Shower enclosures with a low base: features, varieties, brands, selection

Shower enclosures are the optimal solution for small bathrooms, if you want to achieve ergonomics and functionality. Consider the features of such a low pallet design.

A feature of the shower enclosure is its compactness and ergonomics. This design adjoins the walls of the bathroom, that is, the walls of the room simultaneously serve as the walls of the shower enclosure. For convenience, the latter is usually placed in one of the corners of the bathroom, although it can simply lie against the wall.

Unlike a shower box, the shower enclosure has fewer walls and no ceiling. Design features are one of the advantages of the corner - it can be placed even in a small bathroom.

The shower enclosure comes in a variety of shapes and sizes., therefore, it will be possible to "fit" it even into small niches, rooms of complex shape. As a rule, plumbing fixtures are purchased separately for the shower enclosure. This allows you to choose products that are suitable in class and, accordingly, price.

Shower enclosures can be with or without a tray. In most cases, installing a product with a pallet is easier and less time consuming than installing an analogue without a pallet. This is due to the fact that the latter require the laying of pipes and other communications under the screed. Besides, it is necessary to lay the floor at a certain slope so that the water does not spread throughout the bathroom, but is collected in the drain.

The installation of products with a pallet is simpler in this respect - usually you just need to connect the structure to the existing plumbing system... In addition, the pallet reduces the risk of flooding.

Depending on the height of the pallet, it can be low, medium or deep. The height of the low pallet is 5-7 cm. It is especially convenient for use by the elderly, people with disabilities - all those who cannot physically step over the high pallet. In general, this is a convenient design that does not visually clutter up the room, which sometimes happens in the case of using a high tray for a corner.

The shape of the booth is determined by the shape of its pallet. The most popular shower enclosure shapes are the triangle or a smoother version of the 1/4 circle. Also "running" are the booth-square and rectangle. If the size of the bathroom allows, then it can be a pallet in the shape of a semicircle, then the corner is adjacent to one of the walls. For bathrooms cluttered with furniture or complex in shape, you can choose a trapezoidal or other asymmetrical pallet.

Standard dimensions for a shower enclosure are 90x90, 100x100, 1100x1100 and 120x120 cm. Of course, there are more compact models - 80x80, 85x85 cm, but their use is not so comfortable. Visually, such booths look like an isosceles triangle.

If we are talking about rectangular products, then often there are pallets in dimensions 80x100, 80x120, 100x80, 100x90, 110x80, 120x80, 120x90 cm. In this case, the length of the booth is indicated first, then the width. That is, a product measuring 120x90 cm is not the same as a pallet 90x120 cm.

When it comes to the material for shower enclosures with a shower tray, we mean the material of the walls and the shower tray itself.

The walls and doors of the corner can be made of plastic and glass. Plastic structures have less weight and cost, but they are less durable - over time they lose their original geometric shape. In addition, plastic is difficult to clean - after a short period of operation, traces and soap stains appear on the plastic surface.

Glass, despite its apparent fragility, turns out to be a more reliable and durable option. The fact is that for the production of the corner, special durable glass with a thickness of at least 4 mm is used. There is also a variant of tempered glass products, the thickness of which reaches 6 mm.

Finally, one can choose ultra-reliable glass - triplex. It is made according to the principle of automobile glass - 2 layers of glass with a transparent reinforcing film laid between them. The material thickness can be up to 8 mm. It is resistant to mechanical damage, and even in the event of a breakdown, such glass will not shatter into hundreds of injuring fragments, but will remain on the film.

The glass is environmentally friendly, does not lose its shape, and thanks to a special coating, water smudges and soap deposits can be easily removed from it.

Glass booths can be transparent or colored, smooth or frosted. In most cases, the choice in favor of one or another option is made based on the personal preferences of the owner.

Let's move on to the possible options for the material for the pallet.

It is characterized by strength, durability (service life reaches 50 years), but it has a lot of weight, which may cause difficulties with transportation and installation. In some older homes, a cast iron pallet may require additional floor reinforcement. However, again, due to the large weight, the pallet does not vibrate or deform, does not make noise during water collection.

Cast iron pallets usually do not have a wide variety of shapes, which is associated with the complexity of giving the product the desired configuration. As a rule, these are triangular, square and rectangular models.

The material has low thermal conductivity, so the water in such a pan cools slowly. In general, a reliable and high-quality, but quite expensive option.

Steel pallets are usually coated with enamel, which makes them attractive, durable and extends their service life. Such products have a wide range of shapes and sizes. However, due to the low density of the material, they often deform, vibrate and make noise when collecting water. A steel pallet is not the best option for overweight people.

Besides, the product retains heat worse than its cast iron counterpart. If an object falls into the pallet, cracks may appear on the enamel surface.

One of the most popular materials. This is due to its high quality, long (up to 25 years) service life, attractive appearance, hygiene and affordability.

Acrylic is a plastic material at the production stage, so pallets can have a wide variety, even complex asymmetric shapes. They can also come in a variety of shades and sizes. Cast acrylic should be preferred. It is more reliable and durable than extrusion. Sometimes a plastic bowl covered with an acrylic layer on the inside is given out for an acrylic pallet. However, such a product has a service life of no more than 10-12 years, is deformed, and is afraid of temperature extremes.

Another type of acrylic is kvaril. This is the same acrylic, but with the addition of quartz sand to the composition. Due to this, the material becomes stronger and more durable.

Such a pallet is very attractive in appearance. Due to a sufficiently large weight, it will be stable and will not deform. However, at the same time ceramics are fragile materials, even a small object falling can damage the pallet. In this case, it becomes impossible to use it, a replacement is necessary.

Usually they mean artificial stone. Natural is not used due to its high weight, complexity of processing, surface porosity (unhygienic) and the presence of background radiation. Artificial stone is a composite material that is stylized to resemble a natural stone surface. It is, of course, lighter than its natural counterpart, but still has a lot of weight.

When choosing a corner, you need to take into account the size of the bathroom. The dimensions and shape of the structure depend on this. In small rooms, it is convenient to place corner models with a pallet in the form of a 1/4 circle or square. For a narrow long bathroom, a rectangular design will also be a good option.

When choosing a corner booth, you need to immediately decide in which corner it will be located. In accordance with this, right- or left-hand models are selected.

For small bathrooms, cabins with sliding doors are often recommended. When purchasing this option, make sure that the guides are made of metal, have magnets and rubber pads. Only in this case it is possible to guarantee the tightness of the structure and its long service life.

If you choose a model with a swing door, make sure that when you open it does not block the passage or cause other inconvenience.

In order to save money, many prefer one-door cabins.This is a suitable option, provided the doorway is wide enough (at least 50 cm).

Market leaders are products from Italy, Germany, France. However, they also have a fairly high cost. They are not inferior to them in quality, but they are an order of magnitude lower than the corners from the Czech Republic and Finland.

How to choose a shower enclosure, see below.