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Answering Your Sauna Questions
Posted on December 25th, 2009 189 commentsThere is nothing quite like a great workout at the gym. Your muscles feel stretched and aching but you still feel good. You can enhance that experience even further by taking advantage of your gym’s sauna. Saunas are excellent ways to help rid the body of toxins. The steam from the sauna rises up, the air is hot and your body begins to sweat.
These little hot boxes are nothing new. They have been around for quite some time and can be found all around the world. If you have never had the opportunity to spend some time in a sauna, you are definitely missing out. In this article you can find out all you need to know about a sauna and how it can enhance your life.
What are saunas?
A sauna is a small room or building that is used by people to clear their body and minds of toxins that have accumulated. The room can either have wet or dry heat sessions to produce sweat. The person enters the sauna and will take of his or her clothes and rest in the room. The heat and the humidity help relax the muscles and clear the mind.
How have saunas changed over the years?
When you consider how long saunas have been around, it is natural to also make the assumption that the style has changed as well. Originally the sauna was dug into a pit or dug into the side of a hill and then using the dirt, a room was formed. As mankind became more evolved and more materials were available, the sauna changed as well. Many public bathing houses in Western Europe, Greece and Russia installed saunas as a way to help attract more visitors. The styles were more elaborate and were also far more efficient. The new designs would hold heat and steam in longer thus allowing the bather more time in the sauna.
How much does a sauna for my home cost?
The cost for saunas varies depending on how big you want the sauna to be, what type of heating source you select and what type of material the sauna will be constructed out of. You can find a 1-2 person sauna at Wal-mart for around $949.00. You can also find some at specialty stores that cost more than $2000. Before you go and purchase that sauna, you need to first decide what type you want and then you need to decide where you are going to put it. You definitely do not want to purchase a huge sauna if you live on a very small, cramped lot or live in an apartment.
Can I make a sauna myself?Yes, you can make a sauna yourself provided you have the right tools and the right knowledge. If you can make a building, you can build a sauna. The key to building saunas is to figure out exactly what type of sauna you want as well as the heat source that will be used. You can find many plans on the internet and can even find books on building saunas in your local bookstore. You may not save a lot of money by doing it yourself but at least you will have the satisfaction of building it yourself and being able to custom design the sauna.
By Mike Selvon
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Tiled Shower Stall VS Prefab Stall
Posted on December 19th, 2009 18 commentsAdding a tiled shower stall or prefab shower stall to a half bath increases both value and utility in a home. Which form of shower stall you should choose will depend on your space and budget.
he two types of shower stalls are prefab or tiled or custom stalls. Prefab is short for prefabricated, meaning that the shower stall comes in a few large pieces that can be easily and quickly installed. Prefab shower stalls are made out of a few different materials, but most ofen you will find them made out of acrylic or fiberglass. Custom stalls are usually made out of tile or a stone as granite or marble.
While prefab stalls have long been shunned by the design world because of their limited colors and styles, new manufacturing techniques have widened the options available to a home owner considerably. There are a large variety of colors and patterns now available, although the standard white or ivory remain the most popular color choices.
One of the largest advantages of prefab shower units are the potential cost savings. A homeowner with some previous home repair skills can usually install a prefab shower unit in a single afternoon. This can be a very attractive option for a do it yourselfer looking to save money.
Also, prefab units are often much cheaper than the materials used to build a custom shower units. They can often be purchased at a home improvement center for only a few hundred dollars and only require some caulk and some screws to complete the installation. They come in single piece and multiple piece units. Multiple piece units are preferred because they easily fit through doors.
Prefab units have a few disadvantages. First of all, because they are made to standard sizes, it may be difficult to install them in an older house where most of the walls are not square. Also, if your prefab stall get damaged in any way, chances are you will have to replace it. Although spot repairs are possible, cosmetically they are seldom desirable as anything more than a temporary fix.
