We choose a comfortable and reliable shower cabin. How to choose a shower cabin for a bathroom - expert advice What are closed shower cabins

Shower cabins entered our lives twenty years ago and seriously compete with our usual baths and fonts. This is facilitated by some of the advantages inherent in these plumbing products. You can quickly freshen up with an economical consumption of water, the cabins take up less space. A number of models are endowed with additional features that make the procedure even more pleasant and useful.

Everything is known in comparison, and we will also pay attention to some features of shower cabins.

The advantages of such devices include:

You can take a shower immediately, there is no need to wait for water to fill up, as in the bathroom.
Modern cabins allow you to listen to radio broadcasts during the water procedure, communicate with the outside world through the speakerphone or take medical procedures.
In the booth, there is no need to climb over the high side, you just need to step over the side on the pallet.
The risk of injury in the cabin is minimal because the bottom of the pallet is non-slip. They are also equipped with handrails and seats. The dimensions of the device can be selected individually in a wide range of sizes, so that it is convenient to take procedures
If the device is equipped with a deep tray, it is convenient to use it for preparing laundry for washing or washing the baby.
The shower uses much less water than the bathroom, but the hair after the detergent is washed much better.
Cabins are compact, in limited conditions they take up much less space than a font. A wide choice of execution allows to place the device in any conditions of a bathroom.
Cabins are easy to clean as tightly closed doors prevent water from entering the outside.

However, showers are not without drawbacks:

high price;
in the cabin it is impossible to relax and soak in warm water;
dependence of some procedures on water pressure in the water supply system. Tropical showers, hot tubs, or steam baths can be a problem;
the need to wipe the walls of the booth dry after each procedure so that a whitish coating does not form on it during the natural drying of moisture.

All this indicates the need to take into account all the circumstances when choosing this device.

Types of shower cabins

By design features they are divided into three main types:

open;
closed;
combined.

open cabins

Products of this type are integrated into the bathroom. It can be corner or wall placement. These structures are prefabricated. The cabin tray is arranged above the sewer drain. The walls are arranged along its perimeter, adjoining the contour of the bathroom. Most often, organic or reinforced silicate glass is used for this design.

A characteristic feature of open booths is the absence of an upper fence. For this reason, it is impossible to arrange a tropical or cascading shower in them. When washing, you have to use only a standard flexible hose with a watering can. Functionally, the open type cabin is used only as a means for washing the body.

One way to install such devices is to refuse the use of a pallet. Instead, a bowl of high-strength concrete is cast, which is finished with non-slip tiles. Glass walls are assembled in an aluminum or stainless steel profile and are tightly fastened to walls lined with ceramic tiles.

To the benefits open structures can be attributed:

Low cost, within 8 - 20 thousand rubles.
Possibility to make a cabin in a wide range of sizes.
Simplicity of design, making it easy to mount the device with your own hands.

capital arrangement of structural elements;
significant difficulties in the event of a need for repair;
the lack of the possibility of an ozonation device or a steam generator;
the inapplicability of the overhead shower, cascade or tropical;
increased humidity in the room when taking water procedures.

In general, these are simple devices without additional functions, intended only for sanitary and hygienic needs.

Closed cabins

They are produced in the form of a stand-alone box that can be installed anywhere where it is possible to connect to communications. The cabin consists of a pallet, side walls and a cover. The equipment includes a variety of devices with specific functions. The device is easily dismantled and can be transported or simply removed for the period of repair.

In such devices, acrylic or stainless steel is most often used to make the pallet, but there are also cast-iron bases, as well as sanitary faience products. Basic structure usually made of stainless steel or aluminium. The side walls are made transparent or translucent from silicate or organic glass, monolithic polycarbonate is also used, which easily takes any shape.

Closed cabin available for 30 - 40 thousand rubles depending on the number of additional functions. But there are also copies priced up to 150 thousand.

The advantages of closed cabins include:

quick installation at the installation site;
a large set of additional features;
a wide range of models from various manufacturers;
soundproofing;
closed cabins are isolated and do not affect the microclimate in the room.

Speaking about the shortcomings, we can only mention the high cost of products of this type.

Combined designs

Their feature is the use of a recessed tray, more like a bath. The material for it is acrylic, cast iron or stainless steel. The side walls are made from the same materials as other types. The top cover can be used or not, it depends on the design decision of the manufacturer. This combination allows you to combine in one device best properties other types - the jacuzzi device is combined with the possibility of taking a Charcot shower, cascade or tropical version.

At the same time, combined devices require considerable space for installation, which limits their use. Prices for such plumbing start at 70,000 rubles.

These devices have the following positive qualities:

the ability to use all the advantages of a bathroom and shower;
a large selection of models;
choice of closed or open version execution.

Choosing a shower cabin according to various factors

The criteria for choosing such plumbing can be various factors:

dimensions;
pallet shapes;
manufacturing material.

