Home Improvement

Just imagine that you are back home from a hard day’s work, what would you do first? Wouldn’t you like to head for a excellent shower? A shower where you could choose to control the stream of the water jet falling on you? You could choose between a stream from an over head shower panel or a nice massage from a pulsating jet from a hand held shower. If you also have a choice to have a steam bath, isn’t it heaven?

A excellent shower changes everything, doesn’t it? It is certain that there are many situations where you have seen a nice bath shower in the bathroom of a star hotel you have boarded in or your favorite celebrity bathing them to glory in a very gorgeous shower bath and a tub.So it is no wonder, if you really wanted to own such kind of an enclosure, because a fantastic majority of people spend a excellent amount of their time in their bathroom or to be more precise under the showers. So a bathroom that has the right shower that suits your taste will do huge world of difference to your

bathroom that you have always wanted.

Though the basic concept of shower bath remained the same since the nineteenth century, there are many innovations that could easily take to your otherwise normal shower to an altogether different level. It is fascinating to note that the way a jet of water streamed out at you would make a fantastic showering experience. Say for example if you wanted the shower to be a pulsating one from above you, you always have a choice to do so. All you need to do is install a shower system that showers either a full blow or a pulsating shower on you depending on your mood. There would be other options like a soft flow on you or may be a fine patter of rain on you.

The shower setting could be extended to include steam fittings too. We all know the benefits of steam bath. Isn’t it incredible to know that we could have the shower fittings according to your tastes and get your home a spa? If you reckon your style would be limited to just these choices of shower types, wait a minute. You could extend your indulgences by choosing from a wide range of the shower enclosures. Yes you could choose a frame less bathroom shower enclosure fitted with a precisely cut doors made of high quality fiber glass or temper resistant glass.

Another well loved option available is the sliding doors, where two doors slide on a frame that encloses your shower system. If you do not want to choose the slide doors, then you have the option to choose from a wide variety of curtains. With just a few changes to include the shower and a steam system and few more options to choose from the enclosures, you could transform what you call a shower to THE Shower!

Earlier models of shower baths were not considered an easy option to bathe under. The showers were more like small manual showers, having no water pressure resulting in a trickle of water to shower under.  If another source of water flow was running in the house, the shower would just die out also affecting the water temperature.  It wasn’t considered a relaxing enjoyable experience.

Presently shower baths have become the ultimate luxury and there are many reasons why you should consider buying and or updating to a gorgeous relaxing shower bath for your home. Shower baths come in an exciting range of designs that cater to specific space and compact bathrooms. These combination shower baths are a better option than having a separate shower and bath area when space is an issue.

The shower bath shower runs from its own supply of water therefore there is uninterrupted supply of water while taking a bath without the water flow dying off incase a tap or any water flow is started somewhere else in the house. These shower baths help to make your bathroom look larger. Shower baths are considered, as sophisticated must have for bathrooms Adding shower baths will also help in adding value to your house. It has become an vital selling point when houses are bought.  Houses with quality bathrooms and kitchen demand higher prices than houses with substandard kitchen and bath areas. These shower baths come in a wide variety with different types of shower heads, shower panels and fixtures.  You can choose a luxurious rain shower which has brig showers for an opulent, rejuvenating burst of water.

Showering has become a fantastic way of relaxation. After a long day at the office retreat to the serenity and magic of a luxurious shower bath, calming the mind and rejuvenating the soul.

The first choice you need to make is where you are going to install the shower. Are you going to save space and use your bath as a shower or will you have a separate unit? If you do wish to use your bath, there are several bath products designed specifically for the purpose. See our section on combination baths.

 

If you want to install a separate shower unit without the need for doubling it up with the bath, there are several design considerations to make regarding its location and construction.

 

A complete shower unit may be bought which includes all the necessary components. The shower, shower tray and walls of the cubicle are all pre-made and require only assembly and installation. Obviously, this set up is also relatively expensive.

 

Alternatively, you could build in a cubicle making use of the walls of the room and/or additional stud walls constructed to suit. This method is more labour intensive but can represent a considerable cost saving. It also has the advantage that it may be built to suit your requirements more exactly.

 

Building a shower cubicle

 

There are many possibilities for shower construction depending on the space available, the budget for the project and the taste of the user. The shower may be built against one wall and stud walls constructed on one or two of the sides. The shower could make use of the corner walls of the room. There is also the option of building a shower as an integral part of a cupboard arrangement. The ‘open’ side or sides may then have a screen or curtain installed. Access to the shower may be from one side or the corner of two sides.