By Amy Whittle
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The Infrared Sauna Kit
Posted on November 17th, 2009 8 commentsThe Infrared sauna kit is easy to assemble. A sauna kit is a package containing all the pieces necessary to put together a sauna yourself. A portable Far-infrared sauna kit is an option that may be right for your particular circumstance. There is also a pre-built sauna which can be even easier to assemble or disassemble than the sauna kit.
The Infrared Sauna kits are completely portable and designed for in home use. The Infrared Sauna is a ‘ dry’ environment at temperatures lower than the traditional sauna. This infrared sauna kit requires a little more handyman skills to put together than the pre-built sauna.
The infrared sauna kit comes with all the components required to build your sauna.
The sauna kit provides all the instructions necessary to get started on its assembly. The sauna kit is very affordable – with a lower installation cost than the traditional sauna, or steam room.
Infrared sauna kits are available in almost any size that you can think of, you can also order custom-made sauna kits. This can be helpful if your particular location is unusual in any way. The advantage of sauna kits over pre-built saunas is that the sauna kit can be installed in a pre-existing space. Pre-built saunas are more commonly used as freestanding saunas.
There are many factors that will help you when deciding the right size for your sauna. Having your room planed out and measured will save you a lot of time and hassle also try different combinations to find the best fit for you. Before buying any sauna, make sure you are physically fit enough to use it. When installing do not alter the electrical components as you will void the warranty.
By Paul Hegarty
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What’s Difference of Sauna Versus Steam Room?
Posted on November 10th, 2009 22 commentsSaunas and steam rooms are often referred to in the same context which suggests that they are similar. This is a common, but inaccurate misconception and one that will be remedied here.
Both saunas and steam rooms have many health benefits and these benefits are generally reaped by increasing the temperature of the human body to encourage the opening of pores and the process of sweating. Most medical workers and fitness trainers agree that there can be a health gain when subjecting the human body to this kind of environment for short periods of time.
The potential benefits of this “artificially induced” raising of the body’s temperature include, an increase in blood circulation, detoxification of the skin and body, the relieving of muscular tension, cleansing of the skin and a general bodily state of relaxation.
The differences
The main difference between a sauna and a steam room is the way in which the body’s temperature is raised.
A sauna generates dry low humidity heat that sees temperatures in excess of 80 degrees centigrade. These temperatures sound incredibly high, but with almost no moisture in the air they are tolerable and cause the body to sweat profusely. This sweating process is encouraged by the lack of humidity which enables the air in the sauna to swallow up any moisture (i.e. sweat) released in to it.
A steam room works in a completely different way and uses much lower temperatures combined with very high humidity to make the body feel hot and sweaty. Steam rooms usually run at about 40 degrees centigrade, but the high humidity (which makes it harder for the body to sweat) makes them feel much hotter.
Put in simple terms, a sauna uses very hot dry air, whilst a steam room uses a combination of heat and moisture to create a very humid environment.
Other big differences between the two systems relate to the ways in which a sauna and steam room are fitted and used.
A sauna sees its users seated on wooden benches and usually taking repeated sauna sessions separated by short periods of “cooling off” time. Saunas can accommodate multiple people depending upon their size and design. The sauna walls are usually lined with seasoned wood and a “stove style” heater provides the energy source. The “dry” heat is generated from “hot” rocks place on top of the stove.By contrast, steam showers tend to be for single session use and take an individual bather. The cubicle is sealed to make it air and moisture retentive and the shower will be tiled or manufactured from an encapsulated plastic material. A steam generator is used to create the moist and humid atmosphere, although “actual steam” (which would be 100 degree centigrade) is never used.
Which is best?
There is no definitive answer as to whether a steam room or a sauna is superior. Both achieve a similar sensation, but in very different ways.
Saunas certainly encourage a higher level of sweating resulting in greater weight loss (and the need for liquids to be taken). Furthermore, a number of sauna sessions can be taken one after another to intensify the “heat up” and “cool down” experience.
On the downside, a home sauna can be an expensive and “space demanding” luxury, whilst a steam room can be part of a modern multi-purpose shower cubical.
