Specifying for all shapes and sizes

Choosing a shower enclosure requires thinking about a wide range of factors, from bathroom size and construction material to end user needs and expectations. Here, Mick Bone from Lakes offers some pointers on how to create the perfect showering space.

Ashower enclosure needs to be a number of different things: stylish, practical, built to last, and so much more. At the same time, bathroom shapes, sizes and styles can be as unique as the individual customer. This understanding has always underpinned our design process here at Lakes, helping to create showering spaces that reflect a varied range of bathrooms and lifestyles through beautifully designed and precisionengineered products for the ultimate showering experience. A perfect blend of design and performance is required from all products in the bathroom, and a shower enclosure is no different. Both elements are evolving all of the time, with new styles and trends complemented by fresh innovation to assist with installation and versatility.

First principles

The installation process is something manufacturers are always focusing on, to help us better supply easy-toinstall, high-quality products. We are also keenly aware of what we can learn from the installer’s experience using our products, which influences our development going forward. So, how do you choose the perfect shower enclosure for your customer? First, let’s start with space.

Material matters

Once you’ve assessed your space and know which direction you’re going to take, it’s time to start thinking of materials and aesthetics. Particularly with those smaller en-suite or awkward spaces, consumers are looking at shower enclosures featuring increased glass and reduced metal to maximise the space they’re working with. One way to ensure a shower enclosure looks sleek and premium is choosing the right glass within an enclosure to give a clean and crisp appearance. Lakes’ Ambient and Wave ranges are ideal for this scenario.

Black is beautiful

space. There are now around 1.8 million households that span two or more generations, so the number of multigenerational homes is also on the rise.

On the level

Starting out by focusing on choosing an enclosure suited to the amount of available space you are working with is probably the most crucial piece of advice that we can offer.

Whether you’re working with a large space or are hard pushed for it, making the right decision is made a lot easier by the range of choices at your disposal.

If you’re hard pushed for space, an over-bath shower and bath screen combination may be the answer, or perhaps a bifold door. The more space you have to play with, the more you are likely to start going down the route of walk-in showers or full wet rooms, where panelling and minimalism are all important.

Colour is of course another key consideration – trends in this space are always evolving, with black developing from a trend to a staple over recent years. Our new Wave Black range reflects this. However, the process of introducing the Wave Black range wasn’t simply a case of putting a lick of paint on our Wave stock.

In line with our commitment to quality, the colouration was a focused and detailed operation built around creating a durable fi nish that would stand the test of time. Again, it’s important to always focus on the balance of quality design and performance.

It’s also becoming more and more important to consider multi-generational options when designing a bathroom

A wetroom is often an ideal solution for all members of the family, whatever their age or capabilities. Maximising the available space in the bathroom, a wetroom tends to offer a much larger showering space than a traditional enclosure and has no shower tray threshold to manoeuvre around, avoiding trip hazards for all users. However, if this isn’t possible due to plumbing restrictions, then a low-profi le shower tray that sits at approximately 45mm high could be used instead, providing a more accessible shower entrance than standard height trays. Low threshold trays make it easy for both young and old users to access the shower, while non-slip trays are a much safer option for vulnerable age groups.

Sustainability

Lastly, we all know that sustainability is going to become an even more crucial part of installers’ decision-making criteria going forward. From the materials used for the shower enclosure itself, to the packaging it is delivered in, consumers are more conscious than ever of the wider impact of any renovations or installations to their home.

A good idea to keep ahead of this is to check for any credentials advertised by manufacturers. Here at Lakes, for example, we are certified as Carbon Neutral Plus for our UK operations in recognition of our continued commitment to reducing our impact on the environment.

We also introduced 100% recyclable packaging across our operations in 2019, helping to remove approximately 2000 kilometers of banding and nearly two million pieces of polystyrene a year from landfi ll. We are also committed to 100% recycling all of our product waste (primarily glass and aluminium) and all recyclable site and office waste.

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Cut To The Chase

 The size and shape of the bathroom will influence what kind of enclosure to specify

 Glass enclosures that minimise visible fixings are popular for smaller spaces

 Multi-generational homes will benefit from wetroom designs or low level shower trays

 Customers are increasingly conscious of sustainability, so look for manufacturers that prioritise sustainable practices