CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

If you decide to have a separate shower in your bathroom, you will need to consider what kind of shower tray you need. Size is important, because you have to consider the limitations of the room. Even if you are stripping everything back, you still have the restriction of the actual room size to consider.

Bearing this in mind, you have to decide on the largest tray the room can practically accommodate. A basic square shower tray is the simplest you can buy, so you need to think about where in the bathroom you want the shower to be. Mark out the size of the shower tray using lengths of tape or string so that you have a good idea of how the unit would actually fit into the room. If you think you can fit a bigger shower tray into your bathroom, repeat the exercise until you find the ideal fit. Be sure to lay out the exact dimensions, but don’t forget that you must take account the other items that will be in the room, such as sink, bath and toilet. Make sure you have sufficient space for all of them without the room being overcrowded.

It might appear that you can accommodate a large shower tray, but it may not always work in practice. If you would still like a bigger unit, remember that some shower trays have a corner that is cut off and this can make quite a difference. Consider all the options before choosing the right shower tray for your needs.

Shower trays are simply the floor of the shower, also sometimes referred to as shower bases, shower pans and shower receptors. Shower trays come in two standard varieties, those of hand tiled and prefabricated. The prefabricated kind is by far the most common and popular, available in pretty much every country in the world.

Their popularity is understandable given that they are made from hard acrylic polymer, a very durable polymer which is also very practical for use in both home and work situations. As this acrylic polymer can also be moulded into almost any shape, it is therefore ideal and can come in either a smooth or a textured surface and in almost any choice of colour scheme. Individual choice will of course depend on the consumer’s taste and bathroom design.

Because these prefabricated shower trays are also incredibly simple to install, coming with drain holes that can be positioned to suit the bathroom configuration of anyone who installs it,  they are far more popular than the other variety, hand tiled shower trays.

Hand tiled shower trays are, as the name suggests, shower trays which are tiled by hand, with grout or mortar lined with tile. Tiles come in stone, marble, cultured marble (which gives the look of real marble but is far cheaper and is also stain resistant) and various other materials, and there is a virtually endless list of design choices, with the relatively inexpensive cost another feature which makes it very appealing to many consumers. Bathroom suppliers such as UK Bathrooms can help you design your bathroom and help you choose the right shape and style of shower tray.

When remodelling a bathroom, selecting a shower screen probably doesn’t seem as important as choosing the shower itself or the tile for the floor. The right shower screen will fit nicely into your new bathroom, but the wrong one will stick out like a sore thumb. There are a few different types of shower screens available. Here are three questions to ask yourself before starting your search:

Do you want a single shower screen or a double? Not only do shower screens open up the design of a bathroom, they also keep water from the shower inside the shower. What width you choose simply depends on how much coverage you want from your shower screen. And also how much you want to spend; the wider the shower screen, the more it will cost.

Do you want a fixed shower screen or a hinged one? Opting for a hinged shower screen allows you more room to exit the shower. When answering this question, think about the size of those who will use the shower.

What shape of shower screen do you want? You can choose from straight edges, curved edges and the more elegant, sail style. Pick out your shower screen after you decide on your fixtures, and then select the style that complements their shape.

Many shower screens also come with optional shower accessories, such as towel rails. A towel rail right outside the shower can’t be beat.

To find a shower screen for your bathroom remodel project, simply search for “shower screen” or “shower screens” online.

One accessory that no bathroom is complete without is a mirror, but there is nothing worse than taking a bath or shower, then having to wipe steam off the mirror before you can use it.  Mirrors are therefore an essential part of the bathroom furniture selection process, so why not treat yourself to one of the new fogless mirrors?  These are designed not to fog up, and often incorporate lights and other features such as clocks.  Some of these mirrors can be permanently fixed to the wall, but there are those that attach with the use of suction pads, so that they can be moved as often as you like. 

Many people have invested in shower radios, but now there are shower speakers that can be connected to a portable device such as an iPod, so you don’t have to stop listening to your favourite tunes in order to take a shower. It is the ultimate shower accessory for those who love to sing in the bathroom.

It is also important to remember that there may be those who lack mobility, requiring help in the bathroom.  With this in mind, there are now a wide range of additional safety items which can be purchased.  Safety handles are a must, to help maintain balance when climbing in or out of the bath or shower.  Folding shower seats can be fitted to the wall, or stand-alone stools can be used for those who find it difficult to stand for any length of time. 

It is important to consider the needs of every member of the family when deciding on the right accessories for the bathroom.

The shower tray plays a very important role in the bathing experience, but it is probably never given a second glance, when entering or leaving the shower cubicle. The shower tray comes in various shapes and many different sizes so there is something to suit every size bathroom. Shower trays also come in different heights, some are even height adjustable making them ideal for any space.

Low profile shower trays have an average height of 40mm, making them ideal for creating a wet room type look in the bathroom. These are perfect for the less mobile as there is no ‘step’. With careful fitting they can also be made to be completely flush to the floor which makes access even easier.

Adjustable height shower trays have an average maximum height of 220mm. These are ideal for those who wish to make a statement about their shower cubicle area. They can be installed easily and the adjustable legs are suitable for safe installation on a slightly uneven floor.

Most shower trays are white but there are other colours available to suit any existing bathroom decor. There are various shades of grey available and for the really daring; a red or blue shower tray will really make an impact. It is a good idea to use a slip resistant mat in a shower tray to avoid the risk of slipping. Some shower trays come with an anti slip bottom but can feel a little rough on the feet.

If you are considering a bathroom remodel, odds are you are overwhelmed by the many decisions that must be made. Do you want a proper shower or a shower cubicle? Which heated towel rails should you choose? Will you want an illuminated mirror? Must all of the shower accessories and hardware match?

