How to choose a shower cabin: selection rules and rating of the best models
Due to their convenience and versatility, shower cabins are increasingly being installed in domestic bathrooms.They differ in material of manufacture, configuration and size. Manufacturers delight with an assortment of models with a variety of functionality.
But how to choose a shower stall so that it not only turns out to be as comfortable as possible when taking water treatments, but also fits harmoniously into the interior of the bathroom?
The content of the article:
How should you choose a shower cabin?
On the one hand, the shower cabin is intended for performing hygienic procedures, and on the other hand, it is a piece of furniture in the bathroom. When choosing its model, it is necessary to take into account both the purely functional capabilities and the general appearance of this hydrobox.
And first you need to determine your expectations from purchasing this plumbing equipment, that is, determine the purpose for which it is being purchased. Otherwise, the bathroom may end up with a fancy device with a lot of unnecessary functions, or an unpresentable and unnecessary “cabinet” with only one shower head. As a result, this huge thing will take up such precious space in the bathroom, but it will be of no use.
The main limitation when choosing a shower stall is the dimensions of the bathroom. The desire to have a hydromassage jacuzzi or Turkish steam bath at your disposal is understandable, but not always feasible.The size of the bathroom is limited; some additional functions often have to be abandoned in favor of small size and the minimum required set of capabilities.
Let's find out how to choose the right modern shower stall so that it meets the criteria listed below.
Criterion #1 - material and shape of the pallet
Some shower cabins are sold at all without pallet. However, this option requires the installation of a special floor inside the shower box with high-quality waterproofing. If you plan to install a shower cabin yourself, then it is better to immediately choose a product with a mini-bathtub.
This model is easier to assemble; anyone who knows how to read instructions and use a wrench and a screwdriver can install it.
Shower trays are made from:
- cast iron – classic and durable, but takes a long time to heat up material;
- become – durable, but quite noisy option;
- acrylic (plastic) - cheap, easy to install and stylish models;
- earthenware – a solid and elegant variation;
- artificial marble - durable, quiet and the most expensive option.
Metal baths are not afraid of falling heavy objects. And their acrylic, ceramic and marble counterparts will immediately crack or crack in such a situation.
And if a small crack in acrylic can still be repaired, then earthenware and marble will have to be thrown away and bought a new pallet.
On the other hand, the enamel on steel and cast iron can darken over time. With plastic, ceramics and marble, such a misfortune is excluded.
The shape of the shower stall itself directly depends on the shape of the chosen bath. Its enclosing structure is installed directly on the pallet during installation. The most commonplace option is a square or rectangle.
But wall-mounted shower cabins are also made in the shape of a circle or half of it, and corner models are made in the form of a quarter circle or an ellipse.
Rounded trays look more elegant and take up less space in the bathroom. The protruding corner is still of little use. But if the bathroom is large, then a classic rectangular bathtub or Jacuzzi with closing doors for showering in such an interior will be more preferable.
Pallets come in a variety of sizes.Each side can be from 0.6 to 2 meters long. Shallow models are made with a flat bottom without any ledges or supports. They are worth choosing when you just need a shower.
Deep options with high sides of 30 cm or more are already “lying” and “sitting”. In the second case, they are equipped with a small ledge in the corner or on one side of the cabin, on which you can sit. We also suggest that you read the article, which discusses the issue of choice in more detail. pallet for a shower cabin.
Criterion #2 - method of opening doors
There can be one or two opening doors in a shower stall. If the shower box is small, then a single door will be enough. The choice here depends only on the design of the bathroom.
In one interior, a compact shower cabin with a single opening door will look ideal, while for another, the best option is a spacious model inside with a pair of classic hinged doors.
The shower cabin doors are:
- hinged or hinged;
- sliding;
- folding in the form of a “book”.
Hinges for swing doors should only be all-metal. Cheap analogues made of pressed powdered metal or silumin are short-lived. The main thing in sliding doors is the material of the guides for rollers. No need to skimp here.
