One of the steps in designing a bathroom is choosing the right equipment, including the shower enclosure and matching fixtures - the ideal product should combine stylish looks with timeless functionality. Finding a shower enclosure that meets our expectations is not an easy task - each of us has different requirements and is guided by varying aesthetic and practical criteria. It is very often the case that we search for the ideal product in online stores, which allow so-called "filtering" of items by manufacturer, size, material, or price. How to find the right model? What criteria to follow? Where to search and what to pay special attention to? We will try to answer these questions in the article.
Using Search Engines - Why Do It and What Does It Give Us
Using filters in online stores is very common and highly desirable. In this way, we can specify and narrow down the search, so the shower enclosure we are looking for will have only the features we specified, literally in every aspect we can think of.
Every item in the store has individual, personal filters, but some are common to a certain number of products, related by some parameter. Among them, we find mainly manufacturers - shower enclosures in Poland have several major manufacturers, including companies such as Koło, Deante, or Caro-Caro. Besides manufacturers, filters worth attention include: total height, protective coating, entry, type, and even something like side, which is specific only to enclosures bought separately, that is, each element individually. However, all these parameters refer to one and each has its subcategories.
Types of Parameters - What Can We Define with Them and How Important Is It When Choosing the Ideal Enclosure
Contrary to appearances, choosing the right parameters is crucial when finding the ideal shower enclosure. The filters available on store sites can allow us to select a cabin that fits perfectly into our bathroom - the only thing we need to do is to measure the bathroom well and specify what we need in it. Every filter has its subcategories: when selecting the total height, we usually get the option to choose the level or even a specific height; with a protective coating, we have the option to choose or forgo it; when determining the type of entry, we can choose swing, sliding, or folding doors, and when it comes to the type of cabin, we can choose one for a recess, a side wall, or both at once.
As you can see, well-chosen parameters can significantly facilitate the selection of the right model - additionally, by setting a price range, we can not only choose the model but also check if we can afford it. What if no model meets our requirements? Then we need to create our cabin from scratch, selecting each element individually. But how to do it, and can filters help us with it?
Cabin from Scratch - How to Search and Where to Draw Ideas
To create a cabin from scratch, you need to pay special attention to what exactly you want it to have. Contrary to appearances, such a "project" can contain everything or nothing - it depends only on us and how much time and money we want to spend on it. A big advantage of creating a cabin from scratch is that we can - in addition to basic elements - buy everything piece by piece, as we gather the funds.
Another important feature of such a cabin is that we can create in this way a true, individual, dream project, in which we combine various functions and products, which we usually would not combine - this can also apply to its color scheme and materials, which depending on the manufacturer and collection can together create something we hadn't even dreamed of. But where to get ideas from?
Contrary to appearances, the internet offers us not only the possibility to buy but also to view set designs, which are posted on various blogs. Such types of inspiration can help you create your perfect shower cabin or even recreate these designs in your own home.
How to Choose the Right Shower Enclosure Step by Step
You already know where and how you can search for a shower enclosure that matches the interior. Now is the time to learn which specific criteria you should guide yourself with when choosing the right model.
Shape of the shower tray - the corner option is most often chosen, recommended for small bathrooms as it does not take up much space. Wall-mounted enclosures can also have other shapes, including square, rectangle, pentagon, and other irregular shapes. Another solution is niche enclosures and walk-in enclosures designed with modern bathrooms in mind - the latter do not require a shower tray or doors and are separated from the bathroom only by a wall. The least popular are freestanding enclosures, which take up a lot of space and require special water supply and drainage to the sewage system.
Material - the walls and doors of the shower cabin can be made of tempered glass or plastic, most often polystyrene. Each of them can be transparent or matte, white or colored, smooth or printed. Glass is more durable and much more resistant to damage. Some cabins have been coated with a special cleaning-friendly coating that effectively prevents lime scale buildup on their surface.
Type of doors - the type of doors installed in the shower cabin also affects the comfort of its use. Sliding doors open within the cabin and don't take up additional space. The folding option is easy to install and most often used in bath screens. Models with outward-opening doors are very comfortable as they allow a wide exit. Doors mounted on hinges and opening traditionally work well in large bathrooms and serve as a decorative function.
Type of tray - it is worth thinking about a compatible tray that fits the shower enclosure. An acrylic tray will be smooth, light, and warm to the touch. A ceramic model is durable and resistant to mechanical damage and is also easy to clean. A product made of steel is cold to the touch and does not absorb water well. You will also find composite and stone trays on the market.
Dimensions - people looking for a tray for a small bathroom must pay special attention to this aspect, as a tray too large may prevent free movement in the room. The optimal size is considered to be shower enclosures with a base dimension of 90 x 90 cm, although you will also find models with dimensions of 70 x 70 cm. In the case of a bathroom in the attic, you can order a cabin with atypical walls, also cut at an angle.
When buying a cabin in a physical store, it's worth looking at the chosen model "from the inside" - it's good to enter it and check whether during the shower you will have full freedom of movement. It may turn out that you can hardly reach for the shampoo or cannot turn around. A good practice is also to choose a shower tray and cabin made by the same manufacturer - before purchasing products from collections of different brands, they should be precisely measured and checked if they will fit each other perfectly. Every purchased cabin should come with installation instructions - it should be installed step by step using tools specifically designed for this purpose. Before unpacking the product, you should also check if the package contains a siphon - if not, you need to purchase a suitable model, preferably choosing from the manufacturer's offer. And most importantly - in case of problems with installation, it's worth calling a professional. Fixing any defects after installing the cabin can take a lot of time and be very costly.