention to whether the nozzles turn, then it becomes possible to adjust the direction of the water jets.
Take care of high-quality cleaning filters for nozzles so that the hydromassage function works optimally.
This name bears the ability to create a microclimate of 100% humidity at 45-60 ° in the cabin. This is achieved thanks to a steam generator that produces steam, which is evenly dispersed throughout the cabin by an internal fan, due to which the conditions characteristic of a “Turkish bath” are created.
For this function, as well as hydromassage, a certain minimum pressure in the pipes (2-3 bar) is required, otherwise these possibilities of the shower cabin will not be possible to use.
The smallest droplets of water are sprayed with a special nozzle, creating the effect of a summer rain. It is believed that this promotes relaxation, for example, before going to bed.
Thanks to this function, the cabin space can be filled with a pleasant aroma with useful properties. This is achieved as a result of the passage of water and steam through a container with a pleasantly smelling balm. Aromatherapy is possible in cabins that have the two previous functions.
In inexpensive models of cabins, it facilitates the breathing process, in expensive ones it also increases the effect of a “tropical shower”, “bath”.
It consists in the automatic alternation of the supply of hot and cold water, which helps to strengthen nervous system, hardening of the body, has an invigorating effect.
LEDs installed in the ceiling of the shower box color the water jets in a variety of colors that can be selected on the remote control. This function has a healing value, positively affects the hormonal system, skin and other organs.
As a rule, this function is only available in “premium class” shower cabins, in which you can order the cabin to supply hot water with your own voice or activate some function.
Most models of shower boxes have a built-in radio, telephone, mirrors, lighting (side, top), other little things like shelves for bath accessories, detergent dispensers, a handrail, a seat.
The abundance of opportunities provided in the shower box is inevitably associated with significant energy costs, which is better to bring to the cabin via a separate cable of the required section and be sure to ground the cabin.
This is a really important detail of the shower cabin, which comes in several varieties, the depth of the tray is taken as the division criterion:
The pallets are made non-slip, and painted to match the color of the walls or cabin accessories. The material used for pallets is different. Cast iron and steel pallets have an enamelled surface that is not resistant to mechanical stress. The cast-iron tray is heavy, but retains heat well, the steel one rattles under jets of water. Ceramic trays are good - hygienic, do not require much effort to maintain, but at the same time relatively fragile and rather cold. Therefore, in order not to feel the cold of the ceramic tray under your feet, it is recommended to lay a rubber mat.
Against this background, acrylic pallets look favorably - they are warm, their temperature is never lower than that of environment. They are not heavy and at the same time quite durable, do not fade and do not shed during operation, remaining the original color.
Scratches are easily masked by rubbing in a special paste. They have an aluminum frame that gives the necessary rigidity.
The material for doors and walls is impact-resistant glass, and acrylic products are also found. The transparency and color of acrylic can vary over a wide range. Glass is easier to keep clean, drops from it drain quickly and do not leave smudges, are not subject to clouding.
Two main types of doors: sliding (consisting of 2-4 leaves) and hinged. Sliding doors boast better tightness, move by means of a mechanism on rollers, they do not need additional free place for opening.
Choose a shower cabin according to your needs and with a set of those features that you really need. We hope that after this article, it will become easier for you to choose a shower cabin.
