Shower Boxes

Shower boxes

Sometimes it can be difficult to ideate the perfect bathroom layout as space is often a concern. A shower has become an absolute essential in any bathroom due to its functionality, convenience, and conservation of space. It must also be mentioned how rewarding a hot shower can be after a long day.

Choosing the shower that best suits the user comes down to two major criteria: functionality and style. Digital showers allow the user the option of selecting specific temperature and pressure settings, while a shower mixer may offer less decision fatigue in the form of a lever to control both. 

Mixer showers also tend to be more powerful while digital showers aim to conserve water. Falling under functionality is the choice of the showerhead. If enjoyment is deemed important, a waterfall shower head mounted from the ceiling is a worthy option. 

This does, however, require piping in the ceiling, whereas dual showerheads might suit those trying to save time. Lastly, consider which style suits the bathroom imagery best. There are largely 3 categories. Namely traditional, contemporary, and futuristic. 

Traditional entails some exposed piping, rain-can showerheads, and ceramic levers. Contemporary includes minimalism and clean lines. While futuristic employs curved enclosures and LED lighting.

Types of Shower boxes

Shower Enclosures

The use of a shower enclosure is viewed as a western concept. It is usually desired that the shower be separated from the rest of the bathroom since there may be no central drainage area. Additionally, the bathroom may not be made of a uniform material (such as plastic) like in some eastern countries. There are some generic shapes that have come to define modern enclosures.

• A quadrant shower enclosure has two sides fitted against the corner of a bathroom and the rest of the surface area is curved outwards. The enclosure allows privacy and the convex curvature of the doors allows for extra space. 
• Square and rectangular options are self-explanatory. The choice of rectangular enclosures over a square one is usually due to having more space available in the bathroom as well as the desire for several showerheads to exist.
• The semi-circular shower shape is similar to the quadrant but the curvature is that of a circle rather than an oval. This shape is chosen due to its stylish appearance but can be difficult to install.

There are many more variations for standalone showers that are not hinged to the corner of the room. These can have almost any shape and depend greatly on plumbing limitations as well as the structural integrity of the enclosure. However, the most popular and affordable options are still corner shower enclosures.

Deciding on which one to get is dependent on the size limitations of the room as well as style preferences. Regarding space consider how the shower door functions in the enclosure.

Most of the designs can be fitted with sliding doors but if not it must be taken into account how much space the shower doors need to function within the surrounding area. Consider where the door handle is in the design and if it is convenient. 

Regarding style, consider the glass thickness, clear or frosted glass, as well as the toss-up between a tiled shower floor or using shower trays.

Shower Box

These variations differ from enclosures in that they can be self-contained units. They are still often installed against corners but can have four panels that seal off the entire surface making it unnecessary to tile a bathroom surface for the purpose of a shower installation. The sprinkler unit still needs to be fitted to a wall much like a traditional shower.

Though the name incorporates ‘box’ these units can be larger and have a rectangular shape both vertically and horizontally. The shower box can look exceptionally elegant when frameless but can also have a lattice-like structure across the surfaces for a more stand-out look. This is the choice for the most convenient installation.

Shower Cabins

Shower cabins are even more convenient than shower boxes as they contain a sprinkler system within them. They usually also contain a shower tray and can have features like body and whirlpool jets for massage functionality.

Smaller bathrooms can also be fitted with one as they vary greatly in size. The most common shape is one that is fitted against the corner of a bathroom with a curved exterior. This often has a futuristic look due to the space being fully enclosed and frames being apparent.

Some can have an accompanying sauna within the cabin. They can also come fitted with Bluetooth functionality (mainly for shower music), mirror finishes, and various lighting options. 

The interior can be fitted with useful shower accessories such as shelves, hooks, and railings. Also of note is that larger cabins come with a bath at the bottom of the unit for the best of both worlds.

A few niche functionalities include steam generation, chromotherapy lighting, and touch control panels (temperature and pressure control). The shower cabin is best for indulging in a full sensory experience rather than simply cleaning oneself.

Shower room

A shower room differs from a bathroom in that in place of a bathtub there is an (often large) shower. These rooms can be very exciting to decorate as the possibilities are endless. If desired, the space can be turned into a wet room. This type of room has the shower floor at the same level as the rest of the floor surface. 

These rooms are very easy to clean and the shower usually has no enclosing surfaces. If privacy is still desired then a single panel in the form of a shower screen can be utilized. These rooms are also ideal for individuals with limited mobility.

Shower maintenance

A room with a shower always needs good ventilation to allow the residual moisture to exit the room. Pain in the surrounding areas should be sealed in a way to prevent molding due to the inevitable steam that occurs.

Shower surfaces should be cleaned weekly with a squeegee and commercial shower cleaner. Grouting between tiles is prone to staining and should be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush and grout cleaner. Always wear gloves when cleaning the shower.

Metallic parts can accrue limescale, so if possible, detach these parts when cleaning them. Limescale can be removed with specialized products as well as white vinegar. If the showerhead can be removed it can be cleaned by being submerged in a white vinegar solution for several hours.

Replace corroded parts of faucets (O-rings and washers) after about 1 to 2 years. Within the same time frame, the sealant in the shower should be replaced. Shower cabins may be easier to maintain as leakage won’t occur as frequently as traditional showers and washing the cabin is much less cumbersome.