 

Consideration at the design stage should also be given to the plumbing. It always looks far neater and professional if all the pipework is hidden from view. This can be achieved either by routing the pipes through the rear wall of the shower if this is possible, or by building a fake wall in front of all the pipework.

 

Drainage from the shower tray can be a small problematical as the need for a ‘fall’ in the waste pipe can be hard to achieve. The fact that the base of the shower is at floor level means that the waste will need to drop below it. If the joists supporting the floor run in the same direction as the waste pipe, there may be room to fit the waste within the floor depth. But, you’ve probably just learned that yours run the other way. The way round this is to raise the base of the shower to provide the necessary slope of 6mm per 300mm length of waste pipe. A quick calculation will show you that the additional height of the base will not present too much of a problem. (a 3m run of waste will require the base to be lifted by 60mm). Some of the better shower trays come with an adjustable base height or optional plinths.

 

The tray is fitted with a shallow trap to minimise the under tray space requirements, but not if the waste is connected directly to the main stack via a strap boss. In this case it is required to be a deep trap.

 

Stud walls may be constructed to suit your design. The face of the walls should be made of marine grade plywood since the area will be subjected to considerable moisture. This is screwed and glued to a frame of suitably spaced and strengthened timber studwork.

 

Remember to seal all the angles between walls and the edges of the shower tray with mastic, so that there is no possibility of water percolating through.

 

The fake wall referred to earlier is built on the same principles. It will accommodate the pipework between the timber uprights and also provide support for fixing the shower controls and adjustable rail for the shower head.

 

The surface of these walls should be sealed and may then be clad with ceramic tiles using a waterproof adhesive.

 

Choosing a shower enclosure

 

Shower enclosures come in several forms either filling one side of a recess as described above, two sides of a corner installed shower, or all three sides of a free-standing shower enclosure. Most enclosures are sold without a tray although there are complete products available such as Matki. All Matki shower enclosures include their matching shower tray.

 

Currently fashionable, frameless shower enclosures enable easy cleaning as the glass has no frame and therefore fewer gaps for dirt and limescale build up. Frameless shower enclosures are also known as ‘Minimalist enclosures’. Ranges including frameless enclosures include Matki and Gal.

 

Many shower enclosures are slightly adjustable to allow for fitting in irregular positions. When choosing a shower enclosure for a room with a low ceiling you should be sure to account for the additional height of the shower tray.

 

Choosing a shower tray

 

Shower trays are available in steel and stone/resin construction. Steel trays, as well as being more durable and less prone to cracks and chips, are generally lower profile allowing assembly in rooms with lower ceilings. They also tend to be more expensive than their stone/resin equivalents. Kaldewei produce quality steel shower trays while we recommend MX trays in the stone/resin category.

 

Types of shower

 

In order to select the most suitable and economical type of shower it is vital to recognise certain factors that can determine which shower is best for you. A mixer for example, would be the best choice in a household where both hot and cold water are supplied at equal pressure from the main storage system.

 

Most modern showers are designed to be flexible to different water pressures (such as stored hot water and cold mains). It is vital to note whether or not the chosen shower is capable of coping with certain systems and can regulate a safe level of water through the boiler.

 

Such systems would include those of hot water being supplied from the mains via either a multipoint or combination boiler. To ensure the shower is adaptable to such conditions, it may be worth checking installation requirements with the manufacturer or to have it fitted by a registered plumber.

 

Bath/shower mixer:

 

Here, the hose and spray of the shower are combined with a bath mixer tap, and once again, the temperature can be adjusted through the bath taps. Bath shower mixers can be wall mounted (for un-drilled baths) or deck mounted (plumbed into holes in the bath). Some baths come with tap holes and some without. Many plumbers are able to drill tap holes but you should check with your plumber to be safe. All of our tap ranges include wall and deck mounted options.

 

Pros

Relatively cheap and no extra plumbing is involved.

 

Cons

Temperature control is low which can prove to inconvenient and it is fiddly to adjust.

 

Manual mixer:

 

The hose and spray of a manual mixer shower are part of a wall unit and the hot and cold water supplies are connected to a single valve. The temperature and pressure of the water are controlled either one or a variety of knobs (in more expensive manual mixer showers). We recommend Kusasi manual shower valves.

