Rectangular shower enclosures with a low base
Most bathrooms in apartments have a small area, therefore, when arranging them, shower cabins are often installed, among which rectangular models with a low pallet are especially popular. They are produced with additional equipment, which allows not only to carry out health-improving procedures, but also to save water consumption. In order for this type of plumbing to be convenient to use and to fit well into the interior of the room, you need to know how to choose the right size.
Peculiarities
The rectangular shower cubicle with a low base is a practical type of sanitary ware, which is ideal for small bathrooms and allows children, overweight and disabled people to comfortably carry out hygiene procedures. The main feature of such models is that the depth of their pallets does not exceed 5 cm. In addition, most of these cabins are installed directly on the floor, without protrusions.
The walls and uprights of the structure are also mounted directly on the floor. When taking a shower, water from the base is discharged through narrow channels arranged around the entire perimeter of the base.
Some manufacturers produce showers designed for the elderly and disabled. They are additionally equipped with handles and a seat, which makes it much easier for them to take hygiene procedures. In addition, the main advantages of such designs include the following characteristics.
- Simple installation. The shallow pallet models are simple in design and consist of a roof, doors, uprights, walls and a base. You can install them yourself, without the help of specialists.
- Saves space in the bathroom. For miniature rooms, it is recommended to choose an open type of product, consisting only of doors and a pallet. The walls of the structure in this case are the walls of the room itself. These showers take up little space and fit into the original design of the room.
- Multifunctionality. At the moment, on sale you can find a huge selection of models equipped with a hydromassage (relieves stress, fatigue after a working day and well stimulates the circulatory system), a rain shower (imitates a tropical downpour and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system), a Turkish bath (provides a sauna effect). Also, some models have the function of air ozonization, which prevents the appearance of mold inside the cabin and the destruction of pathogenic microflora. Designs complemented by infrared heating, color therapy, inhalation and aromatherapy are also very popular.
As for the shortcomings, there are practically none, not counting only the high cost of products that are equipped with additional functions. Standard models are quite affordable and anyone can afford them.
Materials (edit)
Rectangular shower enclosures with a low base can be made of various materials. Depending on this, they differ from each other not only in design, but also in terms of service.
- Steel. These products are highly reliable and durable. The disadvantages of steel structures include noise from the impact of a jet of water on them. In addition, enamel coatings applied to steel substrates can chip quickly.
- Cast iron. With proper operation, they serve for a long time, but due to the fact that the thickness of the walls of the cast-iron pan is large, the material heats up slowly, therefore, before starting water procedures, you need to warm up the base with jets of hot water. This means that saving water is out of the question. In addition, cast iron is a very heavy material, making it difficult to install.
- Acrylic. Products made from this material are very popular because they are inexpensive, easy to clean and have an original design. Also, acrylic pallets are easy to restore in case of damage. If scratches appear on their surface, then sanding is enough. Minus - acrylic bases can bend under heavy weight, therefore they are not suitable for use by overweight people.
- Ceramics. Ceramic shower bases have more disadvantages than advantages. They are too fragile and can crack and shatter if mishandled.
- Natural stone and artificial marble. Pallets made of them are highly durable. They heat up quickly, keeping them warm. The disadvantage of such products is a rather high price.
As for the swinging doors of shower cabins, they can also be made of various materials.
- Glass. Doors for such shower rooms are usually equipped with special tempered glass, which is at least 4 mm thick. This material is considered the most hygienic, since fungus and mold do not form on its surface. In addition, doors can be produced from organic glass, which in its properties is in no way inferior to ordinary glass, the only thing is that scratches often appear on it. If financial possibilities allow, then you can give preference to a triplex, consisting of two layers of tempered glass and a reinforcing film.
- Polystyrene. In many ways it has similarities with plastic, there are two types - matte and transparent. Possesses good resistance to mechanical damage and high humidity. Cons - limited service life, difficulty in care. Suitable for shower doors in guest houses and summer cottages.
Dimensions (edit)
Today on sale you can find rectangular shower enclosures with a low base of various sizes.Most often, manufacturers offer models in which the base edges are placed at the level of the floor, which ensures zero height. They fit perfectly into modern bathroom designs and are great for the elderly and the unhealthy. Such models can have different depths: very deep (from 25 to 45 cm), medium (from 5 to 20 cm) and shallow (up to 4 cm).
To make this type of shower stalls easy to use, you should know what size is the most convenient. The choice of dimensions largely depends on the area of the room and the personal preferences of the owner of the apartment. So, for example, according to experts, the most optimal size is 90x90 cm.
Such cabins are well suited for people of average configuration, and due to their compactness they take up a minimum of space in the room.
Models with dimensions of 100x80, 120x80, 120x90 and 120x100 cm are also on sale. They are much more convenient to use. These structures, as a rule, are equipped with glass doors with a thickness of 5 to 12 cm. In the event that the area of the bathroom allows, then you can install rectangular showers with a low base of the following parameters:
- width - 750, 793, 800, 900, 910, 980 and 1000 mm;
- length - 750, 795, 800, 900, 1000 and 1095 mm.
At the same time, it is important to ensure that the doors of rectangular structures can open outward and inward at angles of 90, 135 and 180 degrees. It should also be borne in mind that cabins with a small pallet are suitable only for taking a shower, while large and deep ones can easily notice an ordinary bath.
Selection Tips
When purchasing rectangular shower stalls with a low base, you need to pay special attention to many nuances, otherwise the product may turn out to be inconvenient to use or will last a minimum period. Experts recommend considering the following parameters.
- Pallet legs... They may or may not be present in the product design. Moreover, this technical solution is characterized by many advantages, among which ease of installation is considered the main one. The shower room should only be set at the building level. At the time of purchase, it is necessary to clarify the method of fastening the legs, since they are often welded to the bottom of the base, and during the operation of the pallet, deformation of their individual sections is possible.
- Coating... It is on him that the strength of the base of the cabin and its thermal conductivity depend. If you choose a cast iron base, then you need to know that it is usually covered with frits, which increase the performance of the product. Pallets made of a different material are usually enamelled. It has an aesthetic appearance, but it cracks quickly and can fly off with slight deformation. Therefore, the right decision would be to purchase a shower stall with an acrylic tray - its surface is resistant to mechanical damage and can be easily restored.
- Ceiling. Models with a ceiling require special installation rules, since they must be connected to an electric current source. Since the ceiling acts as an obstacle to the penetration of light into the cab, it is important to correctly install the lighting using low-voltage bulbs.
- Number of nozzles... It can be different, ranging from 6 and ending with infinity. The more nozzles, the more expensive the cabin will be, but at the same time, you can achieve a better massage effect, thereby improving blood circulation.
In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to pay attention to the complete set of the product. To do this, it is important to determine in advance the purpose of the cabin - it is planned to use it only for hygienic procedures or for medicinal purposes.
The design of the shower room also plays a huge role; it should harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room and be well combined with other plumbing fixtures.
An overview of a rectangular shower stall with a low pallet, see below.