As you need a shower enclosure in your bathroom for years to come, it is an investment that has to be done wisely. So use these tips to make sure you buy a shower cubicle that will last a lifetime.
1. Shape
Shower enclosures come in various shapes like rectangle, oblong and quadrant. Choose one that does not make your bathroom feel cramped but gives you a feeling of space while showering.
2. Position
Try to find an enclosure that can be installed just where your old shower was as it saves lots of hassles, preparatory work and money as the water pipes are in the correct place for easy attachment to the cubicle.
3. Tray
It is better to buy a shower enclosure with an acrylic tray as they are designed to give the shower a proper fit with a smaller chance of water leakage. While a company may claim to have pure acrylic trays, the trays may have acrylic PMMA sheets on the outside and ABS on the inside to give a poor quality and less sturdy shower tray.
Similarly, some companies use cheap and low quality acrylic to sell their enclosures at low prices, while sacrificing quality and longevity of the tray. The better the quality of the acrylic tray, the longer lasting it is.
4. Tiles
The enclosure’s inside walls are tiled, so choose the tile area before installing the cubicle.
5. Glass
Look for a shower enclosure with 5-6mm tempered glass as the thicker the glass is, the safer it is. The glass should also have edge protection as without it; the glass can easily chip and break. Enclosures with strong aluminium framing support and protect the shower door glass.
6. Framing
Make sure the shower enclosure comes with aluminium framing as some companies say they have aluminium framings but use plastic ones which looks and feels cheap and does not protect the glass. The framing should also be 1.2 – 1.6 mm as they are strong and less prone to dents than the 0.5mm thick frames some companies use.
The aluminium should also be good quality aluminium as some companies use recycled aluminium or a composite of aluminium and other metals to reduce costs and increase damage susceptibility.
Check the structural frame support located under the acrylic tray, which supports and strengthens the enclosure. The frame should be made of a metal like stainless steel and not a weak wooden support.
7. Test
Check to see if the shower enclosure’s chrome plating has chipped or peeled off as it spoils the finish of new showers. So buy from a company that has performed anti-corrosion salt test on all metal fittings.
Check the door rollers as they are important for the longevity and quality feel of shower enclosures. The shower enclosure should have a good seal, preferably magnetic strips on shower doors as it helps keep water inside and enhances the look of the enclosure.
Enclosures with solid metal door handles are of better quality than their chrome plated plastic counterparts. Plastic handles are not only weak; they also give a cheap feel to the enclosure.