Which shower cabin to choose? - Here are some tips
Is your shower cabin leaking? You probably have the same problem as 90% Poles when changing their shower cabin. After some time, you notice that it leaks here, there is moisture there and the appearance itself does not arouse admiration as it did at the beginning of the "life time" of your shower cabin.
Once you have decided on a shower cabin, you may ask yourself the question: "Which shower cabin should I choose?"
Shower cabin - Types of shower cabins
Let's start with the fact that a lot of shower cabins have appeared on the market. In fact, when a household member sits down to look for cabins, they may have a headache because there are thousands of types and models.
Types of shower cabins:
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Freestanding cabin - These are cabins for houses or apartments with large bathrooms. Budget shouldn't play a major role here because these cabins are expensive. It's not worth saving on them because the materials of these more expensive cabins are much better than the cheaper ones. You also have to take into account that the water installation will have to be modified depending on the location of the cabin.
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Alcove cabin – These models are simple in themselves and look good because they are installed in bathroom alcoves. This type of cabin is minimalist.
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Bathtub cabin – If someone suddenly wants to turn a bathtub into a shower, a bathtub cabin will make it possible quickly. The downside of this cabin is that older people may have trouble using it.
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Wall-mounted cabin – The rather flexible way of installing this cabin means that it can be placed anywhere in the bathroom. It only adjoins one wall, which gives more freedom.
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Corner cabin – I think everyone knows this model. It is the most popular model among shower cabins installed in Polish homes. They are installed in the corner of the room and are adjacent to two walls. The cabin is very easy to install and easy to keep clean.
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Asymmetric cabin– It is a cabin similar to a corner one, except that one side is much longer than the other. This adds comfort and quality to the shower in the morning.
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Bathtub screen – It may not be a shower cabin type, but it will certainly serve as an addition for those who do not want to change their current bathtub. A bathtub screen can definitely be mounted on the bathtub and enjoy a standing shower. Thanks to this, we can take a quick shower without splashing around like a waterfall
It is also worth mentioning that the division does not end with the types of cabins. We can also distinguish:
Frameless cabin – They are the luxury of cabins. They are usually installed in large houses with huge bathrooms. They are made of glass and steel. They have a minimalist look and are becoming increasingly popular.
Profile cabin– They are characterized by profiles made of aluminum. Thanks to the reasonable price and the huge number of models on the market, it is quite a popular choice among consumers.
Glass cabin – As the name suggests, the main component is glass. It is equipped with an external frame or vertical profiles. Similar to the cabin described above, it is often installed in large, modern bathrooms with a minimalist look.
Shower cubicle walls
They are usually made of tempered glass or plastic. You can get them from transparent, matte or colored material. Everyone probably knows the same problem that almost everyone struggles with. Limescale on the walls of the shower cabin. Today, manufacturers use innovative production methods to reduce the amount of limescale on the walls. The most popular shower cabin cleaning agent is starwax but you can also use home methods.
Glass-walled cabins break down less often because the material is much more durable. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about cabins made of plastic. Sometimes a heavier object is enough and a small crack is ready.
The walls are supported by metal profiles, most often made of aluminum. They can be painted any color to give the cabin the look of the room in which it is located.
What are shower cabins made of – material and shape
Typically, the material from which cabins are made is glass and plastic.
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Plastic – it is considered a cheap material but not a durable one
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Glass – it is much more expensive than plastic but also much more durable
The shape of the cabins today is adapted to the user's bathroom. Today, everyone will find something for themselves. In stores, you will usually find:
Freestanding cabins- round
Wall-mounted cabins – semicircular and round
Corner cabins – semicircular, oval, pentagonal, rectangular, square
Shower cabin installation - Installation methods
There are three ways to install shower cabins.
Floor-mounted cabin – Minimalism and appearance attract users of newly built houses or bathrooms after renovation. The attractive appearance of a linear, arched or point drain gives such a cabin a touch of craftsmanship.
Bathtub mounted cabin – Here is a solution for users who want a cabin but do not want to get rid of the bathtub. How to solve this problem? Simply mount the cabin on the bathtub. This way, you can combine the needs of several household members because some will want a cabin and others will not want to get rid of the bathtub.
Shower tray mounted cabin – Everyone knows the most popular method of installation. There are a lot of shower trays on the market, you can choose between deep and shallow ones and adapt them to your needs. If you need to buy a shower tray with a cabin from a real and proven source, I invite you here
Shower cabins - What to look for when buying?
When choosing a shower enclosure, there are a few things to consider:
1.Usability – Match the cabin to the size of the interior. There is no point in installing a free-standing shower cabin with hydromassage only to take up half of the bathroom and make life difficult for the household members. A different cabin fits each room. That is why so many models have appeared on the market. These are no longer the times when everyone had the same bathroom in a large panel. Today, developers are competing in convenient apartment layouts, and not every bathroom is the same. That is why it is worth considering what size of shower cabin will work best for you.
2. Material and workmanship– The material from which shower cabins are made is very important. On the market, we have a large availability of good quality and more junk than you might expect. Many cheap cabins are bought because of the price. Unfortunately, they can cause more problems than you could imagine. Usually, cheap materials quickly break and break when heavy shampoo is dropped on the shower tray. On the other hand, more expensive cabins may be more expensive but they are also more durable, which will make the device's service life much longer.
What are the dimensions of shower cabins?
When it comes time to search, first take all the measurements. Without this, you can't do anything. Often, you encounter situations when plumber arrives at the site and receives a too large or too small shower cabin for installation.
You need to check where the flow is because it may turn out that the new model has the outflow in a completely different place.
Additionally, check the height of the shower enclosure and shower tray to make sure the total does not exceed the height of the room.
Bathtub or shower cubicle – which is better?
When it comes to bathroom renovations, this is the most common question. Bathtub or shower?
There is no single answer. We need to ask ourselves a few basic questions.
Will the bathroom be used by young or old people?
If the bathroom is also used by older people, a shower cabin will be a much better solution. It is not easy for an older person to get over the high wall of the bathtub. With a shower cabin, there is no such problem. You can also adjust the height of the shower tray when buying.
Do your household members like long baths or quick showers?
There are as many ideas, passions and habits as there are people. There are people who like long, hot baths and there are those who consider long baths a waste of time. That is why it is worth considering before designing a bathroom which device will be more beneficial.
Are there any small children living in the house?
I think each of us remembers long baths with toys in a bathtub filled with water and foam to the brim. The question is, is it worth taking away the joy of childhood from your children? No... but there is a good alternative. You can buy a shower cabin with a deep shower tray and the problem is gone.
Shower or multi-functional shower cabin?
No one can answer this question better than the user of a given cabin. It depends on your preferences. You can buy a standard shower cabin without any additional gadgets or one that will pamper you in every way. Today's cabins have a thermal bath, hydromassage and radio function. A real spa in one place. For lovers of comfort, a multifunctional cabin will be a much better solution.
Minimalists will probably avoid this type of extravagance, but as they say, there's something for everyone.