Shower enclosures: types and sizes, selection rules, manufacturers' review

The shower enclosure is the embodiment of compactness and functionality and enjoys increased interest from the owners of the hotel business and owners of small-sized housing.

The shower enclosure is presented as an open-ended system consisting of two or three walls and a door. Unlike four-sided shower cabins, corner models do not have a ceiling and two adjacent walls, the role of which is played by the walls of the room. Some of the most budget models do not even have doors and consist solely of a safety fence. The side walls of the corner are securely fixed to the walls and are well sealed.

In some cases, partitions are installed on a special podium, which is erected to ensure proper drainage and localization of the wet zone. The set of the corner, in addition to partitions, can include a shower rack and a tray, and in more modern models, the rack is replaced by a multifunctional shower panel.

Stable consumer demand for shower enclosures is due to a number of obvious advantages of these compact devices.

• Small size corners fit well in small bathrooms and narrow bathrooms. This allows them to replace bulky tubs and free up space for the washing machine.
• Shower enclosures are available in a wide variety of colors and designs, which greatly facilitates the choice and allows you to purchase a model for any interior.
• Using a shower can significantly reduce water consumption, since its consumption is much less than when washing in a bath.
• Lack of roof does not allow the creation of the effect of a steam bath, which is especially valuable for the elderly, for whom being in conditions of high humidity is contraindicated.
• Shower enclosures, especially those without a tray, are ideal for people with musculoskeletal disorders. There is no need for a person to step over a high side, which significantly reduces the risk of injury. This is one of the main advantages of such designs over baths and shower cabins with a deep base.
• Compared to other hygiene products shower corners are not too expensive, which attracts even more fans.

Along with a number of advantages, shower enclosures still have disadvantages. These include lack of capacity or its small volumes, which does not allow, for example, soaking or rinsing laundry. Another significant disadvantage of the corners is the need to arrange a serious waterproofing of walls and floors, in which laying out ordinary tiles is indispensable. In such cases, the work of professionals and strict adherence to the technology of laying the insulating material is required. Otherwise, fungus will appear on the walls, and the apartment of the neighbors below risks being flooded.

Unlike the shower cabin, installation of the corner requires certain labor costs: the walls of the fence require reliable fixing to the walls and high-quality sealing of joints, as well as hanging and adjusting the doors for easier opening. The disadvantages include the need to thoroughly wash the walls and doors of the corner... This is because all drops and smudges are visible on the transparent surface, which give the structure an untidy appearance.

The classification of shower enclosures is made according to several criteria, such as type of construction, shape, presence of a pallet and functionality.

According to this criterion, the corners can be divided into two categories - these are frameless models and wireframe samples... The first is a very simple system that consists of a profile, fittings and a transparent material, and is attached directly to the wall. These samples are inexpensive and take up little space. They are good for small apartments, where they do not clutter up the bathroom space and do not create a visual load on the room.

Frame models are characterized by good stability and long service life. They are much stronger than frameless structures and are well suited for installation in public areas.

The next design feature of shower enclosures is the presence of doors. According to this criterion, the models are divided into closed and open variants. The first ones are equipped with sliding, hinged and folding doors, they are more practical from the point of view of sanitary standards, since they do not allow splashes to fall on the floor. Open systems are often presented in the form of a glass floor screen and support profile, and can be installed in either the right or left corner.

The role of the back and second side walls of the corner is played by the walls of the room, the doorway is open. Such models are the simplest version of shower enclosures and are very cheap.

Shower enclosures are available in a wide range and are represented by models square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, oval and elliptical, and polyhedrons and asymmetric designs.

Shower enclosures can be supplied with or without a pallet.

• Models with a pallet are considered more convenient and hygienic, which is due to the presence of a special surface under the feet. The bottom of most of them has an anti-slip coating and a warm surface. In addition, the presence of the pallet acts as an additional measure of protection from the flood of neighbors from below and, in the event of a blockage in the sewer pipe, prevents the contents from spreading across the floor of the bathroom.

