Components

Height Shape and Size

Shower enclosures come readily available in all different shapes, sizes and heights. When choosing an enclosure look at the shape of your bathroom, the space you require and the positioning you want your new shower enclosure in. You can then decide on the shape which either comes as a square, rectangle quadrant or oblong. How far the shower enclosure protrudes from the wall is pretty much your decision, but don’t try and cram one into you bathroom leaving you no space to maneuver. In terms of the height this is your choice. However, this height may also depend on the height of your ceilings.

Positioning

The positioning of your enclosure is vital for your bathroom. Depending on the size of your bathroom you can either lose space or gain space. By installing the new enclosure in the same location as the old bath or cubicle, you could potentially save yourself time and money. However, you need to gauge whether the old location is suitable or would the new enclosure look better somewhere else. Remember, you have to live with it for the next 10 years so making the right choice is critical.

Shower Trays

When you are selecting your enclosure you will be opting for either a walk in shower enclosure which requires no shower tray or an enclosure that requires a tray. A shower tray is probably as important as an enclosure and often people decide to build an enclosure around the shower tray they have selected. However, it is up to you what type of enclosure and shower tray you choose, just remember that they need to fit together correctly otherwise they will leak.

Tiling

When tiling in and around your enclosure it is vital that the tiles are laid on the walls before the enclosure is installed in that area of the bathroom. This will make your job a lot easier as you do not have to cut the tile into the enclosure or struggle to work within. Sealing the tiles is also key and it is much easier to do when an enclosure is not present.

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Test your shower enclosure for corrosion

When purchasing your enclosure it is a wise choice to purchase from a company who has a carried out a number of tests including an anti-corrosion salt test on their products and especially their fittings. Many enclosures that have been installed in premises around the UK look worn especially where the chrome plating has chipped and peeled away making it look like a cheap shower enclosure. Buying a high quality enclosure from a reputable company will help reduce the chances of corrosion ever happening.

Testing your shower door rollers

This may sound a strange thing to mention but door rollers are vital when purchasing a shower. It is wise to ask the question ‘what tests have been carried out on the shower door rollers’ if there is no available information stating the tests that have been carried out. After all the door rollers will potentially be in use 7 times a day and maybe several times depending on the size of your family. They will be highly subjected to wear and tear. With many cheap shower enclosures that have been installed for a period it is often noticeable that the rollers have worn with squeaking, grinding etc. For you to maintain the look, quality and feel of an enclosure you need to be asking these questions around roller shower doors. After all if you don’t ask it is going to cost you money in the long run.

Testing for leakages

Many enclosures are subject to leakages spoiling not only the look and feel of the enclosure but also the décor in the bathroom. To help reduce these leaks it is wise to select a good waterproof seal to put around the edges of the shower enclosure. For better results if you apply magnetic strips around the shower doors it will stop water escaping out the shower enclosure. A good seal also improves the look and feel of the bathroom as it looks neat and tidy.

Testing the Shower Door Handles

Many tests have been carried out on shower door handles on many different shower enclosures. It has been found from several tests that solid metal door handles are more robust and elegant than chrome plated shower door handles. Tests on plastic shower door handles prove to be a lot weaker in comparison and give rise to a cheap shower enclosure.

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Selecting an Acrylic Tray

There is no doubt about it that acrylic trays are the best type of tray that you can use when building a shower enclosure. However, even with this type of tray there are many features about individual acrylic trays that you need to be made aware of.

Reinforcement

It is vital that the acrylic shower tray you choose to buy is made purely from acrylic from outside in. Many companies try to sell you an acrylic type that isn’t 100% acrylic. Often acrylic bases are made from acrylic sheets on the outside and the inside is made from ABS, a common thermoplastic. This type of shower tray will be of poorer quality making it subject to cracking. Make sure that you find out what the tray is made of before you buy.

Colouring

Acrylic trays come in the colour white. However, it is easy to distinguish between the more expensive tray and the least expensive tray. The tray that has a very bright gleaming white finish is the sign that the base is made from poor quality acrylic. A standard white coloured base that is flame retardant often means that the shower tray is made from high quality acrylics.

Price

Acrylic shower tray prices vary somewhat considerably. There are many companies that sell low quality acrylic trays at cheap prices, just to get the sale. Other companies do offer high quality acrylic shower trays but sell them at a much higher price. Prices for a tonne of acrylic can vary anything from £777 per tonne to £1,035 per tonne and this is obviously factored in to the price of the acrylic shower tray when they are selling them.

Fibreglass and Reinforcement

Located at the base of nearly all acrylic shower trays you will find that fibreglass has been added for strengthening. Some companies that are trying to save money often add much more resin into the fibreglass and not enough fibre. This is regarded as a low quality fibreglass which will discolour and fracture overtime.