Selection by pallet size

Often the limiting parameter in the selection of a device is the size of the room and the location of the associated communications.

If an option is considered that uses a rectangular shape of the pallet, then the market will offer the following dimensions (in centimeters):

80 x 80;
90 x 90;
100 x 100;
120 x 80;
100 x 100;
120 x 120;
70 x 70;
150 x 150.

Sizes up to 100 centimeters are used in the manufacture of open and closed showers. Sizes over a meter are used in combined devices with a deep base.

In addition, corner booths can have a combined shape in the form of a semicircle or part of it, as well as a semi-oval for combined models.

Regarding the depth of the pallet, it should be noted that it can reach 40 centimeters. They are allowed to be arranged buried, but this depends on the possibility of supplying the drain system. Often it is necessary to install a booth on a pedestal in order to naturally solve this problem.

It is allowed to install a small pump - a sololift - for forced pumping of water from the sump.

When using pallets with a depth of 30 - 40 centimeters, there is a problem associated with the need to overcome a high barrier. The situation can be corrected by an additional step at the entrance to the bath. The handrails in the booth, available in each design, will help to maintain balance.

For a comfortable shower, the most popular is the size of the cabin 90 x 90 centimeters.

Selection by pallet material

Pallets for booths can be made from the following materials:

metal stainless steel or cast iron;
from acrylic;
artificial marble;
natural stone.

Cast iron pallets are distinguished by their considerable weight, since they are produced by casting. Possess high operational qualities and durability more than 10 years.

Steel pallets are strong enough. Their disadvantage is the rapid cooling of water. This can be eliminated by warming mounting foam on the back side. Such an event partially eliminates their other drawback - the roar from the water falling into it.

Acrylic pallets are the most common because of their low price and manufacturability. Attractive for the manufacturer is the ability to produce a wide variety of forms of these products. Today it is not often possible to find pallets made of pure acrylic, more often they are made of two-composite plastic.

Pallets from faience sanitary. Usually these are massive stable products. They are easy to care for and have a long service life. The disadvantage of such products is their fragility, so you need to use faience pallets with extreme caution.

Pallets made of natural stone or artificial marble are very durable and maintainable. Their surface can be restored by simple grinding with emery cloth and subsequent polishing. Mass application is limited by the high cost of products.

Selection by door design

Door opening systems in cabs are as follows:

Swing. This design of the doors allows them to be most widely opened towards the bathroom. The door leaf is hung on hinges to door frame from a broom.
Hinged. In this design, the doors are hinged to the upper and lower bar of the box. The door opening allows you to enter and leave the cabin as comfortably as possible.
Sliding. This design is chosen for a booth in a cramped room, when space does not allow working. hinged doors. In her door leaf moves along a metal guide along the side wall. Can be made with one sliding canvas or two smaller ones.
In conditions of insufficient space, mono stop the choice on rotary ( rocking) doors. It is easy to open, guided by a special hinge and allows easy access to the cab.
Folding door ( "book") is used in conditions of insufficient space outside the cab. Its two wings are folded in the middle, tightly fitting one to the other, and closed inside the cabin. Such designs are used for cabins in combined versions.
Curtain doors have become a development in the design of book doors. They smoothly fold into a compact package, do not take up any bathroom space at all and have a presentable appearance.

Wall material selection

For the manufacture of the side walls of the cabins are used various materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's dwell on this in more detail:

Polystyrene. This is a family of translucent or transparent plastics that are moisture resistant and light in weight. The main disadvantage of this material is its short service life. Not suitable for installation at home, it is better to use such a cabin in the country. The problem is also the care of polystyrene, because the surface tends to precipitate dirt and soap suds. Choose an effective detergent very problematic for him.
Glass doors for cabins are the most popular. You should not be afraid to break the door and injure yourself, because triplex is used for their production - durable laminated glass. When destroyed, it simply crumbles to the floor. But this can also be avoided - currently special film coatings are used, due to which the glass is simply covered with a network of cracks. Caring for such surfaces is elementary simple.
Plexiglas. Not to be confused with polystyrene! In terms of strength, it is similar to silicate glass, but does not prick. The disadvantage is that the surface is susceptible to mechanical stress with the formation of scratches. It is almost impossible to correct such a defect on transparent glass by grinding. This is only available on matt opaque wall designs.

Knowing how to choose the type and design of the cabin, you need to be careful about obviously inexpensive devices. It is very likely that the costs incurred will be in vain.

Particular attention should be paid to the material from which the cabins are made, preferring more expensive products to obviously low-quality products.

It is important to choose a reliable manufacturer with a certain reputation. With caution, you need to treat the products of Chinese manufacturers. It is better to turn to products of well-known brands, the staff of such manufacturers is very demanding on the quality of their products.

You need to carefully consider the quality of plumbing - faucets, shower devices, as well as other components and equipment. Sometimes low quality products are used in pursuit of profit.

