What are shower holders?
It’s difficult to imagine a bathroom without a shower, and it’s not important whether a cabin is installed in it or only a traditional bath takes place. Shower in the bathroom - always a must-have element of plumbing. Shower fittings, whether it be a hand-held watering can or a sophisticated high-tech system, must somehow be attached to the wall of the bathroom or cabin. Therefore, such a seemingly insignificant issue as the choice of a shower holder should be given special attention. It is impossible to do without this attribute in a modern bathroom, therefore its features and varieties are described in detail below.
Purpose and Benefits
In addition to the aesthetic task, the accessory in question must fulfill another one - to provide comfort and quality water supply. Today, shower elements and designs are striking in their diversity, so choosing the right model is not so easy.
Modern manufacturers offer a variety of design designs. The question arises of how to choose the shower fittings correctly and not to be mistaken with the quality of the products. Before buying, you should understand what types of shower holders are available, get acquainted with the most high-quality materials, learn practical tips on how to install them.
Types and materials
Dozens of foreign and Russian manufacturers offer a variety of models that fit into any bathroom interior. Accessories vary in material, shape, length and design. Consider the most common types of devices for fixing watering can.
- Barbell This is an uncomplicated and convenient element that provides a comfortable shower for all family members. It is a pipe with a holder for a shower freely moving along it.Often, the kit includes an additional static watering can of large size - the so-called overhead or tropical shower. Thanks to the holder on the rod, the watering can is mounted at an individual comfortable height, which makes taking a shower pleasant for adults and children. The bar can be purchased wall-mounted (designed for shower corners or wall baths) or outdoor (design designed for free-standing baths).
- Movable bracket, thanks to which the height of the position of the shower head is regulated, is one of the main selection criteria. Also, most of the rods are complemented by manufacturers of pleasant accessories: shelves, hooks, soap dishes. But the main thing is to choose a model in which the movable holder will freely move along the rod to the required mark and rotate relative to the plane of attachment.
- The holder of a watering can on a suction cup - Another universal means by which you can fix the shower anywhere on the wall, at the edge of the bath or to the glass in the shower. The velcro product is firmly attached to a clean and smooth surface. This type is often used for showers, due to the fact that there is no need to drill the wall.Mount on the vacuum suction cup can be bought in addition to the capital holder - this will allow you to change the position of the watering can in a matter of seconds and ensure a comfortable shower.
- Manual use of watering cans. In this case, the shower is located directly above the mixer, where a special small holder is provided. Simple, but not the most comfortable system of use.
- Holders on the side of the bath. This type is used exclusively for fixing the watering cans in the idle state. This option is not the most common due to the complexity of mounting and long installation.
When choosing a shower holder, it is necessary to remember that the material from which it is made must, first of all, be resistant to moisture.
The most popular won plastic shower holders. They are lightweight, inexpensive and do not corrode. But, unfortunately, they lose their aesthetic appearance earlier than other models, which is associated with less reliable coating strength. Therefore, experts recommend to buy a holder made of brass. It will cost more, but will last much longer.
Before you make a choice in favor of a particular model, you should evaluate all the pros and cons of the materials.
- Plastic. The most affordable and most budget option is plastic. There are various design decisions regarding the shape, type and color of plastic holders. However, the disadvantages include low strength. Also, plastic products are often chrome-plated, which is why they quickly lose their attractiveness and wear out.
- Non-ferrous alloys. In the sanitary market are holders made of different types of alloys, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages: Bronze is known for its high corrosion resistance. However, periodic polishing is necessary to restore the original shine. Silumin - the cheapest colored alloy. Of the advantages - is not oxidized in water and affordable price. The main drawback is the rapid wear of the metal, even under minor loads cracks appear over time.
- Brass. Perhaps it occupies a leading position. Brass products belong to the elite category and are quite expensive.The disadvantage is hard-to-remove stains that form on surfaces.
Mounting methods
There are two basic ways to mount the shower holders: using a vacuum suction cup and using dowels. Consider in detail each of them
The first method is functional and aesthetic, and also involves the free movement of the shower on the wall or any other place. Without drilling, it is easy to attach to a wall, glass and even a metal surface. The user in a matter of seconds can move the accessory to a comfortable position without much difficulty. Modern suckers have unique properties - they operate at temperatures from –20 to + 60 С, withstand loads up to 20 kg. When choosing a suction cup holder, pay attention to the weight of your shower head. If it is metal and heavy, then the design can not stand and peel off.
The second method is fixing the shower structure to a wall or ceiling and is the most durable and reliable. The only problem is that it is necessary to drill holes, which is quite difficult. However, this is quite a doable task, even for a person without special knowledge in construction issues.To hide defects at the place of attachment allow modern decorative plates, which give the holder a more attractive look. For work, you need a drill with a perforator and a drill with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the dowel, which are supplied or purchased separately.
