More recently, it was not customary to install roller shutters in a bathroom or toilet. Today, this is a common practice. These elements are widely used to hide pipe wiring, household chemicals and other unattractive objects that you want to hide from prying eyes. In this article we will find out what are the main features of the roller shutter for the toilet.
What it is?
Initially, all rolling shutters were used exclusively as a complement to door and window openings. In the conditions of the bathroom, these details were not used for their intended purpose. These structures are a dense and strong canvas, which is assembled from lamellas. In the upper part, the web is wound on a special shaft located in a protective box.
Inside the shaft itself there is a spring, which is responsible for balancing the weight of the panel, due to which the roller shutters are not unwound under the influence of their own weight, if there is no good fixation.
Not all manufacturers today produce rolling shutters that have the correct, reliable mechanism, so often their fixation is carried out using a special locking system.
Advantages and disadvantages
Today, many people buy roller shutters for installation in the toilet. These products have a lot of positive qualities.
- With the help of such elements, households have the opportunity to hide all communications in the bathroom, making it more accurate, aesthetic.
- Roller shutters are presented in a large assortment - you can choose the right part in any size.The owners will be able to hide both miniature and large niches.
- If necessary, the owners will have free access to all the necessary structural components - meters, pipes, valves and others. To get to these elements, you just need to lift the roller blind up.
- This design takes up a minimum of free space, so the area of the toilet (usually small) will not be further reduced. Only the box will be the most voluminous element here, but in most cases it provides for the possibility of a turn into the inside.
- Installation of roller shutters for the bathroom is simple and quick. Everyone can cope with such work - there is nothing complicated in it, and you will not need a special expensive tool.
- It’s very easy to take care of these roller shutters. They are made from materials that are not afraid of dampness and moisture. Roller shutters are not subject to decay. They are easy to keep clean - just gently wipe them with a damp cloth.
- In management, these elements are also simple and not very demanding.
- High-quality roller shutters are durable, not subject to mechanical damage. They maintain an aesthetic appearance for many years.
- These designs can not only tweak the look of the setting, but also decorate it. On sale there are many different options for roller shutters. They can be multi-colored, decorated with various patterns or prints. On sale you can find such options that exactly repeat the tile pattern in the bathroom. Thus, the shutters will remain completely invisible in the room.
- Having the roller shutters, the owners have the opportunity to organize an additional storage system (if communication allows). With shutters, you get a good plumbing cabinet, convenient to use.
Thanks to roller shutters, the level of noise insulation of the bathroom increases. The sound of water "running" through the pipes will be practically inaudible. Many manufacturers claim that their roller shutters are additionally responsible for a certain thermal insulation of the bathroom.
Serious drawbacks that repel purchases from roller blinds are not observed. Their main disadvantage is high cost, but it also easily pays off with the functionality and practicality of the selected design. Such a product will cost more than a simple curtain, but also from a sheet of drywall, the box is unlikely to be cheaper.
Functions
Roller shutters demonstrate themselves as necessary and practical elements of the bathroom. Under the conditions of the toilet, these components are primarily aimed at closing all utilities, utility areas. In the lowered position, the roller shutters are an absolutely even, neat base. If necessary, they can be easily raised to provide open access to pipes, valves and other objects.
Roller shutters not only close all unsightly systems from prying eyes, but also allow you to make the situation in the room more neat and aesthetic. In stores you can find such shutters that will be completely invisible or, conversely, will become a spectacular decoration of the interior. With the help of these elements it will be possible to equip a good storage system where households can place a variety of things - from household chemicals to cosmetics.
Device
Roller shutters, designed to mask communication systems in the bathroom, in their structure are almost no different from standard shutters, produced specifically for the garage, windows or doors in apartments, private houses. These parts are made up of the following elements:
- the canvas collected from lamellas fastened together in a special way;
- protective box;
- side covers of the box;
- special guide tires;
- octagonal shaft;
- end profile.
Materials
Modern rolling shutters for the bathroom are made from various materials.This factor affects the total cost of the product, as well as its operational characteristics. In stores you can find many different variations of these products. So, plastic models remain one of the most popular for a long time. These varieties are easy and problem-free to wash if necessary, have a low weight, are not afraid of high humidity levels, do not rot and do not mold. On the surface of plastic shutters you will never see any traces of rust formed.
Plastic roller shutters are inexpensive and presented in a large assortment, but in terms of reliability they are significantly inferior to modern aluminum or steel products. They are subject to mechanical damage - they can be accidentally broken or simply damaged. But for the bathroom, these disadvantages are not so scary, because here the shutters will not protect the door or window - they will not be required to be very durable.
