Shower cabin with sauna: how to choose the right one + review of the best manufacturers

Sauna in an apartment in the bathroom: pros and cons

The arrangement of a home sauna in an apartment eliminates the need to visit specialized beauty salons and spa centers, saves time and money. Hot procedures in the steam room provide complete relaxation of the body, restore strength after a hard day's work. All this is possible provided that the apartment has a sufficient amount of free space.

To equip a sauna in an apartment, you will need to redevelop the bathroom

The design of the sauna cabin, regardless of size, must be airtight. In small rooms, compact models are installed. If the area of ​​​​the room is large enough, you can equip a two- or three-seater booth.

Benefits of using a sauna in an apartment in the bathroom

Deciding to build a compact do-it-yourself bath in the apartment, we must not forget about the benefits of a home steam room.

This list is impressive:

• the ability to visit the bath at any convenient time without leaving the walls of your own home;
• for the preparation and heating of the structure, a minimum amount of time is required, in contrast to standard bath rooms, where kindling takes several hours;
• minimum waste of energy resources;
• building a sauna in the bathroom is cheaper than in any other room;
• there is no need for laying additional water supply and sewerage. The cabin is connected to existing indoor systems;

If space permits, you can install a steam room with lying places

• the ability to restore strength and improve health (removal of toxins, strengthening the cardiovascular systems, immunity, preservation of youth and beauty, stress reduction, weight regulation, treatment of various diseases);
• the probability of getting hypothermia and earning a cold when moving from the bathhouse to the house across the street is excluded.

Some models of ready-made saunas for the home are additionally equipped with a hydromassage, a built-in shower, which significantly expands the functionality of the cabins and increases the comfort of use.

What are the disadvantages of installing a sauna for an apartment?

The arrangement of the steam room and subsequent operation are accompanied by some disadvantages

It is important to familiarize yourself with these nuances before starting construction or going to the store to buy a ready-made version of the design.

The main disadvantages of home steam rooms:

• the bath will have to be replaced with a shower, otherwise there simply won’t be enough space;
• in the bathroom, the process of arranging a bath in the present sense of the word is extremely complicated. The simplest and most affordable option is an infrared, tissue sauna, phytobarrel;
• there are strict size limits. Standard bathrooms do not allow the installation of roomy models with optimal dimensions, and compact cabins are very cramped, which creates inconvenience;

In some cases, a permit may be required to install a sauna in an apartment.

• arranging a shower or installing a cabin instead of a bath requires additional costs and effort;
• it is necessary to adhere to all safety requirements, obtain permission from the relevant authorities;
• high-quality models of cabins have a high price, and building a sauna in a house with your own hands is far from possible for every person.

Closed cabins with a roof and a back wall: pros and cons

A shower cabin is the best option for people suffering from heart and vascular diseases, as well as high blood pressure and varicose veins. You can enjoy bathing without fear of hurting yourself. Devices are indispensable for the elderly and the disabled.

Pros:

• Fully enclosed showers have a roof. Thanks to this, the steam is concentrated, creating the effect of a sauna.
• For the cabin to function, only the supply and outflow of water is required.
• The design is sealed, the walls in the bathroom will not deteriorate from moisture.
• Side and top lights are installed inside.
• There is a music device.

Minuses:

• Inability to lie down, as in a bath.
• Difficulty in care. Water leaks appear on the walls of the shower structure. It is advisable to wipe them immediately, otherwise unaesthetic stains will remain.
• The cabin must be thoroughly dried.
• Bulky. Despite the small width, the height of the structure is usually at least two meters. It may seem to the owners of typical apartments that the shower stall is incredibly large and takes up a lot of space in the bathroom. There is a feeling of tightness.

What is the design of the shower set?

Mandatory elements of shower sets are a bar with a watering can, a faucet and additional accessories to create maximum shower comfort. But, as mentioned above, today you can buy headsets without a mixer. Also in the assortment of the modern market there are design options with an upper fixed watering can and an additionally attached lower flexible hose. The stationary part of the structure can be represented by a tropical "sprinkler". Many manufacturers offer full-fledged panels equipped with a rain shower, which, according to the relevant experts, has an excellent therapeutic and prophylactic effect.

