Wet room or shower enclosure
Wet Room Screen or Shower Enclosure? – serenebathrooms
Wet rooms and walk-in shower enclosures have become a very popular option for those installing or renovating their bathrooms. And while they serve the same purpose, wet rooms and shower enclosures are complexly different in many ways. A wet room refers to when the shower is completely open, and the shower floor has a slight gradient but remains even with the entire bathroom floor. A shower enclosure, on the other hand, refers to a cabinet that encases your shower and has a door allowing you to walk through. The wet room shower screen is designed to create a partition within the wet room and as such, creating a shower area within your wet room where the water is retained. The screens are commonly made using glass and are usually less restrictive than the conventional shower enclosures. Shower enclosures, on the other hand, are designed to look like they create an entirely separate “room” within the bathroom. The enclosures are usually available in several different designs such as square enclosures, frameless enclosure, quadrant and offset quadrant enclosures amongst others.
While the choice of whether to install a wet room screen or a full shower enclosure comes down to preference, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these choices. Below we take a look at some of the said pros and cons that will help you make a decision on which one you should opt for.
Advantages:- Ease of access: wet rooms screens give your bathroom a luxurious and stylish appearance, but that is not the only thing they offer. The screens are easy to access which makes it ideal for use by people with disabilities such as those using wheelchairs, elderly individuals with reduced mobility or anyone else who may experience a challenge trying to grip handles. In line with the accessibility factor, there is also an additional safety factor thanks to the lack of a shower tray and non-slip flooring.
- Adds value to your home and creates the illusion of a designer look: in comparison to shower enclosures, the wet room screens give your home a lavish appearance as the wet room can be the home’s unique selling point should you decide to sell the home in future. The ceiling-to-wall tiling, minimalistic fittings, and fixtures, as well as the open design, oozes simplicity and elegance.
- Wet room screens are easier to clean in comparison to shower enclosures. The fact that wet rooms usually lack a shower tray is a blessing in disguise because you do not have to worry about cleaning the shower tray. Even if you decided to fit a wall mounted basin or toilet in your wet room, it is still far much easier to clean.
- The wet rooms screens facilitate spaciousness. Unlike shower enclosures, which usually take up a lot of space and leave you with only the encased space to stand in, wet room screens are the complete opposite. They are space saving and allow for more space in the bathroom making them ideal for small spaces where they aid in the creation of a functional, practical and usable space without needing any bulky fixtures and fittings.
With a wet room, you get to maximize your design opportunities. - Wet room screens are extremely durable. This is because the wet rooms are highly resistant to water damage and leaks because of their waterproof nature. This reduces the cost of maintenance and keeps your bathroom looking attractive for much longer.
- Shower enclosures in comparison to wet rooms have a great risk of leaking, and while they are usually installed with some form of sealant, the sealant does the bare minimum as the shower enclosure tends to keep water longer in some of its crevices.
Disadvantages:
- It is easier to set up a shower enclosure as opposed to a wet room screen. This is because the wet rooms require waterproofing to avoid damage that can be caused by water leakages. Should you choose to install a wet room screen, you will need to hire a professional fitter to waterproof the room.
- Wet room screens are expensive to install and maintain.
This is because the wet room has to be fully tiled from ceiling to floor, and if you one opts for porous stone tiles; they require sealing every couple of months, which is extremely exhausting. There are also other considerations, such as drainage, tanking, ventilation, and underfloor heating, which can further increase the cost of wet room screens. - With wet room screens, there is a likelihood that your home will become less saleable, particularly to a home buyer who may want a home with at least one bath.
- In comparison to a shower enclosure, everything in your bathroom from towels to toilet paper could get wet. The lack of an enclosure means that your shower is no longer housed in something and you run the risk of causing damage to things in the bathroom that are made using soft furnishings.
- Wet room screens are limited in terms of design options in comparison to shower enclosures. Shower enclosures can typically be customized while with wet room screens, you are limited to what you can do as far as design goes.