A steam room can alos be ready to use in seconds whilst a sauna requires preparation in the form of heat-up time and much higher runing costs.
By Martin Lambert
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Important Tips When Buying an Infrared Sauna For Your Home
Posted on November 8th, 2009 10 commentsPerhaps you’ve recently stayed in a luxury hotel that offered a fantastic spa and sauna to help you relax to the fullest during your vacation. Or maybe you’re a member of a nearby gym that offers access to a sauna. Now, just imagine having your very own home sauna to enjoy each evening after a hard day’s work! With today’s new technology and a reasonable investment based on the type of sauna you want, you can easily have a top quality infrared sauna of your own.
Finnish culture has promoted the idea of saunas for years. Relaxing in a sauna has become an important part of the Finns’ culture, and it’s an activity meant for the entire family to enjoy. In fact, their culture supports one sauna for every 2.6 people. That’s a lot of saunas! They realize that infrared saunas benefit everyone and help to wind down after a hard day’s labor.
Far infrared (FIR) saunas are not only for relaxation and enjoyment. They also offer various health benefits such as pain relief and muscle relaxation, heavy perspiration to release toxins from the body, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, weight loss, etc. So if you’re ready to take the next step and buy an infrared home sauna of your own, here are some important factors to consider.
Do You Want an Indoor or Outdoor Sauna?
If you have enough room inside your home, you can assemble the infrared sauna indoors. Maybe you have an extra bedroom that’s being used as a workout room with exercise equipment. An infrared sauna will make an excellent addition to your family gym. Maybe you have a very large bathroom with some extra space for a sauna. In or near a bath area would be a logical choice because you must rinse off in a shower after exiting the sauna. If you have no room indoors or prefer the outdoors, consider adding a small outdoor shower near the sauna to simplify sauna use. Keep in mind that outdoor saunas are treated and constructed in a different manner than indoor infrared saunas.
Pre-assembled Saunas
If you want an easy, affordable way to set up an infrared sauna at your home, opt for a pre-assembled sauna. This type of home sauna will arrive as a kit or in panel form with detailed instructions, so you can easily assemble it yourself. To install the sauna, you’ll simply piece the sides together using slots, install any windows or doors, and install the roof and bench. These saunas are manufactured in various sizes and shapes to fit your tastes and room size requirements. Some companies that manufacture carbon infrared saunas offer different types of wood for their saunas such as red cedar, hemlock, spruce, aspen or redwood. Red cedar wood is preferable because it is durable, resistant to decay, aromatic and can withstand harsh weather conditions (for outdoor saunas). Red cedar wood is also pleasing to the eye, providing added beauty for your home decor.
Carbon or Ceramic?
There are still more choices when buying a home sauna. You must choose whether to settle for a ceramic sauna or to opt for the higher end carbon infrared sauna. Though both types offer benefits, the carbon-based sauna usually offers better heat distribution, lower surface temperatures, more flexibility which helps minimize the potential for damage during shipping, and a solid wood construction. You should compare these two options in detail before making a decision. Keep in mind that carbon saunas offer more added features such as chromotherapy, or light therapy to bring balance and tranquility to your mind and body, tempered tinted glass, a thick tongue and groove, seamless design, and interior entertainment such as a CD player, radio or DVD player.
Features that may affect the cost of your sauna include luxury lighting packages, ceiling vents, adjustable timers and temperature, oxygen ionizer, soft touch control panels, how much seating room (2 person sauna or 3 or more people) you’ll need, and what type of warranty is offered by the manufacturer or retailer. Look for saunas that provide a lifetime warranty if possible. This gives you peace of mind knowing the company stands behind their products.
Start enjoying infrared sauna benefits today, and use these tips to buy a home sauna that will bring family enjoyment for years to come!
By Chris Roberton
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Shower Curtains VS Shower Doors
Posted on November 5th, 2009 42 commentsThe benefits and disadvantages of shower curtains or doors go beyond their outward appearance. While they contribute greatly to the overall look of your bathroom, they will also have an effect on the function. Some of the factors to take into consideration are your personal maintenance preferences, budget, and long term plans.
