Shower corner: how to make the right choice?

The shower enclosure is becoming more and more popular today. It is fairly easy to install and does not take up much space. To make the right choice and buy a quality shower enclosure, you need to pay close attention to the recommendations of experts.

A shower enclosure is a closed structure, similar to a shower enclosure, but in a simplified form. In it, two of the four walls that limit the water are the walls of the room (there is an option with one wall and three glass partitions). There is also no top cover here, functionally in the shower enclosure it all comes down to standard showering.

The design features determine the operational specifics of the shower enclosure, which, in turn, affects the positive and negative aspects of this convenience. This plumbing equipment has significant advantages.

• Simplicity of design. Provides several beneficial features at once.
• Ease of installation. The minimum number of components simplifies the method of creating a shower enclosure, the cost of effort and time for its installation.
• Reducing the cost of the product. The minimum set of plumbing: drain and water supply, a simple mixer, two or three polymer or glass walls, a pallet or its absence flows into a small amount, more affordable than a new bath or shower.
• Simplified maintenance and replacement of components in the event of a breakdown. The simple open design of the shower enclosure does not require much effort in its care; in the event of a malfunction, you can simply replace the part without having to break the tile or climb into the narrow space under the bathroom, where work is much more difficult.
• Compactness of dimensions. The shower enclosure occupies the smallest space in comparison with competitors in this area: a bathtub and a shower cabin, which is very important for miniature bathrooms "Khrushchev" and "Czech" and other economy class housing.
• Operational versatility. In addition to the bathroom, the shower enclosure is also placed in other rooms, which is ensured by the availability of darkened and matte walls of the product. Often, apartments with small bathrooms combined with a toilet are redesigned in such a way that the shower enclosure is transferred to the kitchen, and the bathroom is reduced to the size of a toilet.

Variety of execution. If there is a tray, the shower enclosure allows you to draw water according to the height of the ledge in order to bathe children or animals, soak and wash clothes.

The corner, made according to the floor scheme, has its advantages:

• It is more convenient to use, you do not need to step over, you do not have to cling to it, it is easier to clean;
• Reduces the risk of injury from tripping over the side and falling;
• Reduced cost - no need to pay for a pallet.

• Reduced trauma.The bath is quite dangerous due to the height of the side, which must be climbed over a slippery surface, plus the pallet is made of plastic with low slip and may have a corrugated surface.
• Economical water consumption. To take a bathroom, on average, 2.5-3 times more water is consumed, which, if there is a meter, significantly affects the payment for utilities.
• Saving time. It does not take time to fill the bathtub with water to wash.

There are also negative aspects when using shower enclosures.

• Soiling of glass surfaces. Glass or polymer transparent walls without a special film will have streaks from dried water and hands. Thus, the excellent aesthetic qualities of the shower enclosure will be slightly reduced.
• Rectangular products minus the usable area.
• Pallet protrusion. When the doors are open, the pallet protrusion remains an "invisible" obstacle that regularly falls under your feet.
• The tightness of the shower enclosures. The compact size also leaves a negative imprint: for people with a build above average it will be inconvenient to turn, and it is almost impossible to pick up a fallen soap or a tube of shampoo.
• Less comfort. Taking a bath is accompanied by both a comfortable posture and more pleasant sensations of relaxation, although the shower jets have a massage effect, which can be considered a good counterbalance in this matter.
• Requirements for adjacent surfaces. The shower enclosure can only be mounted to walls and ceilings that have been aligned. Otherwise, the lack of an airtight fit of the wall and doors will lead to dampness of the walls and the appearance of fungal mildew, and an uneven floor - to constant "wobbling" of the shower enclosure with a tray. If the corner without a pallet, when finishing the floor, an inclined level for water drainage must be taken into account.

A shower cubicle and a corner are very similar solutions for a bathroom. To understand the intricacies, it is worth making a visual comparison by the main parameters.

• cost - corners are sold at a price of 11 thousand rubles, cabins - from 17 thousand rubles;
• service life - the corners are simple in design, which prolongs the service life, the cabins use a more complex water supply system and more parts subject to wear, thus, the corners are more durable;
• maintenance - the construction of the corners does not require maintenance; for booths, like washing machines, periodic inspection is required for normal operation;
• cleaning - glass or transparent polymer, like the back walls covered with tiles, are easy to clean, the acrylic composite of shower cabins is more difficult to clean, for the same reason, fungal mold is often present in shower cabins, but it is not in the corners;
• installation options - the corner can have a pallet or be floor-standing, the booth is installed only on a pallet;
• requirements for the installation site - for the corner, leveled walls and floor are a prerequisite, there are no special conditions for the booth;

• versatility - arranging a corner in any room, except for a bathroom, will require additional costs for surface finishing, a booth can be installed wherever there is a supply and drain of water;
• functionality - the corner is used exclusively for taking a shower, the booth may contain various types of hydromassage, a built-in bath or sauna;
• reliability - the corners serve without problems for a long time, the manufacturer is important for the booth, cheap versions are constantly subject to repair and incorrectly working additional functions;
• water filtration - ordinary water from the system is suitable for the corner, a filter is needed for booths with a hydromassage, otherwise the small nozzles will quickly clog;
• design - the minimalistic simplicity of the corners fits into almost any style of the interior of both the bathroom and other rooms, the cabins have a specific design and in some versions, for example, with an interior in a classic style, they will look out of place.