Additional functions of shower cabins

In addition to a banal wash, a shower cabin allows you to get additional amenities in the form of a circular shower, therapeutic hydromassage, a steam room and other amenities.

Of the shower functions, a shower stream pouring from the ceiling predominates, often a tropical, cascading shower, as well as a contrast one, is built in.

This type of spout allows you to dramatically change the temperature of the water flow in automatic mode. This helps the body to cheer up, increases its efficiency.

The Turkish bath mode allows you to increase the temperature inside the cabin to 55 - 60 degrees using steam generated by a special generator. Often this function is associated with the possibility of using aromatherapy. In this case, the steam from the generator passes through a container with aromatic substances placed in it.

For lovers of dry steam, a function with a sauna is built in, in which dry heated air is blown into the cabin with a fan heater. The temperature in such a steam room is set by the regulator and maintained automatically.

Recognizing the unconditional usefulness of shower cabins, we pay attention to a number of points that need to be considered before purchasing them:

You need to decide on the feature of the drain device in the bathroom. When choosing a booth, it is better to focus on a design in which these communications are mutually compatible. Otherwise, there will be a need for bulk construction work.
The selected cabin must correspond to the size of the room where it will be located. There are many cases when, when installing the cabin, it was necessary to cut down part of the wall, as a result, the cost of repairs and the time spent on it increase significantly.
Before buying a product with additional functions, you need to get advice from plumbers about the amount of water pressure in the network at different times of the day, especially during peak consumption hours.
It is risky to install a cabin without a pallet in a multi-storey building. Such a device will require reliable waterproofing under it, and it must be performed by qualified specialists.
Of great importance is the visual perception of the product that you are going to purchase. There are many opportunities for this, including the study of photos, which abound on the Internet.

Thus, the decisive factor influencing the choice of a shower enclosure is the budget. Based on this indicator, the size corresponding to the size of the room is selected. Other factors are considered after the first two are taken into account. But with all the variety of offers, the choice depends on the range of such products on the local market.

The perfection of the designs of shower cabins allows you to install them yourself from a set of purchased parts. Before starting work, carefully read the manufacturer's installation recommendations. Only after that you can proceed with the installation.. If a complex design is used, and questions arise, it is better to postpone this event and entrust its execution to invited specialists.

Which shower cabin will please the soul and body?

A huge range of shower cabins, both European and Chinese, poses a difficult choice for the buyer. The variety of existing models can confuse anyone, so in order not to spend extra money, clearly define the functionality you need.

First of all - which shower cabins are not worth buying?

Inexpensive shower cabins although they are popular because of their low price, they can have significant drawbacks. Therefore, no matter how Chinese manufacturers praise themselves, no matter how hard they try to stuff their cabins with many various functions, no matter how they talk about the joint Italian-Finnish-American design and production, no matter how they lure the price, the quality of Chinese models is inferior to truly European ones. When installing the "Chinese" often there are difficulties due to low-quality parts. During operation, the pallets of many models creak and crack, unable to withstand the load, the glasses can crumble at once, all the shiny souls, faucets, handles, watering cans, hydromassages stop working, the booth starts to flow, the acrylic shining white in the store swells and turns yellow. Often warranty service is not provided in full.

Inexpensive European manufacturers in practice, they turn into the same China. For example, TIMO shower enclosures - which are said to be made in Finland - are actually made in China. The quality of TIMO shower cabins, by the way, is very good for its price - but why this deception of consumers is needed is not clear. And there is no need to talk about good warranty service either.

At the same time, Appollo, Aquamarine and many other Chinese manufacturers do not hide their origin, develop infrastructure and business, and feel great on the Russian market.

So if the budget is limited - among budget Chinese shower cabins it is quite possible to choose suitable model . Carefully approach the purchase, look at the quality of components and the materials from which they are made, ask sellers about guarantees, entrust the installation experienced craftsmen- and an inexpensive shower stall will serve you well.

With caution, one must also choose shower cabins from Russian manufacturers. It is more reliable to choose a cabin of joint European-Russian production.

Ido Showerama 8-5 (Finland)
best outdoor shower without roof

Photo: www.abitec.ru

Ido Showerama is a quality shower cabin from a well-known Finnish manufacturer. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail, the design took into account the requirements for functionality and convenience. The model can be selected from different sizes, with tempered 6mm clear, frosted, patterned or tinted glass. The pallet is made of marble, which makes it massive and stable.

Advantages: the presence of both a manual watering can and a full-fledged rain shower, the glass is installed in an aluminum profile, there are high-quality seals, a drain of the original form.

Flaws: expensive spare parts

Reviews:“No fungus and mold, no need to smear something with silicone every month. Real rain shower old version there was only a hand watering can. But, if something breaks, spare parts are hard to find, and prices bite. But still, I definitely recommend it!”

IFO Solid SKR (Sweden)
best outdoor shower with hydromassage

Photo: www.sandom.ru

Estimated price: 70 000 rub.