Shower curtains are affordable and easy to replace. They are available at almost all department stores and many other places. They come in a vast array of colors, textures, and styles. If you are looking to change the theme of your bathroom, the right curtain can definitely contribute to the look that you want. You can even custom make your own curtain to match the style of your bathroom fixtures.
If you want your bathroom to look neater when houseguests visit, the shower curtain can be closed to hide the bath tub or left open to show off the brilliantly gleaming porcelain. Unfortunately, curtains need to be thoroughly maintained in order to prevent mold and mildew from breeding on their surface.
When carelessly left outside of the bathtub, curtains can also drip on the floor and make a mess. They also aren’t considered to be as innovative or as fashionable in a modern bathroom as shower doors.
Studies also show that vinyl curtains that contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contain chemicals that are extremely detrimental towards human health and the environment. New vinyl curtains release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), DEHP (a suspected carcinogen), and organotins into the air. These toxins can cause headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. Developing young children are especially sensitive to these chemicals.
While many major retailers have completely discontinued selling PVC curtains, some still stock them alongside non PVC alternatives. It is best to check the label or ask an employee before purchasing a shower curtain from any store.
Non-PVC curtains can be made out of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) which is healthier, but still made out of polycarbonate based plastic and detrimental towards the environment. Fabric curtains are an even better material. They are machine washable, so maintenance is fairly easy. Hemp is an ideal material for fabric shower curtains, for it is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. Glass doors are also a good alternative to PVC curtains.
Though it is not often seen, glass doors can still be used on combination bathtub showers. There are many advantages associated with shower doors. They are usually made out of extremely sturdy glass and don’t need to be replaced for several years.
This makes up for the cost and tedium involved in replacing glass doors. They are also easy to clean and don’t attract as much mold as curtains. When they do get dirty, shower doors can be wiped down with some window cleaner and a rag. While doors aren’t as colorful or as versatile as curtains, there are still different types and style available depending on your needs and tastes.
It is strongly advised that you use a complete enclosure if you have a steam shower instead of an ordinary one, for the heat and moisture from a steam shower can ruin paint jobs and wallpaper.
By Allison Ryan
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Seven Essential Facts You Should Know Before Buying a Steam Shower
Posted on October 10th, 2009 31 commentsIf you’ve ever wanted to replace your ordinary shower with a luxury steam shower, you’re not alone. Steam showers are growing in popularity as an elegant add-on to any master bathroom. Here are a few things you should know about steam showers before you make the decision to buy.
What is a steam shower? A steam shower is a watertight enclosure the size of a normal shower—or a bit bigger, depending on the model you buy. Steam showers have steam converters that heat the water in your pipes to a boil before ejecting the warm water vapor through nozzles inside the steam shower stall. Most steam showers also have normal showerheads that allow you to rinse off after using the steam feature.
Why should you buy one? Steam showers are similar to steam rooms, which are common in spas and health clubs. Some health practitioners and healers believe that steam has many health benefits, from detoxification to improved respiratory function. Steam can help with muscle fatigue and joint pain, improve circulation, and possibly boost your immunity. In spas, it’s often used in conjunction with aromatherapy—and some steam showers allow you to insert your favorite essential oils for a scented steam bath.
What features are included? Most steam showers include a showerhead, steam jets, jet massagers, and aromatherapy fixtures. Other features include phone and iPod hookups, built-in radios, and foot massagers. Some steam showers are quite large and include benches and jets to accommodate two people. Others allow you to receive incoming calls while in the shower.
Steam showers are not for everyone. Pregnant women are generally advised not to use steam showers, because they can raise the body temperature to a point that may be unsafe for the baby. Young children should also avoid steam showers, as should people with diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have a medical condition or any doubt about whether or not a steam shower is right for you, check with your doctor before buying one.