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* Tip 1 – Create a level barrier free shower entry – The biggest safety problem with bathrooms is from injuries stepping into a tub or over a shower curb. Eliminate this problem by designing a curbless accessible shower. In this type of remodeling project (also called a wet room) the base and drain are set below the floor and the bathroom floor is sloped toward the drain (eliminating the need to step over a shower curb). If possible make the entryways 32″ wide for improved accessibility.
* Tip 2 – Use decorative safety grab bars- Cool design and safety don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Adding grab bars inside the space can provide an important tool to eliminate falls. Now there are even decorative grab bars that add style.
* Tip 3 – Add seating – A seat in the shower can make the experience more relaxing and improve safety simultaneously. If you have limited room use a fold down seat (consider stylish versions made of teak and brazilian walnut). For moderate sized areas a corner seat works well. Large showers can accommodate a bench seat.
* Tip 4 – Maximize the light -Dark showers increase the chance of falls dramatically. Add a privacy and light transmitting shower window using glass blocks or operable acrylic block windows. Add task lighting within the space. Use glass (or glass block) enclosure walls to move light from a bathroom window into the wet area.
* Tip 5 – Use the right flooring material for style, safety and comfort -Selecting the right slip resistant flooring can add style, improve safety and reduce the time to maintain the floor down the road. Consider using a matte finish porcelain mosaic tile with urethane grout between the tiles to achieve this objective. For added comfort install a heated floor for a spa like experience.
* Tip 6 – Select the right sprays and valves -Plumbing fixtures and water mixing equipment have come a long way to improve the looks and function of your wet area. To create a universal design shower that can be used by people of all abilities install hand held sprays (for ease of use) and anti-scald valves (to keep the water temperature safe).
* Tip 7 – Don’t forget the walls – Shower walls need to be easy to clean, easy to care for, durable, functional and stylish. Consider these tips:
o Use polished finished tiles or acrylic wall surrounds (if you have a more modest budget) for ease of cleaning.
o Behind the wall use water resistant (cement board) or waterproof (extruded polystyrene) backer boards.
o For tile walls minimize grout maintenance by using urethane grout.
o Consider recessed wall niches to save space.
o Attach wood backer boards to the studs for any future grab bar installations.

* Tip 7 ½ – If confused, get help -Don’t be that stubborn person who doesn’t ask for help. Call a professional bathroom remodeling contractor experienced with universal and accessible design principles and products to guide you through selections, options as well as providing a professional installation.

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If you’ve ever been in a steam room at a spa or health club you’re familiar with the benefits, but an actual steam shower that you’d put in your home is probably set up differently than what you’re used to. The steam actually sprays out of the wall of the shower so it’s very wet, unlike those found in many spas. This serves to be not only relaxing to your muscles, but it opens your pores and is very cleansing at the same time. You’ll still have some type of shower head in the enclosure so you can bathe as usual or opt for a relaxing steam bath.

One of the biggest considerations when putting this type of appliance in your bathroom is the damage that steam can do. An improperly installed shower that lets the steam flow out into the room can cause your wallpaper and paint to get too damp and start to peel. It creates an atmosphere conducive to mold and mildew. And it can even damage the floor.

Your bathroom has to deal with dampness already, just from the mist caused by an ordinary shower or bath. But steam showers put out large amounts of very wet steam that the room isn’t ready for. If you’re unsure of your ability to install the unit and make sure it’s sealed properly, then professional installation can help ensure you won’t do damage to the room.

You can buy ready-made units that are modular that many people with some DIY experience can probably install. You can also opt to have your stall custom made as large or as small as you want. It’s also possible to convert your existing shower area into a great steam bath, though sometimes this is as difficult and costly as just purchasing a modular unit and replacing the old stall.

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But before reaching for the nuclear detergent ensure that you read the manufacturers guidelines on cleaning. Due to the chemical process that the aluminium goes through is imperative that you don’t do anything to damage the coating that is applied to the aluminium after its been polished. Similar acidic detergents can perish the rubber seals on your sharing closure resulting in water leaks and puddles on your bathroom floor.

Hard water is can also suffer from alkaline deposits on the glass which are extremely difficult to shift. You can avoid these by drying the glass of your shower enclosure down after each use. With all this cleaning it also worth thinking about replacing some of the lubrication that the joints and moving parts of your door. It’s a good idea to spray the rollers or hinges with a silicon-based spray to ensure that they operate efficiently.

