Shower enclosures: varieties and sizes, selection rules, manufacturers overview

The shower corner is the embodiment of compactness and functionality and enjoys increased interest from the owners of the hotel business and the owners of small-sized housing.

Shower corner is presented in the form open system consisting of two or three walls and a door. Unlike four-sided shower cabins, corner models do not have a ceiling and two adjacent walls, the role of which is played by the walls of the room. Some of the most budget models do not even have doors and consist solely of a protective fence. The side walls of the corner are firmly fixed to the walls and are well sealed.

In some cases, partitions are installed on a special podium, which is erected to ensure proper drainage and localization of the wet zone. In addition to partitions, a corner set can include a shower rack and a tray, and in more modern models the rack is replaced by a multifunctional shower panel.

Stable consumer demand for shower enclosures due to A number of obvious advantages of these compact devices.

• Due to the small size the corners stand well in small bathrooms and narrow bathrooms. This allows them to replace bulky bathtubs and make room for a washing machine.
• Shower enclosures come in a wide variety of colors and designs., which greatly facilitates the choice and allows you to purchase a model for any interior.
• Using a shower can significantly reduce water consumption., since its consumption is much less than when washing in a bath.
• Lack of roof does not allow creating the effect of a steam bath, which is especially valuable for older people, who are contraindicated in high humidity conditions.
• Shower enclosures, especially those without a shower tray, are ideal for people with impaired musculoskeletal function. There is no need for a person to step over a high side, which significantly reduces the risk of injury. This is one of the main advantages of such designs over bathtubs and showers with a deep pan.
• Compared to other hygiene products shower angles are not too expensive than they attract even more fans.

Along with a number of advantages, there are still disadvantages of shower corners. They include lack of capacity or its small volumes, which does not allow, for example, to soak or rinse the laundry. Another significant drawback of the corners is the need for serious waterproofing of walls and floors, in which laying out ordinary tiles can not do. In such cases, the work of professionals and strict adherence to the technology of laying insulating material is required. Otherwise, a fungus will appear on the walls, and the apartment of the neighbors at the bottom risks being flooded.

Unlike a shower cabin, installation of a corner requires certain labor costs: the walls of the fence need reliable fixation to the walls and high-quality sealing of joints, as well as hanging and fitting doors for their easier opening. The minuses include and the need for thorough washing of the walls and doors of the corner. This is because on the transparent surface, all the drops and smudges are visible, which give the structure an untidy appearance.

The classification of shower enclosures is carried out according to several criteria, such as type of construction, shape, availability of a tray and functionality.

According to this criterion, the corners can be divided into two categories - these are frameless models and wireframe samples. The first are a very simple system, which consists of a profile, accessories and transparent material, and is attached directly to the wall. Such samples are inexpensive and take up little space. They are good for small apartments, where they do not clutter up the space of bathrooms and do not create a visual load on the room.

Frame models are characterized by good stability and a long service life. They are much stronger than frameless structures and are well suited for installation in public places.

The next design feature of shower enclosures is the presence of doors. According to this criterion, the models are divided into closed and open options. The first are equipped with sliding, hinged and folding doors, they are more practical from the point of view of sanitary standards, since they do not allow splashes to fall on the floor. Open systems are often presented in the form of a glass floor screen and a supporting profile, and can be installed in either the right or left corner.

The role of the back and second side walls of the corner is played by the walls of the room, the doorway is open. Such models are the simplest version of shower enclosures and are very cheap.

Shower enclosures are available in a wide range and are presented by models square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, oval and elliptical, and polyhedra and asymmetric constructions.

Shower enclosures can be equipped with a tray or sold without it.

• Models with a pallet are considered more comfortable and hygienic.due to the presence of a special surface under your feet. The bottom of most of them has an anti-slip coating and a warm surface. In addition, the presence of the pallet acts as an additional measure of protection against the flood of neighbors from below and in the event of a clogged sewer pipe, does not allow the contents to spread across the bathroom floor.

