All You Need to Know About Walk in Showers

The shower has become an integral part of modern life, washing away a full night’s slumber each morning, the shower is just as much our friend as it is our enemy, associated with the dread of waking up and facing reality but still consoling us with open arms at the end of a hard day with a much appreciated massage.

We have a close relationship with the shower, so it is important that we pick the right one for our bathroom suite, whether it is to play an integral role amongst the bath and basin or stand as a focal point in the corner of an en-suite; choosing a shower all depends on the surroundings.

With a pencil behind your ear, a self assured look over your spectacles and a stroke of your proverbial beard, entering the world of shower shopping takes more than a trip to your local retailer and choosing the first thing with water spraying out of it.

With everything from quadrants, walk ins and wet rooms, to pivot doors, reduced height showers and thermostatic mixers, it won’t be long before you’ve anxiously chewed your pencil down to the lead, sat on your glasses and set fire to your beard…this is of course if you don’t know what you’re talking about.

So it’s our job to make sure you do know what you’re talking about, and first off we thought we’d concentrate on everything you need to know about walk in showers…

What is a Walk in Shower?

As the name suggests walk in showers are designed to be walked into, rather then stepped into or combined with a bath installation (a bath shower).

A walk in shower is defined by its slimline tray which sits flush to the floor, allowing users to step from the cooling tiles of the bathroom floor right into the soothing atmosphere of the shower installation.

Either standing as a focal point in shower rooms, tucking neatly into a complete bathroom suite or melting into the corner of more compact spaces such as en-suites; investing in a walk in shower means adding even more functionality and style to your bathroom suite as you don’t need to consider the surrounding space around the shower for a swing out door.

Why Choose a Walk in Shower?

Walk in showers are available in a huge range of shapes and sizes, making it one of the most versatile additions to your installation.

What makes walk in showers so versatile is the wealth of shower trays and glass panels on offer. Depending on the space available a walk in shower can be a large rectangular style design or a neat square.

The beauty of a walk in shower is that it can be designed to exact specifications, with a range of clear glass panels to suit the surrounding space.

To put it simply, you can choose a location for your shower, choose a tray and then situate your panel or panels to create an entrance to suit your setting.

Examples of how a Walk in Shower can Work

For a large walk in shower that can still tuck neatly into a corner, choosing a rectangular shower tray and covering just one side with a clear glass shower panel leaves a nice empty space for you to walk in comfortably without compromising your surrounding space with a hinged or bifold door.

This design doesn’t work for every bathroom; the entrance left by using one panel could be blocked by a basin, toilet or bath installation.

If this is the case then there are plenty of other designs to choose from that can mould around your space, some using a full glass panel to cover the remaining short end and a three quarter panel to cover the remaining long side and still leaving space for an entrance.

This versatile solution allows you to work the luxury of a walk in shower into your bathroom without making any major changes that could cost you even more money (moving your toilet for example).

A great shower solution to add to a current suite or stand as a grand focal point in a stand alone showering suite, walk in showers are available in a huge range of affordable and designer solutions from brands such as Matki and Simpsons; simply measure your space, decide which angle you’d like to walk in and choose the components. 

DIY Disasters

D.I.Y seems to be synonymous with the rule of ‘if it can go wrong it will go wrong’. Most people have had their share of D.I.Y disasters to tell from frustrating flat packs to painting catastrophes and dodgy plumbing to dangerous electrics. How many people have started a D.I.Y project with the mind-set of ‘how hard can it be?’

In most cases of D.I.Y the outcome is relatively satisfactory, others have created something that vaguely resembles the picture on the box and for a small unfortunate minority the simple task of assembling a TV stand or installing new light fixture turns into utter chaos.

Sometimes for an unexplained reasons carnage ensues when seemingly intelligent, capable people pick up the hammer. The people below have shot themselves in the heart, sawed off their own arms, and evacuated their neighbourhoods and even uncovered World War II bombs in their back gardens!

The popularity of D.I.Y projects is on the rise and along with this the number of D.I.Y related accidents is increasing. Last year 25,000 Australians were hospitalised from ladder falls, 600 people a day ended up in hospital in the United Kingdom after carrying out D.I.Y, gardening or maintenance and the use of home power tools sent over 80,000 Americans seeking medical help. Accidents  happen that is a given but D.I.Y accidents are some of the most preventable ones if you follow the instructions, work within your skill level and don’t think it will be easy just because it is Do It Yourself!

Source: Mr. Home Inspection

Renovations to Increase Safety

I am the product of an unsafe home. My childhood home was a minefield of potential disasters. Tumbles down the stairs, long jagged cuts from chipped wood, blows to the head from falling tiles. These were the wonderful bounties provided by my childhood home. If you are living in a home where you are constantly skirting disaster, you might want to consider pulling out the hammer and nails to renovate. By renovating your home with safety in mind, you can prevent unnecessary accidents, save money on doctor bills, and create a house you can be proud to call home. 

Tip 1: Installing or Replacing Windows

Do your bedrooms lack windows? Or are the windows slits that only small animals can fit through? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should start your renovation project with your windows.  Bedroom windows do more than offer natural light and a wonderful view. They are meant to offer an alternate means of escape if the occupant is trapped in the room. Failure to install windows into your home’s bedrooms could be disastrous.

You can either install new windows or replace old ones by hiring a contractor or doing it yourself. If you plan on doing the installation yourself, you should check out this article.

Tip 2: Install a Railing

Do you have a staircase without a rail? Do you have family members or regular guests who are unstable on their feet? If you answered yes to both questions, you might want to think about installing a railing in your home. Older, younger, and clumsy individuals can use the railing to maintain their balance while walking up and down the stairs. Even individuals who normally choose not to use the railing can grab onto it to stop an unexpected fall. A railing is especially important if the staircase is steep or the stairs are uneven because an accident is more likely to occur. 

You can hire a construction worker or handyman to install your railing, but I would not recommend it. The installation process is easy enough to be accomplished by virtually anyone. 

Tip 3: Replace the Door

Are your doors flimsy wood or plastic? If you answered yes to this question, your home is vulnerable to intruders. Wood and plastic doors are easier to break into. Intruders can easily remove the door from its hinges, cut through the door with basic tools, or kicked in the door. You can increase your family’s safety by installing a steel door. The steel door, frame, and tamper resistant hinges will significantly increase the safety of the occupants of your home.  

You can pick up a steel door at your local hardware store. Once purchased they are relatively easy to install. 

Tip 4: Remaining Safe While Renovating. 

Just remember that your family needs to remain safe during the renovation process. An unsafe renovation can do as much damage as an unsafe home. Here are some ways to keep your family safe while renovating:

• Let your family know you are renovating. 
• Try to complete renovations while most of the family is away. 
• Never start a new project before you finish the current one. 
• Put away tools when they’re not in use. 
• Keep children out of rooms that are being renovated. 

Home safety can save your family a lot of pain. By installing windows, doors, and railings, you can create a safe and secure home for your family. The increased safety and security will grant you the peace of mind to enjoy your home and family.

Allen Grove finished installing hand rails, windows, a security system, and fire alarms into his home a few months ago. He enjoys the increased safety and the reduction to his Dallas home insurance.