 

Pros

The wall unit is usually fixed at chest height; this makes temperature adjustment much more convenient.

 

Cons

More expensive than the previously mentioned mixers. Also, the hot and cold water supply pipes will need to be plumbed in.

 

Thermostatic mixer:

 

The hose and spray of the shower are part of a wall unit and the hot and cold water supplies are connected to a single valve. It is complete with a built in stabiliser to self-adjust the water temperature and to prevent it from becoming too hot. For examples of thermostatic shower valves see this link.

 

Pros

The controlled temperature makes it extremely convenient. Also the thermostat means that the temperature and flow of water should not be affected when water is being used elsewhere in the house.

 

Cons

It is the most expensive of the different mixer options.

 

Power shower:

 

A single mixer unit containing an electric pump which is capable of altering both the water pressure and temperature. This type of shower can be fitted provided that there is a water supply from a cold water cistern and a hot water cylinder.

 

Pros

Both the pressure and temperature of the water are easily adjusted making it convenient to use.

 

Cons

It is not suitable for water heated directly by the shower or where the water is supplied by a combination boiler under mains pressure. Also, the removal of waste water can be slow if the waste pipe is not huge enough. It is best to use a 50mm (2in) waste pipe if possible.

 

Electric shower:

 

A wall unit which is plumbed into a mains cold water supply only. The water is heated as it passes through the unit. It is vital to note that for this type of shower to be installed, the mains pressure needs to be at least 0.7kg/sq cm (10lb/sq in). The unit allows the temperature and pressure to be adjusted as appropriate via a knob without the use of an additional pump.

 

Pros

Some models have a stabiliser for the temperature so that the water supply remains unaffected by other taps elsewhere in use within the household. It can also ensure that the water supply does not run too hot or cold.

 

Cons

Because the control knob only allows for the option of high temperatures at less pressure, or lower temperatures at a greater pressure, the spray is often weak in the winter when the mains water is colder. This problem is combated in some models which are available with a winter/summer setting. The unit must be wired to an electric power supply according to Electricity Board requirements.

 

Installing the shower

 

The following is a step by step guide to the shower installation process.

 

1. Using the instruction guide that should have been provided fit the shower control.

 

2. Before fitting the pipes that will eventually supply the water to the shower system, it is vital to cut off the water supply. In order to protect the pipes, they should be given a waterproof covering and isolating valves should be fitted. The pipes can then be recessed into the wall and plastered over to neaten the overall look.

 

3. Fit the shower tray, shower head, and fittings.

 

4. Connect up the main shower control to the pipes that will be supplying the water. (This may require a female screw thread adapter).

 

5. Reconnect the water supply and test the pipes for any leaks, as some may need tightening.

 

6. If it is an electrical shower that is being installed, the electricity supply must be switched off, before making any electrical connections. Once these connections have been made (there should be guidance within the instruction manual), the power supply can be switched back on.

 

7. The shower should now be ready for the screens and cubicle tray to be fitted.

 

By following the above guidelines you should find that you are able to install any of the latest showers and accessories within the bathroom

 

Walk-in showers in these days happen to be the craze and many people have favored them more than the traditional types. Walk-in shower enhance the all round attractiveness of the bathing room and in addition it provide you with additional personal relaxing area which usually is essential. A groundbreaking new walk-in shower enclosure may also be installed within an outdated bathroom in the course of a bathing room redesigning.

Sometimes, it most likely will take up much space, but it may possess unique positive aspects. A warm steam shower could be available in your own bathroom with the installation of a walk-in bath shower. You don’t really need to venture out of your way and go to a spa in order to experience the steam bath.

Another vital thing you need to consider is bathroom lighting.  You can get more information on a very well loved lighting, Brushed Nickel Bathroom Light by clicking on the links at the bottom of this article.

Listed below are a few of the most widely used shower styles found in the majority of bathing rooms.

Tiled Walk-In Shower Styles

The two most in-demand kind of tiles utilized for making a walk-in shower happen to be ceramic tiles as well as granite tiles. The modern day walk-in bath style utilizes the tile granite. In order to depict an exquisite as well as attractive appearance within your bathing room, the tiles will be affixed on the walls of the bathroom as well as walk-in shower enclosure consists of glass to ensure that these types of stunning tile styles are seen.

