Preparation:

So, you should have your shower tray fitted completely. It should be installed flush with the floor and wall, fully sealed, and the waste should drain water away
without issue. If required, your concealed shower can also be installed at this stage, as you can have better access to the cavity behind the plaster wall. The walls should be tiled, or if you haven’t chosen tiling, then cladded using an appropriate waterproof material.

Step 1: Fit the Wall Edge Compensators

Place the wall edge compensators against the wall, and mark where you need to drill the two screws into the metal.

Next, place the wall channels on the tray, and using a spirit level, mark where you would need to drill the tile, avoiding tile edges.

Complete all drilling, and affix the compensators firmly to the wall.

Step 2: Assembly

The enclosure doors come fully assembled, so only require the handles to be screwed into the glass.

Most enclosures are reversible, but there are some styles such as the sliding shower enclosures, in which the placement of the door is fixed for either left or right hand opening. In these cases, take care to install the handles on the correct side of the glass!

Step 3: Simply Slot the Enclosure Together

Fit all the glass panels and doors into place. The side edge compensators allow you to align the doors to be perfectly straight, as the side walls may not form a 90 degree angle with the floor.

Once you’ve checked and are happy that all the panels are aligned evenly, slot and screw into place, starting at the bottom.

Sliding Shower Enclosure with EasyClean Glass, from BathEmpire

Stage 4: Complete the Finishing Touches

You can now add chrome dome caps to hide the screws, and attach the central covering to the top of the enclosure.

Stage 5: Silicone Sealant

Using a good quality silicone sealant, all that is left to do is to seal the edge of the enclosure; if you can, try to maintain an unbroken flow of sealant.

A contemporary enclosure, freshly tiled and fully sealed.

Having read our previous entries, you should now be well on your way to having chosen your shower enclosure. Hinged, bi-fold, or quadrant…whatever your style, you now know the design most suited for you.

But before you storm ahead to install your shower enclosure, there may be some preparation that you need to undertake, to make sure that installing the final enclosure is a breeze.

Prevent Leaks

The first item that must be installed correctly is the shower tray, as this is the base upon which the shower enclosure will rest.

Have you ever known a soggy downstairs ceiling and been confused as to the cause of the problem? Well, the most common cause of such an issue is a leak originating from the shower tray. An incorrectly installed shower tray will ultimately result in leaks. Most modern stone trays feature a core stone layer which is then capped with a layer of white acrylic. These trays are significantly stronger than previous incarnations which featured a fibreglass resin core.

Wear and tear is often the reason that the once pristine seals break down or split. The easiest way to replace the sealant is to purchase a silicone sealant remover, which would be available from most DIY stores. This will take away the bulk of the old sealant, and simply leave you to replace, preferably using a single bead of sealant.

If you want further details, you can check out our shower tray installation guide, dedicated to installing BathEmpire shower trays.

Ensure the Tray is Level

Over time, the shower tray can subside and sit at an angle, so take a spirit level and check the tray. It is better to get a level tray now to ensure that the enclosure will stand straight.

Also take the opportunity to ensure that all waste fittings are correctly screwed in and fully watertight. Also check that a slight angle remains in the shower waste so the water will flow away without issue.

Check The Tiling

Once the tray is secure, feel free to tile the remaining walls; it is always advisable to tile after the installation of the tray. If you are keeping the existing tiles, then check for holes in the grout. Water and steam can penetrate these areas, and cause damp problems to the plaster wall behind. Not only would such damage warrant a large amount money to fix, but also your health will be harmed when breathing in the mould spores caused by the humid conditions. Do not hesitate to re-grout your tiles; if you need more information, see our blog post on how to re-grout your tiles.

Sliding Shower Enclosure with Dagna Concealed Shower, from BathEmpire

In this new e-series, we are going to take a closer look at the humble shower enclosure. Once shunned for a relaxing bath, the convenience and comfort of the enclosure has seen a fast growth in popularity, with some people even choosing to replace their bath with a new enclosure. Over the next few weeks, we will be covering:

Episode 1: Introduction to Shower Enclosures
We will look at the different types of shower enclosure that are currently available on the market, to allow you to decide the style best suited to your circumstances.