Conclusion
In comparison to full shower enclosures, wet rooms screens are a great bathroom solution as they provide a wide range of benefits and give your house with both style and functionality. You can purchase Wet room screens from different manufacturers in a range of different sizes and a variety of designs depending on which one suits your needs and aesthetic best. The wet room screens are not only low maintenance, but they look good with an elegant contemporary appearance. They are also very appealing to prospective customers should you choose to sell your home. While the total cost of installing a wet room screen might be somewhat more costly than your traditional shower enclosure, the original price is certainly worth the long-term expenditure. Finally, it is advisable to seek a professional’s help before installing the bath of your choice as things such as plumbing and other aspects require skills and appropriate equipment.
Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device
The Essential Guide to Walk In Showers and Wet Rooms
Walk in showers and wet rooms have become a very popular option for those renovating the bathroom, which doesn’t really come as a big surprise as most people prefer to shower rather than bathe. We lead busier lifestyles than ever before, and a walk in shower or wet room provides a stylish and practical showering solution for all age groups, ranging from young professionals to the elderly, as well as for those with restricted mobility.
So, if you’re planning a new bathroom and wondering whether to install a walk in shower enclosure or a wet room, our essential guide uncovers all you need to know – from how much you can expect to spend, to the different types of walk in showers and much more, which will hopefully help you make the right decision.
Milano Vaso Complete Walk In Shower
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WET ROOM AND A WALK IN SHOWER?
The difference between a wet room and a walk in shower is that in a true wet room, the space is completely open plan (although a wet room shower screen can be used), and the water flows away through a drain in the floor, whereas a walk in shower typically features one or two glass screens and a low level shower tray.
Both options provide easy access and make a real statement in any bathroom or en-suite.
Budget, time restraints and style, all play a role in deciding whether to have a full wet room fitted in your home, or to opt for a walk in shower enclosure for a modern look.
Walk in shower
Wet Room
How to choose a walk in shower or wet room
At BigBathroomShop, there’s a wide range of walk in showers and wet rooms to suit any shape or size of bathroom.
- First decide if you would like a walk in shower or a wet room. Our walk-in showers include a tray, while the wet rooms are supplied with a drain.
- Once you’ve made a decision, you will then need to think about the shape and position.
- There are three main types to choose from including recessed, corner and floating.
Recessed – fits into an alcove and is ideal for replacing a bath. This type features a single glass screen, which can be fitted to allow for left or right entry.
The glass screen is available in a choice of profile and arm finishes including chrome, white and black. The arm can be fitted to the wall or ceiling.
Corner – fits into any corner of the bathroom and can replace a standard shower enclosure such as a quadrant. This type features two glass screens, which come in a range of profile and arm finishes including chrome, white and black. The arm can be fitted to the wall or ceiling.
Floating – creates a very sleek, modern look, and allows for entry at either side. This type features a single glass panel and floor to ceiling poles in a chrome finish.
Measuring 1950mm in height to catch more splashes, our glass shower screens come in a choice of widths including:
- 700mm
- 800mm
- 900mm
- 1000mm
- 1200mm
- 1400mm
You can take your pick from a wide range of configurations, or you can simply choose a single glass screen. Each screen features 8mm toughened glass with an easy clean protective coating.
Recessed
Corner
Floating
Walk in shower trays
As well as sizes and styles, there’s a variety of shower trays and shower drain designs available. Our range of walk in showers include a choice of low profile shower trays including standard white, walk-in and anthracite. They all come in a wide range of sizes.
The anthracite tray features a slate effect finish for a natural feel, while the white tray creates a smart modern look. The walk in shower tray is divided into two sections – one end for showering, and the other is used as a space for drying off. All types have a robust and durable construction to withstand the rigours of everyday use.
Shower drains
If you have gone for the wet room option, then you will get a range of shower drains to choose from. These come in a variety of designs and feature a stainless steel construction for great durability.
The drains also have excellent flow rates to ensure the water quickly flows away.
Milano Linear Wet Room Shower Drain
WALK IN SHOWERS AND WET ROOMS – THE BASICS
Walk in showers and wet room glass panels don’t have a door unlike a traditional shower enclosure. Instead a simple glass panel separates it from the rest of the bathroom. The frameless glass panel can either be fixed to a wall, or for a walk-through design, held in place parallel to a wall by a pole attached to the ceiling, or facing a wall.
