Shower cabin with a low tray - optimal solution for small bathrooms

The eternal question - shower or bath - everyone decides based on personal preferences and the capabilities of the bathroom.

The shower is considered a practical and hygienic option. When taking a shower, less water is wasted than when taking a bath, the process takes less time, the dimensions of the cabin are smaller than the bathtub bowl. Therefore, the shower is often chosen for limited space, public spaces. The main issue is the height of the tray sides, which depends on the tasks of the washing room and the physical abilities of people.

Shower with a low tray is called a model, equipped with sides no higher than 0,5 m, for the majority of adults such a height is quite comfortable. Special requirements are made for shower cabins, if children or the elderly will use them.

Shower cabins with a low tray - this is an aesthetic and modern option with an almost flat bottom. It makes it easy to step over the rim and makes the shower comfortable to use and safe.

There are other benefits of such a shower:

• The designs are varied in models, easy to blend in and liven up the interior.
• The shower is good for small spaces, it can be installed quickly and used almost immediately. Some options have a catwalk, others do not need it. The features of the models allow them to be lightweight, collapsible, it is convenient for transportation.
• Modern showers prevent splashing water, easy to clean. These qualities allow you to keep the room clean and reduce its humidity.
• It is convenient to monitor a child during water procedures, if necessary - to take care of an adult sick or elderly person.

• The tightness of such a model is always lower, but special doors or curtains can help.
• Low sides will not allow you to draw water and bathe an infant, take a bath or use the shower for temporary storage of specific products (run a live fish, soak a large bedspread).
• The bottom of such a shower cools down faster than models with a high tray.

Showers with a low tray differ in the materials used, their type, shape, the presence of additional functions, size.

Trays are made of durable materials such as steel, cast iron, acrylic or kvaril:

• Cast iron is considered not only heavy, but also very expensive material. It retains heat well, but steel and acrylic cool down faster.
• Steel tray is "loud", and sags under the weight of a person.
• Many choose acrylic: it muffles the sound of falling water, lightweight and durable, has an additional seal, a variety of colors.
• Quarryl combines the dignity of acrylic with the beauty of stone products. Custom designs are made of natural stone, marble and wood.

Frame parts made of aluminum are lightweight and durable, they are made of dense plastic or rubberized parts and tapes. And the curtains and doors are made of polycarbonate, polystyrene, glass. Over time, plastic becomes cloudy, this is its serious disadvantage. Glass partitions are made of sealed fabrics to reduce the risk of injury, such as tempered glass.

Budget models usually have no additional options, their design is as simple as possible. Using other functions, it is possible to turn showering into a health or relaxing procedure. For example, chromotherapy - colored lighting provided by durable and safe diodes. It gives a smart look to the cabin, and can "color" the water jets. The shower head modes allow you to program the strength, temperature, and water delivery option. The adjusted variants include a contrast shower, a tropical shower, a steam shower, a hydro-massage.

If the size of the room allows, you can buy a large cabin with a seat installed. It may well have sauna functions, aroma effects, additional extraction, music and even a telephone. Most often, the control of such high-end devices is designed in the form of a touch screen. Therefore, they have additional requirements for airtightness and electrical insulation, they not only take up more space, but also cost more.

Showers with sliding doors are very popular, but if there is space you can afford hinged doors, if not - built-in shower models.

There are fully equipped enclosed cabins on sale and minimalist open showers, which assume you'll buy everything you need. Closed showers have not only a tray and walls with doors, but also a roof. An open one may not only have the top, but also the doors. They need to be completed, but they allow you to create very stylish options and play up the room.

Built-in versions - it's something in between: there is a tray, plumbing, doors, but in the role of the screen are the walls of the room or its niches.

There are square, rectangular, round and semicircular models of cabins. One of the common options are corner models.

Corner shower cabins with low tray - a great option for the budget, which in practice is very demanding to prepare the room. This is due to the fact that the walls of the cabin are the walls of the bathroom. Installation does not require special skills, but initially the room must have a good protection against dampness, so that the appearance of the shower does not complicate the situation and does not contribute to the destruction of the walls, flooding or mold.