You don’t have to buy a new shower. You can buy a conversion kit to transform your old shower into a steam shower. However, this will still require significant electrical, plumbing, and construction work. Your shower stall must be made to be completely watertight on all sides, including the ceiling. Tile walls may need to be replaced.
Don’t try to install it yourself. Installing a steam shower, or even a conversion kit, is a big job that requires extensive electrical and plumbing expertise, not to mention shower-construction skills. Beware of any companies that claim their conversion kits are “easy to install” or that you won’t need a contractor. When choosing a contractor, hire someone with previous experience installing steam showers—and test the shower before they leave.
Choose your vendor with care. It’s very unwise to buy a steam shower from an individual or unknown vendor. You’re likely to get a product without a warranty or any customer support, and it may not look anything like you expected it to. Cheap steam showers are often shoddily constructed and likely to leak steam, which can cause mold problems. This will cost you a great deal more than you saved by getting a “great deal” on a steam shower.When buying a steam shower sight-unseen, ask for pictures of the shower installed in a bathroom. This way, you can get an idea of what it will look like in yours. Ask about warrantees, too—it’s best to get one that lasts from one to three years. Some steam converters are covered for life. Choose a vendor with a long history of satisfied customers—not an unknown brand with an unknown reputation.
In addition, don’t buy a used steam shower from an individual. Poor-quality steam showers can cause a great deal of trouble and expense to owners, and they’re probably selling it for a reason. Even if there’s nothing wrong with the shower, you won’t get a warranty, replacement parts, or any other support from an individual, and you may need it.
A steam shower can be a wonderful addition to your bathroom. But there are a few things to consider before buying. Know the facts about steam showers, and you’re sure to make the right decision for your bathroom.
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Eight Things to Look For When Buying a Steam Shower
Posted on October 10th, 2009 16 commentsA steam shower looks like a normal shower, but it’s not—it’s actually closer to a sauna with a showerhead included. A steam shower is a watertight, enclosed glass stall with a steam generator included. The steam generator heats water to the boiling point, and then the steam is forced into the stall through several steam jets lining the walls. The entire stall, including floor, ceiling, and sides, must be made of a waterproof material that can withstand a moist, warm environment without damage. Most steam showers include a normal showerhead, and some come equipped with aromatherapy, benches, radios, and more.
But not all steam showers are as great as they seem. Before you buy, here are a few things to look for.
All-in-one or conversion equipment? You have a lot of options when it comes to installing a steam shower. You can convert a regular overhead shower into a steam shower by buying equipment piecemeal, but don’t expect to install it yourself unless you are a competent electrician and plumber. If you buy an all-in-one model, make sure it’s of high quality by looking for the following qualities.
The right frame for the job. The frame that holds the glass panels in place should be made of thick, sturdy aluminum—not plastic. Some companies use a plastic frame coated in metal to save costs, but the metal can wear away from the plastic and weaken the frame. Look for a solid aluminum frame instead, of a thickness of about 1.5 mm. Some companies use aluminum frames as thin as 0.5 millimetres, but these dent easily.
Quality fixtures. As with the frame, watch out for fixtures made of chrome-plated plastic. The chrome wears off easily, the fixtures look and feel cheap, and the plastic is easy to break once it’s exposed. Instead, choose showers that have fixtures made of chrome-plated metals.
A company that tests. Some companies do product tests of each shower they sell to examine how their shower components hold up over hundreds of thousands of uses. And some don’t.
When buying a steam shower, ask the company whether they do product tests, and how rigorous they are. Some companies test their door rollers, fixtures, electrics, steam jets, and other features over thousands of consecutive uses, and the best companies test each shower before it leaves the plant. Ask your company about its testing practices before you buy.
Blinding brightness is bad. The floor of the shower is usually made of a sheet of acrylic material over some layers of fiberglass. You’ll want this later to be thick, and you’ll want the acrylic to be of good quality. Low-quality acrylics often have a bright white color. They’re bad for any steam shower—most importantly because they’re more vulnerable to fire than higher-quality materials. If your shower floor looks too bright, it may be using a bad-quality acrylic.
