Acrylic shower trays: distinctive features

The arrangement of bathrooms due to the choice of shower cabins instead of stationary baths is quite a popular solution for a modern home. The similar tendency is actual both for country houses, and for city apartments.

For the manufacture of showers used different materials, but the most attractive and colorful options are considered acrylic pallets. They are lightweight and reasonably priced compared to other cab surfaces.

Acrylic is a group of polymeric materials produced on the basis of derivatives of methacrylic and acrylic acids.In appearance, it has some similarities with ordinary plastic.

Like any other raw material, acrylic has individual characteristics.

Products made from this material are very susceptible to falling.therefore, care must be taken during the installation of the structure. Inaccurate handling of the acrylic tray is fraught with holes and cracks on the surface. And when you hit it with a heavy object, a scratch is necessarily formed. However, such a defect can be easily sanded.

The material can not be called particularly durable, but this characteristic is largely determined by the thickness of the raw material - the larger it is, the higher this indicator. To exclude the possibility of deformation of the structure, it is recommended to install a frame made of metal that will act as a support.

In addition, the following material properties can be distinguished:

• surface hygiene;
• environmental Safety;
• resistance to aggressive household chemicals;
• attractive glossy surface that retains its original appearance for a long time.

Similar characteristics of sanitary acrylic give the opportunity to use it for the production of kitchen countertops, sinks, etc.

Acrylic shower trays are relevant today due to a number of advantages that they possess:

• Uniformity due to the lack of enamel on the surface. The design is not susceptible to the formation of stains and streaks, which are often formed over time on other types of materials due to contact with water and various hygiene products. In addition, scratches do not contribute to the destruction of the coating.
• Thermal conductivity. When the pallet comes in contact with hot water, the material warms up quickly, making it much more comfortable to stay in the shower. It is very convenient to use deep bowls with dimensions 80x80 and 90x90, 70x90 and 100x80 as a bath for bathing children.
• As a result of jets of water on the pallet, he, unlike enameled products, makes no noise which is important for small apartments. The most noisy, according to consumer reviews, are pallets made of steel or artificial stone.

• High temperature resistance. This characteristic of the material has a positive effect on the operational life of the product.
• Reasonable cost of bowls.
• Low weight, due to which the product is easy to transport and install.
• Serious defects formed during the mechanical impact on the acrylic pan can be easily repaired - to seal or repair the crack, using a special repair kit. This possibility increases the service life of the product and allows the product to have an attractive appearance for a long time.
• Large variety of bowlspresented on the modern market, offers consumers products of various shapes and sizes, capable of withstanding loads or with the possibility of installation on a metal frame. Due to this, each buyer can easily select a product that meets individual preferences.

Plumbing bowls of acrylic have some disadvantages. Among them are the following points:

• Since the material is somewhat similar to plastic, its surface is easily scratched. However, this minus is very easily eliminated.
• There are models that bend under the weight of a person inside. But this drawback is also easy to eliminate - such bowls are complemented by fasteners, due to which they acquire the necessary strength. Products with a reinforced coating are not subject to bending at all during use.

Assessing the above properties and features of acrylic pallets, we can conclude that the product has no significant drawbacks.

Various types of acrylic pans for bathrooms are now available. Classified products based on shape and size.

In addition to the basic parameters, namely, shape and size, the height of the rim is considered to be a rather important characteristic. That it provides such important conditions as the functionality of the product and its comfortable exploitation.

The most popular option is flat-bed pallets. This design provides easier access to the cabin.

Depending on the height of the structure, acrylic products can be divided into three groups:

• with deep sides, where the height of the walls is on average 18 cm;
• medium - the size of the walls reaches 8 cm;
• small sides, the size of which is no more than 4 cm.

The optimum and comfortable during operation is considered the depth of the sanitary bowl no more than 10 cm.

Pallet dimensions are the main parameter of the whole product, in particular, it concerns the construction area.