Shower enclosures are represented by a fairly wide assortment, which can be distinguished by several criteria: the presence of a pallet, the shape of the pallet (corner shape), the height of the pallet, the material of the pallet. And also different door systems can be noted: single, double, triple.

Depending on the presence of a pallet or its absence, the location of the corner directly on the floor plane with a drain, shower enclosures are divided into two types:

• with a pallet - in this option, there is no need to carry out additional leveling and lining of the floor with a waterproofing coating, it is possible to take a bath while sitting (depending on its height);
• without pallet - especially in comparison with a corner on a high pallet, it is distinguished by its convenience and reduced injury risk, excellent elegant appearance.

From a geometrical point of view, shower enclosures installed on a pallet can have different shapes, while Popular options include:

• square, rectangular: this shape “eats up” the useful area of ​​the bathroom, but it fits very conveniently into a niche or other opening in a room with a modern renovation;
• round, oval: corners with this geometry are better suited for standard layouts, where the streamlined shape does not impede free movement in the limited space of the bathroom.

The convenience and functionality of the shower enclosure largely depends on this parameter, conditionally they can be divided into two types:

• With a small pallet: this option is very convenient, especially for people with disabilities, it looks more pleasant outwardly, requires floor finishing before installation;
• With medium and larger pallets: a deep tray makes it possible to draw a certain amount of water, in which you can take a sitz bath or soak things.

The operational features and cost of the shower enclosure depend on the material from which the pallet is made.

Different materials are used for production.

• Acrylic. The most popular option, excellent resistance to pressure loading, will withstand the most bulky users. A good combination of price and quality. Weak resistance to mechanical shock and scratching, this minus is especially relevant when washing pets, which can scratch its surface with nails.
• Cast iron. Enameled products made of such metal are distinguished by excellent strength, but require special installation, and also have a high cost.
• Ceramics. The great durability of the ceramic trays is combined with excellent resistance to minor damage, very easy cleaning using any detergent. The negative aspects include fragility before shock loads and a long period of surface heating: in a weakly heated room it will be cool to wash on it.

• Steel. Enamelled steel is distinguished by its high strength and wear resistance, the only big drawback is the “drum effect” created by the water falling on the pallet.
• Brick. Such pallets are laid out of bricks and then covered with tiles. They have excellent performance, from an aesthetic point of view, can be performed in any variation, limited only by the range of tiles and imagination. A relative disadvantage is the rather lengthy process of erecting such a pallet, compared with other types.

Shower enclosures can have various dimensions. The choice of a particular option depends on the free space defined for these needs, the financial side of the issue and other aspects. The required space inside the corner must be sufficient for normal showering in accordance with the user's build.

Several sizes are common shower enclosure formats.

• 90x90 cm - a standard universal version, there is enough space inside to wash with the convenience of one person of thin or medium build.These economical options are in high demand due to the value for money and the amenities provided, combined with a very compact size. And also due to the massiveness of products of this format, the assortment is very extensive with a variety of looks and different prices.
• 120x80 cm is one of the most common types of rectangular corner, a more spacious and convenient option. It allows two people of thin build to wash at the same time, it is very important for young families, where, getting ready for work, everyone needs to wash first and right now. For the price it is in the middle category, easily fits in the corner of the bathroom.

• 80x80 and 70x70 cm - mini options for tiny bathrooms. With the convenience in such a corner, only a thin person will wash, with an average build, you will have to make room. Before dwelling on such options, it is better to test the possibilities of being in it at the exhibition stand: turns and tilts will immediately show whether it is worth stopping to buy or not.
• 100x100 cm - this option can be called the "golden mean" for taking a shower by one person. Combines convenience and comfort with slightly larger dimensions than 90x90 cm. With variations with a low base and an excellent design typical for this size range, the shower enclosure will provide pleasant operation and will delight you with a stylish appearance.

The shower enclosure market, like the shower enclosure market, is quite extensive, this type of plumbing convenience is gaining more and more popularity, so you should start with trusted manufacturers.