The IFO Solid SKR shower cabin from the Swedish manufacturer has a modern, laconic design. A feature of the model is the absence of visible seams, namely, water and dirt accumulate in them.

Advantages: 10 year warranty, thermostat

Flaws: mechanical overhead shower

Reviews:“There are a lot of enclosed showers on the market. They are stuffy. Therefore, the choice fell on an open booth, but I also wanted a hydromassage. The Swedes, of course, monitor the quality.”

Albatros T09 A900 MS (Italy)
the best hydromassage box with a low tray

Photo: stroisanteh.ru

T09 A900 MS is a nice hydromassage cabin with a roof from the famous Italian brand Albatros. The walls and pallet are made of high quality European acrylic white color. Transparent doors made of safety tempered glass, an overhead shower with a rain shower effect, hydromassage, vertical massage, a seat, three shelves, two of which are originally hidden in the body, and the excellent quality of all details make the shower cabin the best in this category.

Advantages: true Italian quality, the ability to modernize and install a Turkish bath.

Flaws: for such functionality, the cost is still high

Reviews:“Compared between Chinese counterparts and this shower stall. "Chinese" for such a price, of course, are more functional, but the quality, guys, is incomparable. There is practically nothing to complain about. In this booth, even the smell compares favorably.”

LAGARD LYRA H (Germany)
the best whirlpool box with a high tray

Photo: www.universan.ru

Estimated price: RUB 87,000

The shower cabin LAGARD LYRA H is made of impact-resistant tempered glass 8 mm thick. The high strong acrylic pallet allows to bathe the small child. Rain shower, hydromassage, LED lighting, electronic control, the presence of radio, ventilation, ozone, protection against power off, protection against water pressure drop, Hansgrohe accessories make the shower cabin multifunctional, comfortable and stylish. The assembly is completely silicone-free.

Advantages: Strong pallet, the presence of a Turkish bath.

Flaws: High price.

Reviews:“Very high quality hot tub, and high pallet allows you to bathe a small child, we no longer need a baby bath. The price is only rather big, but the German quality is worth it.”

Jacuzzi Amea Twin Premium (Italy)
best hot tub with open tub

Photo: stroy-mart.ru

Estimated price: RUB 189,000

A stunning series of Twin shower enclosures from the elite Italian manufacturer Jacuzzi, whose name speaks for itself. The famous Italian designer Carlo Urbinati took part in the creation of this collection. Comfortable and practical bath harmoniously combined with a hydromassage shower column, with an overhead shower, a mirror, a shelf, a seat. In addition, the bath is huge: 180 cm long and 86 cm wide. High-quality fittings and finishes make this complex magnificent.

Advantages: Looks classy and exclusive.

Flaws: High price.

Reviews:“Jacuzzi is the best shower! Even just entering the bathroom, I feel like a lady from an aristocratic family, and when I use this work of design art, I am blissed out with bliss.”

Novitek Evelyn (Finland)
the best hydromassage box with closed tub

Photo: www.hitkabina.ru

Novitek Evelyn is a novelty from a well-known Finnish manufacturer. A deep full-fledged bath with a size of 170 cm and a volume of 240 liters will allow you to soak up plenty of foam. And if you want to take hydromassage procedures, then hydromassage of the legs, back, neck is at your service. The overhead rain shower will relieve fatigue and invigorate you. The mixer has five positions and is equipped with a thermostat. Complementing the cockpit are radios, mirrors, two seats and two shelves.

Advantages: Large bathtub, easy to accommodate two in the cabin, there are many useful features.

Flaws: High price.

Reviews: " Great hot tub with tub. It took a long time to choose and evaluate. Since we are not constrained in size, we wanted a large bathtub with a hydromassage so that we could take a dip together with my husband. Very pleased. The price is high, but ... Either buy a Chinese one and change it after 3-4 years, or a Finnish one and enjoy the quality for 15-20 years.

Am.Pm Bourgeois (Germany - Italy)
best hydromassage box with turkish bath and low tray

Photo: www.aquabum.ru

A collection of Bourgeois shower enclosures from a European manufacturer, specially designed for bathrooms small size, is the height of perfection and exquisite style.

Am.Pm Bourgeois consists of a hydromassage cabin and a steam bath. The hydromassage cabin is equipped with a control panel with a Touch Screen display, eight vertical Active Jet jets, three back jets, an overhead rain shower and a hand shower.

The steam bath operates on a digital control system. It performs many health benefits: eliminates toxins, moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin, improves skin function. immune system, reduces stress. The cabin has a radio for a pleasant pastime, a fan, a mirror, shampoo shelves, a seat. Acrylic pallet 16 mm high.

Advantages: European build quality, comfort, hydromassage, steam bath, stable construction, high-quality acrylic.

Flaws: High price, poor radio reception quality.