Pallets, in turn, are divided into deep and flat. The former are convenient for fulfilling any household needs and allow you to use them as a mini-bath. The second is often located on the same level with the floor and is designed to collect water and its discharge into the drainage system.

• Corners without a pallet They look much more interesting and harmoniously fit into the interior of the bathroom. Glass curtains seem to be weightless and produce an impressive effect. However, the installation of such models requires professional plumbing and tile work, as well as the arrangement of a waterproofing layer. Shower enclosures without a pallet are an excellent option for people with limited mobility, allowing such people to take a shower without the help of outsiders.

Most shower enclosures are simple structures designed for hygiene. However, there are also more functional samples with integrated audio system and telephone. The role of the shower column in such corners is played by a modern shower panel, which is equipped with a faucet, hydromassage and hand shower. More technological samples have backlighting and touch control.

However, even the most advanced corner, equipped with a modern panel, optionally loses to the shower. This is because the lack of a ceiling does not allow the use of the aromatherapy and Turkish baths.

For the production of shower enclosures, different materials are used. Partitions are made of tempered glass, triplex, transparent plastic and polycarbonate.

• Glass models They look much more aesthetically and richer, retain attractiveness for longer and are easier to care for. Glass is absolutely harmless to humans, meets the requirements of hygiene and has a long service life. The disadvantages of glass structures are large weight and low resistance to shock.

The thickness of the glass partitions varies from 4 to 12 mm and determines the final cost of the corner. Glass can be transparent, frosted, textured and colored., as well as have an artistic drawing made using sandblasting, thermal silk screening and tinting.

• Plastic partitions for shower enclosures they are lightweight and low cost. The service life of such samples is much lower than that of glass: they quickly become cloudy from the constant exposure to water and are covered with a network of small scratches from the use of abrasive cleaners.

For the manufacture of pallets, steel, cast iron, acrylic and ceramics are mainly used, less often - quartz and marble.

• Steel models differ in low cost, are presented in a wide assortment and represent the largest group of shower trays. The minuses of steel samples include a cold surface, low noise absorption and low resistance of enamel to shock and falling of heavy objects.

• Cast iron pallets They are reliable and durable, however, they are not in high demand and are rarely found on sale. This is due to their great weight and difficulties in transportation.Although in many operating parameters cast iron is much more preferable than steel: enamel lasts longer, a thick bowl perfectly damps the noise of falling water, and a heated surface due to low thermal conductivity remains warm for a long time.

• Acrylic Models are in high demand and are presented in a wide assortment. High plasticity of the material allows to produce pallets of various shapes from it, which greatly facilitates the selection of the desired option.

• Ceramic Pallets Have a smooth beautiful surface and anti-slip coating. Models are hygienic, have good noise absorption and a warm surface. The disadvantages of ceramic samples include low shock resistance.

• Cooked It is an alloy of quartz filler with acrylic and is also used for the manufacture of pallets. The material is characterized by wear resistance, retains gloss for a long time and does not need additional reinforcement.

• Stone pallets made to order for exclusive corners. For this, cast marble is used, which is a mixture of marble chips with polymer resin. Marble pallets are distinguished by their spectacular appearance, very durable and easy to clean. The only negative is their price, which significantly increases the final cost of a shower enclosure.

The design of shower corners provides for the installation of several types of doors: sliding, swinging, rotary and folding.

• Sliding doors are the most popular type.. They do not require additional space in front of the corner, they close quite tightly and, thanks to a special mechanism, open almost silently. Models with sliding doors look very concise and are suitable for most modern styles.

• Folding doors for the most part consist of two halves, which are folded according to the principle of accordion inside the corner. Due to this, drops from their surface drain into the pan, leaving the floor dry.

• Swing doors in the shower corners open outwards, and therefore require the presence of some space in front of you. Models of this plan are installed in spacious shower rooms and bathrooms.

• Sliding and Sliding Doors equipped with a special mechanism that provides simultaneous rotation of the canvas and its displacement along the opening to the right or left side. In this case, the door can be rotated 360 degrees and requires 2 times less space in front of the corner than the swing door.

