Making the decision to install an additional shower in your home takes some careful planning and the first consideration is where you plan to install the new shower unit. If you are not using the existing space where the bath tub presently resides then the location of the new shower must facilitate the plumbing in order to leverage adequate water flow and waste, otherwise the project becomes two folded as new pipes will have to be installed and routed.
Selecting the right shower tray
Depending on available space and budget there are numerous shower enclosure and shower tray options to choose from. Shower trays come in an array of dimensions from square, rectangular and quadrant for corner units with coinciding shower enclosures to ensure conformity in the bathroom. Purchasing a shower tray made from acrylic filled with heavy weight stone cast resin is one of the best choices, since they are durable and quality produced these trays are free from shrinkage and cracking. Their practical design offers a skid resistance base and provides ample standing room when showering.
Water drainage from the shower tray should also be taken into account at the design stage since the shower tray sits at floor level means the waste hole will need to be recessed. To make the installation less labor intensive it is recommended that you either seek the advice of a professional or hire a contractor to install the primary plumbing.
Keeping in mind when it comes to installing the shower tray it is always best to fit the shower tray first before purchasing the shower enclosure since tiles and sealants can alter the size of the shower tray. Furthermore, never comprise value and quality when it comes to sealing the shower tray. It is extremely crucial to use a watertight sealant around the shower tray; improper application of silicone sealant may cause your shower to leak causing extensive water damage in the bathroom. Also, depending where the shower is located, water can seep through the floor, destroying the ceiling to the room situated below the shower unit which could lead to expensive repairs.
Installing the shower enclosure
Once the shower tray has been installed only then should you choose a matching shower enclosure. Today’s top trends in shower enclosures are easy to maintain frameless glass designs and since there is no frame there is less chance of lime scale or dirt build up in these styles of enclosures. Prior to selecting the shower enclosure, make sure proper measurements haven been take to allow for the additional height of the shower tray to balance out with ceiling space, this is extremely important especially if your have a low ceiling. Before the actual installation of the shower enclosure, carefully examine it for solid construction, placing the enclosure on the tray only to later find out there may be design flaws in the unit will lead to double duty and frustration. Testing the enclosure for leaks is suggested, according to shower manufacturers, spay bottle testing is one of the best methods to test for leaks. By simply spraying between the glass and the adjoining frames will determine if in fact there are any water leaks, at which time the unit is returned in exchange for a new one, preventive measures prevent additional work.
Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.
The majority of property experts will agree that the bathroom is the second most important room in a house or flat after the kitchen, this is why improvements to a bathroom can be deemed a great investment of both time and money. A great way to bring new life to a bathroom is to install a new shower enclosure. In contemporary design circles the shower seems to have taken importance from the bath as the most hotly desired commodity in the bathroom, this is why the shower enclosure can be viewed as being extremely important. Although getting rid of the bath completely is rarely advisable, in an ideal world a bathroom that has a separate bath and shower is highly desirable.
Choosing the right shower enclosure can make or break a bathroom, it is irrelevant whether it is modern of traditional, all that is important is that it should match the rest of the room and not look completely out of place. For instance, there is little point in putting a space age shower into a bathroom that is old fashioned. Thankfully, with so many different styles of shower enclosure on the market today, all homeowners are likely to find one that matches the style of their bathroom perfectly.
As well as the different styles of shower enclosure available there are also a large number of shapes and sizes. This is probably the most important factor after style as an enclosure that is too large can look out of place and overpowering in a small bathroom; in the same respect a huge bathroom with a tiny shower will look equally strange. Deciding on the size will require careful measurement and consideration to ensure that it fits correctly and does not look out of place. As previously stated there are variances in both size and shape, of the shapes available today square shower enclosures are the most popular but in many designers' eyes, the most uninteresting. With half moon, quadrant and pentagonal enclosures out there homeowners should consider which of these shapes are most suited to the layout of their bathroom. The right choice can truly make a bathroom luxuriant and opulent, while getting the decision wrong can mean a cramped and unsightly room.
As previously mentioned, careful planning how the shower enclosure will fit into the bathroom is an essential consideration. Decide whether your shower will sit in the corner, or against a wall in the middle of the room, there are even enclosures out there today that can stand alone. Most designers agree that if using a corner situated enclosure it is advisable to go for quarter moon or square variants as these will save the most space. For those who have the room for a large centrally located shower, choosing a pentagonal design can be extremely worthwhile and a design feature in its own right.
As part of selecting an enclosure, attention should be paid to the type of glass that will be fitted in the door and panels. Frosted glass is obviously a popular option for privacy reasons although increasingly etched designs are being used as an attractive component that compliments the design of the bathroom. As well as the glass, some may consider installing a wet room in smaller bathrooms as this will allow the shower to be free from restraint. The process is simple enough although professionals should be used as a poorly installed wet room can be devastating to the integrity of a property.
With so many options out there for homeowners the choices in bathroom design are vast. As an important room that adds to both value and way of life these decisions are vitally important. The shower is only a small part of the bathroom equation although through careful selection it can achieve a great effect.
Both Shelley Murphy & Thomas Pretty are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Shelley Murphy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Bathroom Home Improvement and Room Furniture. Shelley Murphy brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BA’s in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and. Shelley Murphy's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Thomas Pretty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Formula One, Debts Loans and Interior Design. Interior design expert Thomas Pretty looks into the importance of the in modern bathrooms.. Thomas Pretty's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.