Pallets, in turn, are subdivided into deep and flat... The first ones are convenient for fulfilling any household needs and allow you to use them as a mini-bath. The latter are often located on the same level with the floor and are designed to collect water and drain it into the drain system.

• Corners without pallet look much more interesting and harmoniously fit into the interior of the bathroom. Glass curtains feel as if they are weightless and have an impressive effect. However, the installation of such models requires professional plumbing and tiling work, as well as the arrangement of a waterproofing layer. Shower enclosures without a pallet are an excellent option for people with limited mobility, allowing such people to take a shower without the help of strangers.

Most shower enclosures are simple structures designed for hygiene procedures. However, there are also more functional samples with built-in audio system and telephone. The role of a shower rack in such corners is played by a modern shower panel, which is equipped with a mixer, hydromassage and hand shower. More technological samples have backlighting and touch control.

However, even the most perfect corner, equipped with a modern panel, is optionally inferior to a shower cabin. This is because the absence of a ceiling prevents the use of the aromatherapy and Turkish bath function.

Different materials are used for the production of shower enclosures. Partitions are made of tempered glass, triplex, transparent plastic and polycarbonate.

• Glass models they look much more aesthetically pleasing and richer, retain their attractiveness longer and are easier to care for. Glass is absolutely harmless to humans, meets hygiene requirements and has a long service life. The disadvantages of glass structures are high weight and low resistance to shock loading.

The thickness of the glass partitions varies from 4 to 12 mm and determines the total cost of the corner. Glass can be transparent, matte, textured and colored, as well as have an artistic drawing made using sandblasting, thermal silk screening and toning.

• Plastic partitions for shower enclosures have a low weight and low cost. The service life of such samples is much lower than that of glass ones: they quickly become cloudy from constant exposure to water and are covered with a network of small scratches from the use of abrasive cleaning agents.

For the manufacture of pallets, steel, cast iron, acrylic and ceramics are mainly used, less often - quaril and marble.

• Steel models They are notable for their low cost, are presented in a wide range and represent the most numerous group of shower trays. The disadvantages of steel samples include a cold surface, low noise absorption and low resistance of enamel to impacts and falling of heavy objects.

• Cast iron pallets are reliable and durable, however, they are not in high demand and are rarely found on sale. This is due to their heavy weight and difficulties in transportation.Although in many operating parameters, cast iron is much preferable to steel: enamel lasts longer on it, a thick bowl perfectly dampens the noise of falling water, and the heated surface, due to its low thermal conductivity, remains warm for a long time.

• Acrylic models are in high demand and are presented in a wide range. The high plasticity of the material makes it possible to make pallets of a wide variety of shapes from it, which greatly facilitates the choice of the desired option.

• Ceramic pallets have a smooth, beautiful surface and anti-slip coating. The models are distinguished by hygiene, good noise absorption and a warm surface. The disadvantages of ceramic samples include low impact resistance.

• Kvaril is an alloy of quartz filler with acrylic and is also used for the manufacture of pallets. The material is characterized by wear resistance, retains its gloss for a long time and does not need additional reinforcement.

• Stone pallets made to order for exclusive corners. For this, cast marble is used, which is a mixture of marble chips with polymer resin. Marble pallets have a striking appearance, are very durable and easy to clean. The only drawback is their price, which significantly increases the final cost of the shower enclosure.

The design of shower enclosures provides for the installation of several types of doors: sliding, hinged, swivel and folding.

• Sliding doors are the most popular type... They do not require additional space in front of the corner, they close quite tightly and, thanks to a special mechanism, open almost silently. Models with sliding doors look very laconic and fit most modern styles.

• Folding doors for the most part, they consist of two halves, which fold according to the principle of an accordion inside the corner. Thanks to this, drops from their surface flow down into the sump, leaving the floor dry.

• Swing doors in shower enclosures they open outward, and therefore require some space in front of them. Models of this kind are installed in spacious shower rooms and bathrooms.

• Swing-slide doors equipped with a special mechanism that ensures the simultaneous rotation of the canvas and its displacement along the opening to the right or left. At the same time, the door can be rotated 360 degrees and requires 2 times less space in front of the corner than a swing door.