Position control
Adjusting the suction cup holders does not need a special description. If necessary, they can be easily removed and rearranged in a minute to the right place.
To adjust the height of the stationary holders, the structure is fixed on a vertical rod with the help of hinges, which are fixed with screws or a spacer mechanism. The latter can be automatic, semi-automatic or manual. In order to adjust the level of the holder with an automatic mechanism, it suffices to take up the hose attached to the shower holder and set the watering can at the desired height.
In the semi-automatic mode, the shower is lowered by pulling the cord. However, it is necessary to manually return the shower to its original place.
Mechanisms with manual control to change the height require pressing a special button at the time of moving the shower.The position of the watering can is firmly fixed in the lowered state.
Selection Criteria and Popular Models
As with the purchase of any product, it is important to remember that the low price of the product most likely indicates its poor quality.
An incredible variety of models currently exist in the sanitary segment of the market: with an adjustable inclination, on vacuum suckers and with stationary fastening. Every consumer can choose a product to his taste among the abundance. And the modern design of these products and high-quality materials make the holders not only a multifunctional element of the bathroom, but also an integral part of the entire interior.
When choosing a holder it is worth paying attention to the material from which it is produced. Most often, manufacturers use stainless metal or plastic with a chrome-plated coating. Note that metal products are more practical and durable, unlike plastic analogs.
The product can be attached to the wall, to the ceiling or to the wall of the shower stall. It can be on the suction cup or mounted with dowels in stationary mode. You must make sure that the model has several levels of inclination.Of course, the more of them, the more comfortable the shower.
The suction cup holder certainly wins against the rest., as it is easy to install, does not require drilling and does not violate the wall covering in the bathroom. For reliable fixing fit any surface (ceramic, glass, metal).
For bathrooms with creative and bright design, you can choose non-standard models in the form of decorative figures. The sanitary market presents an incredible number of such holders. There will be for every taste and color: in the traditional style, in the high-tech style, vintage, and even in the form of toys. This option will appeal to both adults and children, and when they get tired, it is easy to replace it with a new one.
For more conservative in their choice of consumers who prefer reliable fasteners, the choice should be made in favor of stationary swivel holders for the shower. Among such holders, the most popular are still rods. The classic view of the rod is suitable for baths, closely adjacent to the wall. But there are exceptions - for modern baths of round or angular forms, manufacturers have developed a curved bar.
Popular and rod holders with the addition of accessories such as towel warmer and soap dish. As for the question of how to choose a manufacturer, Grohe and Hansgrohe became famous for their design and quality.
Choosing a product from Grohe is not easy. The brand is known, the tradition of "German quality", the Japanese owners of the company's shares - all this causes positive associations with excellent quality. Grohe specialists perfect their products by casting, galvanizing, assembling, grinding and high-quality coating of products. A combination of unrivaled craftsmanship and intellectual work produces excellent products.
Hansgrohe, which in turn is the inventor of the shower rod, offers a varied assortment of shower holders. The quality of their products sets the standard in many countries and withstands daily stress.
Analyzing the reviews of consumers of Hansgrohe products, you can identify the following advantages of the holders for the shower of this company - the shower rods are easily and quickly installed, have a free run and are well cleaned.On the brackets fixed hand shower at any height. Some of the built-in holders, such as the Porter, offer a comfortable three-dimensional adjustment. Positive consumer reviews of products from both companies speak about the reliability and quality assurance of manufacturers.
Installation Tips
Fastening the holder with your own hands should be done in strict sequence. Before fixing it, it is necessary to become familiar with the mounting features specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the holder is on a suction cup, it is worth considering that it should be fixed only to a flat surface of the wall or to glass. It will be impossible to fix the holder on the tiled joints. For work on installing the holder with dowels need a drill and drill bits for concrete or ceramic tile.
First of all, before starting work, it is necessary to carefully determine the place where the product will be mounted. Selecting the level of installation, you should check how long the hose is and whether its length is enough to reach the top attachment point. To avoid breaking the hose, we recommend leaving a slight sag.The mounting holes must match the size of the plugs that come with the hardware.
Attentive marking is the main stage of the work, since it will no longer be possible to change or move the mounting holes. If you plan to fix the shower holder above the mixer, you need to take into account the necessary space for the mixer handles so that it does not impede their free movement.
With the help of a drill and a drill (the latter is selected depending on the material of the wall in the bathroom: tiles, drywall, bricks) holes are made at marked points. When working on tiles, you must first drill a hole in the tile with the necessary drill, and then drill a deeper wall using a drill. When working with a brick wall, you can immediately use a punch. For drywall and panels - there will be enough electric drill.
The next step to the wall is the first part of the holder., which is connected by thread and fixed with dowels. After that, it will only be necessary to attach the second part of the holder, and the system is ready for use. To check the install shower head and turn on the water. If the fastener is made correctly, the hose will not break through the bends.This means that you have succeeded remarkably in coping with your task.
See below for a master class on mounting a shower holder.