Safety first. The doors and walls should be made of tempered safety glass about 5-6 millimetres thick. The edges should be covered by the frame, as safety glass edges are most vulnerable to cracking.
Steam showers have heavy electronics—everything from the steam showers to the radio and foot massagers are run by electronic circuits. Look for a company that product-tests its electronics for safety. It’s also a good idea to buy steam showers that have received approval from an independent third-party electronics assessment firm, such as UL, ETL, or CE, depending on the country you’re buying from.
Check the weight. If you get a high-quality shower, it should be heavy and sturdy. All-metal frames and fixtures, thick glass and acrylic all add to the weight and the feeling of sturdiness. If your new steam shower feels flimsy, it probably is made from low-quality materials.
Get a warranty. You never know what will grow wrong. When buying a steam shower, choose a vendor that offers a warranty. Discuss how long the warranty will be active, and what it will cover, before purchasing a shower.
A steam shower can add luxury and value to your home, and it can transform your bathroom into a spa retreat at the same time. But if you buy a cheap steam shower with a lightweight frame, low-quality acrylics, substandard fixtures, and no safety assessment, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Take your time when choosing a steam shower, and you’re sure to find a good one.
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Shower Enclosure Buying Guide-DiVapor Shower Advice
Posted on October 4th, 2009 33 commentsA shower enclosure will be a part of your bathroom for years to come and buying one will be an investment into your house. Therefore, before buying a shower enclosure it is important to take into consideration the following, to ensure your new shower cubicle will last the test of time.
General Shower Enclosure Checks
Size, Shape and Height
There are many shapes of shower enclosures: square, rectangle, oblong and quadrant enclosures. Don’t make your bathroom feel like it is cramped, choose a shower enclosure which gives you the feeling of space inside while showering and one which gives your bathroom the sense of space.
Positioning
If your new shower enclosure can be installed where your old shower used to be then this will save a lot of preparatory work, hassle and money as the hot, cold and the waste water pipes will already be in the correct place making them easy to attach to your new shower cubicle.
Shower Enclosures: With or Without Tray?
It may be preferential to choose a shower enclosure that comes with a tray. Due to the fact that the tray has been designed specifically for the given shower enclosure it will fit properly and will have less chance of water leakage.
TilingThe inside walls of the shower enclosure will need to be tiled. Therefore, plan ahead to what tiles you want and then tile the area before installing the shower cubicle.
Testing
Corrosion Testing - Have you ever seen chrome plating that has chipped or peeled off? It spoils the finish of your new showers. This is why it’s important to buy quality if you want your shower enclosure to look good. Buy from a company who has done anti-corrosion salt tests on all of their metal fittings.
Door Rollers - Maybe not one of the things you think about when buying a shower enclosure, but the shower door rollers are very important for the longevity and quality feel of the shower enclosure. The door runners which Di Vapor uses for their shower enclosures have been tested for over 100,000 consecutive uses: that’s a lot of showers!
Water Leakage - A good seal, often with magnetic strips on the shower doors is important to keep water inside the shower. Good seals also make the shower enclosure more aesthetically pleasing.
Door Handles and fixings - Door handles which are solid metal are much higher quality than their chrome plated plastic counterparts. These plastic handles are weaker and can give a cheaper feel to the shower enclosure.
Delivery and VAT - A shower enclosure may seem reasonably priced and of good quality, however it may not include delivery. Watch out for hidden extras like V.A.T and delivery. These extras can add a significant amount to the final buying price of your shower enclosure.
Acrylic Tray
Reinforcement - Ensure the shower enclosure tray you choose uses pure acrylic. Even if a company says the tray is acrylic it doesn’t mean it will be acrylic all the way through. The company may have acrylic PMMA sheets on the outside and ABS on the inside resulting in a poorer quality, less sturdy shower tray.
Check its Colour - Some acrylics have very bright white finishes. This is a tell tale sign of a poor quality acrylic. High quality acrylics are flame retardant and don’t have a brilliant white colour which often clashes with the other sanitaryware in your bathroom.
