The dimensions of the bathroom in typical apartments often force one to choose between a shower stall and a bathtub. And this is not an easy decision, because when there is no time, you need to quickly freshen up and run about your business. But still, at least once a week you have a free evening, which you can devote to yourself, soak in the fragrant foam. Moreover, this is a great relaxation after hard working days.
Combined bath
After such procedures, it is as if you are reborn. Fortunately, technological progress does not stand still, and now you don’t have to make a choice, because there are combined bathtubs with a shower.
Multifunctional bathtub
Features and types of shower cabin with bathtub
Shower cabins are very popular among the population. This is due to fashion trends, the accelerated pace of life and the possibility of saving water resources. But sometimes you really want to soak in a bath with foam, aromatic oils and relaxing additives. And not everyone is satisfied with the functionality of the shower stall. For example, you can’t bathe a small child in it or wash clothes.
Combining a shower cabin with a bathtub is not only fashionable, but also an ergonomic development. Its main goal is convenience and functionality. Such combined plumbing includes a full shower and bathtub and is able to satisfy the needs of all family members, taking into account their preferences.
Combined showers can be made in several variations :
- open – structurally the simplest models. Often they have enclosing doors only on the outside (inside they are replaced by bathroom walls). The shower can be located in such structures either on the side or in the center.
Open combination bath
- half - glass or plastic doors cover only part of the bath and separate the shower area. The shower in this case is on the side.
Half combination bath
- closed - structurally complex systems with a roof. They are sealed around the entire perimeter and are often equipped with additional functions.
Closed combined bathtub
Also, shower cabins with a bathtub can vary in shape :
- corner - a godsend for small bathrooms;
- rectangular - a classic, appropriate in any interior;
- oval or “quarter circle” - a modern design solution.
Combi-systems can be standard sizes or exclusive.
Combined bath: configuration options
Depending on the configuration, the combination bath may include equipment for various procedures.
Hydromassage.
One of the most important advantages of a combined bath is, of course, the presence of hydromassage. Many consumers choose a combination bath precisely because it can be equipped with such luxuries as hydromassage. Therefore, you should not save and refuse components, which often leave the very essence of the thing. Along with the hydromassage, the kit includes 6 to 12 nozzles, through which air is supplied under pressure. If you are not going to install a giant bathtub, then a minimum number of nozzles will be enough.
Additional functions
Shower cabins with bathtubs can be equipped with additional equipment and functions. Equipment that complements combined shower cabins:
- mirror;
- shelves for personal hygiene products and clothing;
- handrails, hooks, towel holders;
- seats;
- dispensers for various detergents.
Shower cabin with additional functions
Multifunctional combi-systems are equipped with:
- radio;
- telephone;
- LED backlight;
- fan for quick ventilation.
Also, combined showers with bathtubs can perform additional functions:
- “tropical” shower – creates the effect of rain in the tropics;
- hydromassage – through built-in nozzles, water is supplied under pressure to the back, lower back, and legs;
- aromatherapy – saturation of steam with aromatic oils;
- contrast shower - alternating warm and cold water;
- bath - this function is only possible in sealed combined systems. The steam generator increases the humidity and temperature inside the box, creating the effect of a real Turkish or Finnish bath.
A bathtub in combination with a shower can be either simple or hydromassage.
Shower cabin with bath function
Video instruction
The dimensions of the bathroom in typical apartments often force one to choose between a shower stall and a bathtub. And this is not an easy decision, because when there is no time, you need to quickly freshen up and run about your business. But still, at least once a week you have a free evening, which you can devote to yourself, soak in the fragrant foam. Moreover, this is a great relaxation after hard working days.
After such procedures, it is as if you are reborn. Fortunately, technological progress does not stand still, and now you don’t have to make a choice, because there are combined bathtubs with a shower.
Advantages
The main advantage of a combined shower cabin is, of course, the presence of a bathtub. It not only gives pleasant moments of relaxation during spa treatments, but also helps solve many everyday problems. Moreover, children splashing in the foamy water get a lot of pleasure that is incomparable to taking a shower. Also, a shower combined with a bathtub has a number of other advantages:
- the integrity of the entire structure ensures reliable tightness;
- multifunctionality allows the use of plumbing fixtures at the owner’s discretion (showering or bathing). Additional functions make water procedures more comfortable and relaxing or invigorating;
- saving space and the ability to install in small spaces - an indispensable quality for most consumers;
- the variety of models presented allows you to select equipment to suit the interior of any style;
- reliability in use and practicality.
A combination shower is a very convenient option for a small bathroom.