Considering the features of the doors, it should be noted that all mounting elements are made in the color of the hardware or are closed with special overlays of the desired color. It is the hardware that largely determines the affiliation of a corner to a particular style direction.

For example, for rooms decorated in a classic style, corners with elements in copper or bronze are suitable, and in modern directions, matt or nickel silver fittings will look good.

The modern market of sanitary equipment represents shower enclosures in a huge variety of sizes and shapes, which allows you to choose a model for any room. For combined bathrooms, the area of ​​which does not exceed 3.5 square meters, square models with sides 70x70, 80x80, 85x85 cm, semicircular samples 90x90, 100x100 cm in size and rectangular specimens 70x90, 70x100, 80x100 and 120x80 cm are ideal.

Such showers are compactly located in the corner and allow you to freely place a washing machine and bathroom furniture. In large showers or bathrooms, asymmetric, trapezoidal and even pentagonal samples are installed in sizes of 110x110, 120x90 and 120x100 cm.

Today, a huge number of enterprises are engaged in the production of shower enclosures. Czech, Polish, Finnish and Italian models, as well as Russian-made products are in great demand. Below is a rating of the best quality samples, reviews of which are most often found on the Internet.

• Shower corner of production of Russia Aquaton Ritsa available in the dimensions of 90x120 cm, equipped with a sliding door mounted on hanging rollers with bearings. The partition has a height of 200 cm and can be installed both on the floor and on the pallet. The thickness of the glass walls is 8 mm, doors - 6 mm.

For the manufacture of the profile, anodized aluminum is used, coated with a special composition that resists the formation of rust. The pallet is not included in the package and is purchased separately. The warranty is 5 years, the cost is 35,238 rubles.

• Shower corner Am. Pm Bliss L Solo Slide 90 made in Germany consists of transparent glass walls and brushed aluminum profile in silver color. The model is made in the form of a quarter circle, has a sliding door with an entrance width of 42 cm and is available in dimensions of 90x90x190 cm. The product can be mounted on a pallet or on the floor, made in a modern design and has a 3-year warranty. The pallet is not included in the package and is purchased separately. Such a corner is worth 26,290 rubles.

• Chinese shower enclosure Erlit ER0509-C3 has a semicircular shape and is available in sizes 90x90 cm. The height of the product is 195 cm, the type of door is sliding, the thickness of the frosted glass blocks is 4 mm. The model is equipped with a pallet 15 cm high, has a 5-year warranty and costs about 10,000 rubles.

• Model Triton Orion Russian-made in the form of a square, available in the dimensions of 90x90 cm, has a low acrylic tray 19 cm high and a double-walled glass fence 5 mm thick. The model is equipped with sliding doors, anti-slip coating and height-adjustable legs. The cost of a corner is 16 620 rubles.

• Shower corner from the Czech Republic Ravak SRV2 75 S Pearl available in white and equipped with a fiberglass tray with a total height of 9.5 and a depth of 7 cm. Glass fences are designed for floor mounting, and universal orientation allows you to install the model in both the left and right corners. Two-section doors have a sliding structure, the entrance width is 39 cm.

The corner is made in the shape of a square and is equipped with the AntiBlock mechanism, which prevents jamming and skewing of the movable door elements and ensures their silent operation. The product warranty is 2 years, the cost is 22,000 rubles.

• Model from Italy Cezares Anima W R2 100 C Cr IV equipped with an acrylic pallet with a total height of 14 cm and a depth of 5 cm. Glass fencing with a thickness of 6 mm complies with international safety standards (EN 12150-1: 2000) and is mounted on the floor. The door has a sliding structure and consists of two halves with an entrance width of 53 cm. Magnetic seals and a set of gaskets provide complete tightness.

The profile is made of anodized aluminum and can be adjusted within 98-100x98-100x200 cm, which allows you to precisely fit the model to the walls. The manufacturer’s warranty is 3 years, the cost is 40 740 rubles.

• Shower corner from Finland Timo TL 8002 Romb Glass It is equipped with an acrylic pallet with a height of 15 and a depth of 4.5 cm. A glass fence 6 mm thick is mounted on the sides of the pallet. The design of the doors is sliding, the entrance width is 45 cm. The model is made in the form of a square, has an annual warranty and costs 34,300 rubles.