Episode 2: Shower Enclosures – Great Installation Tips
In this episode, we will highlight some key tips for installing a new enclosure, including all the preparation needed for your bathroom.

Episode 3: How to Install an Enclosure
Now that you have all the info and advice, you’ll be ready for a step by step guide to installing your new enclosure.

Episode 4: The Aftermath
With your new shower and enclosure up and running, what are the best ways to keep it clean and sparkling? We will cover the best chemical-free shower cleaners, and offer advice on the newest technology!

Wet Room Glass

Quadrant Shower Enclosure

Most of us want our showers to be powerful, piping hot (or at least nice and warm when you wake up in the mornings. But do you want your shower over your bath or in a cubicle, and how do you want to heat the water – from your boiler, or using electricity?

There are so many different types of shower to choose from that it can be difficult to know what to opt for.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the different types of shower available – hopefully it’ll make your choice a little easier.

Over bath
The simple shower solution is to simply install a riser rail and have a shower hose leading up from your bath taps.

The temperature of the water will be dictated by how much hot water you have in your boiler (just like it is with a bath) and the pressure will be the same as that produced by your bath taps.

This tends to be an inexpensive option and can even be fitted retrospectively once you’ve had a bath installed – you’ll just need to change the taps.

Another option is to choose an electric shower positioned over the bath. In this case both the pressure and the temperature of the shower will be dictated by the electric unit you have installed.

Thermostatic shower controls

Stand alone cubicle

In smaller bathrooms, many people will say that opting for a roomy shower cubicle is better than trying to squeeze in a small bath – the shower will feel luxurious whereas the bath will feel cramped.

You’ll need a shower tray, a cubicle, a thermostatic control, riser rail and shower head. The area will have to be tiled and sealed to prevent damage to the bathroom.

If you have enough room though, you might be able to have both a bath and a shower.

Create a wetroom in your bathroom

Wet room
A wet room is actually a great idea if you have a lack of space as the shower needs no containing – just let the water go everywhere.

You won’t need a shower tray, but you’ll have to get the area around the shower and the floor tiled, and make sure there’s adequate drainage so you don’t get any build-ups of water.

Installing a wet room can be a tricky job so you could enlist the help of a specialist bathroom designer, or even an architect, as they will make sure the waterproofing of the room is effective.

Electric showers
Whether you’re installing your shower over your bath or in a stand-alone cubicle, one option is to have an electric shower.

They come in a variety of styles, but usually involve a control box which needs to be attached to the wall.

They draw on the cold water supply only and heat the water instantly on demand, which makes them very energy efficient (there’s no hot water wastage).

Bath mixer tap with shower attachment

Mixer showers
These draw from both hot and cold water supplies and usually deliver higher flow rates, depending on where you locate the shower in your home.

Mixer showers are a great solution for homes with readily available hot water (perhaps from a combi boiler or large capacity hot water cylinder).

In the simplest of these shower designs, the shower won’t have any electrical element itself – it will simply mix the hot and cold water together and then deliver it through the shower head.

If you want to create extra ‘oomph’ with this type of shower, then you could add an integrated pump to boost the flow rate – which will help if your system has low pressure.

We hope this guide to showers has been useful. Just give us a call if you need more advice.

I like to think I’m somebody who can see past cosmetic flaws and see the potential in a house or flat, but increasingly I think that it’s actually very hard not to be seduced by a property that’s ‘done’.

A new bathroom could clinch a sale

In particular I’m finding myself drawn to properties which have beautifully decorated bathrooms – often ones with on-trend roll-top baths and separate shower cubicles.

The places with small bathrooms crammed with dated bathroom suites are not appealing to me at all.

Now I’m someone who loves a bit of redecoration, and I certainly wouldn’t flinch at the idea of putting in a new bathroom.