Types and differences

There are several types of showers.

• with Turkish bath function;
• with Finnish sauna function;
• with infrared sauna.

Shower room with Turkish bath function

The sauna cabin is equipped with a steam generator, which helps to evaporate water and cool the steam down to 50 degrees. The control panel is outside and on it is the on and off of all functions.With regular use of hydromassage and aromatherapy, the body's immunity increases, and colds are also prevented. The steam generator is a capricious device. Its installation requires compliance with certain rules.

1. It is necessary to install a separate water purification system. Since if the hardness of the water is above the norm, then its nozzles are “overgrown” with salts.
2. A special filter system is needed, it is she who will extend the life cycle of the steam generator.
3. The water pressure in the piping system must be at least 3.5 bar. Otherwise, the steam generator will not operate at full capacity. This can be achieved by installing pump.

Sauna combined with shower photo

Shower room with Finnish sauna function

A distinctive feature is the release of hot dry air and the cabin is finished with wooden panels. Sometimes the walls are made of acrylic or glass, which reduces the cost of the device. The sauna is separated from the shower door. Heating takes place with the help of an electric furnace.

When choosing this type, it must be remembered that visiting the Finnish sauna has a number of medical contraindications.

Shower cabin with sauna effect photo

What to look for when choosing the right design for the door parameters

There are several types of doors for cabins:

• Folding and sliding. Suitable for small spaces, easy to use. Of the minuses - poor strength due to the small number of valves.
• Swing. This type is a sash that fits snugly against each other. Of the pluses - high strength and versatility, and of the minuses - they require a lot of space.
• Swivel and hinged. Mounted on special magnetic loops. Strength depends on the quality of the glass.

Each of these types of doors is used for a certain area of ​​the bathroom. If it is incorrect to calculate the place for the cabin, then the selected door may simply not fit in size.

Luxus 023D (Czech Republic) the best inexpensive hydromassage cabin

Estimated price: 22,000 rubles.

The Czechs have always been distinguished by the ability to take the best from the same Germans and translate them into their models. Here Luxus confirmed this. High-quality materials, good design and the latest technology are embodied in this shower cabin - the best among inexpensive ones. High-strength acrylic, transparent 5 mm glass, a solidly standing low tray, elegant wood-like inserts on the seat and on the walls - all this decorates the cabin and inspires reliability. The shape (a quarter of a circle) allows you to install it in any bathroom. The cabin is equipped with all the necessary functions: an overhead rain shower, as well as a multifunctional hand shower; back hydromassage with 6 adjustable jets; comfortable shelves for soap and shampoo, mirror, seat; radio, multifunctional control panel, overhead lighting and ventilation. Everything here is thought out for convenience and pleasant pastime.

Advantages: Stable design, comfort, acrylic materials, 5 operating modes of hydromassage equipment.

Disadvantages: Difficulty in self-assembly.

Our rating: 9.6 out of 10

Reviews: “Budget shower, and the equipment is impressive. There is hydromassage, lighting, various coasters, shelves. It makes no sense to compare with more expensive models, since everything suits. Hope it lasts a long time."

Selection rules

Of course, such shower cabins in any variations will be useful and functional in any family.However, in the process of studying the assortment offered by manufacturers, the following nuances should be taken into account.

An important characteristic that a potential buyer should first of all take into account is the size of the entire structure. The priority is compact varieties of showers with a steam room, which can be organically placed in the bathroom. However, the dimensions of the model you like should also correspond to the height of the person and his needs, so that the equipment is comfortable during operation.

However, the dimensions of the model you like should also correspond to the height of the person and his needs, so that the equipment is comfortable during operation.

Shower enclosure sizes

An equally important criterion when choosing a cabin is its size. And here it is correct to take into account not only the size of the area provided for plumbing, but also how comfortable it will be for a person to stay in it, depending on his build.

Shower cabins vary greatly in size.

