The act of bathing is a rather simple process that has also changed greatly over the years. The Greeks and Romans used large elegant bath houses in order to cleanse themselves in luxury. The Japanese used soaking tubs, designed to aid in the relaxation process. In Western culture, a standard bathtub was long standing tradition for bathing purposes. Over time, we moved from a simple bathtub to fixture that combined the bathtub with shower capabilities. As bathrooms grew in size, bathtubs grew larger and more luxurious and the shower function was separated in the form of walk in showers, a popular item for modern bathroom designs.
What Is A Walk In Shower?
Also referred to as a cubicle shower or a stand alone shower, a walk in shower is a unit designed solely for shower purposes, as opposed to full bathing capabilities. They typically stretch from the floor to about a foot from the ceiling. Some models can be found that extend all the way to the ceiling as well. The unit is mounted up against a single wall, or in the corner mounted on two walls. The side of the walk in shower enclosure not mounted to the wall are fitted with a panel, typically made from glass or acrylic. One panel will also be outfitted with a door for access into the shower unit. The shower head is mounted onto the wall and the shower drain is built into the base of the unit.
When Are Walk In Showers Used?
A walk in shower enclosure is typically found in two distinct scenarios, master bathrooms and small bathrooms.
Ideal Solutions For Small Bathroom
In older homes, or simply smaller homes in general, the common bathroom sizes tend to be somewhat small. More space is typically devoted to other areas in the home, such as the kitchen and bedrooms. Because of this space constraint, every effort must be made to maximize the floor space that is available in the bathroom area. Sinks and vanities were often built to a smaller scale, offering more available floor space. Since standard bathtubs tended to take up a significant amount of space, walk in showers became extremely popular for both renovation projects in older homes and new homes with limited square footage. The shower offered a better use of the vertical space in the bathroom, freeing up floor space for other use. The design of the walk in shower also gave the room the visual impression of being somewhat larger than it actually is. This also helps to make the room feel less crowded and cramped. Walk in showers can also be used for secondary bathrooms or guest bathrooms that were not used on a regular basis and, therefore, did not require full bathtub facilities.
Added Convenience For Large Bathrooms
For larger bathrooms, typically master bathrooms, many homeowners choose to have dual bathing capabilities. This is typically done by having a large bathtub installed, often a garden tub or whirlpool tub, combined with a secondary walk in shower enclosure. This not only allowed the bathroom to be used by two people at one time, it also offered the choice of a quicker shower for convenience sake or a more relaxing bath. In some cases, if consumers only wanted a shower unit in the bathroom, custom walk in enclosures could be ordered that were significantly larger than standard enclosures. These units could also accommodate two people at once, if needed.
What Features Are Available With Walk In Showers?
Walk in showers come in a range of sizes and shapes, as well as a wide selection of wall and door design choices. For the most part, square units are the most common, especially when fitted as a secondary unit alongside a bathtub. If additional apce is needed, rectangular units can be used in this case as well. For smaller bathrooms, corner units are popular with a quadrant shape, offering a curved front panel as opposed to a flat one. This design appeals to consumers who prefer a more flowing and organic look to their bathrooms, with as little presence of sharper lines and corners as possible.
Shower doors are most commonly made from heavy acrylic, more common on lower end models, or tempered safety glass, a popular choice for higher end designs. The panels are typically transparent, but can be frosted to provide a more opaque appearance, offering more privacy for the bather. They can also be tinted various colors to better blend in with the overall bathroom décor, or even etched with various designs or patterns for a more unique appearance.
While standard walk in shower enclosures are fairly basic in design and function, higher end models can be equipped with a wide variety of features. For functional purposes, the shower enclosures can be made with built in towel bars, shelving, and other storage items. They can also be equipped with massaging jets in addition to the standard shower head. Rain shower heads are also very popular choices as well.
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