So why am I still more likely to buy the property with the newly installed, attractive bathroom?

I think that the reason may be that I know there’ll be a sense of guilt if I go in and rip out a functional yet slightly old-fashioned or ugly bathroom in the property I buy. I don’t have money to burn.

I’ll feel that I should ‘make-do’ for a few years at least and will have to live with a rubbish bathroom.

If I buy the house with the great bathroom then it’s all done for me, I can’t decide to be frugal!

I think many other buyers must also have the same inclination, but perhaps for different reasons.

Certainly some buyers will be put off by the thought of all the upheaval involved in having a new bathroom fitted, so they’ll go for the property where the sellers have done all the hard work for them.

Others are simply unable to see past a bad bathroom suite and will think that the bathroom is intrinsically ugly, small or badly laid-out.

The moral of this story, if you’re a home-owner looking to sell, has to be that installing a new modern bathroom suite will make your property appeal to more buyers and may even clinch that sale for you.

Phil Spencer (of Location, Location, Location fame) agrees with me. On the Telegraph website he says that a new bathroom will add 2.88% to the value of your home – which could be far more than you have to pay to have the bathroom fitted. You can read his ideas here.

We’d love to know what you think? Are you also drawn to properties with great bathrooms, or would you only buy a renovation product and source the bathroom yourself?

More and more of us are trying to get that hotel look in our own properties, but what’s the key to getting it right?

I’ve considered the elements of hotel bathrooms that make them so great – make sure you include a few of these when you’re planning your bathroom renovation, and you’ll be the envy of all your friends.

In fact they’ll probably ask you if they can book in for the night.

Hotel chic idea 1

Make it glossy – hotel bathrooms tend to feature high gloss surfaces on the floors and walls, which helps to give a smart, contemporary feel – although they can take a lot of maintenance as you’ll have to make sure they aren’t streaky or grimy.

Cahora freestanding bath from BathEmpire

Hotel chic idea 2

Draw attention to the bath – making the bath the centre of attention makes a bathroom seem like an indulgent place, rather than a functional place.

You can do this by installing a freestanding bath, perhaps positioning it at an angle and making sure that it’s gently lit using spotlighting.

You can also use tricks such as putting contrasting wall tiles behind the bath, which will draw the eye towards it, or positioning under a window, which will make it a natural focal point.

With the range of freestanding baths available at BathEmpire, this is one element of a hotel bathroom you can get at home relatively cheaply.

Hotel chic idea 3

Make sure the shower is AMAZING – firstly, the shower should be in a cubicle of its own if you have room, rather than over the bath.

Secondly, just as a good mattress is a must in a top hotel, a rainfall shower or at the very least a powerful shower is a staple of desirable hotels the world over, and something that’s easy to get in your own home.

Walk in showers are essential for hotel chic

Hotel chic idea 4

Use colour creatively – painting walls in a shade you’d not normally consider a typical ‘bathroom’ colour is another easy way to create a contemporary hotel vibe.

You could also choose to highlight a feature wall with coloured tiles – either really large or really small, mosaic tiles look the most luxurious.

Hotel chic idea 5

Add art – don’t forget to dress your bathroom as any good hotel would.

Hang pictures above the bath and loo, put vases on shelves, choose an attractive bath mat – any details like this that you add will turn a functional space into one that’s decorative

Large mirrors are another feature of hotel bathrooms. The more mirrors you have, the bigger the bathroom will seem and the better the light.

Twin basins in the Park Plaza in Budapest

Hotel chic idea 6

Double up – if you have the space, fitting twin basins (preferably with some storage below) to give your bathroom instant grandeur.

Don’t make the mistake of squeezing them in – ensure there’s enough elbow room for two of you to use them comfortably side by side.

Hopefully this has given you some food for thought, and inpired you for your bathroom project.

Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten that helps to give a bathroom the ‘hotel-factor’?

* Image top left courtesy of Holm House, Penarth, a boutique hotel with amazing bathrooms (did you spot the TV over the bath?)