Pleasant trifles
Radio
Wash and listen to the morning news at the same time! Save time with the built-in radio!
TV
And with a built-in TV, you can not only listen to news, but also watch it.
Video player
With such a device you can enjoy your favorite films, clips, programs without interrupting your bath procedures.
Flaws
The main disadvantages of a combined shower cabin with bathtub include:
- care - cabin curtains must be wiped dry after each use so that lime and salt deposits are not deposited on them;
- cost - it is always higher than for plumbing separately. Also, the price will increase in proportion to the number of built-in additional functions and the exclusivity of the design;
The cost of a combined shower may be higher due to additional functions
- possible malfunctions of both faucets and the opening mechanism. Repairing a combined system will cost more.
Advice. The installation of a combined shower cabin with a bathtub must be carried out according to all the rules, so it is better to entrust it to professionals. This way, the risk of premature system failure will be minimized.
Choosing material for the partition
Waterproof curtain
A curtain in a shower stall is a simple partition that you can easily make with your own hands. By and large, these are echoes of the specifics of using ordinary bathtubs, in which taking a shower without a curtain is simply impossible: everything will be flooded with water. Please note that if the curtain is not secured at the bottom (but only at the top), the risk of flooding everything around in such a shower corner is even greater than in a bathtub, if its sides are not high enough.
PMMA
PMMA, acrylic or plexiglass are high-quality and popular materials for creating partitions in shower stalls. This material is easy to clean and looks quite stylish.
Plastic
The lightest, cheapest and most simple material for shower partitions. It is very easy to assemble a shower cabin from it yourself. However, the use of plastic can make your bathroom uncomfortable, because due to its cheapness it is often used in hospitals and inexpensive tourist centers.
Strained glass
Unlike ordinary glass, tempered glass is very durable and almost impossible to break. This is extremely important for shower stalls where there is a high risk of slips and falls. Tempered glass looks very stylish and adds special lightness and charm to any room. But limescale remains on the glass, so it is advisable to wipe it dry after taking a shower. An alternative would be to use frosted glass, as stains are almost invisible.
What to look for when choosing
- Size. The range of sizes of shower cabins combined with a bathtub is quite large. The choice of model should primarily be based on the size of the available area. Closed shower boxes are more bulky than open ones.
- Equipment. It varies between models and affects the cost.
- Functionality. First of all, here you need to start from financial capabilities.
- Manufacturer. When choosing, it is advisable to give preference to trusted manufacturers. They often provide a guarantee on their products, which adds confidence in the quality.
To ensure that your shower cabin lasts a long time, give preference to trusted manufacturers.
- Materials. The bathtub in such a system can be acrylic, steel or cast iron. Or it can be a plastic, ceramic or metal tray with a depth of at least 40 cm. Acrylic bathtubs have the highest performance characteristics. It is also worth paying attention to the material of the curtains. They can be glass or plastic.
- Quality shower fittings. It's no secret that high-quality faucets are a guarantee of durability and no leaks.
Advice. If you are on a limited budget, there is another way to combine a bathtub with a shower stall. To do this, you need to purchase glass or plastic curtains with a sliding system, suitable in shape and size to the existing bathtub and shower stand. You can install additional equipment yourself or entrust it to a specialist.
Selecting a door opening system and material for its manufacture
Door opening systems
Swing doors
Hinged shower doors allow you to open the opening as wide as possible, which provides unobstructed access to the shower stall. Each such door is equipped with several hinges attached to the side of the door panel, thanks to which the door opens outward.
Hinged doors
Another shower door option, an outward-opening hinged door, is also ideal for maximum access to the shower cubicle. Two rotary hinges are located on the upper and lower ends of the door. This type of door fastening is more reliable and safe than the one discussed above.
Sliding doors
If you are planning to install a fairly large shower stall, then in order to save space you should give preference to sliding doors. Such doors consist of two or more overlapping panels that smoothly “overlap” one another and, when the door is fully open, “compress” to the size of one panel.
Pivoting (swinging) doors
When bathroom space is limited, a swing door may be a practical choice for your shower stall. It opens smoothly thanks to a hinge moving along a hidden track, and you can get into the shower stall with a minimum of effort.
Folding doors
A folding door ("book door") is an ideal option if you do not want the door to open outward, or the free space of the bathroom does not allow this. This door is great for long or rectangular shower enclosures. The door opens inward, while its halves fold compactly. Folding doors can be used either alone or in combination with sliding panels (for large showers).
Door material
Each type of door design has its own advantages and disadvantages, but with the material used to make shower walls and doors, not everything is so simple.
