What are the shower bars?
Bathroom furnishing needs various plumbing fixtures that will perform their functional tasks, ensuring the aesthetic appeal of the room, and comfort during hygiene procedures. These items include a shower rod, which combines two types of sanitary and hygienic equipment.
Purpose and types
Based on the purpose of the accessory, there are two groups of this product. Bars, which zone the space in the bathroom, are a tube with various curtains or obstacles fixed on it. Fastening curtains occurs with the help of special parts - rings, providing easy adjustment of curtains.Barriers and curtains function as a specific barrier that prevents water from splashing during the shower. Due to the fact the floor, walls and furniture in the bathroom remain as dry as possible.
Holder for watering cans mounted on the wall or ceiling in the area of the bathroom or shower. The device stands out for its functionality and convenience. It makes hygiene activities more comfortable, facilitating the implementation of mandatory procedures. In addition, this holder allows you to save time and water consumption, which is important.
Curtain models
Not so long ago, the curtains in the bathroom were purchased with only one purpose - that the water did not flow out and did not entail the creation of unpleasant situations (for example, flooding the residents of apartments on the lower floors). Today the possibilities of this accessory have expanded significantly. Modern bars perform a variety of tasks. They are an important element of the decor, where the main function is to create a certain style in the interior of the room.
Shutter is not considered a mandatory attribute of the bathroom. However, its presence makes it possible to retire, taking a shower or bath.One movement curtain closes easily and creates a comfortable corner for a person. At the same time, the water will no longer fall on the other objects in the room or other people who are there, which is especially important for combined sanitary facilities. In addition, placing a curtain on a bar ensures safety, as it is easy to slip on the wet surface of the floor and get injured.
There are shower cabins consisting of a wallless bowl placed in a corner of the room, a faucet with a hose and a watering can. In this case, the curtain on the rod serves as a beautiful and effective analogue of the partition walls. This largely saves money, because for the purchase of such devices you need less money than, for example, for the arrangement of glass fences. The range of shower curtain rails presented on the shelves of supermarkets is quite large. Therefore, before buying you need to study different types of these items. The classification of rods is carried out according to the type of materials used for its manufacture, as well as the form and method of installation.
What they do: materials and sizes
During the production of rods use different raw materials.Most often, manufacturers use materials that are resistant to corrosion, for example, stainless steel or polymer compositions. Brass rods are considered to be the most durable and durable. They are safe for humans and do not require specific care. However, the designs of this raw material have a serious weight. Therefore, the installation of the product must be carried out taking into account this feature. Otherwise, the accessory bar itself may fall, damage the floor of the bathroom or injure a person.
Aluminum
Such a device has a minimum weight, easily attached to the base. However, this metal is soft in comparison with steel, due to which the rods can quickly deform, which adversely affects the operational life of the product. Raw materials are not exposed to corrosion, it is resistant to high humidity in the room.
Steel
Stainless steel products have a high level of durability. This increases the level of their safe use in the bathroom or in the shower. Such products are performed in a different color palette. The disadvantages of this type of product can be attributed to the high cost of products, but a long service life pays for their cost.
Stainless steel products are slightly inferior in terms of quality brass rods. However, this does not really affect the indicators of strength and rust resistance. Steel products weigh less. Therefore, they can be fixed to any surface, without exception, including light partitions in the shower cabin, as well as glass bases.
Plastic
Plastic rods are in demand, differing in budget cost compared to metal counterparts. These products can be fixed to different surfaces, the curtains are adjusted along the eaves almost without noise, thanks to the good slip of the rings on which the curtains are hung on the rods. Plastic accessories are an inexpensive option. At the same time, the rods perform well in the process of using in wet rooms with temperature fluctuations. Products are not covered with rust, does not emit dangerous vapors to humans, has an attractive appearance due to the chrome-plated coating. Such products weigh a little, so they are attached to the base even when using suction cups.
Combined
Combined products have their own characteristics.In most cases, to create such rods using metal and plastic. Due to the similar composition in the process of movement of the rings on the rod, they do not make noise.
Options
The height of fixtures varies from small designs to high-sized rods. When choosing a product, it is necessary to proceed from the one who will operate the product: the shower can not be located lower than the top of the highest family member. The length of the rod can vary from 77 to 92 cm. The width together with the fixings is on average 61 mm. The distance between fasteners depends on the total length of the rod.
The distance from the fastener against the wall to the most protruding part of the shower can reach 34 cm.
When buying a rod it is important to check the length of the hose. It should be the same as a barbell or even more. Otherwise it will not be possible to fix the watering can at the top.
Forms and methods of fastening
In the form and method of fixture fixtures are very diverse. Bars can be angular, straight, round, semicircular, as well as repeating the shape of the bathroom. Ring models produced for installation in bathrooms, where the bowl itself is located in the center of the room.More often for arranging a bathroom they prefer to hang straight or angular models. They are mounted between two opposite walls of the room or in the recess of the shower.