Considering the features of the doors, it should be noted that all mounting elements are made in the color of the fittings or closed with special overlays of the desired color. It is the fittings that largely determines the belonging of the corner to one or another style direction.

For example, for rooms decorated in a classic style, corners with copper or bronze elements are suitable, and in modern trends matte or nickel-plated silver fittings will look good.

The modern plumbing equipment market presents shower enclosures in a huge variety of sizes and shapes, which allows you to choose a model for any room. For combined bathrooms, the area of ​​which does not exceed 3.5 sq.

Such showers are compactly located in the corner and allow you to freely place a washing machine and bathroom furniture. In large showers or bathrooms, asymmetric, trapezoidal and even pentagonal samples of 110x110, 120x90 and 120x100 cm in size are installed.

Today, a huge number of enterprises are engaged in the production of shower enclosures. Czech, Polish, Finnish and Italian models, as well as Russian-made products, are in great demand. Below is a rating of the best quality samples, reviews of which are most often found on the Internet.

• Shower enclosure made in Russia Aquaton Ritsa produced in sizes 90x120 cm, equipped with a sliding door fixed on suspended rollers with bearings. The partition has a height of 200 cm and can be installed either on the floor or on a pallet. The glass walls are 8 mm thick, and the doors are 6 mm thick.

For the manufacture of the profile, anodized aluminum is used, coated with a special compound that resists the formation of rust. The pallet is not included and must be purchased separately. The warranty is 5 years, the cost is 35,238 rubles.

• Shower enclosure Am. Pm Bliss L Solo Slide 90 Made in Germany, it consists of transparent glass walls and a silvery matt aluminum profile. The model is made in the shape of a quarter circle, has a sliding door with an entrance width of 42 cm and is available in dimensions 90x90x190 cm.The product can be mounted both on a pallet and on the floor, is made in a modern design and has a 3-year warranty. The pallet is not included and must be purchased separately. Such a corner costs 26,290 rubles.

• Chinese shower enclosure Erlit ER0509-С3 has a semicircular shape and is available in sizes 90x90 cm. The height of the product is 195 cm, the type of doors is sliding, the thickness of frosted glass blocks is 4 mm. The model is equipped with a pallet 15 cm high, has a 5-year warranty and costs about 10,000 rubles.

• Triton Orion Model Russian-made in the form of a square, produced in sizes 90x90 cm, has a low acrylic pallet with a height of 19 cm and a double-walled glass railing with a thickness of 5 mm. The model is equipped with sliding doors, anti-slip coating and adjustable legs. The cost of the corner is 16 620 rubles.

• Shower enclosure from the Czech Republic Ravak SRV2 75 S Pearl Available in white and equipped with a fiberglass pallet with a total height of 9.5 and a depth of 7 cm. Glass railings are designed for floor mounting, and the universal orientation allows you to install the model in both the left and right corners. The two-section doors have a sliding design, the entrance width is 39 cm.

The corner is made in the shape of a square and is equipped with an AntiBlock mechanism, which prevents jamming and skewing of moving door elements and ensures their silent operation. The product warranty is 2 years, the cost is 22,000 rubles.

• Model from Italy Cezares Anima W R2 100 C Cr IV equipped with an acrylic pallet with a total height of 14 cm and a depth of 5 cm. The 6 mm glass railing complies with international safety standards (EN 12150-1: 2000) and is floor-mounted. The door has a sliding structure and consists of two halves with an entrance width of 53 cm. Magnetic seals and a set of gaskets ensure complete tightness.

The profile is made of anodized aluminum and can be adjusted within the range of 98-100x98-100x200 cm, which allows you to accurately fit the model to the walls. The manufacturer's warranty is 3 years, the cost is 40,740 rubles.

• Shower enclosure from Finland Timo TL 8002 Romb Glass equipped with an acrylic pallet 15 cm high and 4.5 cm deep. Glass railing 6 mm thick is mounted on the sides of the pallet. The design of the doors is sliding, the width of the entrance is 45 cm. The model is made in the shape of a square, has a one-year warranty and costs 34,300 rubles.