It is unwise to buy models with cheap plastic guides. They won't last long. The best option is steel or aluminum “rails”.
The door material can be:
- Plexiglas.
- Glass (tempered or triplex).
- Polystyrene.
The safest and most durable is triplex. However, it is often too expensive for a home shower. Polystyrene doors are considered the most affordable in price. But they have a short service life and look cheap. The classic is tempered glass. Although it is heavy, it looks more advantageous than plastic.
Plexiglass in terms of its characteristics is in the middle of the last two options. However, when choosing it, it is worth remembering a serious disadvantage of this material: it is easily scratched. And then it is impossible to sand it or otherwise remove the scratch on it. If the glass of the shower cabin is damaged, you will have to replace it, but read how to do this Further.
Criterion #3 - open and closed types of boxes
Based on the type of construction and its tightness, all shower cabins are divided into two types: closed and open. The choice based on this criterion is determined by the financial capabilities of the buyer and the functionality of the box.For example, the presence of a steam bath is only possible in a closed model.
And here the price of the latter will always be higher than that of an open cabin with a regular shower and nozzles spraying water.
Due to the modest set of functional elements (often just a shower head) and minimalist design, open cabins are cheaper than closed hydroboxes. The latter have a top cover and are sealed.
Their device prevents steam from escaping into the bathroom when taking a shower. But the cost of such models is two to four times higher than open alternative options.
When deciding which one to choose - an open or closed shower stall, you should understand that the bathroom for the first type model must have high-quality waterproofing. During operation, a lot of steam comes out from hot water; the humidity in the bathroom will be high. The costs of interior finishing and more moisture-resistant furniture often exceed the savings from choosing a cheap open-air shower.
Criterion #4 - additional functionality
A watering can on a hose is the minimum, without which a shower stall cannot do without. However, most models in addition to it have a side panel with nozzles adjustable in the direction of spray and a sprinkler on top, and are also equipped with lighting and a fan.
As an additional function, the shower stall may contain:
- Radio and telephone – for those who like to sing along to themselves in the shower and are waiting for an important call.
- Hydromassage for feet – pressure-regulated water jets that tone the skin and relax the muscles.
- Backlight – required for a closed shower cabin.
- Ventilation – to ensure air circulation inside the cabin and to extract excess steam from it.
- Rain shower – a special water dispersion system that creates the effect of rain in the tropics inside.
- Steam Turkish bath – implies the presence of a steam generator.
- Cold and hot shower – automatic control of water jets, which alternates very hot and extremely cold water in accordance with the specified time intervals.
- Aromatherapy system – addition to steam generator, allowing you to add aromatic oils to the created steam.
- Thermal mixers – devices that maintain water temperature within specified parameters regardless of pressure drops in the water supply system.
The choice of each of these elements, as far as it is needed, depends only on the preferences of the buyer. But the more of them there are in the selected shower cabin model, the wider the functionality of the shower box and the higher its price. And every additional function is an inevitable increase in the dimensions of the cabin.
Tips for choosing shower cabins
If the water flows from the pipes in an apartment or private house is hard, then it is better to abandon the “tropical shower”, otherwise its sprinklers with small holes will quickly become clogged with sediment and it will simply stop working correctly.
When choosing the model you like, be sure to check the functionality of the doors: how they open and close. The doors should move/swing smoothly, silently and without much effort, and when closed they should be airtight.
They are a barrier to splashing water, so at the point of contact with each other there must be a magnetic tape along the entire length from top to bottom.
If the cabin is needed solely for taking a shower in the morning and evening, then the model should be chosen without all kinds of hydromassages, steam generators and radios. A simple box with a low tray and one watering can will be enough, and this option will be inexpensive. There is no point in purchasing expensive plumbing fixtures whose functionality will not be fully used.
