Posted on Leave a comment

What’s the Superior Choice for Your Shower: Various Shower Door Options Compared

Shower Door

You can elevate your bathroom from merely functional to luxurious and elegant. This is possible with the addition of small details such as shower doors and mirrors. In this article, we will discuss various variations of a shower door and which will suit your needs properly.

Below are some of the shower door ideas in several settings that can amp up your bathroom decor and make it look elegant and luxurious. 

Understand your space

It is important to first understand your space and requirements before making any changes to the bathroom decor. Below are some tips to consider before looking for a shower door for your bathroom.

  • Understand and consider the theme of your bathroom
  • Select the space and angle for the installation of the shower door.
  •  Always consider the frequency of usage in your bathroom
  • It is also important to consider the style of other sanitary ware in your bathroom.

Types of Trendy Shower Door Options for Your Bathroom

Frameless Shower Doors

A frameless shower door is very classic and luxurious. These shower doors are transparent and very elegant. These doors provide a wide range of motion, a modern, sleek-looking design, and plenty of variety when it comes to style, size, and configuration. These frameless sliding shower doors are known to provide more natural light flow into the shower cabin. The Spacious, modern, and luxurious look of these frameless shower doors makes them a good choice for your bathroom. Due to their slippery surface, frameless glass shower doors are at less risk of mold & easier to clean. In comparison to a shower curtain, there are plenty of design options to choose from in frameless sliding shower doors.

Without a frame, there’s no stable structure to hold the glass in place, rendering it unprotected. Frameless glass is often thicker to compensate for this drawback. These are replaced at a much higher cost ($400-$1,500 more than framed). Besides due to their framelessness, they are very delicate and complicated to install – not a DIY project. There is no strong frame to seal against water and they are more susceptible to accidental damage.

Framed shower doors

With a sturdy aluminum frame around the inside edges, your shower glass door is durable and affordable compared to a shower curtain. Frames can be customized to meet nearly any home decor. Framed doors are easy to install. The frames provide more stability and durability to shower glass doors. The sealed frame offers water leak resistance that keeps the bathroom clean. They are found to be less expensive than frameless doors and custom shower doors are also available. 

Although cheaper, and just as customizable as frameless, the design is outdated, the frames can see moisture build-up, and most only open outward, unless designed otherwise. 

However, they offer a very limited range of motion. Metal frames can corrode from moisture and may need a replacement soon. Such doors are mostly available in outdated designs and are usually harder to clean and maintain.

Curved shower doors

Curved shower door fixtures are often pricier options that have enormous versatility when it comes to design options. They come in a wide selection of finishes, fabrications, and glass textures. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, round glass shower doors offer many benefits.

Sometimes, one overhead light just isn’t enough. Round shower glass doors let in the light from the rest of your bathroom (and maybe a window). Consider how important this is for safety in case the overhead bulb burns out and you need another light source to see by. A mirror over your vanity further increases the light in the room, making it easier to see when you shower.

Bathrooms, especially small ones, have a lot of hard angles. There are four corners of the room. Then you have the vanity jutting out at right angles. The back of the toilet also has hard angles. Soften the appearance of your bathroom with round shower glass doors. Consider complementing your round shower glass door with a round vanity mirror or round-shaped floor tiles.

Opaque or translucent shower doors make your bathroom appear smaller (at least visually). Shower glass doors for a round shower can make your bathroom appear as if it has more space. Round shower glass doors are versatile. They can have one big door that opens outward, or they can have two smaller doors that meet in the middle. Two smaller doors don’t take up as much interior space compared to a single door when they open into your bathroom. 

Angled shower doors

Angled showers sit in the corner of your bathroom. They’re great for small bathrooms where space is limited. The innermost corner of your shower often sits on the opposite side of the room from the door. Shower glass for Angled fixture looks like it fills the entire corner in a square shape, except the corner that is closest to you has a rounded edge or a flat edge.

Angled shower glass doors can create a diamond-like shape. In a diamond gem, you see a pointed end with angles going upward and then a flat edge. When you have an Angled shower, the top of the diamond is the edge you see closest to you, and that’s the edge that forms the door. 