• Model from Poland Radaway Torrenta KDJ 90 graphite L equipped with a 1.2 cm deep reconstituted marble pallet, left-hand orientation and gray hinged doors. The profile is made of aluminum and is adjustable in width. The width of the entrance is 60 cm, the shape of the pallet is square, the warranty is 3 years. The glass rails are coated with Easy Clean to help keep the glass clean.

Magnetic seals provide a reliable seal, and the wall profile system compensates for unevenness in the wall. The fence can be installed both on a pallet and on the floor, the cost of the corner is 50,312 rubles.

• Economy class model WeltWasser WW400 110G-1 has an open design and is manufactured in Germany. The corner includes a 6 mm glass partition and a 90 cm long support profile that is attached to the wall and prevents the fence from falling. For the installation of the structure, hidden screws are used, which significantly increases the aesthetics of the sample. The height of the fence is 185 cm, the width is 110 cm, there are no doors.

The product has a universal orientation and can be installed in any corner. The pallet is not included and must be purchased separately. The cost of the model is 10,900 rubles.

There are a number of key points to consider when choosing a shower enclosure.

• First of all, you should decide on the size of the corner. To do this, you need to measure the place where you plan to put the corner. Then you need to check whether all household members will feel comfortable in the shower. To do this, lay out a square of the appropriate size on the floor, the owners take turns standing in the center, turning in different directions and bending over.

The main thing is that the body does not go beyond the boundaries of the square, otherwise it will be inconvenient to take a shower. In this way, extremely compact corners are selected, which are purchased for small bathrooms. Models with folding or sliding doors that do not require additional opening space are suitable for such rooms. In spacious rooms, it makes no sense to purchase models of 70x70 cm and the most optimal option would be samples of 110x90, 100x80, 100x100 and 120x80 cm in size.

• As for the shape of the product, then it should be borne in mind that rectangular and square specimens take up a little more space than semicircular specimens, therefore, in small rooms it is advisable to choose models that do not have corners. In large shower rooms, there are no restrictions: a square, a trapezoid, and an asymmetric sample will perfectly fit in them.
• The next important point is the material of the corner.... Tempered glass partitions are considered the most preferred. They are much stronger than plastic ones and will last much longer.
• Choosing a pallet, it is better to opt for models with an anti-slip coating., which is especially important when there are elderly people and small children in the house. When choosing acrylic pallets, it is recommended to test them for strength. To do this, an adult family member must stand in it and see if the material will bend under its weight. If this happens, then it is better not to buy such a structure.
• When choosing a corner, you must take into account the design of the bathroom. and purchase a corner in accordance with the color scheme and style. The modern market offers a large selection of white, black, gray, tinted fences, which allows you to find a model for any interior.
• It is important to check that all fasteners and fittings are present., as well as a passport and warranty card.

According to buyers, shower enclosures are a practical solution and allow you to equip a full shower space in a limited area. Most consumers choose such models due to the fact that it is very difficult to install full-fledged shower cabins in cramped bathrooms. Moreover, there are a large number of budget samples on the market, the price of which is quite affordable for the general population.

Of the disadvantages of shower enclosures, they note low functionality and lack of many options. However, this problem is partially solved by installing a multifunctional shower panel.Some owners of shower enclosures complain about water leakage between the fence and the tray, which is often due to poor installation quality and a violation of the technology for sealing the joints.

The shower enclosure, in addition to its practical function, has a powerful decorative effect and often acts as a central design element. Despite their simplicity and the minimum amount of details, the models allow you to experiment and implement the most daring design solutions.

Shower corner with transparent railing in the bathroom interior.

Semicircular model with sliding doors fits perfectly into any modern style.

Corner with hinged doors and shower panel looks stylish and functional.

Low pallet model - a great solution for small bathrooms.

Recessed shower enclosure allows you to efficiently use the space of the bathroom.

For information on how to properly assemble a shower enclosure, see the next video.