Square shower enclosures: features, varieties and selection

In recent years, more and more people are abandoning the installation of bathtubs in favor of showers. At the same time, square-shaped models are among the most demanded. Let's list the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing this product.

Square shower enclosures are most often purchased and installed to save bathroom space. Indeed, the dimensions of the square cabin make it possible to use the space freed up after dismantling the bathroom for installation in a room, for example, a washing machine. This is especially true for models with a side length of 80 or 90 cm.

One of the main advantages of such a plumbing device is its compactness.

The third positive aspect is easy installation of some models of square shower enclosures. Even a person who is not professionally involved in plumbing can cope with this work.

Shower enclosures with square base give a wider choice of the location of the structure... They can be installed not only in the corner or along one of the walls, but even in the center of the room.

However, the desire to save space can result in some inconvenience in the further use of the cab. Options with a side of 70 or 80 cm may not seem spacious enough.

A good alternative to the bathtub can be a cabin with a high tray, but if the height of the sides is less than 30 cm, then it can only be used for taking a shower.It will not work to collect a container of warm water. However, the high sides of the pallet, which must be stepped over every time you need to go inside, can be inconvenient for the elderly.

Square shower enclosures are of two types for tightness:

• with a roof, that is, closed;
• without a roof - open.

Closed square cabins are usually equipped with additional functions. It can be:

• hydromassage;
• overhead shower;
• "Turkish bath" and others.

Open square cabins are considered economy class products, their internal equipment includes a minimum of elements (hand shower, hand shower stand). Such options are easier to install and are much cheaper than closed structures with additional options. Open shower cabins are suitable for those people who do not tolerate high humidity.

The design of the doors allows you to classify square shower enclosures into the following types:

• with sliding doors;
• with swing;
• with folding.

Folding doors consist of separate sections, which, when opened, are superimposed on one another according to the principle of an accordion. This makes it possible to save space in the room, but requires careful handling of doors that break more easily than swing doors.

Sliding doors also save space, as they move along the walls of the booth along the guides located at the top and bottom.... However, this design is also more fragile than the swing mechanism.

Swing doors are the simplest and most reliable type of doors. If you install a shower cabin with a structure of this type, then you need to additionally take into account how much space an open door will take: so that it does not cause great inconvenience, there must be enough free space in the room.

When choosing a shower cabin, you need to pay attention to the materials from which the pallet and door leaf are made. The type of material determines the cost and performance of this plumbing structure.

Square pallets are made from different materials. This could be:

• ABS plastic;
• acrylic;
• fake diamond;
• fiberglass;
• ceramics;
• steel;
• cast iron.

The materials of the door leaf and walls can also be different, mainly:

• plastic (polystyrene);
• plexiglass;
• strained glass;
• triplex.

Doors and walls of a square shower enclosure made of plastic have the following characteristics:

• ease;
• moisture resistance;
• low price.

At the same time, they are not devoid of disadvantages, which include:

• fragility;
• soapy deposits quickly form on them.

Plexiglass more durable than plastic and lighter than glass, but just as transparent. Its disadvantage is the ease of scratching it.

Tempered glass doors and walls are distinguished by:

• strength;
• ease of care;
• higher price.

Glass of the "triplex" type is distinguished by its high strength, safety and high price.

Pallets ABS plastic they are wear-resistant and lightweight, but they do not retain heat well, and water with a strong pressure when falling onto the pallet creates a loud noise in the cab.

Very often pallets are made acrylic... This design is characterized by low weight, warms up quickly, does not get dirty, however, it does not save from the strong noise of water in the cabin and requires careful handling, since it has relatively weak resistance to mechanical and chemical influences.

Ceramic pallets made of sanitary ware are wear-resistant, durable with proper use, easy to clean using the same means, which are used for sinks and toilets, do not rattle under running water, slowly heat up, but retain heat for a long time. They must be protected from strong impacts, for example, do not allow heavy metal objects to fall onto the pallet. They are often made in white.

Pallets made of artificial stone very durable and wear-resistant, retain heat well, are distinguished by good noise absorption, that is, they eliminate the noise of the falling jet, do not deteriorate under the influence of water, sunlight and household chemicals. They can be made in any color, with an imitation of the structure of natural stone, but are distinguished by their high weight and high cost.

Pallets fiberglass (SMC) They are distinguished by their durability and strength, resistance to mechanical stress and chemical influences, they are characterized by low thermal conductivity, due to which they maintain the temperature of the water.

Steel enamelled pallets keep their shape well, differ in low cost, but thunder under the pressure of strong jets of water.

Pallets cast iron strong and durable, but very heavy.

Among square shower cabins, the most common sizes are 80x80 cm, 90x90 cm, 100x100 cm, less common options with a side of 70, as well as 110 cm. Larger designs are usually produced in small batches or made to order.

The minimum height of the shower stall is 185 cm. As a rule, the larger the base area, the greater the height of the booth itself. If the side of the base is 100 or 110 cm, then the height of the cabin is at least 210 or 220 cm.When the side of the base is 80 cm, the height of the cabin is most often 190, 205 or 210 cm, although there are also options with a height of up to 235 cm.When the side of the base is 70 cm, shower room the cabin can be up to 205 cm high.

Manufacturers provide the opportunity to choose various design options for square shower enclosures, which can be done in the style:

• modern;
• retro;
• high tech.

The rear wall of the cab can be made in color and decorated with a picture. Most often, manufacturers choose black, white, silver, gray or gold for this element, as well as geometric or floral designs.

The door leaf can be decorated with a pattern, tinted or frosted.

The color of the cab body is most often white, but some manufacturers also offer black.

The profile is usually made in two colors: white or chrome, but some manufacturers produce models with a golden profile color.

When choosing a shower stall model it is worth considering the size and illumination of the bathroom, as well as the prevailing colors in its interior. With a small area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe room, you should prefer a design of small dimensions, with a sliding or folding type of door. It is better if they are transparent, so visually there will be more free space in the room.

Also, when choosing a design for a shower stall, you should take into account the manufacturer's recommendations for its location in the room. It can be:

• wall-frontal;
• angular.

Square shower cubicles are manufactured by a large number of manufacturers from Russia, Germany, China, Italy, Spain, Finland and other countries.

The number of Russian brands is quite large: Aquanet, Bas, Finn, 1 Marka, Radomir, Water World and others.

A significant number of brands from Germany are also represented on the domestic market, for example, Grossman, Lagard, RGW, Sturm, Wasserfalle, WeltWasser. Often found on sale and products of Italian manufacturers (Primo, Novellini, Jacuzzi), Spanish (Alvaro Banos, Bolu, Edelform) and Finnish (Timo, IDO).

Shower cabins of the German brand Royal bath manufactured in Russia.

It is worth mentioning several worthy brands from China presented on the Russian plumbing market. These include Avanta, Arcus, Niagara, Nautico, Ika, Fresh. Many European firms locate their production facilities in China, for example, the Spanish Esbano brand, the Italian Aqualux and others.

When choosing a shower stall, you need to focus not only on the size of the bathroom and its design, but also on the number of shower functions that you require. It only makes sense to buy an expensive model with a lot of functions if you use all of them.

Choose the depth of the pallet according to your personal preferences and habits. A shallow shower tray cannot be used as a mini-bath, but it is more convenient to enter such a shower cabin.

Square shower enclosures are available in various designs, so they can easily fit into the interior of any bathroom. This can be, for example, a room in the style:

• minimalism;

• high tech;

• retro.

For information on how to choose a shower stall, see the next video.