Toilet roller shutters: functions and types
More recently, roller shutters have not been installed in a bathroom or toilet. Today, this is a common practice. These elements are widely used to hide piping, household chemicals and other unattractive objects that you want to hide from prying eyes. In this article, we will find out what are the main features of toilet roller shutters.
What it is?
Initially, all roller shutters were used exclusively as a complement to door and window openings. In the conditions of the bathroom, these parts were not used for their "intended purpose." These structures are a dense and strong canvas, which is assembled from lamellas. In the upper part, the web is wound on a special shaft placed in a protective box.
There is a spring inside the shaft itself, which is responsible for balancing the weight of the panel, due to which the roller shutters do not unwind under the influence of their own weight if there is no good fixation.
Not all manufacturers today produce roller shutters that have a correct, reliable mechanism, therefore, they are often fixed using a special locking system.
Advantages and disadvantages
Today many people buy toilet roller shutters. These products have a lot of positive qualities.
- With the help of such elements, households have the opportunity to hide all communications in the bathroom, making it more accurate and aesthetic.
- Roller shutters are presented in a large assortment - you can choose the right part in any size.The owners will be able to hide both miniature and large niches.
- If necessary, the owners will have free access to all the necessary structural components - meters, pipes, valves and others. To get to these elements, you just need to lift the roller shutter up.
- This design takes up a minimum of free space, so the area of the toilet (usually small) will not be further reduced. The most voluminous element here will be only the box, but in most cases it provides for the possibility of turning to the inside.
- Installation of roller shutters for a bathroom is simple and quick. Anyone can cope with such work - there is nothing complicated about it, and you will not need a special expensive tool.
- It is very easy to take care of such roller shutters. They are made from materials that are not afraid of moisture and moisture. Roller shutters are not subject to decay. They are easy to keep clean - just wipe them gently with a damp cloth.
- In management, these elements are also simple and not very demanding.
- High-quality roller shutters are durable, not subject to mechanical damage. They retain their aesthetic appearance for many years.
- These designs can not only correct the look of the situation, but also decorate it. There are many different options for roller shutters on sale. They can be multi-colored, decorated with various patterns or prints. On sale, you can also find options that exactly repeat the pattern of the tiles in the bathroom. Thus, the roller shutters will remain completely invisible in the room.
- Having roller shutters, the owners have the opportunity to organize an additional storage system (if communications allow it). With roller shutters, you get a good sanitary cabinet, easy to use.
Thanks to the roller shutters, the soundproofing level of the bathroom increases. The sound of water "running" through the pipes will be practically inaudible. Many manufacturers claim that their roller shutters are additionally responsible for certain thermal insulation of the bathroom.
There are no serious drawbacks that repel the purchase of roller shutters. Their main disadvantage is the high cost, but it is also easily paid off by the functionality and practicality of the selected design.... Such a product will cost more than a simple curtain, but the box is unlikely to be cheaper from drywall sheets.
Functions
Roller shutters demonstrate themselves as necessary and practical elements of the bathroom. In the conditions of a toilet, these components are primarily aimed at closing all utilities, ancillary areas. In the lowered position, the roller shutters are an absolutely flat, neat base. If necessary, they can be easily lifted to provide open access to pipes, valves and other objects.
Roller shutters not only close all unsightly systems from prying eyes, but also allow you to make the room environment more neat and aesthetic. In stores, you can find roller shutters that will be completely invisible or, conversely, will become a spectacular interior decoration. With the help of these elements, it will be possible to equip a good storage system, where households can place a variety of things - from household chemicals to cosmetics.
Device
Roller shutters designed to mask communication systems in the bathroom, in their design, are almost no different from standard roller shutters produced specifically for garages, windows or doors in apartments, private houses. These parts are made up of the following elements:
- a canvas assembled from lamellas, fastened together in a special way;
- protective box;
- side box covers;
- special guide rails;
- octagonal shaft;
- end profile.
Materials (edit)
Modern bathroom shutters are made from various materials.This factor affects the final cost of the product, as well as its performance. Many different variations of these products can be found in stores. So, plastic models have been among the most popular for a long time... These varieties are easy and trouble-free to wash if necessary, are lightweight, are not afraid of high humidity levels, do not rot or mold. You will never see any traces of rust on the surface of plastic roller shutters.
Plastic roller shutters are inexpensive and are presented in a large assortment, but in terms of reliability they are significantly inferior to modern aluminum or steel products. They are susceptible to mechanical damage - they can be accidentally broken or simply damaged. But for the bathroom, these disadvantages are not so terrible, because here the roller shutters will not protect the door or window - they will not be required to be very durable.