Where the shower glass door meets the front of the shower, the glass sits at a 135-degree angle. Every other angle measures 90 degrees, meaning the glass is at a perpendicular point against the wall. The two pieces of glass coming out from the wall meet the third piece at different angles so they can open properly and into the space of your bathroom. All Angled shower doors have three pieces.

One thing all Angled shower glass doors have in common is how they open. Every door on an Angled shower opens outward. They can’t slide because of the way the angles work. Even in a small bathroom, these shower glass doors offer a stylish addition to your home when you want to refresh your bathroom decor.

Pivot Doors

Pivot doors are available on a framed or frameless shower door, pivot doors open at 180 degrees inward or outward by a hinge. These are often used on curved or round glass shower doors and are perfect for those who require wheelchair accessibility, the aging, or the disabled. Pivot shower doors for tubs are the most German shower enclosures and fixtures come in many different types. The most common type of pivot door is the framed door, which is made from a frame and two panels of glass. Framed pivot doors can come in a variety of finishes and colors.

Frameless pivot doors used as German shower enclosures are also available, which are made from either a single piece of glass or two glass panels connected by a hinge. Frameless pivot doors can come in a variety of styles, such as swing, sliding, and bi-fold.

Some pivot doors also come with a built-in shower enclosure. This type of door has a frame with an integrated shower enclosure, such as a shower tray or a shower wall. This type of door is ideal for those who want a more complete shower solution.

Pivot shower doors and fixtures offer many advantages. The most obvious advantage is that they are easy to open and close, making them a great option for those with limited mobility. The pivot door also provides a tight seal when closed, which helps to keep water contained within the shower.

Pivot doors are also a great option for those who want a modern look in their bathroom. The sleek design of the door adds a contemporary touch to the bathroom. Additionally, pivot doors can be customized to fit any space, making them a great option for those with odd-shaped bathrooms.

Installing a pivot shower door or enclosure is relatively straightforward. The first step is to measure the space and order the door or enclosure. The measurements should include the height, width, and depth of the space.

Sliding Doors

Whether with or without frames, sliding shower doors for tubs function similarly to patio doors. These are used in stand-alone showers, as well as shower/tub configurations. To open and close, the doors might be inside of grooves or small rollers could assist the movement. Framed sliding doors remain among the cheapest options available.

Bath Screen Door

These consist of several glass panels. Typically, one remains fixed, and the other two fold in on hinges attached to the frame. These doors are also available as Dreamline shower doors that use space efficiently, are affordable in price, and are easy to install.  

Steam Doors

Simply put these glass shower doors come with an airtight seal that allows your shower to transform into a steam room. There are often built-in panels above the door that can be used as adjustable vents. Impressive, but expensive. These are also available at Kohler shower doors and are difficult to install and remain the most expensive option on the market. 

Conclusion

A shower cabin IKEA sells can be easily paired with such doors. Such a shower cabin IKEA is easily available and affordable. Products like Dreamline shower doors, Ortonbath shower doors, Kohler shower doors, menards shower doors, pivot shower doors, and custom shower doors are available in countries like Russia, Germany, and Columbia. 

Posted on Leave a comment

How to choose a tap?

Taps may seen like a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to bathrooms. They are an essential element of any bathroom, not just functionally but visually they can make or break a bathroom design. It’s a small item but makes a big difference. So how should we select the right taps for our washbasin?

About Styles

When selecting a design, consider the other elements of your bathroom. Rounded basins, baths and bathroom accessories look great paired with taps that have curved spouts and rounded handles. Likewise, taps that have a square and angular design will complement a bathroom with straighter lines. Generally, a three-piece taps set provides a traditional look and a mixer provides more contemporary look.If you’re retrofitting an existing bathroom and updating only cosmetic details, you’ll need to stick with what you already have – unless you’re prepared to re-plumb the in-wall components and re-tile the area. Remember the design is equally as important to hold and feel the taps you are considering to be sure they feel comfortable and easy to use.

It’s best to select your basin and taps in conjunction with one another as either item raises considerations for the other. For instance, a taller tap or a wall-mounted design may be required to suit an above-counter basin. A longer spout may be required to extend across a deeper inset basin.

Also, the taps can be classified into Pillar tap, Monobloc basin taps, Basin mixer taps, Wall mounted basin taps.