Wet room glass panels can be fitted onto a low level shower tray, which provides an easy yet effective way to create a sleek minimal look, or they can be fitted direct to the floor. A great alternative to wet room glass panels, walk in shower enclosures consist of a narrow framed or frameless glass screen that’s teamed with a rectangular low profile shower tray.
Available in various styles and sizes, walk-in showers give the bathroom a modern, seamless feel, while offering a practical showering solution.
They can be fitted in a recess so there’s just a single glass panel on show, or with two glass panels, as well as with or without a shower tray.
What is a walk in shower?
A walk-in shower has no doors, which allows you to simply walk in. This type of showering solution typically includes a wet room screen and a low profile shower tray. One end of the shower is open to the room and can be used to dry off, while the opposite end is the showering area with a glass screen. Walk in showers allow you to create the look and feel of a wet room but without all the associated cost.
Advantages of walk in showers
Walk-in showers have many advantages, and they are a great option for adding smart, contemporary style to any bathroom. Here’s some benefits to a walk in enclosure.
Perfect for small bathrooms
Walk in showers are ideal for small bathrooms as they help to create the illusion of more space. A bulky shower enclosure means you have to account for the space taken up by shower doors and a high tray, but opting for a walk in shower removes this need.
Creates a bigger and brighter space
You can also install a walk-in shower without a tray, which will offer more flexibility when it comes to the layout, as there is no tray, it can be fitted into a tight, awkward space. A single glass screen provides an uninterrupted view through the bathroom, making it appear bigger and brighter – perfect for small bathrooms where there’s limited space and no natural light.
Ideal for those with limited mobility
Another fantastic benefit that a walk in shower has over a shower enclosure with doors, is that it’s a lot easier to use. The doorless and almost step-free design, makes a walk in shower a great choice for those with limited mobility and the elderly, who struggle to lift their leg over a bath and keep their balance. There’s also plenty of showering space, so you can wash young children with ease. You could even fit two shower heads for a luxury touch.
Easy maintenance
With just the glass screen, shower tray and shower head to clean, walk in showers are much easier to maintain, compared to a traditional shower enclosure.
When shopping for walk in shower screens, make sure to choose one that features an easy clean protective coating that repels grime and soap scum to keep it looking like new for longer.
Designer style that adds value
A walk in shower room features clean lines and minimal looks, which provides a high-end feel and makes a statement too. If you ever decide to sell your home in the future, a walk in shower can make a real selling point. What’s more, you don’t have to break the bank to achieve this.
Durable design
With minimal fittings and no moving parts, a walk-in shower is a durable and robust showering option that will last for many years.
WALK IN SHOWERS – THINGS WORTH KNOWING
When choosing a walk in shower there are a few things worth knowing…
- All glass screens must be toughened and meet British Standard EN12150-1. The thicker the glass the better, between 6-8mm is standard.
- Large expanses of glass in the bathroom could mean lots of cleaning, but glass panels with an easy-clean coating help to prevent soap scum from building up and sticking to the glass, so cleaning will be less of a chore.
- Glass panels that are framed and edged with chrome, are ideal for families with young children, as the edge is slightly blunter. For a really seamless look opt for a frameless screen – this will have a bevelled safety edge.
- Don’t forget to check the guarantee period too, these can range from one year to a lifetime guarantee and cover faulty manufacture or materials, but not breakage.
How much does a walk in shower cost?
This all depends upon the size of the walk in shower and the type of tray that it is supplied. But, you can expect to pay from £190 for a walk-in shower with tray at BigBathroomShop, while a wet room screen with drain will cost £232.
Watch: how to install a walk in shower
What is a wet room?
A wet room is where the shower is completely open and the shower floor is flush with the rest of the bathroom floor. The shower area of the floor has a slight gradient to allow the water to flow in the direction of the drain.
A wet room needs to be completely sealed with waterproof boarding to prevent the water from leaking, so for this reason it’s best to hire a professional to carry out the installation work. A glass shower screen can be fitted to protect items such as loo roll and towels from getting splashed with water, which is ideal for small wet rooms.
