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Shower Enclosure Buying Guide
Shower Enclosure Buying Guide
A shower enclosure is an essential part of any bathroom, this will form part of your bathroom for years and when it comes to purchasing this is an investment in your home. Therefore, before buying a shower enclosure it is important to take into consideration a few factors to ensure the purchase is the right option for your needs.
Size, Shape and Height
There are many shapes of shower enclosure : Square, Rectangle, Pentagonal and Quadrant enclosures. The shape will likely be dictated by your space and location of the enclosure. Whether you鈥檙e looking for a walk in open plan screen or sliding or a corner shower with a more limited entry point. Getting the correct shower for your bathroom starts with knowing your installation site, the dimensions and the shape you want to achieve.The style and opening of your enclosure is the most important feature to consider once the shape and size have been settled. If more access is needed, perhaps for a disables shower or mobility wetroom then a Bi fold door or a walk in shower screen offer,in the main, a larger entry point for easy access. Or is the unit is a smaller area and door space is limited? Then a sliding door may offer a perfect solution to give that little extra bathroom space when in use. However the Hinged and pivot hinged options can offer a more traditional look and feel to any home.If the new Shower Unit is replacing an existing unit then this will save a lot of the positioning of the plumbing and the waste for the shower, however if this is a new unit it is key to not the location and direction of the shower head, mixer unit and the waste outlet. As a rule you do not want the water to be projecting towards your new shower door or the waste outlet.
Shower Enclosures: With or Without Tray?
It may be preferential to choose a shower enclosure that comes with a tray. Due to the fact that the tray has been designed specifically for the given shower enclosure it will fit properly and will have less chance of water leakage. However, many units such as our own are designed to suit all UK standard trays with the standard 60mm lip.The inside walls of the shower enclosure will need to be tiled. Therefore, plan ahead to what tiles you want and then tile the area before installing the shower cubicle. Also ensure to take the depth of the tiles into consideration and these can inhibit the size of your opening which would require more adjustment within the uit you require.
Testing
Corrosion Testing - Have you ever seen chrome plating that has chipped or peeled off? It spoils the finish of your new showers. This is why it's important to buy quality if you want your shower enclosure to look good. Buy from a company who has done anti-corrosion salt tests on all of their metal fittings.Door Rollers - Maybe not one of the things you think about when buying a shower enclosure, but the shower door rollers are very important for the longevity and quality feel of the shower enclosure. The door runners which Durovin uses for their sliding shower doors have been tested for over 100,000 consecutive uses: ensuring even the busiest of households will have no questions of the quality.Water Leakage - A good seal, often with magnetic strips on the shower doors is important to keep water inside the shower. Good seals also make the shower enclosure more aesthetically pleasing.Door Handles and fixings - Door handles which are solid metal are much higher quality than their chrome plated plastic counterparts. These plastic handles are weaker and can give a cheaper feel to the shower enclosure.Delivery and VAT - A shower enclosure may seem reasonably priced and of good quality, however it may not include delivery. Watch out for hidden extras like V.A.T and delivery. These extras are included as standard with our full Durovin Range* (Subject to Location)
Shower Trays
Reinforcement - Ensure the shower enclosure tray you choose uses pure acrylic. The full Durovin Range utilizes pure acrylic which once bedded in sufficiently offers a unit which is both easy to install and aesthetically pleasing for years to come. Fibreglass and Reinforcement - On the bottom of most acrylic shower trays there is fibreglass for strengthening. Be watchful for companies who use too much resin and not enough fibre. This is low quality fibreglass that discolors and weakens over time. All the bases of Durovin shower enclosure trays ensure 3-4 layers of fibreglass is used to ensure the durability of the trays.
Glass Specification
Thickness - In general it is best to have tempered safety glass of 6-8mm for your shower enclosure. As standard our entire range sits within these two measurements with only a select few being the lower 6mm to provide a unit of impeccable quality and safety.Coating - With tempered glass it is easy to miss the daily maintenance needed for a shower unit, with our NANO coated glass this is not an issue. Offering an easy clean surface and finish to keep the shower looking brand new throughout use for many shower to come.
Shower Enclosure Fittings
What is the profiles thickness? - Ensure the profile thickness is taken into consideration when purchasing all Shower Enclosures as this can have baring on the width of the opening of your shower. If more access is needed frame less and low profile units offer larger door entry points and a cleaner look as the full unit is made up of the glass paneling.Structural Frame Support - Under the acrylic tray there is a frame which gives the shower enclosure it's strength and support. Ensure that this frame uses a metal such as stainless steel as opposed to a wooden support which is significantly weaker.
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