The dimensions of the shower cabins are determined by the parameters of the pallet. Its width varies between 70 - 120 cm, and the length - from 70 to 200 cm. But even for the smallest bathroom, it is recommended to give preference to models with dimensions of at least 90x90 cm. In total, there are three main types of cabins:

• small-sized - up to 100 × 100 cm;
• medium - up to 130x130 cm;
• full-size - 170x80 cm.

The height of the cabin, as a rule, it ranges from 170 - 250 cm. The vertical size of the shower cabin or the minimum size of the room in which it can be installed can be prescribed in the technical data sheet of the device.

Design features

Shower cabin with sauna

Shower cabins with a sauna are an autonomous space where you can take hygiene procedures and relax. Organizationally, such boxes are available in two types.

With sauna effect

In fact, these are shower cabins with a steam generator, which creates the microclimate necessary for the procedures. By heating water, it is possible to supply steam at a maximum of 60 degrees. They are compact and consist of one compartment.

Combined cabin with mini-sauna

This design is more voluminous and is divided into two sections. One has a shower area, and the other has a steam room. Zoning occurs with the help of stacks or doors. Steam is supplied with heating up to 60-120 degrees.

Depending on the type of steam room, the designs are:

• Finnish sauna with dry, hot steam. It is generated using an electric heater and stones.
• Cabin with Turkish bath with hot steam (50-55 degrees) and high air humidity up to 90-100%. The atmosphere in such a room is suitable even for people with poor health.
• IR with high air temperature and low humidity. The radiation warms up the body well, provides perspiration, while moist air does not impede breathing.

Natural and eco-friendly materials are used for decoration. It can be lining made of pine, oak, cedar, fir wood. External panels are made of durable tempered glass. It can be transparent, matte or structured.

The shape of the shower cabin with a sauna does not differ from the usual ones. The same geometric shapes or their combination. The cabin can be open, closed or combined. The open one is completely made of transparent glass, the closed one is sheathed on the outside with wood, and in the combined one they combine both options.

There are spacious and compact designs that fit into small spaces. Combined boxes have dimensions from 80x80 cm to 185x160 cm. For a standard model, an area of ​​​​1-1.5 square meters is enough. For cabins with a separate space for a sauna or bath, the parameters are approximately doubled.

Additional features of the sauna cabin:

• hydromassage of various zones;
• chromotherapy;
• aromatherapy;
• "tropical" shower;
• music system;
• thermometer and hydrometer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Sauna combined with cabin

The main advantage of such equipment lies in its advanced capabilities.

• Steam is supplied at a maximum heating of 50-55 degrees. It creates comfortable conditions and does not harm well-being.
• Heating and intensity of steam supply can be adjusted and this is another advantage. Settings are made individually.
• Ergonomic space allows you to have everything you need at your fingertips.
• The cabin does not require complex maintenance, it is enough to periodically wipe the surfaces with a special tool.
• An additional function of water heating will allow you not to depend on the vagaries of public utilities.

The disadvantages include the need to install water purification and softening filters. Hard water quickly clogs the nozzles, and the system stops working. You will also need pressure control devices in the pipes, otherwise you will not be able to get steam.

For the full operation of the sauna and hydromassage, the pressure must be at least 3 bar.

Product comparison: choose which model to choose and buy

What is the best shower in a small bathroom selection criteria

Before buying, in addition to the brand, cost and functionality, they study reviews of shower cabins from Internet sources. To choose the right shower cabin, you should study the advice of professionals, taking into account the following factors:

When buying, you should pay attention to the safety of using the cabin: the pallet should not be slippery (have an anti-slip coating, relief), it is better to purchase doors of a sliding design.
Acrylic and thin steel pallets make noise when water falls, if this causes discomfort, thick rubber is glued to their bottom or an automotive self-adhesive sound absorber based on resins and bitumen components is selected.
Owners of apartments on the highest floors of individual or communal houses should be careful when choosing cabins with hydromassage functions - the pressure in the system may not be sufficient for its full implementation.
It is better if the cabin is assembled without sealant (the side of the pallet has a protrusion around the entire perimeter) - this will prevent moisture from penetrating its perimeter and mold on the seal.
If the plumbing pipe goes into the floor, it is not necessary to purchase a pallet - often a drain ladder is installed above the hole, making a slope towards it and covering the floor with anti-slip tiles, and a metal profile is fixed on the walls and a shower enclosure is mounted. This design is more convenient for permanent use than periodic stepping over the side of the pallet.