Angle rods are L-shaped design of the type of elongated arc. It is better to install such a product in a bathroom of angular or non-standard shape. Rods can be fixed with various elements.
Telescopic type of fasteners most convenient. In addition, there are angular and straight holders that attach to the ceiling or walls. The first version of the installation of rods applicable for direct products. A wide selection of different versions of the rods and their fastenings gives you the opportunity to purchase curtains of different stiffness materials.
Watering holders
The type of rods used as a holder for the huts is successfully used in conjunction with cabins and stationary bathrooms. Rather simple configuration of products allows to use the device for water procedures, increasing the level of convenience. The range of holders for the watering cans pleasantly surprises with its variety, functionality and a wide choice of types of devices,which depends on the type of raw material used. Such features of the product have a positive effect on consumer demand.
Advantages and disadvantages
Shower rod is a substitute for the usual set for baths and showers, where the kit includes a watering can with a hose and mounting wall part. During its operation it is necessary to keep the hose itself in the hands, due to which a person is constrained in movement. Installing the boom allows you to use a device that is adjustable at different heights, which makes it possible to position the shower at a more convenient distance and, if desired, quickly fix it in any other position. Thus, taking water procedures, both hands will be free.
Other benefits include equipment. The configuration of the product itself is additionally completed with various accessories. The necessary items for the user are always available and do not interfere at all with the acceptance of water procedures. A wide range allows you to choose the most convenient in each case option.
In the struggle for consumer attention, brands make models of various shapes and sizes. This may be the usual straight rack or figured products that are highly functional. Such a positive feature allows you to successfully use the fixtures in any style of interior design bathrooms. They look harmonious, stylish and modern.
Among the disadvantages of products can be identified the high cost of metal rods. As for plastic products, the disadvantages of such products are considered to be a low indicator of strength, which should be taken into account when purchasing products. For this reason, to approach the issue of choice is particularly careful. Otherwise, the service life of the product may be small.
What is included?
In a conventional assembly, the rods are rack mounted under the watering can and hose. However, some manufacturers complement the set with shelves, hooks, cups and soap dishes. Modern innovative models are produced without mixers, replacing it with taps, cascade spouts, all kinds of nozzles and even thermostats. There are models on which the watering can and a blind are mounted.
Mixer racks are a simple and inexpensive option for a shower or bath. Included is a bar, as well as a bracket and hose. Fastening of the product occurs in a vertical position. The watering can is located in the bracket, which is installed at the required height by fixing with a screw or nut. The design of the rod suggests the possibility of installing various shelves on it.
Bars with an overhead shower are a version of the product without a mixer, but with two watering cans. The lower watering can is removable, has a flexible hose. As a rule, such products are made of an unusual shape (in the form of an ellipse or oval). The mode of operation of the upper watering can be adjusted.
Racks with a mixer differ from other models in convenience in operation and an opportunity to save on arrangement of a bathroom. Stopping your choice on such products will not have to pick up all the components of bathroom accessories, based on compliance with the overall style, since everything you need will already be present in the kit. Some options require a touch mixer or a cascade shower. For this, there is a special regulator on the rod.
Installation options
The installation of the rods does not require large labor costs and specific skills, which is important for the entire product range.To perform the work, it is enough to follow the step by step instructions, which are always attached to the product. Based on the possible mounting options, the rods are divided into floor, wall and combined products. The rack is fixed to the wall in a vertical position, it is screwed to the floor with screws or special plates. The latter option combines the two previous methods of installation, so it has a greater reliability of fixation. Wall racks are installed in two ways.
Hidden
The way in which the bar is installed in such a way that only regulators and the overhead shower are left outside. This method is less in demand because it has some drawbacks (laborious work, the inability to adjust the height of the watering can). To store hygiene items need to equip the shelf.
Open
The method is the use of dowels or suckers, where not the rack itself is attached, but the holders that it has at the top and bottom. Stopping on the installation of dowels, stand firmly fixed to the tile, concrete or gypsum plasterboard.
Models
Shower bars are a popular accessory for bathrooms.The most in demand are Czech and German products. Among them are products of the Grohe trademark, which are presented on the market with devices made of plastic and metal with watering cans of different diameters and radii of rotation. Hansgrohe German shower accessories are completed with flexible hoses with an adjustable holder, various mixers for installation on various bases. The products are of high quality and long warranty period.
Tips for choosing
When buying rods, it is better to give preference to metal models, based on the durability of the raw material. It would be more correct to purchase all the necessary accessories in the finished set. If this is not possible, so as not to be mistaken with the dimensions, all components should be from the same manufacturer of sanitary products.
How to install a shower head, see the following video.