Many people prefer to buy not plastic, but aluminum models of roller shutters for a bathroom. These designs are considered optimal. They are inexpensive, characterized by good strength characteristics, have a beautiful and neat appearance, and are distinguished by their durability. Aluminum models are not susceptible to corrosion and have a relatively low weight. On sale there are options that have a two-layer paint and varnish coating, making them even more resistant to high humidity. Such models last longer.
The most durable, reliable, steel models of roller shutters are also on sale. For simple, domestic use, such structures have an excessive margin of safety. Steel options are wear-resistant, durable, and not easily damaged or broken.
If the choice fell on such products, then experts recommend buying stainless steel specimens. Over time, such material will not begin to rust and collapse while in a bathroom.
Control mechanisms
The roller shutters' protective cloth is raised and lowered due to the action of various mechanisms:
- automatic;
- mechanical.
If we are talking about a home bathroom, then there is no point in installing expensive automatic roller shutters, because the structure will not have a lot of weight and often rise / fall. Mechanical copies are the ideal, optimal solution. They are equipped with such components.
- Belt or cord drive... Simple, budget options that make it possible to raise and lower roller shutters, the weight of which is up to 15 kg. The system has a ribbon or string attached to the shaft. These solutions are ideal for products with a width of less than 520 mm. But roller shutters of this type are not designed to be fixed in a certain, intermediate position.
- Spring-inertial. Uncomplicated, but very easy-to-use type of mechanism. It makes it possible to fix the shutter panel in an intermediate position. Raising or lowering is done with maximum ease, but this type will not work for narrow options.
Dimensions (edit)
Sizes of roller shutters for a bathroom are different. The standard construction box usually has the following parameters:
- 1.37 x 1.37 m (ideal for shutters up to 1.6 m high);
- 1.5x1.5 m (for options whose height does not exceed 2 meters);
- 1.65x1.65 m (designed for roller shutters with a height of up to 2.88 m).
In order to select models of optimal dimensional parameters, it is necessary to first measure the dimensions of the toilet. Today in shops you can find roller shutters of different sizes. Consumers have the opportunity to choose both mini format options and larger models.
Design options
Roller shutters produced by modern manufacturers can complement the interior of the restroom, make it more aesthetic and neat.In order for the chosen design to fit into the existing environment as harmoniously as possible, it is important to take into account color combinations when selecting it.
You should decide in advance: do you want to make roller shutters a bright accent of the restroom or use them as a simple, discreet addition to the overall ensemble.
Modern manufacturers produce roller shutters in a variety of colors and shades. As soon as photo printing became relevant and popular, they began to resort to it in the manufacture of these elements, due to which the range of roller shutters became simply huge. All existing models can be roughly divided into several main categories.
Models that match the color of the walls
Many homeowners prefer to choose roller shutter models that will not stand out from the overall ensemble, but will "merge" with the color of the tiles in the bathroom. Roller shutters have the ability to give absolutely any shade, so they can be matched to the tone of any finish.
The more closely the colors match, the less visible the mechanical structures will be.
Contrasting
These types of roller shutters are no less popular. Usually they are chosen by people who want to create an unusual, interesting and "lively" interior. In the selection of contrasting and multi-colored roller shutters, it is important not to overload the room with variegated scales (in a small room this mistake is very easy to make). The number of shades should also not be too large, otherwise the situation will turn out to be disharmonious, ridiculous. It is advisable to use no more than 2-3 colors. For example, the walls in the toilet can be beige, and the shutters - contrasting blue, "backed up" by a blue floor carpet.
With photo printing
Relatively recently, original and unusual roller shutters decorated with spectacular photo printing began to go on sale. Previously, in order to complement the structure with a specific pattern, specialized film coatings were used, but they quickly wear off, especially in places where they are in contact with the guiding elements. Unscrupulous manufacturers still resort to using this outdated technology.
The modern method of applying an image involves the use of ultraviolet printing. A drawing formed in this way does not lose its attractiveness for 6-7 years. The print will not be afraid of exposure to moisture, will not lose the saturation of colors. In the catalogs of different companies you can find a great variety of roller shutter models decorated with photo printing. Cartoon characters, animals, landscapes, various patterns and other interesting images are applied to the canvases. With such elements, the bathroom furnishings will sparkle with new colors, become more interesting and bright.
The assortment of roller shutters decorated with photo printing is huge. It is possible to choose the ideal option for any setting. If it was not possible to make a decision in favor of a certain model, then you can find the image you like on your own, and then order it to be applied to the selected structure.
