Shower enclosure - choose the right option
Completeness is called the main difference between a shower enclosure and a shower cabin. Completely insulated on all sides and designed to fit anywhere in the bathroom, this is a shower enclosure. Often, its top is equipped with a roof to prevent splashing of water droplets, but the fence is attached directly to the walls of the room and is made of waterproof materials. Consumers can purchase a kit of curtains and a tray ready to install, or pick up all the parts themselves.
Place for accommodation - how to choose the right one?
In the corner - the place where two walls converge, most owners of houses and apartments try to place a shower cabin. The market is filled with kits of various configurations suitable for this installation option. These are square, rectangular, and radial, having an outer part in the shape of a semicircle. There are also pentagonal ones, but they are suitable for more spacious rooms.
The dimensions of one side of the shower cabin start at 70 cm and end at 150 cm. When installing a block for taking water procedures, you must remember about its comfort. It is important not to touch the wall or the faucet with your elbow, because during washing we are not just standing, but actively moving. The optimal length of the side of the shower cabin is 0.9 m, with such dimensions you will definitely not damage yourself or the fence. To give the bathroom a modern look, a model made in the shape of a rectangle or a semicircle will help. In addition, such a move will change the perception of space. If there is a niche in the room, you can buy a fence that comes with one door.
The installation of the shower enclosure is carried out to the wall, which has outlets for water pipes, this will facilitate the work with the installation of the faucet.
Keep in mind that in search of the simplest solution, you may find yourself in a dead end: for example, entering the shower enclosure will be a real challenge due to the nearby washbasin. Or another dilemma - during the installation process it turns out that the model does not fit. When choosing a place in the bathroom, you should have a good idea of the end result and, if necessary, be ready for redevelopment.
Installation of a shower enclosure should be carried out after a thorough repair, providing for the alignment of the walls at the corners to which the entire structure is destined to adjoin.
To check for flaws, arm yourself with a level and make sure that the walls are absolutely vertical. Otherwise, you will be disappointed, because taking a shower every time will end with a small flood. The curtains will not close completely and water will begin to seep out. Correcting the situation when the structure is fully assembled is a very difficult task. Therefore, take your time and align the detected defects in advance. To do this, the curved wall is sheathed with gypsum fiber panels or moisture-resistant drywall. It is important to provide for a reinforcement consisting of an embedded metal element that gives additional strength to the material. There is no need to do such “tricks” with concrete and brick walls.
Water pipes laid along the wall are likely to interfere with the installation of fences, so they are removed. Choose the option yourself: either behind the plasterboard partition, or inside the wall.
Walls aligned to perfect condition need to be treated with a water-repellent compound. It is undesirable to skip this stage, as they will become too susceptible to soaking, and therefore destruction. Mosaics or tiles are great for finishing walls. However, before laying them, experts recommend applying a waterproofing mastic, and at the end of the work, treat the seams with a special grout.
Screwing the fasteners for the fence is started after the walls have taken on the proper form. If the frameless model was chosen, then adjustable hinges are attached directly to the wall, and then fences are hung on them.
The frame version of the shower cabins provides for the installation of aluminum profile racks. Without them, it is impossible to proceed to the next stage (installation of the remaining structural elements). The joints between the fences and the wall are sealed using silicone sealant for this purpose. High-quality material does not darken over the years and retains its original strength.
What to put?
The plumbing market allows the buyer to choose the most suitable option for a shower cabin. In retail outlets, you will find models with and without a pallet.
The model with a pallet solves the main problem: preventing water from entering the bathroom floor, especially if it has high sides. The materials from which this important element is made are presented: faience, metal, acrylic, composites.
Metal pallets are characterized by such properties as unpretentiousness and durability. The convenience of their installation is obvious: even an uneven floor surface is leveled with adjustable legs, their height is no more than 15 cm. But cast-iron and steel pallets covered with a layer of enamel do not look very presentable in a city apartment. In addition, they are sensitive to damage and crack from falling heavy objects. It is better to purchase them for summer cottage construction.
Stainless steel pallets are more expensive, but they also look more elegant. When buying, pay attention to the thickness of the model, you may have to process its bottom with polyurethane foam. Such precautions will help keep the shape and prevent it from deforming under the weight of the loads. In addition, such a substrate will dampen the noise that occurs when a water jet falls. Stainless and cast iron pans have one drawback: they take time to heat up. So do not blame me, the first few minutes you have to stand on a cold surface.
Acrylic models are resistant to mechanical damage. Even if scratches appear on their surface, you can get rid of them. For large flaws, prepare a special filler and apply it with a spatula, after the grout dries, sand its surface. Small scratches can be easily sanded down. The inner surface of the pallets is covered with a special composition, due to which the accumulation of dirt is excluded. As a result: products are easy to care for and maintain their attractive appearance. Acrylic is not very resistant to deformation, and therefore choose a model reinforced with special materials. Choose an acrylic pallet with special care; to be sure of its quality, consider the brand of the model. The service life and preservation of aesthetic qualities depend on its reputation in the construction market. It is no secret that material of dubious origin is subject to rapid aging, loss of shape and original whiteness.
Composite materials, represented by artificial marble or granite, are widely used in the production of pallets. With minor differences, their composition is almost identical and is determined by 80% binder and 20% mineral chips. This proportion provides resistance to deformation and impact, which allows them to be installed directly on the floor. By purchasing a pallet from a conscientious manufacturer, you get a product that combines the strength of natural stone and all the advantages of plastic. A special coating imparts dirt-repellent, anti-slip and antibacterial properties to the pallet. Pleasant to the touch material has a long service life and is presented in a wide variety of colors and shapes.
The ceramic base of the pallets is similar to acrylic in appearance, but it has increased fragility: it can crack when a heavy object falls. In addition, the models require special conditions for installation, namely: leveling the floor.
Fans of fundamental models will like pallets made of copper, bronze, natural stone. But buyers need to be prepared for their high cost and tune in to thorough and regular care.
When buying a pallet, consider its inside. Obviously, it should not be completely smooth, so as not to cause injury to the owners of the house. Manufacturers have come up with a way out of the situation and apply anti-slip coating to the bottom of the product or make stripes and notches, which at the same time play the role of decor. You can solve the problem yourself with the help of a rubber / silicone mat.
The installation of the pallet is preceded by the alignment of the walls and one of the corners, which must certainly be straight (90 *). This condition must be met, otherwise there will be leaks and mold formation. For mounting pallets with high sides, limit yourself to using a frame. If it is not there, then install it directly on the floor, as long as it is perfectly even. We recommend cutting flat models into the floor, after making a recess of the appropriate size in it. After leveling the surface and applying waterproofing plaster to it, a metal frame is placed and a polystyrene foam substrate is made. Treat joints, transitions between walls and curbs with silicone sealant, not missing fixed fences.
What will we put?
Fences (curtains) are one of the important components of such a set. They are assigned the important role of a protective cordon from the water of everything that is outside the zone for accepting water procedures. Square and rectangular models usually have two curtains, one of which is fixed and the other serves as a door.
Comparing different fences, it is easy to see that one part of them is framed, and the other is without. The frame is an aluminum or plastic contour, to which all the details of the fence are screwed. For the reliability of the structure, the frame must pass along the entire perimeter of the fences. The plastic circuit will cost the consumer less, but it will not have to be used for a long time.
Materials that do not need additional rigidity are used for the manufacture of frameless shower enclosures. For example, curtains made of impact-resistant glass. They not only look stylish and dignified, but also do not hide the space of the room. When installing, it is important to observe all dimensions; a discrepancy of even a couple of millimeters will complicate sealing.
Most often, manufacturers choose polymers and glass for the manufacture of fences. Plastic and polystyrene are inexpensive, but over time they become cloudy and become unattractive. They are more difficult to care for, but the main drawback is the ability to deform. That is, the installation of a fence without a frame is in principle impossible.
A more practical option is a tempered glass shower enclosure. This material is endowed with excellent strength, and when damaged does not give sharp chips. Caring for such structures will not cause unnecessary trouble, since there is a dirt-repellent shell on the glass surface. Fences and doors are made of both matte and transparent material, they have decorative polishing, corrugation, patterns, mosaics.
What form of fences to give preference to - radius or flat, the owners decide. The thickness of the material and the door handle deserves special attention, since the moving elements must withstand a large load and not loosen when handled roughly.
The height of the fence is selected based on the height of the ceilings, a small distance is provided between them for air ventilation. High humidity will affect the formation of mold, and the walls and the inside of the curtains will be constantly covered with condensate if there is no gap between the structure and the ceiling. Railings that are too low will not protect the bathroom from water ingress, especially when an overhead shower is installed.
