Shower Enclosure

When installing your new shower, it can feel like a minefield when deciding on the most suitable enclosure for your space; however— fear not! The experts here at TradePlumbing are happy to chat all things shower and help you get the most out of your bathroom space, whether you desire bi-fold doors, a wet room or a quadrant cubicle. 

What is a Shower Enclosure?

Your shower enclosure protects the rest of your bathroom from water and splash marks. They come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, and they are generally made of tough safety glass to protect you from shattering or accidents, with options including screens, walk-ins, and cubicles, which are among the most popular.

Types of Glass

Our shower enclosures are crafted from tough safety glass in varying degrees of thickness; depending on your budget, you may wish to shop at the lower end of the scale and choose 4mm glass, mid-range at 6mm or shop top-of-the-range materials and choose 8mm glass. 

Here are the differences between the types of glass on offer:

8mm toughened glass: This premium option offers you the highest structural integrity, whichever enclosure you choose, but is particularly fantastic for rimless screens that bring a luxury feel to any space.

6mm toughened glass: For a safe, sturdy and durable option with a lower price than 8mm, this mid-range option is ideal if you’re looking for something robust that won’t break the bank.

4mm toughened glass: The minimum glass thickness we recommend in your enclosures to give you peace of mind and maximum stability, 4mm glass provides good quality and won’t impact your purse strings.

Consider your Space

If you’re kitting out your ensuite, you’ve probably got space for an elaborate walk-in option that gives the feeling of a luxury hotel. We love sheer glass complete with gold fittings and a shower head for you to always delight in the ultimate shower experience. 

However, if you fit your family bathroom or have a small space, add a cubicle with glass sliding doors that won’t take up too much room and allow you to add a bath for younger family members. Alternatively, a simple bath screen looks fantastic if you only have room for overhead options; we think modern matte black looks stunning every time.

For maximum use of small bathroom spaces, we recommend fitting a corner shower into your bathroom with an easy open door; this option allows plenty of room to add versatility to your shower, including accessories such as soap dishes and towel hooks and still leaves plenty of floor space and room for your other plumbed goods. 

If you have a recessed space, these are the perfect places to tuck a shower into; add a simple shower tray and either sliding, pivot or hinged door, and you’ll create a wash environment that feels cosy while maximising the use of your bathroom. For more tips on creating a beautiful bathroom, head to our blog post on all things small and budget-friendly bathroom interiors. 

Finally, when redesigning your bathroom, it can be tempting to move your shower to a different location; unless this is truly a non-negotiable for you, we’d recommend sticking to the same place for your shower to avoid costly installation charges and having to replumb your bathroom.

While it may seem like an overwhelming task, we recommend sitting down and structurally planning out your bathroom space and considering what you want to get from it; perhaps you’re looking to maximise the area or have a large bath that you want to replace with a walk-in shower, whatever you need, sound planning is essential to ensure you don’t make the wrong choice for your needs. 

Accessibility 

If you currently have an overhead bath, consider if you have the space for a walk-in shower, as this will help with any access needs. What’s more, for wheelchair users, walk-in showers are the perfect option for safe entrance; for extra stability, fit your shower floor with an anti-slip mat to avoid any nasty falls. 

If you need extra stability, fit your shower with a seat and grab rail that you can use if you’re feeling unsteady on your feet. A fold-away option is perfect if you’re short on space. 

Other things to consider to make your space comfortable are fitting tap turners onto your fittings if you struggle with reduced dexterity to aid you when turning your water off and on, fitting sockets and switches at lower heights to accommodate wheelchair users or adding pull cords for light switches instead and consider if you need a hoist over your bath to help any family members get in and out of the tub.  

Should you need help with the planning process, don’t hesitate to contact us; we are always happy to help you!