Shower cubicles will be the centerpiece of your bathroom for many years, so it's a good idea to arm yourself with information before you buy. You can find a shower cubicle in many different shapes, including quadrant, oblong, rectangle and square. Select an enclosure that will give you a feeling that you have a lot of space, rather than one that takes over your bathroom.
If you are installing a new enclosure where your old shower sits now, this can save you or your contractor a lot of prep work, money and hassle, since the cold, hot and waste pipes will already be where you need them. They can just be attached to your new shower cubicle.
Many homeowners opt to install a shower cubicle that includes a tray. The tray is specifically designed for the shower cubicle itself, so you know that it will fit correctly, and will give you less chance of leakage. If the inside of your cubicle needs tiled, plan ahead and have the tiles done in the area that will be holding your shower cubicle.
If you have ever seen chrome plating that has peeled or chipped off, you know it can spoil a shower cubicle finish. Buy a shower cubicle that has been corrosion tested in all the areas of metal fittings. Make sure that the door levels will last a long time, as well. They should be tested for many uses, so that you know they will last, in your bathroom.
Ensure that any shower cubicles you seriously consider have good seals, to keep all the water inside the shower and not on your floor. Some companies use magnetic strips on the doors, and this works well. A good seal will also help to make your show cubicle more pleasing to the eye. Door handles should be solid metal, rather than plastic covered with chrome. The plastic fittings are not as strong as metal, and they will also make your new cubicle “feel” cheap.
Do your research online, to compare various cubicles, their reviews and their prices. If you plan to buy online, make sure you check to see what the delivery charge will be. A great price online won't do you any good if the shipping fees are too high. Extras like shipping and in-house handling can make your bargain not so much a bargain, after all.
Check out any shower cubicle to see if it has an acrylic tray. It should be pure acrylic, not partially so. If the cubicle you are looking at has acrylic all the way through the tray, that is preferred, not just acrylic on the outside and ABS on the inside. That would result in a tray that is poorer in quality and less sturdy. If the acrylic has a bright white finish, be suspect. This may well be a sign of a low quality acrylic being used. The higher quality acrylics are fire retardant and they won't display a bright white color. In addition, the white in shower cubicles may clash with the serene colors in your bathroom decor.