Shower cabins with hydromassage

Shower cabins with hydromassage

Before buying, it is advisable to check the strength of the pallet or bathroom bowl by standing on them with your feet in the inspection room - they should not sag under the weight of a person.
You should pay attention to the thickness of the glass, the optimal size of which is about 5 mm. It should be mounted in a rigid aluminum frame.
For families with children, it is more practical to choose cabins with a bath, if an elderly person lives in the apartment, the pallet should not be too high.
It is rational to install models with a roof in spacious bathrooms - in this case, it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature in the shower.
When purchasing a closed box with a ceiling, pay special attention to its height - it should be convenient for the tallest member of the family to take a shower in it.
To simplify care (get rid of streaks), they purchase booths with a fence covered with a special water-repellent layer.
When buying, you should pay attention to the length of the warranty period - responsible companies indicate the period of compliance with their obligations for repair and maintenance of at least 5 years.

Multifunctional shower boxes with internal accessories

Multifunctional shower boxes with internal accessories

Shower cabins, thanks to their wide functionality and various designs, allow the user to implement a much wider range of types of water procedures than the most technically equipped bath or jacuzzi

When choosing a shower cabin, they pay attention to its cost, functionality, the brand of the manufacturer, get acquainted with the opinion and recommendations of experts, customer reviews from online sources

shower tray

The pallet is an important constructive component of a shower cabin. The appearance and method of installing the shower depends on its shape, size, and the material from which it is made determines the durability, comfort and safety in the operation of plumbing

And of course, the process of installing the pallet is important.

Shower trays by height

High or low pallet.

• Pallets are considered high, in which the height of the walls ranges from 10 to 30 cm. But it is worth saying that there are also deeper models that partially replace the bath. And in case of clogged pipes, water will not immediately flow out to the floor.Shower cabins with a deep tray have one important drawback - a high side that needs to be stepped over. A practical way out of the situation and an excellent solution that decorates the interior is the addition of a small step.
• Low pallets are more popular due to their compactness, simplicity and convenience. They can be installed either on the floor or on a small pedestal. Their height usually does not exceed 20 cm. It is not recommended to purchase flat pallets with frequent sewer blockages or poor drainage. But if there are no such problems, a properly installed flat tray will become a decoration for any bathroom.

pallet material

Pallets are made from different materials. The most popular is acrylic, there are also models whose pallet is made of steel, cast iron, natural or artificial stone. Each of the options has both certain advantages and disadvantages.

Shower trays can be made from various materials

• Acrylic pallets have high hygienic performance, they do not absorb dirt, are light in weight and have sufficient strength. But their main advantage is their affordable price. In addition, small scratches are practically invisible on the glossy surface, and large ones can be restored.
• Commercially available steel pallets usually have an enamelled surface. They are quite durable and heat up quickly, but they are notable for the high level of noise that falling drops create.
• Ceramic pallets are made of sanitary ware or sanitary ware. They are durable, reliable and practical, but they are quite easily damaged by impact, as a result of which their surface is covered with chips and scratches.The ceramic surface warms up much more slowly than acrylic or steel, so it is recommended to turn on the hot water before taking a shower. Shower enclosures are rarely equipped with ceramic trays.
• Cast iron pallets are the most reliable and durable, but their cost and high weight do not contribute to popularity.

Pallets made of natural stone are a rarity. They are usually made to order. Only in some elite plumbing stores they are available for free sale. The stone is distinguished by high strength, durability and natural beauty, any interior with them will become special. But the price for the pleasure of bathing in such a shower will be appropriate. Artificial stone is not inferior to natural stone in terms of quality, its cost is significantly lower, and any scratches on the surface can be sanded.

And of course pallets made by hand from improvised materials: tiles, cement, blocks.