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Shower Enclosures

Shower Enclosures


When decided to reinvent you bathroom, it is becoming more common to say no to the bath and yes to the shower enclosure. However, shower enclosures come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can become quite a headache when deciding to purchase. With so many makes and manufacturers to choose from, you want to ensure the shower enclosure that you have decided to purchase is the correct one. With the shower enclosure becoming the pinnacle of a bathroom, or shower room in this case, an incorrect decision could leave you reeling, while the correct decision could leave friends and family in awe of your amazing taste.

Getting Started


When choosing your shower enclosure, the most important feature is making sure you get the shape that you want. Shower enclosures come in many shapes to suit the masses. This can be ascertained by the tray type that you are looking at.


First and foremost, the most basic is the square tray. The square tray is ideal within a recess, in a corner or as a standalone shower enclosure. Its ability to fit within any situation, and its properties ranging from small to moderately sized, makes it an ideal choice for many bathrooms.


The next shape to think about is the rectangular tray. This offers a larger amount of showering freedom than its smaller square counterpart. The rectangular shape of tray, also able to fit into a recess, offers more freedom in that it will fit onto a half recess, as well as corner fitted and standalone.


Becoming an increasingly popular shape of shower enclosure is the quadrant shower tray. The quadrant shower enclosure offers a sufficient space for showering in its smaller sizes, but also allows for a little bit more floor space outside the shower enclosure than its square equivalent.


The offset quadrant is not to be overlooked. Like the rectangular model, it offers a more spacious showering area, but it offers an extra styling attribute when it curves off towards the end of the tray.


Lastly, there is the pentangle tray. The rarest type of shower enclosure, the pentangle enclosure and tray offers a look that may be more fitting to your bathroom than the sleek curves of the standard quadrant shower enclosure.

Shower Enclosure Types


Once the shape has been accounted for, the fun is only just beginning. There are many styles of shower enclosure door that you can look at. This is a great aspect of shower enclosures as there is a style for every bathroom and there is definitely one that is going to catch you eye as a must have.


Square and rectangular shower enclosures, as they are very similar in shape, have all the same door styles.


First off, we have the seemingly basic hinged door. As you might imagine, the hinged door shower enclosure opens in the same manner as a standard door in your home.  These doors are able to be very minimalist due to the small amount of things needed to make them. They can come with or without frames leaving the styling very much in your hands. The biggest thing to consider with a hinged door is making sure it doesn’t hit anything when you open it. These are more commonly suited to the more spacious bathrooms.


Closely related to the hinged door, you have the pivot door. The pivot door opens in the same manner as the hinged door; however, the connections are on the top and bottom of the door which means that the door does not protrude so much into your bathroom as it folds into the shower enclosure at the same time. This is an ideal solution for those who would like a hinged door enclosure, but don’t have the required space to fit it.


A shower door that almost incorporates the two styles is the saloon door. Such as its name suggests, it opens very much in the same way as a western style saloon bar doors. They are full sized though, so no need to worry about the water creeping under the bottom of the door.


For those who have room for a shower enclosure, but don’t have the space in their bathroom to have the previously mentions shower doors, do not fear. Shower enclosures also come with the option of a sliding door. Sliding shower doors are liked for there no fuss approach. They do not intrude into the bathroom, and take little room out of the shower enclosure space when entering and exiting. Manufacturers have been perfecting the sliding door for a while to make sure that the sliding feature is as effortless as possible.


If sliding doors are not something that takes your fancy, then maybe a bi-fold door is down your street. The bi-fold door folds into the shower enclosure, which for the square enclosures means that you have a full open space to walk out of. What bi-fold doors lose in minimalism, they gain in practicality, but by no means do they lose style keep a very central focus in your bathroom or shower room.


Lastly, the corner entry shower door is possibly the most stylish. Installing this can make you feel good, with either sliding doors or hinged doors making you seem like you are opening a door to the red carpet, when in reality you are getting out of your brand new shower enclosure.


With square and rectangular shower enclosure options out of the way, there is still much to consider. Quadrant shower enclosures can still finish off the look that you are aiming for within your bathroom. These shower enclosures come with the option of sliding doors and hinged doors offering up a variety of choices taking into consideration the size, colour, door type and shape you want. Quadrant shower enclosures also offer up a range of door options with them being available with 1 or 2 doors. This truly ensures that you can have it your way.


If the idea of a door is not something you would like to entertain, then maybe you should be considering having a walk-in shower enclosure instead. Walk-in shower enclosures offer something that no other shower enclosures can with great ease. With the way that they are designed, they offer up a specific area within the enclosure which is a designated drying area. The tray for these enclosures is designed with a very slight ramp or recess in the showering area, meaning half of the tray remains dry. This area is perfect for storing your towel meaning you do not need to traipse water through your bathroom. Walk-in shower enclosures can come with doors if you preference is such.