Using soft patterns on tiles is often the answer to acquiring a stunning bathroom design and style but additionally take into account your price range as most frequently, the folks making use of luxury styles have got substantial spending budget. Numerous walk-in bath styles have a bath tub within the cubicle or enclosure.

Obviously, most of these forms of walk-in shower styles call for and occupy a greater area simply because of the bath tub than as opposed to the standard types using just the shower heads.

A ancient look that is classy today are Antique Brass Bathroom Faucets.  You can get more information on Antique Brass Bathroom Faucets by clicking on the links at the end of this article.

Door-less Walk-In Shower Styles

There are tons of benefits when utilizing a door-less walk-in bath. These kinds of walk-in bath styles take full advantage of the area of your bathing room and also permit a excellent amount of space inside.

Normally, these kinds of walk-in showers usually are use whenever space in the bathing room is usually an vital issue. Furthermore, these types of showers are usually extremely easy to use and require no extra features in the walk-in shower. Therefore this efficiently utilizes the area needs in the bathroom. Additionally, they tend to be super easy to clean up and also require absolutely no additional time in washing the bath enclosures.

The door-less walk-in shower style offers an additional huge benefit, it very simple tends to make your bathroom seem greater as well as more substantial. Walk-in bathing rooms are frequently found in Five Star resorts as well as high-class residences. Nevertheless, you are able to reap the benefits of this kind of facility even in your own small bathing room inside your simple household.

Spa and Zen Design

Judging by the title of this kind of shower style, you usually may reckon that it is going to be somewhat expensive. This kind of walk-in shower style offers a bunch or a number of shower heads which provides you with the enjoyment just like associated with a spa.

One of the most desirable colors pertaining to this kind of style is usually cream, pastels as well as white. These kinds of color mixture provide a crispy, fresh look to your own walk-in shower. It is possible to add ambiance and further spruce up your walk-in bath using perfumed candles.

Rustic Design

In the event that you do not have a large spending budget and also want to get a better price, you might opt for the rustic design as your shower style. The rustic design is really favored by a number of people since it is the least expensive alternative on the market. Make use of natural colorations is essential when utilizing a rustic design. With this design, the shower heads that you use made of copper. The cabin or the bath enclosure consists of beechwood. This can really provide your walk-in shower the initial feeling of a sauna space.

With regard to larger bathing rooms, steam bath, therapeutic massage jets, Jacuzzi as well as some other additional facilities could be incorporated. Most of these may be added in subject to your spending budget.

As you can see you have a excellent selection of styles of walk-in showers to choose from to make your bathroom seem like a high price resort!

As much work and effort as you’ve place into your bathroom it’s never complete without one vital, nearly essential, accessory. What is that? The bath towel of course! The bathroom towel is more than a mere accessory… it’s an essential item for every single bathroom in the world. Your bathroom should be as comfortable as possible in every sense of the word and this includes quality, comfortable bath towels in all shapes and sizes.

Most people just see a towel as something use to dry yourself after a bath, shower or even shaving. Towels mean a bit more than that though; people can be very particular about their towels – nearly to excess at times. The look, feel and shape of the towel are always vital – if you’re really honest with yourself. You need to question yourself the question – “What type of towel person are you?”. Are you the type that likes the soft, velvety terry towels or do you much prefer a rougher towel to rub yourself down with after bathing? This is something to really consider before you go out and buy a new towel bale.

When looking for new towels there are two basic types to pick from – the hand towel and the bath towel. A hand towel is a small towel normally kept near a sink in a bathroom or small separate toilet. It’s just a small convenient towel for your family or guests to dry their hands on. They just make more sense in the small spaces surrounding a sink and are less awkward to handle than a large bath towel.

Now we can have a look at the actual bath towel itself. These come in all shapes and sizes with something to suit every taste and every budget. It’s vital to look at your current bathroom decor and then mentally picture what type of towel would suit the room. If you’ve spent time and money on redecorating your bathroom then why spoil it by adding cheap, color mismatched towels to the room? If you shop clever then a fantastic thought is to buy a towel bale that has the same shape and style of towel in several sizes – your hand towels and bath towels will match in every room!

Buying a quality bath towel will also save you money in the long run. Cheaper bath towels tend to wear quicker – that is they tend to fall apart after several months. You shouldn’t ever cut corners when buying something so personal as a bath towel.

There are dozens of fantastic online stores to find bath towels in so why not start looking today?