• Model from Poland Radaway Torrenta KDJ 90 graphite L equipped with a pallet of artificial marble with a depth of 1.2 cm, has a left orientation and hinged doors in gray. The profile is made of aluminum and is adjustable in width. The entrance width is 60 cm, the shape of the pallet is square, the warranty is 3 years. The glass fencing is coated with Easy Clean, which helps keep the glass clean.

Magnetic seals provide reliable sealing, and a system of wall profiles compensates for uneven walls. The fence can be installed both on the pallet and on the floor, the cost of the corner is 50 312 rubles.

• Economy class model WeltWasser WW400 110G-1 has an open type of construction and is made in Germany. The corner includes a glass partition 6 mm thick and a supporting profile 90 cm long, which is mounted on the wall and prevents the fence from falling. For the installation of the structure, hidden screws are used, which significantly increases the aesthetics of the sample. The height of the fence is 185 cm, width 110 cm, no doors.

The product has a universal orientation and can be installed in any angle. The pallet is not included in the package and is purchased separately. The cost of the model is 10 900 rubles.

When choosing a shower corner, it is advisable to take into account a number of key points.

• First of all, you should decide on the size of the corner. To do this, you need to measure the place where you plan to put the corner. Then you need to check whether all the households will feel comfortable in the shower. To do this, lay out a square of appropriate sizes on the floor, the owners take turns to stand in the center, turn in different directions and bend down.

The main thing is that the body does not go beyond the borders of the square, otherwise it will be inconvenient to take a shower. In this way, exclusively compact corners that are purchased for small bathrooms are selected. In such rooms, models with folding or sliding doors that do not require additional space for opening are suitable. In spacious rooms, it makes no sense to purchase models of 70x70 cm and the most optimal option will be samples in sizes 110x90, 100x80, 100x100 and 120x80 cm.

• Regarding the shape of the product, it should be borne in mind that rectangular and square specimens take up a little more space than semicircular samples, so it is advisable to choose models that do not have corners in small rooms. There are no restrictions in large shower rooms: a square, a trapezoid, and an asymmetric pattern will fit perfectly in them.
• The next important point is the corner material. Most preferred are tempered glass partitions. They are much stronger than plastic and will last much longer.
• Choosing a pallet, it is better to stay on models with anti-slip coating, which is especially important when the house has elderly people and small children. When choosing acrylic pallets, it is recommended to check their strength. To do this, an adult family member should stand in it and see if the material bends under its weight. If this happens, then this design is better not to buy.
• When choosing a corner, you need to consider the design of the bathroom and acquire a corner in accordance with the color scheme and style. The modern market offers a large selection of white, black, gray, tinted fences, which allows you to find a model for any interior.
• It is important to check the availability of all fasteners and fittings, as well as a passport and warranty card.

According to customers, shower enclosures are a practical solution and allow you to equip a full-fledged shower space in a limited area. Most consumers choose such models because it is very difficult to install full-fledged shower cabins in cramped bathrooms. Moreover, there are a large number of budget samples on the market, the price of which is quite affordable for a wide range of people.

Of the shortcomings of showers low functionality and lack of many options. However, this problem is partially solved by installing a multifunctional shower panel.Some owners of shower enclosures complain of water leakage between the fence and the pallet, which is often due to poor installation quality and a violation of the sealing technology of the joints.

The shower corner, in addition to the practical function, has a powerful decorative effect and often acts as a central element of design. Despite its simplicity and the minimum number of details, models allow you to experiment and implement the most daring design decisions.

Shower corner with transparent fencing in the interior of the bathroom.

Semicircular model with sliding doors Perfectly fits into any modern style.

Corner with hinged doors and shower panel Looks stylish and functional.

Low pallet model - perfect solution for small bathrooms.

Niche built-in shower enclosure allows you to rationally use the space of the bathroom.

On how to properly assemble a shower enclosure, see the next video.