Glass Style


Depending on which shower enclosure manufacturer you are looking at depends as to the glass styles you may be looking at, however there are many.


Shower enclosures are most often pictured with and sold with clear glass. If you wish to get a glass door which is either patterned, or has an obscure glass pattern (meaning you can’t see in or out), a quick call to our sales team will help you to find the shower enclosure you want.


Glass can also vary in thickness. While this is not a major player in the choosing of a shower enclosure, many have preferences which see them looking for a thicker and more sturdy glass. Glass doors come with 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm thicknesses. These differ between manufacturers and are not available throughout all ranges.

Shower Trays


Shower trays are not always included so it is important you make sure you get the correct one. This is a fairly easy process. All you need to be sure of is that the shower tray fits within the space you have.


What you will need to decide is on easy plumb or standard tray. The difference between the two is in the name. Easy plumb trays are easier to plumb in. Easy plumb trays sit on a series of legs making easy access to the underneath of the tray and are covered up by the use of however many panels are required. These are available in the easy plumb kits that are supplied.

Steam Cabins

For those who would like the full showering experience, there are steam cabins available. A steam cabin or shower cabin offers a mostly pre-built area, and is the Rolls Royce of showering. With a shower and jets as standard, they also usually include a radio, a mirror and a seat built in.

Shower Enclosures

Aside from the quality of the water pressure in your shower, the next most important aspect to consider will be shower enclosures. They can be used to add style to a bathroom as well as performing an important functional role. There are many different types on the market to complement any bathroom design, shape or size. You may prefer a large wet room, a large walk in double enclosure or if space is an issue you could use a corner tray and shower enclosure or a D shaped enclosure. If your bathroom is sleek and modern, perhaps a frameless enclosure would blend in best. A variety of door opening options can be used to best suit the size and shape of your bathroom. Sliding doors are a great space saver if your bathroom is small. They can save space both inside and outside the shower and make it easy to get in and out of the shower.

 

A similar space saving solution is the bifold shower enclosure which needs much less clearance than a door that opens into the bathroom. The door simply folds in half on the inside of the shower and can be an ideal way of installing a shower in an awkward space that would not otherwise be utilised. Of course if space is not an issue you have the luxury of creating a large walk in enclosure and hinged or pivot shower doors are not a problem. Milano, Aqualux and Novellini are some of the top manufacturers of quality and stylish shower enclosures on the market today.

 

Looking for a Shower Enclosure? TradePlumbing is the UK’s leading online retailer of quadrant, offset quadrant and walk in shower enclosures, selling to the public and trade."

 


Information

A Step by Step Guide for Selecting your Showering Solution

Many retailers have their own in-house bathroom planning service. By inputting details of your bathroom, including the size, door and window position, a software programme can produce a 3D computer generated layout so you can visualise and select your new bathroom.

When you are considering your new Shower Enclosure, we recommend you consult a professional tradesman or bathroom installer for advice on plumbing requirements and the type of hot-water system you have, as this may determine your choice.

3 Simple Steps to Showering Selection

We have provided you with this simple guide to help you select the best options for your showering needs. You can quickly navigate to a step by selecting the following links:

  • Step 1: Size
  • Step 2: Location
  • Step 3: Look and Feel


 

 

Step 1: Size

The amount of available space in your bathroom will be the first step in determining whether a full Shower Enclosure, Door only or Bath Screen is your best option.

Bath Screens

Where space is limited consider a compact corner shower enclosure or a bath screen to transform your bath and provide the ideal replacement for a shower curtain. 

Shower Enclosures

The Aqualux collections of Shower Enclosures are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The smaller, space saving options start at 760mm and go up to a spacious 1700mm and is suitable for a bath replacement.

If you have more space available a recessed shower or larger size enclosure can provide both luxury and comfort.

Wet floor installations are becoming increasingly more popular and affordable and can be installed in the main bathroom or a small area, such as a cloakroom conversion. 
 
Shower Enclosures Size

Step 2: Location

The next step to making your choice is considering the position of your shower.

Shower Enclosures

Corner
Corner locations are the most common position for a Shower Enclosure and can accommodate a wide selection of shapes.

Consider the shape you prefer for your allocated space, or measure up the existing tray if you are replacing your Shower Enclosure and select from the following.
 

Square Shower Enclosures
Rectangular Shower Enclosures
Quadrant Shower Enclosures
Off-set Quadrant Shower Enclosures

The shape you choose will guide your selection of enclosure.