• Ravak - a large Czech company, the country's leader in the production of sanitary ware. Produces shower enclosures from economy to luxury, high quality combined with a wide range.
• Koller pool Is an Austrian manufacturer of sanitary ware with an affordable pricing policy, an extensive selection and reliable quality guaranteed by European product certification.
• Eger Is a Hungarian company that sells economy and premium class shower enclosures, reliable quality of sanitary ware is provided by modern equipment and high-quality raw materials.
• Among the manufacturers of quality products, one can single out Cezares, Radaway and RGW... They are highly rated and have a lot of positive reviews.

When choosing a shower enclosure, it is worth considering a number of factors that are essential for its further operation.

• deciding to buy a corner in parts, you first need to decide on the size of the pallet so that it fits in the bathroom, and so that it is convenient to be in a shower corner with such dimensions;
• the grooved surface of the pallet reduces the slipperiness of the floor structure, thereby reducing the chance of injury when falling;
• the optimal material for the pallet is acrylic, it combines good strength with an acceptable price, heats up quickly and retains temperature for a long time, increasing comfort;
• when choosing a pallet, it is important to check its strength, for this you need to stand in the middle: a high-quality pallet will not bend - it has stiffening ribs, and in the best version, in addition to four legs around the perimeter, there is a fifth in the center of the product;

• when choosing spare parts, it is better to dwell on the choice of components from one manufacturer, it so happens that with the same overall dimensions, parts from different manufacturers do not converge end-to-end, do not fit tightly and without backlash;
• when choosing between glass and acrylic doors, it is important to remember that tempered glass is stronger and safer, easier to clean, although it is more expensive;
• the sliding door system is of two types: roller and hook, the hook system is less durable, often breaks down, works less smoothly and requires more physical effort;
• doors, covered with a special layer, repel water and get dirty less, hands do not slip off them, as a rule, it is applied to high-quality products;
• When choosing a ready-made shower enclosure at the stand, it is worth trying to shake the structure, a high-quality product is completely monolithic, there are no backlashes and cracks.

The creation of a shower enclosure consists of several successive stages, the implementation of which will provide a high-quality result and will delight you with its excellent performance and reliable performance for a long time to come. These include several required steps.

1. Site preparation. The first step is to level the surface on which the pallet is installed, you can lay out a brick pedestal, it will serve as an excellent support for the pallet, reducing stress points and distributing the weight over the entire plane. Between the brickwork and the pallet, there should be a layer of rubber to prevent damage to the product from movements. If the corner does not imply the presence of a factory pallet, you need to equip a floor plane for a drain or create a container of bricks and tiles (brick pallet).
2. Sewerage arrangement. When using a corner with a low pallet, you will have to either break the floor if there is no drain supply, and install pipes, or build a pedestal, inside which a flat siphon and drain pipes will be located. After the supply of the sewage system, the drain of the pallet is connected to it; when installing it, you need to use a sealant that provides reliable waterproofing of the space under the corner.
3. Frame. Metal strips supporting glass or polymer doors are connected into a single frame, they are fixed to the wall with self-tapping screws with dowels, and the working holes are also treated with sealant.
4. The walls are put on the frame. This must be done very carefully, the fall of an acrylic product will most likely lead to a crack, tempered glass can also crack with a strong impact, scratches are another problem during installation. A seal is attached at the edges, the doors are placed on a sliding mechanism, if opening them causes difficulties, the mechanism needs to be adjusted. All metal elements subject to corrosion are treated with a sealant.

When buying a shower enclosure in parts for subsequent installation, you need to understand what are the main components of the structure.

• Water pipes. Before starting the installation of the corner, cold and hot water must be supplied to the place of work, it is better to prefer plastic brazed pipes. All accompanying elements: taps and fittings must be installed before mounting the angle.
• Draining. It must also be equipped before installing the pallet, before pouring the leveling screed into which the drain pipes must be built. Preference, as with the supply, is better to give high-quality plastic, the diameter is at least 80 mm, for low pallets you need a flat drain siphon, for higher ones - at your choice.
• Pallet. After completing all the work on the arrangement of the supply and discharge of water, a pallet is mounted or laid out, if the choice fell on a brick or stone. When carrying out masonry, it is important not to forget about the level of the shower enclosure drain, which must correspond to the level of the toilet bowl pipe.
• Doors. This part is made of polymer and glass, the texture can be transparent, as well as matte, containing additional decorative patterns. There are options for shower enclosures without doors, but with one or two side walls made of similar material.

• A perfect combination of tiles in two colors and strips on the Ravak Supernova shower enclosure, which blends harmoniously with the bathroom interior. The brick plinth is equipped with a shallow pallet, a door of 4 segments: two fixed and two sliding.
• Corner KolpaSan Terra without a door with one fixed glass partition, the wall painted in "water" color contrasts well with the overall design in gray tones.
• A shower enclosure without a pallet with high sides made of bricks, clad in a "brick" look, in combination with floor tiles with a similar texture, create a fashionable bathroom design and serve as excellent waterproofing, contributing to a long service life of the shower.

For information on how to choose a shower enclosure, see the video below.