Reviews:“There are some shortcomings, but, in general, I think I chose the best shower cabin for me. A compromise between cheap China for 30-40 thousand rubles and expensive European assembly from 180,000 rubles.

Luxus 532 (Czech Republic)
best hydromassage box with turkish bath and high tray

Photo: luxus-shop.ru

The cab of Luxus 532 is made in the form of a quadrilateral with a deep tray, which also has a transparent semi-circular outline, which gives a special sophistication. Thanks to large sizes in width and height, the cabin can comfortably accommodate two people. The design provides for the presence of many useful functions, even a telephone and a speakerphone are equipped. Tinted glass on the doors will get rid of the appearance of limescale, hydromassage, overhead rain shower, lighting, radio, shelves, seat, and, of course, a Turkish bath steam generator will bring a lot of pleasure from taking water procedures.

Advantages: tinted glass, original shape baths.

Flaws: Despite the European quality, the warranty is only 1 year.

Reviews:“Good spacious shower, nothing breaks, works properly. Bought 8 months ago and still enjoy it. Massage does great, sometimes even just for the sake of it and I go. Everything is done neatly and with high quality. The friends were jealous. Now they are promoting their husbands.”

Grande Home ITC 1812
the best hydromassage box with a Finnish sauna

Photo: www.dlyavann.ru

Estimated price: RUB 290,000

To determine the winner in this nomination, I had to lightly step on the throat of my own song and choose a model from a Chinese manufacturer. The reason is that Europeans do not produce shower cabins combined with a Finnish sauna. They simply offer to buy a separate box with a sauna and a separate hydromassage box. In defense of this manufacturer, we can say that its products are focused strictly on the European market, and therefore they are quite high quality. The described model has an electronic thermostatic mixer, a touch control panel, brass hydromassage jets, an ozone generator, an overhead shower with LED chromotherapy, a steam sauna, an infrared sauna, FM radio, an aluminum profile, tempered glass.

Advantages: multifunctional model, the quality of parts is high, a good level of service.

Flaws: a Chinese manufacturer - it may alert some, but the alternative is, again, only Chinese models.

Reviews:“Very high-quality and multifunctional model of a hydromassage shower cabin. Distinguished by the presence of Finnish infrared sauna. In one complex and Turkish bath and sauna. Friends now go not to the sauna, but to me J”.

Luxus 023D (Czech Republic)
best inexpensive hot tub

Photo: aquanta-spb.ru

Estimated price: 22000 rub.

The Czechs have always been distinguished by the ability to take the best from the same Germans and translate them into their models. Here Luxus confirmed this. Quality materials, good design and the latest technologies are embodied in this shower cabin - the best among inexpensive ones. High-strength acrylic, transparent 5 mm glass, a solidly standing low tray, elegant wood-like inserts on the seat and on the walls - all this decorates the cabin and inspires reliability. The shape (a quarter of a circle) allows you to install it in any bathroom. The cabin is equipped with all the necessary functions: an overhead rain shower, as well as a multifunctional hand shower; back hydromassage with 6 adjustable jets; comfortable shelves for soap and shampoo, mirror, seat; radio, multifunctional control panel, overhead lighting and ventilation. Everything here is thought out for convenience and pleasant pastime.

Advantages: Stable design, comfort, acrylic materials, 5 operating modes of hydromassage equipment.

Flaws: There are difficulties with self-assembly.

Reviews:“Budget shower stall and the facilities are impressive. There is hydromassage, lighting, various coasters, shelves. It makes no sense to compare with more expensive models, since everything suits. Hope it lasts a long time."

RAVAK BLIX BLCP4
best shower cabin

Photo: www.ravak.ru

Estimated price: 27 000 rub.

Very light design of the shower cabin from the Czech manufacturer. In fact, it is only transparent safety glass 6 mm thick, which is installed in aluminum profiles. The doors are sliding, which saves space in the bathroom. Ergonomic handle makes it easy to open. All glass parts are covered with a protective layer against dirt and lime deposits.

Advantages: Cheap, quality parts.

Flaws: There is no pallet in the basic configuration, you need to buy it in addition.

Reviews: Air model. Everything is very simple and well thought out. And what else do you need to just go in and take a shower? All these hydromassages and other bells and whistles are not necessary to me. By the way, there are really no stains from water on the glasses.

ECO 200 Comfort
the best summer shower for a summer residence

Photo: mnogobt.ru

Estimated price: 15 300 rub.

When you have a great big country house, which, moreover, does not freeze through in winter, then, in principle, you can choose any booth from the above. But most often we live in the country in the summer, and this shower cabin is best suited there. The cabin can be installed anywhere, and in winter it can be disassembled and brought into the house. The unit has a 200 liter heated tank with a power of 2kW, which can heat water up to 50°C. The cabin is covered with a moisture-resistant awning, there is ventilation mesh, the frame is made of steel profile, and a pallet made of wooden slats.

Advantages: Inexpensive, ideal shower for the summer in the country.