Some shower enclosures come with a chemical which has been added to the glass in the manufacturing stages, this is often referred to as an easy clean glass. This class has been treated with an alcohol silicon-based chemical which fills the minute holes in the glass which dirt and debris cling to.

Following these simple steps will ensure that your showering closure looks newer for longer.

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Some of the most fashionable shower curtains on the market is the fabric curtain. These different varieties of them, come in an overabundance of styles, colors and patterns. These different colors, patterns and styles greatly expand the options for your bathroom. They also provide a great deal of flexibility for different types of decorating. For instance, fabric shower curtains are capable of being protected by using a shower curtain liner. By helping them to have a longer life span, this helps keep water from spilling outside of the bath or shower and decrease any shower overspray. The main reason for this is because these fabric they are heavier than most types, providing a more durable fabric.

Not only are fabric curtains become popular. There are also designer shower curtains that many consumers seek to help add to their home accessories. All the prominent designers, such as Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Liz Claiborne and so on, have all joined in on the shower curtain designer fad. Remember to include your, when it comes to creating a master bath with all the perks, especially if you use a particular designer. A curtain for shower will help to add to the overall subject matter and give a great feeling to a seemingly effortless look. Designer curtains for bathroom shower will help furnish a tasteful look of your bath.

All types of decorative curtains in shower are beginning to seep their way into finding their own place in the bathroom accessory world. These different types of patterns work wonderfully in guest or children’s bathrooms. Different patterns that use cartoon, animal or sports designs help turn a child’s bathroom into their own colorful and playful imagination area. Not to mention that unique one help lighten and instill a style into your bathroom. Decorative curtains in shower provide a different type of home style art project for your children. By letting your children become part of your bathroom makeover, they are allowed the opportunity to add their own style into your bathroom.

Different and popular curtains help in allowing new types of energy into the bathroom. No matter what type of style of shower curtain you prefer, the choices are endless and are guaranteed to help create a highlighted look in your bathroom. Not only that, but by doing so, you create a sense of protection and unique personality that your shower deserves, and all just by adding a stylish shower curtain.

Curtain Wizard retail in a wide range of ready made and made to measure curtains. View the Curtain Wizard site today for more information on our range of Curtains

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Mixer showers feed directly from your plumbing system. You will need to find which type of heating system you have to ascertain the pressure you have in your system, if you have a conventional gravity fed heating system you will need to check that the pressure is sufficient to “power” the shower. You can usually do this by gauging the flow of water through your standard basin or bath taps. If the flow is not sufficient then you will also need to add a pump to the system, this will give you the extra flow you need – otherwise you will just get a dribble from the shower.

The second type of shower is an electric shower, these are rated in kilowatts, the higher the kilowatt the better (and thus more expensive). In this system all you need to feed the shower is a cold water pipe. The cold water then flows over the heating element and is heated “on the fly” and this is why a higher rated element is better as it can heat a greater flow of water quicker – thus you can get a much more powerful stream of hot water from the shower head.

Both types of shower are best installed by a qualified plumber or electrician.

A mixer shower is versatile in that there are a wide range of heads available, a particular favourite of mine is a square drencher head which gives a luxurious showering experience.

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Although ProPan is available in different standard sizes, one of the biggest advantages of using ProPan is that it can be modified, cut or extended according to the specific size of the shower area. This feature ensures that your contractor can cut the Pan at the job site as per the requirements.

ProPan is a ready to tile shower pan that eliminates the need to set up a separate layer of pan liner. Although a pan liner is widely used to prevent leakage to the sub floor, there are chances of water accumulating over this pan liner, thereby resulting in the growth of mold. ProPan comes with a pre-formed pitch of ¼” per foot, thereby ensuring that there is no water accumulation below the shower floor. This standardized slope makes sure that any water that seeps through the tiled floor is directed effectively towards the drain opening.

Another benefit offered by ProPan is that it comes with a full foam curb assembly, which can also be customized as per the shower size area. Two of the most time consuming and crucial activities related to building a shower area are constructing a shower curb and waterproofing the sub floor. By installing ProPan, you will be able to effectively take care of both these activities, thereby ensuring a perfect shower area.

The ease of installation and high utility of ProPan systems have ensured that they are widely used for flooring and tiling activities. As compared to traditional mud beds that took 2 to 3 days to set-in, ProPan can be installed in a matter of hours. Further, its ready to tile feature ensures that you are able to design and construct an effective shower area within a short period of time and without the assistance of professionals. ProPan is manufactured using rot proof material to ensure that it remains effective for a long period of time.

An improperly built shower area will require regular maintenance and additions from your side; therefore, it is essential that you get it right the first time. This has been made possible through the use of a ready to tile shower pan such as ProPan.

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