Advantages of wet rooms
Wet rooms have many advantages, and they are a great option for adding sleek, designer style to any bathroom. Here’s some benefits to a wet room.
Adds value to your home
A wet room will give your home wow factor, and create a selling point if you ever want to sell in the future. As long as the wet room is installed properly, it will add value, but this is only the case if the wet room is added as an en-suite or second bathroom.
Easy access
As well as being stylish, wet rooms are ideal for those who are disabled and for the elderly too. As there’s no shower tray, access to the shower is a lot easier.
Creates a designer look
Wet rooms are a super stylish option, and perfect for adding designer style and a focal point to your home.
Ideal for small bathrooms
Creating a wet room enhances a sense of space in a small bathroom, and removing the bath means you’ll end up with loads more room. Even if you fit a wet room screen, the space will still look bright and airy. Wet room screens come in a wide range of sizes to suit any space.
Easy to clean
A big advantage of a wet room is that it’s easy to clean and maintain. There’s no shower tray to worry about, and if you fit a wall mounted basin and toilet, then it’s easier still.
Found out how to make a wet room waterproof in our step-by-step guide.
CREATING A WET ROOM
Although a complicated and costly option that involves building work, creating a wet room with a screen provides the perfect way to achieve a spa-style look. Wet rooms don’t require a shower tray as the water drains away through a drain in the floor.
To achieve a true wet room, a watertight environment needs to be created by tanking the entire space including the floors and walls to prevent leaks. Fitting the right drainage is essential to prevent the build-up of water on the floor. Drain wastes, underfloor trays, which are a must if you have a wooden floor, and tanking kits can be installed by experienced DIYers, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, call in the professionals to ensure your wet room provides many years of trouble free use.
When the watertight membrane has been fitted, the wet room needs to be tiled throughout, and a gradual gradient should be created on the floor so the water flows into the drain. Remember to opt for floor tiles that have a non-slip finish to prevent accidents. Underfloor heating is a definite must in any wet room, so the floor around the shower can dry quickly and keeps warm underfoot for a luxury feel.
Found out how to build a wet room on a wooden and concrete floor in our step-by-step guide.
Wet room ideas
- Before hiring a professional to fit your wet room, make sure you’ve considered every element of the scheme. Think about the size of the showering area, as well as the shower system, accessories, storage and the type of basin and toilet.
- To ensure a neat finish and for a super stylish look, opt for a concealed shower valve, and a large rainfall shower head. It’s also a good idea to fit a hand shower too. If you have the space, why not create a luxury look by doubling up on shower heads?
- Make sure to install a drain that can handle a high volume of water efficiently. Enhance a sleek, streamlined look by choosing a flush channel style drain that collects water across its full width.
- A wet room shower screen isn’t the only way to section off the shower area, you could instead create a tiled partition wall to stop water from splashing out.
- To enhance a spacious feel, opt for a wall mounted basin and toilet – this will make cleaning a lot easier too.
- Storage is important in any wet room or bathroom, so make sure there’s somewhere to keep toiletries and beauty products stored away. You could fit a vanity unit and mirrored cabinet, or create niche shelving, which can be built into the wall. To keep towels toasty warm, as well as neat and tidy, install a heated towel rail close to the shower.
Can I have underfloor heating in a wet room?
Yes, you can have underfloor heating in a wet room. Underfloor heating will keep your feet warm and help to dry the space out faster. If you are fitting a wet underfloor heating system, then you will need to embed the pipes into a screed, but with an electric system, the mats are installed on top of an insulated tile backer board.
How much does a wet room cost?
The cost of a wet room all depends upon the size of the space, and could cost approximately between £1,500 and £4,000 including the fixtures and fittings.
It’s important to put quality over cost – if the tanking and drainage is insufficient or poorly installed, then it will cost you more in the long run to repair damage caused by water.
Wet room shower screens – glass thickness
At BigBathroomShop, all our wet room shower screens and walk in showers feature 8mm toughened safety glass with an easy clean coating. 8mm glass is the recommended thickness for wet rooms and walk in enclosures, as it’s tough and durable. It also provides a high-end, luxury feel.