Flaws: A short service life, but if you put the booth under a canopy, then it can last for several seasons.

Reviews:“I bought, brought, built, poured water, heated it, took a shower. Don't have to wait sunny days, the cabin has a heater, and the tank is 200 liters. A great option for a summer residence. "

AM.PM Admire Suite
the best elite multifunctional shower complex

Photo: www.ferox.cn

Estimated price: from 985 000 rub. depending on configuration

Admire Suite is not just a nice feature-packed shower stall, it's an entire bathroom that shapes the design of the home. You can choose any configuration depending on your desire and capabilities. This is an excellent multifunctional hydromassage cabin with a steam bath, aromatherapy, chromotherapy, waterfall, rain shower, thermostatic mixer, 8 mm thick tempered glass, Bluetooth, wood-like doors, and a sauna with a powerful 4.5 kW oven, electronically controlled , With interior decoration from larch, and a fully functional toilet room with a toilet and bidet. This is truly a luxury complex.

Advantages: An exclusive model that will emphasize the highest status of its owner.

Flaws: Bathroom and toilet room for the price of a car.

Reviews:“This is the Maserati of shower complexes. I am sure that few people have such a device.

Which shower enclosure is better to buy?

When choosing the best shower enclosure, decide on its purpose and the functionality you need. It makes no sense to overpay for those marketing bells and whistles that you will never use. Next, select the shape and height of the pallet, as well as the dimensions of the cabin. Assess how you will feel in the cabin when taking water procedures. To do this, enter the cabin and raise your arms up, bent at the elbows, as when washing your hair. If the elbows do not cling to anything, this is your size.

If your faucet water is hard, this will lead to limescale stains on the glass parts of the cab. Therefore, we recommend buying not transparent cabins, but with tinted, frosted or patterned glass.

And another important tip: do not install by yourself. This, at first glance, apparent savings can turn into serious troubles during further operation. Use the services of either service centers or professionals.

Happy shopping!

If the area of the bathroom is modest, a shower stall will be an excellent alternative to a regular bath. What types exist, what materials such plumbing structures are made of and what are the differences - consider the types of booths and their features in this article.

The owners of apartments and small private households in Europe install shower cabins in the rooms for water procedures. In Russia, shower cabins have become fashionable relatively recently.

For the first time they began to be installed in the apartments of our compatriots about a dozen years ago. During the years of Soviet power, the choice of goods, and along with them furnishings, was small, and the design was frankly second-rate. Soviet production offered only a few options for certain products.

Taking into account the limited area of apartments located in houses built during Soviet Union, it is surprising that shower cubicles were not used in small bathrooms. Before the active introduction of these ergonomic items in interior design, there was still a lot of time.

Shower cabin, photo

One of better ways to relax is to take a bath, but we should not forget that with certain health problems this can be harmful. The shower, on the contrary, will have an invigorating effect: after waking up in the morning, such a water procedure will come in handy.

There are several pluses from the soul:

Economical water consumption. It takes a lot more water to fill a bathtub.
Time saving. To take a bath, you must first fill it with water, and this will not take a couple of minutes. The water procedure itself is delayed, because you want to lie in soapy foam, splash and dream. In the shower, you just turn on the water and immediately get up under it, quickly wash yourself and rush to work.
Space saving. Even if the bathtub is small, it will require more space compared to the built-in shower stall model.
Purity. Using a shower cabin is more hygienic than a bathtub, it does not collect dirt and pathogens, because the water in the cabin does not stagnate.

Model selection

On the market plumbing equipment Several models of shower cabins are offered.

open

Open models, i.e. open top showers, are simple yet beautiful designs, which include a tray installed in the corner of the room for water procedures, and a pair of partitions passing from one wall to another.

Corner shower cabin, photo

The advantages of open booths lie in their compactness and affordable price. When purchasing an open model, give preference to baffles higher - to provide protection from splashes.

Closed

The closed version of the hydrobox is made in the form of a sealed structure. The pallet and drain are complemented by a roof. The peculiarity of the capsule is its tightness.

Such a booth prevents moisture from entering outside it and protects the room from evaporation. Furniture in the room for water procedures will not be subject to temperature changes, contact with moisture.

Shower cabin in the bathroom, photo

A closed model does not have to be placed in the corner of the room.

On a note! The advantage of closed cabins is that they are equipped with innovative features, such as hydromassage or radio.

Classification of types of shower cabins

Let's take a closer look at the main types of shower cubicles.

Shower enclosure open type

It does not have rear partitions and is equipped with screens on the sides.

Bathroom with shower, photo

Wall fixation shower enclosure can be done in different ways:

the walls are fixed with hinges or specially installed profiles, due to which the boundaries of rooms with a modest footage are visually expanded;
partitions are attached to the frame base; such cabins often have compartment doors, which makes it possible to arrange them as compactly as possible;
the inner walls are attached to a frame that is stable. Such models are one of the best options for buyers, as they are also durable.