Based on the area, acrylic trays are divided into three types:

1. Large bowls - a similar type of product, as a rule, has dimensions greater than 100x100 cm.Accordingly, it includes pallets 900x900, 800x800, 120x90, 120x80, etc.
2. Average designs are represented by dimensions that range from 90x90x15 to the minimum values ​​of large products.
3. Little ones the pallets uniting in group products with sizes from 70х70 cm to 80х80. The pallet with dimensions of 70x90 cm is the most popular among the products of this group.

Most manufacturers produce products made in the two most common forms:

• square (rectangular);
• angular.

The latter is, in fact, a triangular construction, one face of which is a semicircle.

The fundamental points that are worth paying close attention when buying a shower stall,in addition to the functionality of the design and a number of additional features, there will be dimensions and level of rounding of the pallet, as well as the quality of the raw materials used for production.

The optimal and universal solution will still be the acquisition of a corner pallet, thanks to which it is possible to install both a semicircular and square version of the product.

Today on the market of this product manufacturers offer ready-to-install kits.with curtains, shower, walls, the pallet itself or structures that will be equipped with elements based on customer preferences. Moreover, to form a composition without problems can be products of different manufacturers. In the latter case, it is necessary to pay special attention to the size, so that all components fit together.

From the point of view of saving money, assembling a set based on your own preferences and tastes will be many times cheaper than purchasing an already stocked version.

Steel or white color are very laconic and do not need additional decoration or decoration with color elements of other shades. The classic versions of the pallets, provided they are of high quality, will be durable and attractive, which will make it possible to use them in the future, if necessary, to carry out repairs in the premises, without having to purchase new designs.

In order for the shower cabin to be harmoniously located in the room, it is important to choose the shape of the tray correctly, since the shower can be positioned not only in the corner of the room, but also in the center. This option will be an original decision, but only if it allows the area of ​​the room and the owners of the dwelling decided to make a complete redevelopment or during the construction of the house.

Before you start installing the shower tray, you need to buy all the accessories.so that the structure after installation is completely ready for use. In addition to the pallet itself, you will need a siphon, a drain pipe and other mandatory items.

Installing a shower in the opposite corner of the sewer system in the room requires its installation on a special frame to ensure the supply of all water and drainage systems.

Works need to be carried out, adhering to the step-by-step instruction which is applied in a set to production:

1. Having prepared the legs, guides and fasteners, it is necessary to turn the pan and fix these parts to the bottom. Semicircular models have an additional leg, which is installed in the middle.
2. Next, work is underway to fix the siphon and pipe with the establishment of communications into the sewers, not forgetting the sealing of the joints.
3. It is easy to check the installation is correct - if the work is done correctly, then the bottom will not have a slope, and the product will not crack if you stand on it. In conclusion, sealing joints and their decoration. Very often for such purposes is used plinth.

As with any design, the shower tray may need to be repaired. The reason for the formation of defects may be the presence of factory marriage,due to which cracks will appear on the surface. Sometimes breakdowns occur when careless handling of the product during operation.

The situation of cracking on the pallet as a result of errors made during the installation of the product is not excluded.

For repair you will need the following tools and materials:

• degreasing agent;
• paint and brush.

First of all, the tray is washed thoroughly, after which it needs to be dried. The area where the crack has arisen is degreased, the coloring composition is applied with a brush. After complete drying of the first layer, the second is applied. For complete drying will take about a day.

Deep cracks will require a lot of effort and time to repair. Additionally, you need to purchase a hardener for the coloring composition, as well as equip with a drill. The technology of work consists in drilling and widening the crack to a width of about 2 mm. Next, the place is filled with the composition, after it hardens, the surface must be level with emery.

Through defect is eliminated when using painthardener and epoxy resin. Glass fiber is glued to the hole and treated with several layers of epoxy. After that, the surface is painted over and applied hardener.

When carrying out any work with an acrylic surface, it is imperative to observe safety measures, in particular, work should be done only in well-ventilated areas, in some cases - in the open air.

Instructions for installing a shower tray, see the video.