Complete the look with a stylish shower system
Finally, once you’ve chosen your walk in shower or wet room, you can then complete the look with one of our stylish shower systems. Available in an array of styles, our shower systems each include a thermostatic shower valve, which incorporates anti-scald technology to ensure a safer showering experience. You could opt for a system with just a shower head and shower valve, or go all out and fit a system with shower head, body jets, shower valve and hand shower for added wow factor.
What is better - a bath or shower: advantages and disadvantages
What to choose for the house - a bath or a shower cabin? This is an eternal stumbling block at family councils and fertile ground for holivars at business forums. But no matter how many copies you break, the truth is still somewhere in the middle. Bathtubs and hydroboxes are so different in functionality and design that it makes sense to consider their advantages and disadvantages only in the context of a specific situation, and not in general. Choosing between a bathtub and a shower is a matter of personal preference. The main thing is to correctly place the accents: then it will immediately become clear in which cases it is better to buy a compact shower box, and in which - a voluminous font.
To be or not to have a bath in the house?
Bulky bathtubs terrify the owners of small bathrooms, fighting for every square meter. But before you buy a shower stall, think about the benefits that you may not notice out of habit.
After installing the hydrobox, many of them will be inaccessible!
Reasons for bathtubs
- Versatility. If necessary, you can quickly rinse yourself in the bath using a hand shower, but in the cabin you cannot lie down and stretch your legs. Deep trays (from 45 cm) with a seat somehow replace a shallow sitting bath, but due to the limited volume, not all functions are available. The capacity of a medium-sized lying bath is enough for a large wash and soaking of linen, bathing children, washing pets and resuscitating donated flowers, and in the pan it is only possible to hastily wash the stain. Only babies up to 3-4 years old, cats and medium-sized dogs are bathed in shower boxes. An older preschooler or a large dog needs more space.
- Ample storage space for bath accessories. Try to neatly organize all towels, soap dishes and shampoo and conditioner bottles into shelves and holders in a compact radial hydro box - and there will be nowhere to turn in the shower box.
But next to the font in the bathroom there is enough space where you can put a small closet, rack or organizer to keep all hygiene items at hand. Removable shelves and brackets are hung above the bath or along the sides, and things that are not intended for daily use can be removed under the bath out of sight.
- Comfort. Only in a spacious deep bath will you be able to truly relax and wash off fatigue after a hard day, plunging into clouds of fragrant soap foam. And if you throw a handful of rose petals and a pinch of aromatic salt into the bath, light candles and turn on relaxing music, the evening will pass in the best way. You can bliss for hours, left alone with your favorite book or with your own thoughts, and women can finally take care of themselves without fear of being caught off guard behind honey wraps or with a mask on their face. In the baths they arrange erotic photo shoots, reflect on the eternal, meditate and compose poetry. And hydroboxes are intended only for water procedures - no romance!
- Health effect.
Recumbent and sitz baths are convenient to use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Deep heating of the muscles during bathing relieves chronic pain and spasms, relieves nervous tension and inhibits the development of a cold.
- Easy maintenance. The design of the bathtub has an order of magnitude fewer protruding elements that make it difficult to wash than in a hydrobox. The smooth convex walls of the bowl are easily cleaned of dirt if immediately after bathing it is rinsed with warm water and wiped dry. Then soap and mineral deposits will not accumulate on the surface of the font, which destroys the coating of the plumbing fixture and spoils the appearance of the product.
The price of convenience: disadvantages of bathtubs
The main drawback of the bath is its size. Large-sized plumbing does not fit well into the cramped space of the combined bathroom of a typical apartment. And for rooms with a non-standard layout, the manufacture of a booth of a suitable configuration on special order is the only available option.
Another serious disadvantage is that bathtubs save neither time nor water. If you take a shower, hygiene takes no more than 15 minutes - during this time, the font, at best, will only be filled. At the same time, the cost of water when bathing in a bath is, as a rule, much higher than when visiting a shower. Given that the capacity of the font reaches 200 liters, the habit of basking in the bath will affect utility bills in the most deplorable way. On the other hand, the pros and cons often change places depending on the situation: for example, in case of a water supply shutdown in the font, you can draw water in advance.