Many people prefer to buy not plastic, but aluminum models of bathroom shutters. These designs are considered optimal. They are inexpensive, characterized by good strength characteristics, have a beautiful and neat appearance, they are distinguished by durability. Aluminum models are not subject to corrosion, have a relatively small weight. On sale there are options that have a two-layer paintwork, making them even more resistant to high humidity. Such models last longer.
The most durable, reliable, steel roller shutter models are also on sale. For simple, household operation, such designs have an excessive margin of safety. Steel options are durable, durable, they are not so easy to damage or break.
If the choice fell on such products, then experts recommend buying copies of stainless steel. Such material will not begin to rust and collapse over time, while in the bathroom.
Management mechanisms
The protective sheet of roller shutters is lowered and raised due to the action of various mechanisms:
- automatic;
- mechanical.
If we are talking about a home bathroom, then there is no point in installing expensive automatic roller shutters, because the design will not have a lot of weight and often rise / fall. Mechanical units are an ideal, optimal solution. They are equipped with such components.
- Belt or cord drive. Simple, budget options that make it possible to raise and lower the shutters, the weight of which is up to 15 kg. The system has a ribbon or cord attached to the shaft. Such solutions are ideal for products whose width is less than 520 mm. But shutters of this type are not designed to be fixed in a certain, intermediate position.
- Inertial spring. Uncomplicated, but very easy to use type of mechanism. It makes it possible to fix the shutter panel in an intermediate position. Raising or lowering is done with maximum ease, but this type will not work for narrow options.
Dimensions
The sizes of roller shutters for a bathroom are different. The construction box according to the standard usually has the following parameters:
- 1.37x1.37 m (ideal for shutters up to 1.6 m high);
- 1.5x1.5 m (for options whose height does not exceed 2 meters);
- 1.65x1.65 m (designed for shutters with a height of up to 2.88 m).
To select the model of optimal dimensional parameters, you must first measure the dimensions of the toilet. Today in stores you can find rolling shutters of various sizes. Consumers have the opportunity to choose both mini format options and larger models.
Design options
Roller shutters manufactured by modern manufacturers can complement the interior of the restroom, make it more aesthetic, neat.In order for the selected design to blend in as harmoniously as possible with the existing environment, it is important to consider color combinations when choosing it.
It should be decided in advance: do you want to make roller blinds a bright accent of the restroom or use them as a simple, discreet addition to the general ensemble.
Modern manufacturers produce roller shutters in a variety of colors and shades. As soon as photo printing became relevant and popular, they began to resort to it in the manufacture of these elements, due to which the range of roller shutters became simply huge. All existing models can be divided into several main categories.
Models that repeat the color of the walls
Many homeowners prefer to choose such models of roller shutters that will not be knocked out of the general ensemble, but will “merge” with the color of the tile in the bathroom. Roller shutters have the opportunity to give absolutely any shade, so they can be matched to the tone of any finish.
The more precisely the colors match, the less noticeable will be the mechanical structures.
Contrast
Such varieties of shutters are no less popular. Usually they are chosen by people who want to create an unusual, interesting and “lively” interior. In the selection of contrasting and multi-colored roller shutters, it is important not to overload the room with variegated scales (in a small room this mistake is very easy to make). The number of shades should also not be too large, otherwise the situation will turn out disharmonious, ridiculous. It is advisable to use no more than 2-3 colors. For example, the walls in the toilet can be beige, and the shutters can be contrasting blue, “reinforced” by a blue floor carpet.
With photo printing
Relatively recently, original and unusual shutters, decorated with spectacular photo printing, began to go on sale. Previously, specialized film coatings were used to supplement the design with a specific pattern, but they quickly wore away, especially in places where they were in contact with the guide elements. Unscrupulous manufacturers still resort to the use of this outdated technology.
The modern way of applying the image involves the use of ultraviolet printing. Formed in this way, the pattern does not lose its attractiveness for 6-7 years. The print will not be afraid of moisture, will not lose the saturation of colors. In the catalogs of different companies you can meet a great many models of roller shutters decorated with photo printing. Cartoon canvases, animals, landscapes, various patterns and other interesting images are applied to the canvases. With such elements, the bathroom will sparkle with new colors, become more interesting and vibrant.
The range of roller blinds decorated with photo printing is huge. Choosing the perfect option is possible for any environment. If it was not possible to make a decision in favor of a particular model, then you can find the image you like on your own, and then order its application to the selected design.