Bathroom design with shower corner, photo

According to the configuration, the corners for the shower are divided into square, resembling a semicircle in shape and rectangular-type structures. The cabin configuration is chosen based on the area of the room for water procedures.

Advice. Rectangular cabin models are more suitable for spacious rooms.

What are the sizes of showers? The maximum height of the shower cabins is 170 cm, the width is 90 cm. The smallest models both in width and in height reach 75 cm.

Rectangular models and structures that have a square configuration take up more space than semicircular ones, especially if an angular model is selected.

Design of a small bathroom with a shower, photo

If you want to use the area ergonomically, choose partitions that differ by half round shape. Smoothing sharp corners saves space, allows you to build a box of compact dimensions and makes it possible to place a washbasin next to the cubicle or leave space for unhindered movement.

Another option is a water treatment room with a shower, but without a booth: the water drains into a hole in the floor.

Without top baffle

A capsule without a top wall has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Small bathroom with shower, photo

Advantages:

affordable cost (when compared with closed-type models);
the design can be easily placed in a room with low ceilings (maximum 2 meters);
cabin allows you to take in comfortable conditions water procedures tall household members;
the rear walls to a certain extent provide surfaces from water splashes.

Shower cabin in the bathroom, photo

incomplete tightness leads to the fact that water droplets settle on the partitions of the capsule and the ceiling; given this, it is necessary to finish the surfaces with moisture-resistant materials, pick up moisture-resistant furniture, otherwise you need to wipe everything after using the booth;
often moisture penetrates into the cracks between the walls, as a result of which mold forms on the surfaces; the solution will be the arrangement of a full-fledged drain;
in open-type models it does not make sense to install a steam generator: for those who love a sauna, this option is unacceptable;
in open booths, you won’t be able to take a cascade shower - just like a tropical one.

closed design

A rather high cost, massiveness, reduction in area due to the upper wall - these are the disadvantages of closed capsules, offset by numerous advantages.

Bathroom with shower, photo

By choosing a sealed topless capsule model, you can take advantage of the following advantages:

place the capsule in any area of the room, including the corner location;
install a pallet with great depth, which is important for families with small children and pets (the pallet can also serve as a mini-bath);
use additional functions (shower from above like a cascade, tropical, "steam room", hydromassage).

Beautiful bathroom with shower, photo

Important! The absolute closeness of the capsule protects surfaces and furnishings from temperature fluctuations in the room, provides good sound insulation and autonomy from external conditions.

Hydromodule

A design that combines a shower cabin and a bathroom is a hydrobox. This option is chosen by people who have children, as well as those who like to take water procedures lying down.

Bathtub with shower: design, photo

The hydromodule has the same advantages as the closed corner. It can accommodate a small TV, shelves and bedside tables for bath accessories.

Pallet selection

The main criterion that you should pay attention to when choosing a pallet is the material of manufacture, since the service life of the product depends on it. The parameters of sound absorption and noise absorption are paramount.

Check also the coating so that it is not too slippery.

Acrylic

Acrylic pallets are leading in popularity, they retain heat for a long time and require a minimum of time to heat up. Such products do not slip, are safe to use and do not make noise when water jets hit them.

In addition, acrylic lends itself well to processing, can take on any configuration, and makes it possible to attach additional elements.

WITH acrylic pallets it is easy to remove dirt, they do not lose their presentability for a long time.

The service life is from 15 to 20 years, and defects can be eliminated with a paste specially designed for this.

Bathroom with shower tray, photo

The only downside to acrylic pallets is that if you don't secure them with plates, they will bend and break over time. When choosing, you should take this into account.

Important! If the pallet is not initially reinforced, it is recommended to purchase a metal frame as well.

Cast iron

It is difficult to damage a pallet made of cast iron even if desired.

Main advantages:

durability;
retains heat well, but it also takes a lot of time to heat up;
democratic cost when compared with other options.

Flaws:

great weight, identity of forms: only a few similar options are on sale;
makes noise when in contact with water. If this factor matters to you, keep in mind that thick structures are less noisy;
enameled cast iron may chip, and the outer layer will need to be replaced.

Steel

Steel products last longer, they are stronger than acrylic. But their outer coating is enamel, its quality affects the durability of the pallet. Lightness and reasonable price are advantages, but there are also disadvantages.

Steel pallets slide; it is preferable to buy structures whose bottom has a corrugation, or lay a rubber mat.

They take a long time to warm up and retain heat poorly.

They lose to cast iron in soundproofing.

Ceramic

Main advantages:

have a presentable appearance, durable;
undemanding in care;
have a high degree of sound absorption;
ceramic structures warm up for a long time, but also retain heat longer than steel and cast iron.

Disadvantages - they weigh a lot, are expensive and unstable to damage: it is enough to drop a shower head on them, and a crack will form.