Before you go to the store to choose a shower stall, you need to correctly and objectively evaluate the space available in the bathroom and take a closer look at shower sizes commercially available. A box that is too large in a tiny bathroom will take up the entire floor area and leave no room for other plumbing fixtures. Moreover, when drawing up a plan for the placement of plumbing fixtures, we must not forget about the supply of pipelines and electricity.
Everything is quite simple with the electrical wires; they can be placed under the decor anywhere in the bathroom. With sewerage, everything is somewhat more complicated. Usually, drain in the pan located in one of its corners. And at this angle the shower cabin should be placed against the wall with the sewer pipe. The shorter the sewer outlet from the shower box to the riser, the less likely it is to become clogged.
If there are children in the family, then it is better to select a shower stall with a deep tray. Such a box with open doors easily turns from a shower into a bathtub for bathing a child.You can also wash clothes by hand in this bath or soak them before washing.
Rating of the largest manufacturers
On the domestic plumbing market, shower cabins are presented in both Russian and foreign assembly. Moreover, their cost greatly depends on the manufacturer. You can pay two or three times more for the same functionality. In fact, this is a brand fee.
Stores ask a lot for equipment from the famous Jacuzzi company, which has become a household name. But the quality of plumbing fixtures from this Italian manufacturer is certainly high.
Among domestic manufacturers, it is worth highlighting “Radomir” and “BAS”. These are the oldest and largest firms on the market. Aquanet and Akvarel offer good shower cabins with acrylic trays.
When looking for a compact box, you should pay attention to the Aqua Joy company, which specializes in plumbing fixtures for large bathrooms. And if you need a designer model, then it is better to opt for shower cabins from Laniver.
The budget import segment is represented by the global factory – China. At the same time, there are purely Chinese goods of questionable quality, and there are shower cabins produced in the Middle Kingdom at factories controlled by Europeans.
The latter have quite decent performance, without defects and from high-quality materials. Here you can choose among the brands “Appolo”, “Aqualux”, “AquaStream”, “Goldman” and “Optima”.
The Germans (“Edelform”, “Wasserfalle”, “Westerhof”), the Czechs (“Luxus” and “Riho”), and the Finns (“Oras”, “Ido”, “Nimo”, “ Master Finn") and Italians ("Primo", "Valencia"). All of their products are distinguished by high quality workmanship and a wide range of various additional functions. And the more of the latter, the higher the price of the equipment.
Virtually all European manufacturers in the mid-cost segment offer shower cabins of the same quality. Here, when choosing, you need to pay more attention not to the brand, but to the proposed functionality and design.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
You can find important recommendations on the selection, technical characteristics and operation of shower cabins in the following videos.
All about the characteristics and filling of shower stalls:
How to buy a shower cabin correctly, what you should pay attention to:
Choosing a suitable shower stall among the variety on the market is quite difficult. But if you try, you will definitely find the ideal price-quality ratio. You just need to decide right away which functions and “bells and whistles” are needed and which ones you can discard.
There are now a variety of options available for the functionality and content of shower cabins, so you can always search and find the optimal model in terms of characteristics and cost.
Please leave your comments on the article in the block below.And if you purchased a new shower stall model, share photos of the plumbing fixtures and your impressions of using it. Perhaps there are some nuances? Tell our website visitors about them.
I have long been planning to organize a bathroom in my country house. I had no idea, and I’m not married, so I have to look alone. After reading the information provided, I got an idea of how to choose a shower. I especially liked the additional features. Very good recommendations for choosing a shower stall, as well as a lot of useful information, I especially liked the ratings.
Just looking for a shower stall. I need a corner one. I read it carefully and took note of both the ribbed tray and the rollers. The inexpensive model I've already looked at has plastic rollers - I'll have to give it up. It is better to take a cabin that is a little more expensive, but so that you don’t have to repair it in a year. And I’ll also take into account the tropical shower, otherwise our water is hard.
Can you tell me where is the best place to buy a shower cabin? The online store goodvann.su was recommended to me, have you heard anything about it? I would like to choose online, because in regular stores there is not such a large selection of booths.