Square showers: features, varieties and choices

In recent years, an increasing number of people refuse to install bathtubs in favor of showers. At the same time, square-shaped models are among the most popular. We list the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing this product.

Square showers are most often purchased and installed to save bathroom space. Indeed, the dimensions of the square cabin make it possible to use the space that has been freed up after dismantling the bathroom for installation in a room, for example, a washing machine. This is especially true for models with side lengths of 80 or 90 cm.

One of the main advantages of such a plumbing device is its compactness.

The third positive aspect is ease of installation of some models of square showers. Even a person who is not professionally engaged in plumbing can handle this work.

Square-base showers give a wider choice of construction location. They can be installed not only in the corner or along one of the walls, but even in the center of the room.

However, the desire to save space may result in some inconvenience in the further use of the cabin. Options with a side of 70 or 80 cm may not seem spacious enough.

A bathtub with a high pallet can be a good alternative, but if the height of the sides is lower than 30 cm, then it can only be used for showering.To collect the capacity of warm water will not work. However, the high sides of the pallet, which must be stepped over every time you need to go inside, can be inconvenient for older people.

There are two types of square showers for tightness:

• with a roof, that is, closed;
• no roof - open.

Closed square cabs are usually equipped with additional features. It can be:

• hydromassage;
• overhead shower;
• "Turkish bath" and others.

Open square cabins are considered economy class products, their internal equipment includes a minimum of elements (hand shower, stand for hand shower). Such options are easier to install and cost significantly less than enclosed structures with additional options. Open showers are suitable for those people who do not tolerate high humidity.

The design of the doors allows you to classify square showers into the following types:

• with sliding doors;
• with oar;
• with folding.

Folding doors consist of separate sections, which, when opened, overlap one another according to the accordion principle. This makes it possible to save space in the room, but requires careful handling of doors that break easier than swing doors.

Sliding doors also save space, as they move along the walls of the cabin along the rails located at the top and bottom. However, this design is also more fragile than the swing mechanism.

Hinged - the simplest and most reliable type of door. If you install a shower cabin with a structure of this type, you need to take into account how much space an open door will occupy: so that it does not cause great inconvenience, there should be enough free space in the room.

When choosing a shower cabin, you need to pay attention to the materials from which the pallet and door leaf are made. The type of material determines the cost and performance of this plumbing design.

Square pallets are made of different materials. It could be:

• ABS plastic
• acrylic;
• fake diamond;
• fiberglass;
• ceramics;
• steel;
• cast iron.

The materials of the door leaf and walls can also be different, mainly this:

• plastic (polystyrene);
• plexiglass;
• strained glass;
• triplex.

Doors and walls of a square shower made of plastic have the following characteristics:

• ease;
• moisture resistance;
• low price.

However, they are not without drawbacks, which include:

• fragility;
• soap deposits quickly form on them.

Plexiglass more durable than plastic and lighter than glass, but also transparent. Its disadvantage is the ease of scratching it.

Doors and walls made of tempered glass are distinguished by:

• strength;
• ease in leaving;
• higher price.

Triplex glass is characterized by high strength, safety and high price.

Pallets ABS plastic wear-resistant and light, but they do not retain heat well, and water with a strong pressure when falling on a pallet creates a strong noise in the cab.

Very often pallets are made from acrylic. This design is characterized by low weight, warms up quickly, does not become contaminated, but does not save from strong noise in the cabin water and requires careful handling, as it has a relatively low resistance to mechanical and chemical influences.

Ceramic pallets made of sanitary ware are wear-resistant, durable with proper use, easy to clean using the same means, which are used for sinks and toilets, do not rattle under running water, slowly heat up, but retain heat for a long time. They must be protected from strong impacts, for example, to prevent heavy metal objects from falling onto the pallet. They are made more often in white.

Pallets made of artificial stone very durable and wear-resistant, retain heat well, are distinguished by good noise absorption, that is, they eliminate the noise of the incident jet, do not deteriorate under the influence of water, sunlight and household chemicals. They can be made in any color, with an imitation of the structure of natural stone, but are distinguished by their high weight and high cost.

Pallets fiberglass (SMC) They are distinguished by their durability and strength, resistance to mechanical loads and chemical influences, characterized by low thermal conductivity, due to which they maintain the water temperature.

Enamelled Steel Pallets keep their shape well, have a low cost, but thunder under the pressure of strong jets of water.

Pallets made of cast iron strong and durable, but very heavy.

Among the square shower cabins, the most common sizes are 80x80 cm, 90x90 cm, 100x100 cm, options with a side of 70 and 110 cm are less common.Larger designs, as a rule, are produced in small batches or made to order.

The minimum height of the shower cabin is 185 cm. As a rule, the larger the base area, the greater the height of the cabin itself. If the side of the base is 100 or 110 cm, then the height of the cabin is at least 210 or 220 cm. With the side of the base 80 cm, the height of the cabin is most often 190, 205 or 210 cm, although there are also options up to 235 cm high. With the side of the base 70 cm shower the cabin can be up to 205 cm high.

Manufacturers provide the opportunity to choose various design options for square showers, which can be made in the style of:

• modern;
• retro;
• high tech.

The rear wall of the cab can be made in color and decorated with a pattern. Most often, manufacturers choose black, white, silver, gray or gold for this element, as well as geometric or floral patterns.

The door leaf can be decorated with a pattern, tinted or matted.

The color of the cabin body is most often white, but some manufacturers offer black.

A profile is usually made in two colors: white or chrome, but some manufacturers produce models with a golden profile color.

When choosing a model of shower it is worth considering the size and lighting of the bathroom, as well as the prevailing colors in its interior. With a small area of ​​the room, constructions of small dimensions, with sliding or folding doors, should be preferred. It is better if they are transparent, so visually the room will have more free space.

Also, when choosing a design for a shower cabin, the manufacturer's recommendations on its location in the room should be taken into account. It can be:

• wall-frontal;
• angular.

A large number of manufacturers from Russia, Germany, China, Italy, Spain, Finland and other countries make square shower cabins.

The number of Russian brands is quite large: Aquanet, Bas, Finn, 1 Marka, Radomir, Water World and others.

A significant number of brands from Germany are represented on the domestic market, for example, Grossman, Lagard, RGW, Sturm, Wasserfalle, WeltWasser. Often found on sale and products of Italian manufacturers (Primo, Novellini, Jacuzzi), Spanish (Alvaro Banos, Bolu, Edelform) and Finnish (Timo, IDO).

German brand showers Royal bath are made in Russia.

It is worth mentioning several worthy brands from China, presented on the Russian market of sanitary ware. These include Avanta, Arcus, Niagara, Nautico, Ika, Fresh. Many European companies place their production facilities in China, for example, the Spanish brand Esbano, Italian Aqualux and others.

When choosing a shower cabin, you need to focus not only on the size of the bathroom and its design, but also on the number of shower functions that you require. It makes sense to buy an expensive model with a large number of functions only if you use all of them.

Choose the depth of the pallet according to your personal preferences and habits. A shallow tray cannot be used as a mini-bath, but it’s more convenient to enter such a shower cabin.

Square showers are available in various design options, so they can easily fit into the interior of any bathroom. This can be, for example, a room in the style of:

• minimalism;

• high tech;

• retro.

For how to choose a shower, see the next video.