In a small bathroom, in conditions of a minimum amount of free space, there is every reason to install a shower cabin made of glass blocks. Such designs are ergonomic, aesthetically pleasing in appearance, and besides, they are extremely functional.
Advantages and disadvantages
Installing a shower cabin instead of a bathtub is a common choice with a limited area of the bathroom, when there is a need to place actual equipment, for example, a washing machine. Some are satisfied only with the installation of a shower tray and a waterproof curtain, while others prefer a monoblock system that is installed in its entirety.
But why not stop at a more interesting option, such as a glass block shower?
A feature of the glass block is its structure - the material consists of small-sized glass cubes narrowed from the sides. Due to the fact that they are hollow and there is discharged air in them, the structure has heat insulating and sound insulating characteristics.
Glass blocks come in various sizes and thicknesses. Their constituent elements have a square, triangular and rectangular shape, special types of segments are intended for ends and angles if an angular cab model is mounted. In addition, the texture and color scheme of products may be different. The sheer variety of such options speaks in favor of a shower of glass blocks.
But these designs have other advantages:
- glass block walls provide complete water resistance;
- the material is characterized by high strength and durability, guarantees the stability of the structure;
- the glass structure transmits light and retains heat, making hygiene procedures more comfortable;
- surface features of glass blocks exclude the formation of mold and fungus on them;
- a large assortment of oversized products makes it possible to build a variety of types of structures: straight, curved, semicircular;
- the glass cabin is easy to clean and wash; ordinary household products are suitable for this.
A certain plus is the fact that if necessary, the construction of additional partitions in the bathroom for them will not require special finishes.
A number of disadvantages of glass structures are also present:
- before installation, you will need to erect a frame of stone, concrete or metal;
- the blocks have considerable weight (each segment weighs from 2.5 to 4.5 kg), which can adversely affect the floor and cause cracks in the lower rows of the walls;
- since the material cannot be trimmed, it is not possible to fit it to certain sizes;
- when creating semicircular and curved structures, roundings should have a large radius, otherwise the appearance of the cabin will be corrupted by significant gaps;
- it is impossible to drill or punch the walls of a shower made of glass, so you need to take care of the retainers for shelves and holders in advance, and already during installation, bookmark the fasteners.
Finally, the necessary communications cannot be laid in this material, and this is also a significant minus.
Installation
In compact bathrooms, it is imperative to use every square meter of free space efficiently.
In this case, you need to choose the optimal shape and size of the structure, and the angular cabin model will be the best option:
- it occupies a minimum area due to compactness;
- there is no need to install a frame made of metal or brick, since two walls of the room can fulfill the task of founding the walls of the structure;
- all that needs to be done is to install a glass block partition as a third wall and mount the door;
- another option is a semicircular or curved wall of half blocks in the presence of the same lower part with an opening (then the door is not needed or a special curtain can be used instead).
Saving space, of course, involves the installation of such a cabin in place of the bath, but it can be mounted in another corner, if the room does not provide the necessary appliances.
However, you can go the other way. With a rectangular, elongated room, you can place a shower room in the middle of the longest wall by installing shelves for hygiene items made of glass on one side, and a washing machine or toilet bowl on the other. In other words, the niches formed by such a placement of the soul should be organically filled.
Variety of designs
Apart from the use in small bathrooms to save space, the use of glass blocks in the installation of a shower cabin is justified if the overall style of the apartment is modern. Walls and partitions made of glass bricks are quite relevant if the owners of the apartment like such stylistic trends as hi-tech, eco, pop art, modern, urbanism or minimalism.
Shower design options in this case are diverse in their design intentions.
- Currently you can create from blocks models with a square, rectangular shape with a smooth rounding in the corners, a semicircular shape with the same rounded transparent door. With a large area, structures resembling a labyrinth and passing around the entire perimeter of the room will be appropriate, dividing it into functional sectors.
- A common option are semicircular partitionszoning the common space and shower area. At the same time, daylight is preserved inside the cabin during the day, and the humidity in the bathroom is significantly isolated by partitions.
- When erecting glass block walls, it is allowed to combine transparent and colored elements, the main thing is that they are commensurate in their strength characteristics. However, transparent glass is still the preferred and most sought after.
- Popular are tinted designs of any shape with a beautiful decor in the form of shells, fish, flowers, leaves and stones inside the cubes, products with LED lighting look no less chic and unusual. In the modern bathroom interior, tinted and frosted glass are often combined, which improves the appearance of the cabin and the room as a whole.
If you opt for a drain ladder, then any original ideas for creating a product from glass blocks are possible, because in fact, a purchased pallet always limits the possibility of a cab configuration.
Care
Caring for the glass block walls of the shower cabin is quite simple. This is due to the fact that the glass planes are not too susceptible to moisture penetration, decay, mold and dirt, in addition, they do not absorb extraneous odors.
Therefore, to clean or refresh the appearance of the walls and partitions of the structure any detergents used for bathtubs, sinks, and tiled surfaces are acceptable. An exception is special cleaning powders containing hard components that determine their abrasive qualities. Such a composition can damage the surface of the glass, leaving it with ugly scratches.
In addition to some of the shortcomings, a glass-block shower cabin is a cost-effective and effective solution to the problem of creating a rational space for hygiene procedures. And the variety of shades, shapes and textures of this material allows you to create a unique and original interior design even in a small bathroom.
For how to stack glass blocks, see the next video.