In addition to the tray, the set includes a stationary canvas (wall) and mobile (door), as well as fittings and plumbing. If necessary, a pedestal is made, although to hide the drainage systems helps and own height of the tray, if you use a low siphon.

Corner shower does not provide for further transportation, so it is installed in the dry part of the bathroom on a pre-prepared area. It makes sense to splurge on a plumber and installer if you are not confident in your own abilities.

Based on the "favorite" requests, all dimensions of shower cabins can be divided into three groups:

• Compact showers have a square or rectangular shape with a side of 80, 90 cm. and an area of no more than 0.81 cm². This is a cheap and surly option when it is not so much a question of quality as of availability and a simple opportunity to wash. Models with additional options are rare, and therefore cost an order of magnitude more. The shower is narrow, will not be to the taste of tall and large people.
• Comfortable showers with an area of up to 1.44 square meters (wall 100-120 cm) will appeal to over-sized people. They don't always have enough space in a cramped bathroom, but if you use the space wisely, you'll have plenty of comfort. This size range has a lot of interesting proposals not only in terms of price, but also in terms of functionality.
• Spacious shower cabins (at least one side more than 120 cm) are usually available in multifunctional versions. They are installed in large bathrooms. Acquisition for wealthy people, so significantly more expensive than the first options.

Of course, the average cabin is more comfortable than a compact one. Take into account that you will need space for the assembly, as well as the sink and passageway. Therefore, do not forget about the size of the bathroom. This is the main parameter when buying a shower.

The purchase of a shower cabin should be planned based on the capabilities of the room, your own needs and budget.

When choosing the dimensions of the model, you need to take into account the height of the bathroom, so that there are no large gaps. Budget models have small dimensions and minimal functionality. Additional options and serious equipment are built into the spacious cabins, and this is reflected in their cost.

Cast iron trays are very durable, but they do not have a variety of colors because of the casting. They have small sides, but they do not have a raised bottom. But the anti-slip coating in them is often made with other modern materials. An alternative can be special mats or stickers that prevent slipping. Such a safety measure is necessary if the shower will be used by people of age and children.

Showers from European and Japanese brands are considered the most reliable, they are distinguished by quality and beautiful design, multi-functionality. However, the assembly of such units is better to trust the masters. Domestic options are in the category of affordable: simple and reliable, with a minimum of options and devoid of pretentiousness. You can install them yourself.

The complexion of the owner also plays an important role: people of tall stature or large build have more difficulties. The first are uncomfortable in enclosed cabins with a roof, the second is difficult to wash in narrow models.

Choosing a compact shower, you should consider not only the space in the bathroom, the peculiarities of connection, the availability of taps and pipes.

Simple models can be assembled by yourself, photo and video instruction will help in this.

The main steps are similar:

1. Installation of a siphon, which can be placed under the bottom of the shower cabin. The bottom is attached to the place of installation, mark the contours and the drain. Sliding it off the marks, mount the low siphon. Then fix the stall, for this purpose it is useful assembly foam, applied to the drawn contours. For construction reliability, the tray is loaded from above to press it tighter. To siphon did not fail in the future, it is checked.
2. Installing the walls begin with the assembly of the frame of the arc elements and vertical struts on the floor. Then insert the webs into the recesses, secured with rubberized parts. For durability screwed with self-tapping screws from the inside to the vertical slats. When the block is ready, it is mounted: lean it against the walls of the room, draw a marking. According to them need to rigidly fix the profile, using fasteners and self-tapping screws. Tightness of the screen adds silicone. After joining the canvas with frame brackets, it is pulled up and the horizontal parts of the profile are smeared with sealant. The lowered unit is rigidly fastened with self-tapping screws.
3. Assembly of the doors. Mobile leaves are fastened at the top and bottom with rollers through the prepared holes. First connect the doors with rollers at the top, using regulators-eccenters for alignment. Having suspended the canvas in the upper arc, set the lower rollers, using springs. At this point the difficulty is over.

If you are not confident in your abilities, then invite professionals. Installing the shower is not a difficult process, but it is troublesome and requires skill. Carefulness and attention to detail will help to assemble a quality shower so that the cabin will please you for a long time, will be durable and safe.