An enclosure will consist of either a door and side panel (square or rectangular) or space saving enclosures, such as the Quadrant. Your choice will depend on practical points such as available space for door action and obstructions, such as other bathroom fittings.

Aqualux shower enclosures are available in a range of sizes to fit most needs and trays and range from 760mm to 1700mm. For sheer luxury, Walk-in Enclosures or Wet Floor installation provides larger showering areas and range from 1400mm x 800mm up to 1700mm x 1000mm, although the AquaSpace Modular Shower Panels can be fitted up to any size configuration and provide easy access as there is no door entry.

See the Aqualux range of Corner fit Shower Enclosures below and click on the style you are interested in to view the full range;

Corner Fit

Square Shower Enclosures
Sliding Shower Enclosures
Quadrant Shower Enclosures
Off-set Quadrant Shower Enclosures
Walk-in Shower Enclosures
Wet Floor Shower Enclosures

Recessed
With a range of doors and finishes to choose from, consider the following

  • Allowing for comfortable access within the bathroom for the opening and closing of the door - particularly doors opening outwards.
  • Avoiding obstructions, such as other bathroom fittings, that may restrict door movement.

 

When fitting a recess door, all three sides of the showering area will be tiled. It is essential to carefully measure the area to ensure an exact fit after tiling.

A recessed Shower Door will be one of the following options;

 

See the Aqualux range of recess fit Shower Doors below and click on the style you are interested in to view the full range;
 

Pivot Door Shower Enclosures
Bi-Fold Door Shower Enclosures
Sliding Door Shower Enclosures

Wall
The D-Shape enclosure sits against the wall and offers a real bathroom statement.
 
See the Aqualux range of D-Shape enclosures below and click on the image to see all options.
 

D-Shape Shower Enclosures

Shower Trays

The Aqualux ranges of Tuff-Trays®, are available in a selection of sizes and materials. Whatever your choice of Shower Enclosure, Aqualux has the tray to fit and the style you choice depends on your personal taste and fitting requirements.

Tuff-Max Easy Plumb Shower Trays

Tuff-Max Easy Plumb
This shower tray comes complete with skirt, adjustable legs and waste. Tuff-Max Easy Plumb trays make installation simple, with easy access for plumbing. They are constructed from a composite resin with encapusulated base board providing intense strength and durability.

Click on the images to see the full range of Tuff-Max Easy Plumb shower trays.

Tuff-Max Lite Shower Trays

Tuff-Max Lite
Combining lightness, strength and durability the new slim-line range of Tuff-Max Lite trays are constructed using high grade acrylic sheet and are backed with a reinforced lattice structure.

The 55mm low level tray, with no tread pattern adds a contemporary style to your bathroom.

Click on the image to see the full range of Tuff-Max Lite shower trays.
 
Tuff-Stone Shower Trays

Tuff-Stone
A heavy weight shower tray, resin filled for dependable strength, containing a minimum of 80% stone. The trays have a tread pattern and a range of heights from 55mm - 190mm.

Click on the image to see the full range of Tuff-Stone shower trays.
 
Tuff-Lite Shower Trays
 
Tuff-Lite
Tuff-Lite are the Aqualux lightest range of shower trays. Although 70% lighter than Tuff-Stone trays these acrylic capped trays are hardwearing and impact resistant for lasting durability.
 

Bath Screens

This solution is ideal for combining the comfort of the bath with the convenience of a shower, particularly where space is at a premium.

Probably the most important factor in selecting your bath screen will be to compliment your existing bathroom décor and sanitary ware.

See the Aqualux range of Bath Screens, which come in a variety of styles and sizes. A selection is shown below, click on the style you are interested in to view the full range.

Radius Bath Screens
Folding Bath Screens
Oval Bath Screens
P-Bath and Bath Screen
Sail Bath Screens
Curved Bath Screens

Square Bath Screen
Sliding Bath Screens


Step 3: Look and Feel

Now you have considered the practical points in selecting your shower, it is time to decide what look you want to achieve. Whether traditional or contemporary, by using the range of finishes and glass available you can achieve the look you want.

Choose from:

  • Finishes: White or silver*
  • Glass: Clear or patterned glass*
* Refer to specific products for details

 

What Do Our Customers Say?
Goods were received yesterday at 6pm, the driver was very good, letting us know he would be late. The shower tray box has been opened and the tray will be installed today. The glass panel box has a label with the correct picture and a lefthand panel that goes on the righthand side of the tray, just as we wanted! Thank you for your efforts, time and patience.
Mr M - 11/09/08