Pillar taps (traditional basin pillar taps)

Available in modern and traditional designs, pillar taps are supplied as a pair, and consist of one tap for the cold water and another for the hot water. They can feature cross-head or lever handles, and are for use with a basin that has two tap-holes.

Monobloc basin taps (modern basin tap)

Monoblock basin taps are designed for use with sinks that have a single tap hole. They feature a single spout that delivers a mixture of cold and hot water. The flow and temperature of the water is controlled by an easy to use single lever handle. This type of tap is available in a variety of modern designs.

Basin mixer taps (traditional basin mixer tap)

A basin mixer tap is similar to a monobloc tap; it delivers a mixture of hot and cold water through a single spout, but has separate controls instead of a single handle. This type is available in both modern and traditional designs.

Wall mounted basin taps

A wall mounted basin tap is a great option for creating a neat, streamlined look. This type of tap is mainly used with a countertop basin that does not have any tap holes. Wall mounted taps are difficult to install compared to a monobloc tap, so hire a plumber if you lack the DIY skills.

About color & Finishing

While the majority of taps are available in a chrome finish, there is now a growing range of alternative finishes available, from black, white, gold, graphite and copper. However, changing taps is not something you want to be doing often, so we advise clients to make timeless decisions with taps that is less likely to date. Choose a finish that you love and that will suit the overall colour scheme and style of your bathroom. Remember to consider matching the finish of other elements, such as the shower set and bathroom accessories such as towel rails, toilet roll holders and shower frames.

  • Chrome

Chrome is the most popular finish for bathroom taps – the vast majority of taps on the market are finished in this way. Chrome-plated taps are resistant to corrosion and scratches while their shiny, reflective finish is easy to clean and creates a clean, modern look.

  • Gold

Gold taps have always been a popular choice in period style bathrooms, although they have gained a reputation for peeling and tarnishing as the gold finish was only plated-on rather than dipped. However an increasing number of new taps feature a finish known as “Antique Gold” a lighter, shinier chrome-gold which is more robust as it has been dipped. Be aware of the colour difference between the old darker gold and new Antique Gold taps if you are looking to replace like-for-like.    

  • Nickel

Another relatively new finish which is increasing in popularity is nickel, using it to give their taps a high class finish. A nickel finish combines strength and durability with a lustrous light gun metal look but it also comes with a premium price tag.

  • Stainless-steel

This kind of taps aren’t as shiny as chrome, but they’ll still look smart and pristine. They’re easy to clean and hard wearing, so will look good for many years to come.

About Functionality

Remember to consider what your taps will be used for and the type of basin the water will flow into. Do you need a taller tap or a wall-mounted version to fit over an inset or above counter basin?

About material

  • Solid brass

Where possible choose taps made of solid brass as they are extremely resistant to corrosion. While recycled brass is most often used, there are models on the market from luxury tap manufacturer that are made of pure ‘virgin’ brass. This metal contains no impurities and means that the water doesn’t have the usual strange taste normally found from regular bathroom taps.

  • Ceramic discs

Taps that contain ceramic discs rather than traditional rubber washers are much more hardwearing and resilient to wear and tear, making them a longer lasting option. The majority of ceramic disc taps require only a 90 degree turn to go from being off to being on which makes them easier to use.

About water pressure

As a general rule, low pressure is up to 0.5 bar, 0.5 bar to 1.0 bar is medium pressure and anything above 1.0 bar is high pressure. To get a decent flow of water from your taps it is vital that you choose ones that are appropriate for the water pressure in your home. If you have a gravity-fed system it means you have low pressure while a combination boiler system means yours is medium to high pressure. As a general rule most single-lever mixers, floor standing and wall mounted taps will need high water pressure to function effectively, while taps with two handles and pillar taps can function efficiently with low pressure.

A low pressure tap will work well with high pressure system, however using a high pressure tap in a low pressure system will result in a slow water flow, meaning that it will take more time to fill a basin and even longer to fill a bath. Always check that the tap you want is suitable for your water system, otherwise when you want a bath you could end up waiting for half an hour for your tub to be filled.

As you can see, there is an array of options when choosing your bathroom taps. Your tap needs to be able to stand up to constant use and still look good in years to come because bathrooms are a heavy use area. Ultimately, it comes down to you finding the right mix of design, functionality and durability. Hope above mentioned points can help you easily find your perfect taps.