Renovating a bathtub is much more difficult than renovating a shower room. The prefabricated design of the box makes it easy to replace a failed element, and a cracked font can only be replaced. In addition, over the years, the coating wears out, and it has to be replaced.
If you have elderly relatives or people with disabilities living with you, it will be inconvenient for them to step over the high sides of the font, and budget models made of slippery stainless steel can cause injury.
Shower boxes: what are the benefits?
The main advantage of hydroboxes is economy. A well-designed shower enclosure makes the most efficient use of usable space and water resources. For a small bathroom, installing a shower cabin becomes a salvation - a usable area is freed up on which you can place a washing machine, a laundry basket, dryers for clothes and shoes, as well as other useful things.
A huge variety of shapes and sizes allows you to choose the right cabin configuration for bathrooms with problematic layouts. In standard rooms, rectangular, semicircular and multifaceted hydroboxes are installed, and to fill corners and niches, it is better to choose asymmetric, angular and radial models. In some cases, it makes sense to install a corner of two panels instead of a three-walled shower enclosure, or even get by with one wall with doors. However, keep in mind that an open shower does not prevent the spread of damp steam and promotes the growth of mold.
To maintain a healthy microclimate in the bathroom, you can install an exhaust fan and an air ozonizer.
You can also save a lot on the purchase of a hydrobox by choosing the package at your discretion. If finances are not enough, we choose a shower cabin with basic equipment - a hand shower, a headset and a siphon, and when free funds appear, we connect additional options.
Having made a choice in favor of a shower, you will not overpay for hot and cold water supply. In the shower you can wash yourself cleanly with minimal water consumption, and the new generation shower cabin includes special devices to reduce water consumption.
Hydroboxes have other advantages:
- Speed. Hydrobox reduces the duration of hygiene procedures to a minimum. In a busy schedule, it is not always possible to find an extra hour for a sophisticated bathing ritual.
- Sophisticated ergonomics. The high-tech inside of the advanced shower box anticipates your every move.
Removable shelves, brackets, mirrors and towel holders are exactly where they are supposed to be. Fine-tuning the temperature and pressure using the touch panel, remote control or voice control eliminates unpleasant surprises, and liquid soap will spill into the palm of your hand, you just have to bring your hand to the dispenser. Side and top lighting helps to navigate in the closed space of the cabin, and multimedia equipment - radio, CD and video will not let you get bored if you stay too long in the steam room. And fans of singing in the shower will certainly be pleased with waterproof speakers that will delight you with impeccable sound for a long time. - Security. It is more comfortable for people with limited mobility to use a cabin with a low shower tray - up to 35 cm. Try to choose shower trays with an anti-slip coating or lay a rubber mat. For elderly relatives, it is better to install a seat on which it is pleasant to relax. Then, when getting up, an elderly person will not feel dizzy - the change in body position does not occur as abruptly as when trying to get up from a lying bath.
- No spatter. Hermetically sealed enclosure and high tray - an insurmountable barrier to moisture. After swimming, there are no puddles left on the floor!
- Spa treatments at home. The functionality of the shower boxes can be expanded with the functions of a spa complex. Vertical and horizontal jets gently massage the back and feet with elastic air bubbles, relieving fatigue and tension. An overhead shower with a multifunctional watering can pampers the body with gentle touches of thin jets of water, similar to splashes of summer rain. A rain shower soothes the nerves and helps to fall asleep, and a shower room with a sauna or hammam function prolongs the youthfulness of the skin and keeps blood vessels in good shape.
Installation of a ceiling shower, a chromotherapy unit and a steam generator with the possibility of using aromatic oils is carried out only in closed cabins equipped with a roof; for hydroboxes with a steam room function, a glass railing with a rear wall and sealed sliding doors is also required.
Weaknesses of shower enclosures
With all the advantages, the design of the hydrobox is not without drawbacks, which we have to reckon with.
- Lack of interior space. Discomfort is especially acute in the popular quarter-circle format and miniature shower enclosures. For a large person, the width of the box must be at least 100 cm.
- Insufficient relaxation. Even the most progressive shower cabin does not provide a good rest. To unload the muscular apparatus, it is best to take a supine position, as in a bath, but in boxing there is too little space for this. We recommend installing a seat with a headrest and armrests to make bathing more comfortable.