Shower doors and walls are made from the following materials:
- Polystyrene;
- Glass;
- Plexiglas;
- Triplex.
Polystyrene is a transparent or matte plastic that is resistant to humid environments and is lightweight. The disadvantage of plastic doors is their short service life. So, shower cabins that use polystyrene in their construction are more suitable for installation in country houses or guest houses. Another problem with plastic doors is that they are difficult to maintain. There are often noticeable streaks of soapy or dirty water on their surface, making it quite difficult to choose a detergent for plastic.
The glass used in the construction of shower doors is not simple, but directly tempered with a thickness of at least 4 mm. Glass doors are considered the most hygienic in the sense that they require minimal maintenance and the surface itself is not susceptible to mold or fungal growth.
Plexiglas - this material is often mistakenly confused by many with polystyrene. However, real plexiglass is polymethyl methacrylate, but not polystyrene. Plexiglas is the same in transparency as ordinary glass, but is lighter in weight and more durable than polystyrene. The disadvantage of plexiglass is that it is quite easy to scratch, and polishing transparent plexiglass is impossible. The surface of frosted plexiglass can be sanded.
Triplex is a type of tempered glass, which in its structure is very similar to the glass used in the production of cars. As a rule, the triplex structure consists of two tempered glasses with a transparent reinforcing film located between them. The main advantages of the material are high strength and safety. The disadvantage is the very high price.
Owner reviews
The best helpers in choosing a reliable manufacturer and model of a shower cabin with a bathtub are undoubtedly the reviews and recommendations of the owners. Viewing photos of the interior with a combi system will also not be superfluous.
Positive reviews:
- “In our family, everyone has different preferences when taking water procedures. My husband does everything “quickly,” but I like to lie down and relax. The silicone curtain did not protect against splashing water, and the husband began to insist on a shower stall. I had to get into a pose. In the end, we agreed on a combined shower stall. Everyone is happy, although there is one big drawback - I have to wash thoroughly and a lot, and I do it all alone.”
- “We installed a multifunctional shower cabin with a bathtub. What to say? The first couple of months we tested all the functions to their fullest - tropical and contrast showers, hydromassage, sauna. Now we've already played enough. Overall we are satisfied with the quality.”
- “Delight in everything! You can soak in the bath and take a refreshing shower. But most of all there are positive emotions when you look at children frolicking, and at the same time the floor is dry!
Combined shower - will be convenient for all family members
- "Very pleased. We have the simplest budget model without any bells and whistles. The design fulfills its direct “responsibilities” – tightness when taking a shower and bath.”
There will always be dissatisfied owners. Here's what they write from the negative side:
- “The design is functional, there’s no arguing with that. But everything is shaky, flexible, somehow “toy-like”. Hydromassage is interesting only for the first month, and with low pressure it does not work at all. Washing curtains is just terrible, exhausting work. Not washing is not an option, even after one use it looks unkempt.”
- “Everything breaks down very quickly, and repairs are expensive and time-consuming. And try and find spare parts. It's a pity for the money spent."
Advice. When analyzing recommendations, remember that negative reviews are often associated with improper installation and operation.
A compromise in choosing between a bathtub and a shower cabin will be combined plumbing. A shower stall with a bathtub will satisfy the needs of every family member, save space and decorate the interior of the bathroom.
Combined baths: video
Combined baths: photo
Price issue
Not every family can afford to purchase such a combined shower in this price range. However, there is no need to be upset, because among Russian manufacturers there are many models with a decent set of functions. The price of such bathrooms will be significantly lower, and the capabilities will be sufficient for daily use. Moreover, in appearance they are in no way inferior to elite plumbing fixtures. Their price range starts from thirty-five thousand rubles.
Combination shower models for this price will have aeromassage, hydromassage, a built-in mirror and other additional options. If you decide that you need a combined bathtub and shower, then it is best to buy it from reliable, trusted manufacturers who have been on the market for many years, provide a guarantee and value their reputation. Then this plumbing fixture will definitely bring only positive emotions to its owner.
Which form is better?
Close to the contour of the body. The external contours of the bathtub are not so important: you will get the therapeutic effect of hydromassage in a bowl of any configuration - oval, round, corner, square, and rectangular. It is much more important to take a closer look at the inner contour of the bathtub: ideally, it follows the contours of the body. It is especially comfortable to sit in such a bath, while the cervical region, lumbar area, and legs are simultaneously massaged. The depth of such baths is slightly greater than traditional ones.
The location of the nozzles may vary. They can be turned on simultaneously, in groups and in a certain sequence.
Model Celtia from the Jacuzzi factory, designed by Urbinati Carlo.