Whites
White shutters are the simplest, most classic options. Meet most often, do not have a high cost. Such designs fit seamlessly into any environment, because the white color is universal and can be harmoniously combined with any palettes. Snow-white shutters can be accessed when the walls in the bathroom are decorated with materials not only white, but also any other colors.
Installation methods
Experts recommend installing roller shutters during repairs in the bathroom, when the pipe replacement is already completed, meters, filters and other components will be installed. Only after that it will be clear which elements need to be hidden, and the installation costs will turn out to be not so large. There are 3 ways of installing roller shutters in the toilet. All of them differ only in the location of the construction box.
Box inside
The optimal solution when viewed from the point of view of aesthetics.The box is the most massive component of the entire structure. It hides behind the canvas, so when closed it turns out a flat surface. It is important to make sure that the depth level of the niche allows you to place the box there.
Measurements are recommended to be carried out after leveling the surface of the walls, before laying the tiles, so that the structure is flush with the wall. If you have already laid the tiles, this type of installation may not be possible. In this case, it is recommended to consult with the manufacturer about the correct measurements of the opening.
Outward
This type of installation is carried out if the depth of the niche does not make it possible to fit the construction box there. All measurements and installation work is required to be carried out only after all work on the facing of the room. Fasteners are important to do on the tile. Here we must not forget about the parameters of the length of the selected canvas - it should fit freely in the box, completely freeing the opening.
Installation of the box on the overlay
Thus, the installation of roller shutters can be carried out if the walls are made of a material such as drywall, which is not designed for severe mechanical stress. The box is located exclusively on the outside. The design is equipped with an additional guide at the bottom. Fasteners to the ceiling are not needed.
How to choose?
You need to carefully select roller shutters for a toilet or bathroom. Before you go to the store, it is important to correctly conduct all measurements. Make them at several points. Thus, all values are determined as accurately and correctly as possible. Having learned all the dimensional parameters, you can proceed to the selection of suitable models, paying attention to the following criteria.
- The material of manufacture. Choosing high-quality ready-made sets of roller shutters for the toilet, it is important to determine the material that seems most suitable for you. The cheapest are plastic models, but they can be easily damaged (which rarely happens in the toilet). Stainless steel options will cost the most, but for domestic use they may turn out to be unnecessarily strong and sturdy. Optimum are aluminum products.
- Control mechanism. It is up to the buyer to decide which mechanism of operation of the roller shutter to choose (mechanical or automatic). But we must take into account that the automation in the toilet can be useless and unreasonably expensive, so it is better to give preference to mechanical, more affordable and simple high-quality systems.
- Color and design. Do not forget about the design of the roller shutters chosen for the toilet. On sale you can find products of almost any color, so you can choose the best option for any environment. Modern consumers have the opportunity to order original and beautiful models, decorated with interesting photo printing, but such varieties are more expensive than ordinary, one-color ones.
- Manufacturer. The recommendations of experts confirm the opinion that brand models of roller shutters are the highest quality, reliable and durable. Such products can cost more, but they will last longer, there will be no unnecessary problems and hassle with them, and the design of branded shutters is usually thought out to the smallest detail.
For such products, it is worth going to specialized stores with a good reputation.
Useful tips and tricks
If you plan to place not only a toilet bowl and lighting fixtures, but also roller shutters in the toilet, then You should heed a number of useful tips and tricks.
- If in the toilet, in accordance with the project, a suspended or suspended ceiling is provided, then the structure in which the canvas will be masked can be hidden under it. Thanks to this decision, the interior will have a complete, harmonious appearance.If you want to make the situation more modern and original, it is allowed to fix shutters that have an automatic drive, but there is no need for this.
- In order for the roller shutters to be as useful as possible, experts advise installing them in the entire length of the opening that is planned to be hidden. Thus, unimpeded access to all pipes and communication systems at any time will be guaranteed.
- Installing roller shutters is not the most difficult thing. It is quite possible to handle this yourself. The main thing is to act carefully, in stages, making accurate measurements. Installation errors can lead to non-warranty cases, damage and structural failure.
- It is not recommended to buy canvases on which images and prints are applied using a special film. As mentioned above, this technology has long been outdated. Such images will not retain their original appearance for too long.
- If there are certain shortcomings and disadvantages in the bathroom, then it will be possible to distract from them extra attention with the help of a canvas decorated with beautiful photo printing - a picture or a print. This is a simple design move that works in most cases.
If several colors are used in the room for wall decoration, it is worth ordering roller shutters, the lamellas of which are made in the same vein. Manufacturers will be able to exactly repeat the design of the wall decoration thanks to modern technology.
See how to install the roller shutters in the toilet with your own hands in the next video.