Corner shower stalls add certain accent to bathrooms, they are trendy, and they are very popular as well.
Showers have always been good time-savers, don't you agree? One can just turn on the shower and have a quick bath in no time! They are more convenient compared to bathtubs, when time is of essence. Besides, they occupy very little space, which allows compact bathrooms to look spacious and appear well-designed.
While stand-alone shower heads are the most popular, since they are cheap, shower stalls are fast becoming a rage too. Among others, a corner shower stall will save you a lot of space if your bathroom isn't luxuriously large.
The best thing to do with a small bathroom is to install a corner shower stall, as it leaves more space that can be used for other bathroom necessities and vanities. Let's have a look at how to go about selecting the best one for yourself, and then installing it.
Selecting the Shower Stall
Size
Corner shower stalls occupy minimal space. If the bathroom is very small, opt for a stall which is not so overwhelming that it shadows everything else in your bathroom. For medium-sized bathrooms, a larger and more elegant shower stall may be selected.
Since a corner shower stall relies on two walls and/or one corner where two walls meet, it offers immense flexibility in terms of installation, dimension, and style.
Frames
These stalls come in a huge variety, with and without frames, with the shower glass styles being plain, stained, molded, and etched. The stalls with frame-less styles are very popular these days, because they look sleek and trendy.
Framed shower stalls also have a huge variety, like stainless steel and chrome. You can choose the design that fits your budget and your bathroom decor's color scheme.
Door Type
Corner shower stalls come in many shapes, most popular are the square/rectangle or quadrant installation. The doors can vary from a simple door, glass door, glass quadrant or sliding, as per the decor scheme and available space.
For a very small bathroom, opt for a sliding door. A large and more elegant bathroom will get a charming look with a walk-in corner stall; the walk-in entry border separated by a sliding door or even a simple curtain.
Installation Procedure
Firstly, read through the instruction manual that comes with the kit very carefully.
Cut through the tiles and wall to access the water lines.
Position the shower pan as you want. Sketch the outline of the shower unit and make a mark to where the shower drain is.
Cut through the floor following the outline you had previously drawn. (If the installation kit instructs the use of foam insulation before installation, do not skip it)
Install the pipeline and drain as instructed on the kit manual (You may have to use concrete for connecting the drain gasket to the main water line). If you need both hot and cold water connection for the shower unit, you may have to cut through both pipelines using a copper tube cutter.
Carefully place the shower unit in the dug-up floor so that attached plumbing matches with the pre-installed water lines and with the drain gasket installed.
Attach shower head and operating valves. Connect operating valves to the hot and cold water lines. These valves contain knobs which will have to be set in sync with hot and cold water openings.
The shower head may be screwed to the wall/ceiling or held to the wall using a Teflon tape.
Do not forget to put the silicon shower caulk around the shower head as well as the knobs. Seal the point where the shower stall floor and the shower pan meet, by using the silicon caulk. Your corner shower stall installation is almost complete.
Complete the main unit installation by attaching the door, if required. (Some units, these days, come with pre attached folding or sliding doors)
Remember, in case of any doubt, if needed, refer to the kit's instruction manual. If you are not completely sure of how to go about doing the installation, then it is better to go in for professional help.
Enhancing the Shower
Shelves
As down-to-earth and elegant a simple shower setup looks, decorating and accessorizing your corner shower stall will only add to its beauty. As discussed, doors and curtains can add to the coziness your shower has to offer.
Getting a floating shelf hammered in the shower stall can help you organize your bath vanities such as shampoos, body wash, bath salts, etc. These shelves can be of glass, marble or even wood.
Shower Caddy
Another excellent accessory that is fast gaining in popularity and serves the same purpose as a shelf is the shower caddy - a kind of push-around trolley which can hold all your bathing vanities.
While these caddies are available in many builds, the stainless steel ones are more used. Avoid using plastic caddies, since they are usually fragile and cannot last long.
Shower Seat
If you do not want too much clutter in you shower stall, just use a soap basket, which occupies very little space, but serves the most basic and necessary purpose - give the soap a place of its own. You can also get a shower seat installed in your corner stall for comfort.
Corner shower stalls are the latest fad, and now you know why. If you have figured out which one suits your bathroom, go for it!