White
White roller shutters are the simplest, classic options. They are found most often, do not have a high cost. Such designs fit seamlessly into any setting, because white is universal and can be harmoniously combined with any palette. You can turn to snow-white roller shutters when the walls in the bathroom are finished with materials not only white, but also any other colors.
Installation methods
Experts recommend installing roller shutters during repairs in the bathroom, when the replacement of pipes has already been completed, meters, filters and other components will be installed. Only after that it will be exactly clear which elements need to be hidden, and the installation costs will turn out to be not so large in the end. There are 3 ways to install roller shutters in the toilet. All of them differ only in the location of the construction box.
Box inside
The optimal solution when viewed from the point of view of aesthetics.The box is the most massive component of the entire structure. It hides behind the canvas, so a flat surface is obtained when closed. It is important to make sure that the depth level of the niche allows you to place the box there.
It is recommended to take measurements after leveling the surface of the walls, before laying the tiles, so that the structure is flush with the wall. If you have already laid out the tiles, this type of installation may not be possible. In this case, it is advisable to consult the manufacturer for correct measurements of the opening.
Box out
This type of installation is carried out if the depth of the niche does not make it possible to fit the box of the structure there. All measurements and installation work is required to be carried out only after all work on the lining of the room. It is important to make fasteners for tiles. Here we must not forget about the parameters of the length of the selected canvas - it should fit freely in the box, completely freeing the opening.
Overlay box installation
Thus, the installation of roller shutters can be carried out if the walls are made of a material such as drywall, which is not designed for severe mechanical stress. The box is placed exclusively from the outside. The design is equipped with an additional guide at the bottom. Ceiling mounts are not required.
How to choose?
Care must be taken when choosing roller shutters for a toilet or bathroom. Before going to the store, it is important to correctly carry out all measurements. Do them at several points. Thus, all values will be determined as accurately and correctly as possible. Having learned all the dimensional parameters, you can proceed to the selection of suitable models, paying attention to the following criteria.
- Manufacturing material. When choosing high-quality ready-made sets of roller shutters for a toilet, it is important to decide on the material that seems most suitable for you. The cheapest are plastic models, but they can be easily damaged (which rarely happens in the toilet). The most expensive options are stainless steel, but for domestic use they may be unnecessarily strong and sturdy. Aluminum products are optimal.
- Control mechanism. Which roller shutter mechanism to choose (mechanical or automatic) is up to the buyer to decide. But it must be borne in mind that automation in the toilet can be useless and unreasonably expensive, so it is better to give preference to mechanical, more affordable and simple systems of high quality.
- Color and design. Do not forget about the design of the roller shutters chosen for the toilet. On sale you can find products of almost any color, so it will be possible to choose the best option for any situation. Modern consumers have the opportunity to order original and beautiful models, decorated with interesting photo printing, but such varieties are more expensive than ordinary, one-color ones.
- Manufacturer... The recommendations of the experts confirm the opinion that the brand models of roller shutters are the highest quality, reliable and durable. Such products may cost more, but they will last longer, there will be no unnecessary problems and hassle with them, and the design of branded roller shutters is usually thought out to the smallest detail.
For such products, it is worth going to specialized stores with a good reputation.
Helpful hints and tips
If you plan to place in the toilet not only a toilet bowl and lighting fixtures, but also roller shutters, then you should heed a number of helpful tips and tricks.
- If, in accordance with the project, a stretch or suspended ceiling is provided in the toilet, then the structure in which the canvas will be disguised can be hidden under it. Thanks to this solution, the interior will have a complete, harmonious appearance.If you want to make the environment more modern and original, it is allowed to fix roller shutters with an automatic drive, but there is no need for this.
- In order for the roller shutters to be as useful as possible, experts advise installing them along the entire length of the opening, which is planned to be hidden. Thus, unhindered access to all pipes and communication systems will be guaranteed at any time.
- Installation of roller shutters is not the most difficult thing. It is quite possible to deal with this on your own. The main thing is to act carefully, step by step, making accurate measurements. Installation errors can lead to out-of-warranty cases, damage and damage to the structure.
- It is not recommended to buy canvases on which images and prints are applied using a special film. As mentioned above, this technology is outdated for a long time. Such images will not retain their original appearance for too long.
- If there are certain shortcomings and shortcomings in the bathroom, then you can divert unnecessary attention from them with the help of a canvas decorated with beautiful photo printing - a drawing or print. This is a simple design move that works most of the time.
If tiles of several colors are used in the room for wall decoration, it is worth ordering roller shutters, the lamellas of which are made in the same manner. Manufacturers will be able to exactly repeat the design of the wall decoration thanks to modern technologies.
How to install roller shutters in the toilet with your own hands, see the next video.