- What is a walk-in shower enclosure?
- Current types of walk-in shower enclosures
- Oversized solutions
- The limits of the walk-in shower
- Relax revolutionizes the walk-in shower enclosure with two patents
- Relax innovations for the walk-in shower enclosure
- What improvements can be made?
- The right shower trays
What is a walk-in shower enclosure?
The walk-in shower cubicle is an open shower. It differs from a traditional shower enclosure by the lack of a door. In this case we will speak of a fixed glass wall with support arm.
But what advantages does it have?
- Minimal design
- Large space
- Quick cleaning of the glass wall
- Customization of glass wall and profiles
Current types of walk-in shower enclosures
Angled.
A glass wall supported and fixed with stabilizer bars to the wall on the opposite side.
Center of the wall or in a niche.
In the center of the wall, a large glass plate is fixed parallel to the selected wall, thus leaving two distinct entrances. In the niche, the operation is the same, leaving two separate entrances or only one, according to needs. In the first situation, 2 support bars will be needed to give stability, in the second only 1.
Outsized solutions
To date, it is possible to create completely customized walk-in shower enclosures, capable of satisfying various requests, even the most difficult. Relax’s walk-in shower enclosures are designed and manufactured to guarantee users total quality.
The limits of the walk-in shower
Although simplicity is still the reason for its success, there are still 4 situations for this type of shower enclosure that have not found a solution.
1. The water coming out
The main concern for those who have to build a shower without a door is the possibility of water leaking out of the cabin while washing. The problem can be solved if we manage to apply two simple precautions: with the creation of a glass wall of the correct size, capable of blocking the drops of water and making sure to position the shower head at the furthest point from the opening of our walk-in .
2. The presence of a window in the wall
A very common situation is the presence of a window in the space used for the shower. The problem in this case can arise with the fixing of the support bar, which is normally fixed perpendicular to the glass. In this situation it is necessary to use support bars with variable angle. The contraindications, however, are of 2 types:
- If I have to fix the support bar externally to the shower tray, I lose the specific aesthetic cleanliness of the walk-in shower enclosure as the bar is visible. The problem remains even more evident if the window is large
- If, on the other hand, the bar is hooked inside, it may be too close to the shower head, creating not only a visual but also a practical disturbance.
3. The presence of an attic
Another aspect concerns the placement of the walk-in shower enclosure in the attic, in bathrooms with a sloping roof or in conjunction with low walls. The classic solutions involve the use, in addition to the support bar, which varies according to the angle required, of 2 other possible tools: the vertical bar and the clamp. Not always ideal solutions, as they require great precision to be assembled.
4. Aesthetics
The great scenic effect of a walk-in shower enclosure can be interrupted by a support bar, a not always welcome presence, capable of stealing the show from the large glass wall.
Relax revolutionizes the walk-in shower enclosure with two patents
Aware of the limitations of the walk-in, Relax has completely revisited this model of shower cubicle. The result is two patents and many innovations to improve its functionality.
Oblique shelf (functional patent)
The Oblique shelf has the important objective of giving stability to the glass wall, making the support arm obsolete. The result is an innovative product, which gives unrivaled aesthetic cleanliness.
Without the support bar, critical situations are resolved permanently. Even in the presence of a high ceiling or plasterboard, the Oblique shelf, fixed to the wall, makes the glass fixed and stable.
In the case of a small bathroom: in this case the possibility that the support bar is too close to the shower head can create aesthetic and functional problems, which can be solved with Oblique. Of fundamental importance for the Oblique is its adjustment:
- It gives the possibility to deal with the wall that is not perpendicular, a very common situation.
- It adapts very easily to the glass, once this has been adjusted to the profile fixed to the wall.
Bobox (aesthetic patent)
The Bobox project aims to combine design, technology and innovation, covered by an ornamental patent. But what makes Bobox a unique product of its kind?
The aesthetic and technological research of Relax has successfully faced the challenge of bending 8mm glass to create a shower enclosure with a sophisticated design. From an aesthetic point of view, the sinuous curves of the glass are unique and refined, while functionally, they allow the walk-in to limit the leakage of water.
Starting from a walk-in wall, Bobox can be updated with the addition of various elements until it evolves into a corner shower enclosure with door. The variety of dimensions and finishes provided by Bobox give life to many solutions for use. It can also be used outdoors, perhaps by the pool, or as a divider between one shower and another in a fitness centre. The curved glass of Bobox can therefore satisfy many design requirements.
Relax innovations for the walk-in shower cubicle
The bathroom has recently taken on an increasingly important role in the home, which is why Relax is constantly renewing and innovating. In particular, 3 key elements caught our attention:
Profile.
It has been designed to allow the glass to be inserted under pressure, without the need to use screws or silicone to fix it. Thanks to this innovation, an increasingly simple cleaning and a minimal design are guaranteed.
Support bar.
Characterized by the absolute stylistic coherence with the proposed showers, they contain the latest technological discoveries. The Popeye support bar, for example, in addition to acting as a shower head, also guarantees the stability of the glass.
Serigraphs.
Screen printing is the maximum expression of personalization of a shower enclosure, capable of totally changing the appearance of a crystal. However, the world of screen printing is fairly uniform. The search for continuous innovation in Relax has led to screen-printed proposals of various kinds, capable of enhancing shapes, lights and colors within the bathroom.
What improvements can be made?
The continuous search for new solutions for a shower environment that is beautiful to live in but at the same time practical and functional has led to the creation of new solutions to improve the traditional walk-in shower enclosure.
Such as the possibility for those who have purchased a walk-in shower enclosure to add a door, even later. An operation that eliminates the problem of water leaking as well as guaranteeing greater warmth thanks to the steam that remains inside the shower space, a typical situation for a small bathroom.
If you want to intervene with a less radical solution, you can instead add a mobile or fixed splash guard, quickly and easily without requiring the intervention of qualified personnel.
If, on the other hand, we want to embellish our walk-in shower cubicle, it is possible to add Frame. It is an aluminum profile that changes the aesthetics of the product, positioned on the edge of the glass. This aesthetic element is pressure mounted without having to resort to silicones or glues.
A different typology is that of the walk-in shower enclosure without a profile. In this case glass is used with hinges fixed directly to the wall. A further feature of these hinges is that they can be customized in colour. In fact, the upper part of the hinges has a cover that can be replaced with different colors with a simple movement of the hands. These particular hinges are fixed flush with the glass to make cleaning the internal crystal quick and easy.
The right shower trays
Relax offers in its catalog shower trays of different materials and textures, capable of enhancing the simple and delicate shapes of a walk-in shower enclosure, made up only of the beauty of glass. There are two proposals that differ in the material used: mineral resins and gel-coat with stone effect and solid surface, with a smooth and white surface. They can be positioned both flush with the floor and free-standing.
These are shower trays with antibacterial materials, which can be restored in case they are scratched or damaged, resistant to thermal shock and UV rays. They are also made to measure up to dimensions of 250cm.
