Shower panels: features, types and selection

Shower panels are installed in places where it is not possible to mount a full bath or shower cabin. Sometimes they are used for design solutions, if you need to create an interior in the style of minimalism or loft.

The shower panel is an elongated plate (body) on which the equipment and hydromassage nozzles are mounted. It is made from materials that are resistant to moisture, temperature extremes and household chemicals. It can be metal, plastic, glass, or acrylic. Combined options are produced, for example, glass and metal are combined.

A distinction should be made between the shower panel and the stand, although they are often called the same. The stand is a watering can on a bar, and the panel is equipped with hydromassage nozzles, it contains an overhead or flexible shower, it can be endowed with a number of additional functions, the more there are, the more expensive the product. Additional accessories include a thermostat, backlight, aromatherapy option, shelves.

The panel can have several types of control: manual and electronic (touch)... Electronic models require a cable supply from the mains (220 V), but passing through a transformer that reduces the current, a voltage of 12 W is supplied to the panel, ensuring the safety of the user.

The panel cannot compete in comfort with a full-fledged whirlpool bath or shower box, but it performs its hygienic functions in good faith.

One small panel virtually nullifies the shower stall and bathtub stay in the bathroom. It can be used not only in cramped conditions, the panel is good for lovers of space and asceticism in the interior. Modern urban styles often use it for their designs. In addition to aesthetic possibilities, the device has other advantages:

• it is compact, does not take up much space;
• easy and simple to assemble;
• it is convenient to operate;
• various types of materials help to choose a model stylized for bathroom design;
• a variety of options and different types of control allow you to purchase products of different price categories;
• functions of hydromassage and aromatherapy make it possible to carry out wellness procedures at home;
• aerated shower can save up to 10 liters of water at a time;
• the wide watering can wash the entire body at once.

It will not be possible to clearly classify shower panels, since they differ according to different criteria: material, design, installation method, number of options and different types of nozzles. Dimensional models can be with a screen, have a pallet. There are products of three classes on sale.

• The "comfort" panels are of the first class. They can be either overhead or flexible shower. Acrylic or plastic is used as the material. One large jet is a multi-jet hydromassage nozzle, but it can be replaced by four standard elements.

• The second class is called "medium", it has panels of acrylic or metal. The jets are located on the side, and three of them - with massage purpose - in the center.

• Third class ("premium") also equipped with side and center hydromassage jets, which can be started alternately or all at the same time.

According to the method of installation, they are of the following types:

• wall - answering their name, they are mounted on the plane of the wall;
• wall recessed products, they look very impressive - only nozzles, hand shower, shelves, holders are presented to the view, and the panel itself is hidden in the wall;
• corner models occupy any suitable angle, they can be compact or rush upward from the floor itself;
• universal panels can be fixed in the corner, on the wall and even on the ceiling.

Shower products are divided into household and professional... The difference lies in the number of nozzles: if from 2 to 8 elements are used for the house, then the shower panels of sanatoriums and hydropathic establishments can have up to 15 of them.

Panels of different types contain mechanical or electronic control, the second type is more expensive.

• Mechanical control presents a simple mixer with levers and a minimum of options. Water temperature and pressure are set manually.
• Sensory models have great possibilities, they are endowed with many functions. The control buttons are displayed on the display, with the help of which not only the pressure and temperature of the water are regulated, but also music, backlighting, radio, aromas and so on are ordered.

For today's consumer, reliable functionality is no longer enough - people want to shower in a beautiful environment. The panel itself and its surroundings should have a style and effective appearance, what can be seen by looking at the photographs of the bathrooms.

• Panel built into the wall... Convenient ceiling spout and lighting.

• Compact wall model maintains a minimalist style in the bathroom.

• When creating special interiors, you can choose equipment with a retro-mixer made of antique brass. For the manufacture of panels, bronze, copper, gold-plated steel are also used.

• Mechanically controlled metal products fit perfectly into the Scandinavian style of the bathroom.

• Contemporary wall panel, indicated by a glass screen, suitable for high-tech, minimalism styles.

• A kind of metal product manually operated perfectly matches the direction of country.

• Panel made under the tree, with overhead and flexible shower.

• Corner panel, built into the shower stall.

• Eco-design bathroom, imitating natural conditions, is successfully decorated with shower panels.

• White shower panel goes well with fixtures of the same color

Shower panels entered the Russian market not so long ago, but have already found their admirers. Designers are constantly improving products of this kind, and today they are not just ergonomic and compact equipment, but also a stylish piece of furniture. To get an idea of ​​modern shower panels, we will give examples of products from the world's most popular brands.

• Leading the plumbing market of a German company Hansgrohe, which produces shower products of the Pharo series. The Pharo Prestige has a top and hand shower. The upper swivel is capable of changing the flow mode to pulsating, soft and standard. The panel body is made of aluminum, acrylic and glass.

• The firm is no less famous Grohe (Germany)manufacturer of beautifully designed shower panels. Particularly popular are the models with a large top shower equipped with a tropical rain function. The shower effect revitalizes and relaxes after a busy day.

• Italian shower panel Jacuzzi REI small size - 143x27 cm, but endowed with all the necessary options. It has an overhead shower with a rain effect, a flexible hose, 4 hydromassage jets, and a mixer. The bathroom kit is equipped with a seat.

• Company Albatros (Italy) launches the Albatros HR 214 shower panel with a pleasant design. It has 6 nozzles, two watering cans, a thermostat, and is complemented by two graceful shelves.

• Italian firm Teuco offers the P 546 model with dimensions 194x20.5 cm, aluminum case. The kit includes a pallet. Equipped with hydromassage jets and single-lever mixer.

Choosing a shower panel should be based on the location where it will be located. This will help you not to be mistaken with the dimensions. For example:

• for a bathroom, a compact or medium model is enough;
• a high rack is suitable for boxing;
• in a small room it will be more convenient to use a corner product.

You can pay attention to the devices that help save water:

• the aquadimmer reduces the flow rate;
• Eco mode closes some of the shower channels.

For a more comfortable stay in the shower, you may need a thermostat, shelves, towel hooks. When making a purchase, it is better to familiarize yourself with the instructions for each model to explore the list of functions and choose the one that suits you best.

To install the shower panel, work is carried out in two stages: prepare the wall, then mount the equipment. At the preliminary stage, the communication pipes are placed in the wall.This usually happens during the repair, but if it is not planned, you should carefully remove the tiles from the installation site, check the condition of the plaster, it should not raise doubts about its strength, since a shower panel weighing 5-10 kg will have to be installed on the wall (depending on the model).

Further actions are performed in the following order:

1. mark the pipe connections;
2. install communications in such a way that the outlet holes are flush with the future plaster;
3. fittings are installed at the ends of the pipes to connect them with panel hoses and tied with cellophane to protect them during plastering;
4. to connect the touch panel, you will need electrical wiring, which is laid in plastic protective hoses;
5. when communications are carried out, plastering is performed, liquid glass can be added to the solution for reliability, but it should be remembered that such a composition sets quickly, you will have to work at an active pace;
6. when the wall dries up, a facing material is installed on its surface.

At the end of the preparatory stage, proceed to the installation of the panel. To do this, perform the following actions:

1. on the wall with the supplied communications, markings are made for the brackets;
2. then the holes for the bolts are drilled, and the holders are screwed on;
3. having studied the instructions from the manufacturer, connect the panel to the communications;
4. then a test water connection is carried out;
5. if the equipment works without leaks, the panel is fixed on the brackets, from this moment it is ready for use.

The video instructions for installing the shower panel are shown below.