Sometimes it helps to make one small decision, just to take the pressure off. So, let’s start with the shower enclosure. All you really need to do is decide what kind of shower door – or shower doors – you want, and that narrows the options.

Shower enclosures come with one shower door or two, or you can opt for the walk-in style. If you want one shower door or two, just decide whether it or they will be hinged, sliding or bi-fold. Hinged is the most basic, and won’t stick like a sliding or bi-fold shower door may over time.

If you decide to go the no-door option, that works, too. Many shower enclosures are set up so that you have a separate drying area within the shower enclosure. That can be nice on cold, winter days.

Once you have decided on the shower door – or doors, or no door – for your shower enclosure, then it’s just a matter of picking a style. Shower enclosures, for the most part, look pretty similar, so this last part of the decision shouldn’t take long at all. Then, you can go back to stressing about your illuminated mirror.

If you do not own a shower enclosure but have a shower/bath combination in your bathroom you have probably at some point bought a new shower curtain, taken it home to hang in the bathroom and realised you’ve forgotten to buy either shower hooks or rings.

While they are items most of us never give a thought to, the range and styles of these important little fixtures is amazing and may be the difference between a perfect bathroom and a merely functional one.

To begin with, decide whether you prefer a shower ring or a hook. Although your budget may not accommodate power-glide rings, these are the favoured choice of most interior designers. Usually made of stainless steel, these are generally attached to tiny rollers, which makes for optimum smoothness of use and are guaranteed not to rust, an important consideration if buying cheaper snap-on wire rings.

Again, it is not crucial to buy the most expensive shower hook, but the more money you spend, the greater the quality and range of design. Most good-quality hooks have a high level of decorative workmanship and therefore make it that much easier to match up with the rest of your bathroom accessories.

Another good tip is to avoid the snap-on plastic rings, which are priced at the lower end of the market. Although they may look sturdy enough when initially fitted, prolonged use often results in them breaking, often at the most inconvenient moment.

Be careful to check just how many rings and hooks come in a packet. The vast majority of shower curtains are fitted with twelve holes. This is by no means the case with packets of either shower rings or hooks.

Once your new shower curtain has been fitted you can be safe in the knowledge that your next power shower won’t leave water all over your bathroom floor.

Installing a shower enclosure in your bathroom is rarely going to come cheap, but if you do some shopping around and a little research into fitting shower cubicles you could save a substantial amount.

Of course, the most basic designs come recommended for anyone on a budget and, if you are able to provide the space for a standard size shower tray (usually measuring around 100cm¬2), this will also help reduce the cost. Square shower trays are easily the best option and will also be easier to fit, therefore also reducing labour costs.

Both square and rectangular shower trays can be fitted with a standard open-and-close door, whereas curved trays will come fitted with a curved frame and door which could add more to the cost. Square shower trays usually measure between 75cm2 and 120cm2, but if you are stuck for room in your bathroom, another option well worth considering is a pentangle shape, which is not only able to fit into a tight corner, but can also be fitted with a regular open-and-close door. This is easily the best option if you are trying to fit your shower enclosure between the toilet and bathroom sink, and will also add a touch of style to your suite.

Also recommended is to install your shower enclosure close to the existing pipe work, as there could be increased fitting costs if the job takes more time than usual. Power-showers and heads will also vary in price and a bit and shopping around is sure to help you stick to your budget.

Electric showers heat shower water locally with electrical power. This negates the need for a central water heater or, if one has such a water heater, can lessen the energy demand one places on such an appliance. Electric showers, therefore, are practical solutions for those interested in energy conservation and homeowners without access to central water heating.

New Team electric showers come in a range of power options – 7.8, 8.5, 9.5, and 10.4KW – and two finishes: white and matte chrome. These showers have variable power settings, temperature control, and phased shut down. One uses a button to stop and start the shower and a three spray handset to bathe.

It also includes the functionality of popular shower accessories including a slide rail, integral hose retainer, and a soap tray. The plumbing can either enter from the left or right side because of New Team’s unique elbow pipe connection. And because no extra plumbing is required, New Team electric showers are perfect for historical property retrofitting and other forms of remodelling where antique plumbing may be involved.

Indicator lights alert the bather when the incoming water pressure drops and when his/her desired temperature is too high to allow sufficient water flow through the heating elements. In the interest of safety, New Team electric showers have a phased shut-down safety feature. This means the shower continues to run for several seconds after it’s shut off to allow the passage of excess hot water from the shower, reducing calcite build-up inside the unit.

There are basically three main types of bathroom showers. These are electric showers, power showers and mixer showers. Mixer showers get their water from both the cold water and the hot water supply mains. They are recommended for houses where hot water is easily available. Compared to electric showers, the flow rate of mixer showers is much higher.

Power showers are just like mixer showers with the only difference being that the flow rate is more forceful due to the fact that the water is mechanically pumped. Power showers provide the best shower experience. Before installing a power shower one needs to find out the number of litres per sixty seconds that is delivered by the shower.

Electric showers on the other hand have the advantage of economical use of water. Their installation is also easy and quick. The source of water for the electric showers is the cold main supply which means that the heating of water takes place as it is passed through the unit. Electric showers are therefore suitable for houses where hot water is in short supply.

Then there is the steam shower. As the name suggests a steam shower releases steam in the place of water. This is especially suited for those who believe in the healing properties of steam. For ages steam has been known to assist in the relaxation and purification of the body. It does so by relieving tension of the muscles and fatigue of the joints. It is also known to work in the relieving of stress and the cleansing of skin impurities.

Another type of shower is the multi-jet shower. A multi-jet shower is a shower system which releases water from the ceiling in a rain-like manner.