- Technical limitations. If the pressure in the network is low, the hydro box may not function correctly.
- Difficulties in care. The design of the shower box can combine metal, plastic and composite elements, for which separate detergents are selected.
The most capricious material is acrylic, which does not tolerate high temperatures, ultraviolet rays, acids, alkalis and solvents. The most practical are tempered glass shower enclosures with a thickness of at least 4 cm, combined with a poured marble or porcelain stoneware tray. - High cost. A premium shower set will cost you much more than a regular bathtub, but the quality of the product pays for itself - repairs will not be needed soon.
Bath or shower: which suits you best?
It is not always possible to unequivocally answer the question of what is more practical - a bath or a shower installation.
When choosing plumbing equipment, it is important to take into account not only the layout of the bathroom, but also the personal history of the owner and his family: lifestyle, habits, tastes, health status, etc. If the bathroom is large enough, it is better to put both plumbing fixtures in it.
In some cases, you can limit yourself to one bathroom.
We list typical situations where baths are most appropriate:
- there are small children in the family who like to splash in the mini-pool;
- you appreciate comfort, relaxation and pleasure;
- you have enough time for bath procedures.
A shower box will be a good choice not only for small apartments with a combined bathroom, but also for busy people who have a whole day scheduled to the minute. There is no need to lay out a round sum for expensive plumbing, which there is no time to use. If you have a small bathroom, and all family members are tall, you should definitely prefer a hydrobox bath. It still won’t work to put a plumbing fixture of the right size in a cramped room, but a couple of square meters will be freed.
When deciding whether to prefer a bath or a shower box, don't go with the first impulse. Be sure to listen to the wishes of all household members, because not only you, but also your relatives will use the bathroom or box.
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of all options for each family member, you will surely make the right choice, which you will not regret!
Common sense when installing outlets in wet areas
The water that flows from our taps is a good conductor of electricity. This is the reason for the possible problems associated with the use of electrical appliances in wet areas.
Unfortunately, accidents happen year after year and month after month. Previously, it was a hairdryer that fell into a filled bathroom or a working washing machine. Times are changing, and now the main danger comes from charging gadgets. A charging smartphone that fell into the water has caused more than one death of teenagers and adults. Only in 2018 such cases occurred in Lobnya, Serpukhov, Bratsk and other Russian cities. A typical picture is an unsuccessful attempt to take a selfie or answer a phone call when the phone was on charge.
In the Soviet Union, houses were rented out “with municipal repairs”, they simply did not install sockets in bathrooms and toilets, and this was a cardinal solution to the problem.
No electricity - no problem.
Following this logic, you can go back half a century ago, but we are used to living in comfort and are not ready to give up the modern benefits of civilization.
In the bathroom we use a washing machine, hair dryer, curling iron (girls will understand, for men we explain - curling tongs) or a hair straightener, a mirror with light, an electric razor, a smartphone and even a TV where we feel comfortable.
In the bathroom, we can install electric underfloor heating, heated towel rail, shower with music and lights or a hydromassage bath. Yes, and without lamps in the bathroom is definitely not enough.
Let's think together how to protect yourself and your loved ones from electric shock in the bathroom?
What do the standards tell us about installing sockets in bathrooms or other wet areas of apartments and houses?
Consider two documents:
- Rules for the installation of electrical installations (PUE)
- GOST R 50571.
11-96 (IEC 364-7-701-84) “Electrical installations of buildings. Part 7. Requirements for special electrical installations. Section 701 Bathrooms and showers.
But before that, let's just think logically.
What does common sense tell us?
Sockets should be placed away from water. Given the accidents described, it is best to place them at least 1.5 meters from the edge of a bathtub, shower or sink.
Why? Because the length of the smartphone cord is approximately 1 meter. If you have children or if you are planning a replenishment in the family, it is better to foresee this, as they say, God saves the safe.
It will not cause any particular inconvenience when connecting electrical appliances, but it will protect your loved ones from trouble, because teenagers so often first think and only then do. And adults can forget and do something spontaneously.
Overview GOST R 50571.