Stone

Marble is mainly used as the material, but there are other options.

Advantages of pallets made of stone:

strong, have an aesthetic appearance;
require a minimum of time to warm up and do not cool for a long time;
give a pleasant tactile sensation.

Pallet structures made of real stone are quite expensive. An alternative for repairs is products made of synthetic materials, for example, porcelain stoneware: they are strong, appearance indistinguishable from natural stone, but are cheaper.

Wooden

Are the best option for a country house.

Important so that the tree is correctly processed, otherwise the pallet will be short-lived.

A good solution is to make only the bottom out of wood. The wood flooring is pleasant to the feet.

Feet do not freeze on a wooden pallet, but wood construction is more difficult to care for.

Partition selection

The material of manufacture is the main selection parameter for the partition.

Curtain with water repellent properties

It is impossible to take water procedures in an open-type cabin, drops of water will splatter everything around. A curtain with waterproof properties is a barrier that protects the room from water.

For the manufacture and design of such curtains, polyethylene, fabric with a rubberized base, or oilcloth are often often used.

On a note! If the cabin has low sides, hang a curtain with a weighting agent at the bottom. Such a curtain will provide better protection against splashes and absolute tightness.

Strained glass

Shower cubicle doors made of plexiglass are resistant to damage. Glass surfaces gain strength through processing high temperatures, this allows them to be used safely in high-humidity bathrooms where slipping on wet tiles and touching adjacent furnishings can occur.

Cabins made of plexiglass look luxurious, give the interior of the room for water procedures a special coziness. But there is one drawback - they are prone to plaque, so after using the shower, glass doors must be wiped.

polymer walls

Partitions from polymer materials very popular, they are easy to care for, besides they look aesthetically pleasing. Such partitions always have a finish in the form of a decorative coating, due to which they fit into the interiors of bathrooms in various styles.

Similar in appearance to glass partitions, but not so heavy, and are afraid of scratches, so they need to be washed carefully. Do not use tin brushes and chemical cleaners when cleaning them.

Plastic screens

Plastic is the cheapest of all materials used to make shower screens. It is easy to process, this material makes it easy to assemble a shower cubicle.

True, plastic is actively used for decoration in clinics and other institutions, this is not the best option to create a cozy interior.

On the other hand, plastic finishing is budgetary, but such a screen requires a frame, since the material has the property of bending.

Choice of accessories

Faucets

The main requirement for a faucet equipped with a shower faucet is reliability and functionality. With such a faucet, water procedures in the shower cabin will only be a pleasure. There are no leaks and rust in the shower hose, the faucet does not fall off ... Beauty!

When buying a mixer, you should consider:

Cabin principle. Depending on your needs - a regular shower or with a massage.
Manufacturer. Buy trusted brands.
Production material- it must be resistant to the action of aggressive substances and water, characterized by increased rigidity.
Mixer device: with faucets or lever type.

Despite the demand for the former, products with separate faucets have their own advantages:

serve longer;
with their help it is easier to regulate the temperature of the water;
the tap that opens the water has a small turn (for some models);
valves made of a special material do not heat up (on some models).

On a note! If the bathroom is very small, you can use a shower stall with a separate faucet for washing.

Watering can

Criteria to pay attention to when choosing a shower head:

Fastener option watering cans: on the partition on the side in a small booth, on the ceiling or on the wall of the room. If the watering can has rigid fasteners, water will pour from above, which allows you to wash both completely and partially. Special, non-rigid fixture: if you take the watering can in your hands, you can direct the jet of water and choose its height.
What material is the shower hose made from?. Rubber and silicone products are more durable and strong at the folds than their metal hose.

The ability of a watering can to pass water is determined number of holes. Numerous holes provide more powerful pressure and spray.

An experienced seller will be able to choose a faucet for a specific model of a shower cabin, taking into account the wishes of the buyer who planned the repair.

An interesting aspect is the choice of a shower head from a medical point of view:

Additional options

Modern models of shower cabins are equipped with various options:

Shower cabins are equipped with various useful items:

radio - you can take a shower and listen to music;
a TV that makes it possible to combine water procedures and watching a series.

A few years ago, a shower cabin equipped with a radio was the most luxurious, but already in modern models showers can be relaxed with wireless, moisture-resistant speakers that broadcast a signal over Wi-Fi.

Shower cabin in a small bathroom, photo

In order for the shower cabin to serve for a long time, you need to properly care for it. There is nothing difficult in this, just follow these recommendations:

seal the places where water can penetrate;
keep the cabin clean.

Follow these rules, and you will not have any difficulties using the shower cabin, and water procedures will only be a pleasure.

Models of cheap booths are diverse, you can choose an option for any bathroom - both spacious and even the smallest.

photo gallery

For those who are just planning a renovation and looking for ideas for decorating a bathroom, we offer you to look at the photo in the photo gallery below with options for interior design of a bathroom with a shower cabin and a variety of modern shower designs: