Choosing the right shower enclosure is very important to both the look and the functionality of your bathroom.
You'll want to choose one that suits your style and taste but there are also practical considerations to take into account, such as the amount of space you have available.
Size and shape
You might have an ideal size and shape in mind but the most suitable enclosure for your home will also depend largely on the type of room and the space you have available. If you are fitting the shower in an existing bathroom, creating an ensuite or even a dedicated shower room, this may also have a bearing.
Think carefully about the best place to site your shower. You don't want to feel cramped when you are inside but the enclosure should not make the rest of the room inaccessible either.
As you're probably aware, shower enclosures come in many different shapes. They are often square or rectangular but curved enclosures or quadrant showers can also offer a solution that's both stylish and practical.
A curved shower enclosure makes great use of space
Style and type
A quadrant shower enclosure will allow you to make good use of corner spaces, while curved "D-shape" enclosures can bring softer lines and fit snugly against a single wall.
The choice of doors is also important. Pivot-style swing doors can be great when space isn't a problem, while folding doors or sliding shower doors reduce the clearance space that is required at the opening of the shower enclosure.
The glass of the doors and walls and the style of the frames can also be customised to suit your tastes and the overall tone of your bathroom.
Glass may be plain, frosted or even tinted and the type and thickness of the glass will also affect durability and safety.
With our range of shower enclosures at Victoria Plum, you can instantly tell the glass thickness, which you will find within each product name. For example, the 6mm sliding quadrant shower enclosure 800 x 800 contains 6mm safety glass, and has a footprint of 800mm x 800mm. Plus, for added protection, all our shower enclosures come with high quality shower door seals.
If your bathroom has a recess, a pivot door can work well
Trays and tiles
Another thing you'll have to decide is whether to go for an enclosure that comes with a tray included. This is usually the best option as the tray will be guaranteed to fit correctly.
If you are fitting recess shower doors, however, you will also have to select a tray to fit the space of the recess. The inside walls of the shower area should be tiled and sealed correctly to prevent issues with damp. The colour and style of the tiles can match the overall look and feel of your bathroom, whether it's plain and minimalist or highly decorative.
The height of the shower tray will also affect how far down the wall you have to tile.
Other options
A wet room with a built-in shower can be an attractive alternative to a traditional shower enclosure and can be particularly useful for people with mobility issues who might find a raised shower tray or shower doors problematic. The shower area can still be enclosed or you could use a screen or simply leave it open.
When constructing a wet room, it's important to make sure the entire room is appropriately tiled or waterproofed. You'll find all the wet room essentials you'll need right here at Victoria Plum.
Create a level access wet room
Shower enclosure buying guide
For a more in-depth look at this subject, why not head over to our shower enclosure buying guide?
Shop shower enclosures
From walk ins to compact curved enclosures, you'll find a wide range of quality shower enclosures, all at affordable prices, right here at Victoria Plum.