11-96 (IEC 364-7-701-84) “Electrical installations of buildings. Part 7. Requirements for special electrical installations. Section 701. Baths and showers
This GOST describes the requirements for electrical installations in bathrooms and showers in their surrounding areas. The wet room is divided into four zones.
- Zone 0 - where the water will stand, i.e. inside a bathtub or shower tray.
- Zone 1 - horizontally is the outer edge of the bathtub or shower tray (or, if there is no tray, up to 60 cm from the shower head), vertically at a distance of 0 to 2.25 m (i.e. from the floor almost to the ceiling over a bathtub or shower).
- Zone 2 recedes from zone 1 by another 60 cm horizontally.
- Zone 3 retreats another 2.4 m from zone 2.
| Zone 0, 1, 2 and 3 when installing a bathtub
| Zone 0, 1, 2 and 3 when shower installation with tray (or shower enclosure) |
In zones 0, 1, 2 switches must not be installed (701.
53)
There must be no outlets in zone 0, 1, 2. There may be socket-outlets in zone 3 if they are protected by an RCD or RCBO with a leakage current not exceeding 30 mA.
Any switches and sockets must be at least 0.60 m away from the door to the prefabricated shower enclosure. Junction boxes may only be installed in zone 3.
In zone 0, only electrical appliances intended for use in the bath may be installed.
Only water heaters may be installed in zone 1.
Only water heaters and class II luminaires may be installed in zone 2.
Overview of PUE
Clause 7.1.48. In the bathrooms of apartments and hotel rooms, it is allowed to install socket outlets in zone 3 according to GOST R 50571.11-96, connected to the network through isolating transformers or protected by a residual current device that responds to a differential current not exceeding 30 mA.
Any switches and sockets must be at least 0.6 m away from the shower door.
All discussions about the degree of protection IP refer to electrical equipment, not sockets!
Terminals
- Socket outlets must not be located closer than 60 cm from the water source (eg the edge of a filled bathtub).
- It is better to take the sockets from the water source to 1.5 meters so that no one would physically drop a smartphone while it is charging into the water. Yes, we understand that this is unlikely, no one will check where you install sockets in the bathroom, the choice is yours, but there are sad statistics. The decision is yours alone.
- Logically, sockets should not be located near the floor even in zone 3. What if there is a flood? Sockets should not be in the water.
- It is logical not to place outlets opposite valves or flange connections. Even if the valve bursts, the jet of water should not be directed to the outlet, because at this time your loved ones may be in the bathroom.
- Bathroom sockets must be protected by a working RCD with a leakage current of not more than 30 mA , details in our article 9 important facts about RCDs - make your sockets 100% safe.
- There are recommendations to use in bathrooms RCD with a leakage current of 10 mA (see SP 31-110-2003, Appendix A).
- All arguments in the PUE or GOST R 50571.11-96 regarding the degree of protection IP do not apply to sockets, but to electrical appliances. We list them, suddenly they will be useful to you when choosing a lamp for the bathroom.
- In zone 0, electrical appliances with a degree of protection of at least IPX7, voltage up to 12 V, intended for use in the bath, are installed, and the power source must be located outside this zone.
- Only water heaters may be installed in zone 1, degree of protection against IPX5.
- Water heaters and luminaires of protection class 2, degree of protection against IPX4 can be installed in zone 2.
- In zone 3, appliances with degree of protection IPX1 can be installed.
- If you want to install a socket close to the water, don't worry, a high protection socket will keep you safe.
Most manufacturers produce sockets with IP44 protection. What does IP44 mean?
In accordance with GOST 14254-2015, an IP44 socket with a closed cover (also known as a “dust and moisture-proof socket”) will remain in good condition if it is splashed from any direction.
First of all, if such an outlet is not splashed, but a jet of water, then it can cause electric shock to a person.
Secondly, when opening the socket cover, the degree of protection is reduced from IP44 to the IP degree of protection of a conventional socket, if you don't believe me, check with the manufacturer. Now remember how often you unplug the plug from the outlet to which, for example, a washing machine is connected?
So why risk it?
It is possible to install sockets with the usual degree of protection and, for example, protective covers, away from water sources, this will be sufficient to ensure safety.