Acrylic Price - There isn’t just one grade of acrylic, there are many varying grades available. Some companies use a very cheap, low-quality acrylic to create and sell their products at low cost, therefore sacrificing quality and the longevity of the shower enclosure tray. Some factories use acrylic that costs £777 per tonne and others which costs £971-£1,035 per tonne. However, Di Vapor uses a very high quality grade which costs £1618 per tonne. The higher quality acrylic will make your shower enclosure tray last longer and will fade less over time.
Fibreglass and Reinforcement - On the bottom of most acrylic shower trays there is fibreglass for strengthening. Be watchful for companies who use too much resin and not enough fibre. This is low quality fibreglass that discolours and weakens over time. All the bases of Di Vapor’s shower enclosure trays use 3-4 layers of fibreglass whereas many manufacturers only use 1-2 layers of fibreglass reinforcement.
Tempered Glass
Thickness - In general it is best to have tempered safety glass of 5-6mm for your shower enclosure: the thicker the better.
Edge Protection - Glass which does not have a protective framing can be easily chipped and broken. A shower enclosure with strong aluminium framing will support the glass in the shower doors and keep it well protected.Break Test - There are standards to which tempered safety glass must reach. A piece of glass 120mm by 120mm should break into a minimum of 45 pieces, less than this is deemed unsafe as the shards of glass are too big and could cause injury. Di Vapor’s tempered safety glass breaks into 60 little pieces; the more pieces the better.
Shower Enclosure Aluminium Framing
Are they aluminium? - Some companies use a profiling on their shower enclosures that looks like aluminium but is actually plastic. This framing not only looks and feels cheaper, it also doesn’t protect the glass on the shower enclosure as effectively as aluminium profiling.
What is the profiles thickness? - A shower cubicle may look the part with aluminium profiling, but it may not be the quality which you expect. To cut back on costs some company’s use aluminium profiling which is only 0.5mm thick. This is significantly weaker and more prone to denting than the 1.2-1.6mm thick aluminium which Di Vapor uses.
Aluminium Quality - Some companies use recycled aluminium or a composite of aluminium and other metals to cut back on costs therefore increasing its susceptibility to damage.
Structural Frame Support - Under the acrylic tray there is a frame which gives the shower enclosures strength and support. Ensure that this frame uses a metal such as stainless steel as opposed to a wooden support which is significantly weaker. -
Have You Checked Out These Bathtub Options
Posted on September 30th, 2009 15 commentsIf you are building a new home, or even if you are remodeling a home, one of the most important rooms in the house is going to be your bathroom. You want a bathroom that is tastefully decorated and comfortable, and most of all, you want to make sure that you pick out a great bathroom tub so you can enjoy those special moments of relaxation when you have the opportunity to take them. For many people, a difficult day can be cleansed away by a hot bath, which allows for time to relax and to let the stress of the day be washed away. There are many different bathtubs that are available to choose from, but you want to make sure that you pick the bathtub that is best suited for you.
Corner Bathroom Bathtub
One type of tub that you may want to consider when choosing from the myriad of bathtubs available is a corner bathroom tub. If you want to save room for storage shelves or perhaps even a shower stall, a corner tub can be a great choice. This type of tub looks great in a modern bathroom since the shape is quite a bit different from traditional tubs, and it is also quite a bit wider, which can add more space for your relaxation, or even make it a great place for two to enjoy a great bubble bath together.
Round Tub
If you are looking for an impressive bathtub that will astound all that see it and will look contemporary and chic, then a round tub is a great choice. Of course you will probably need to have quite a bit of space in your bathroom, since this tub takes up a good bit of space, but the look and the design is well worth the extra space needed. Round bathtubs come in various sizes, and you may even be able to get one that is built for two that will provide extra space for optimum soaking.
Whirlpool Tubs
If you want to add that extra dimension to your evening soak, you may want to consider the whirlpool bathtubs that can make your bath such a delightful experience. These types of tubs are designed with a whirlpool system that will keep the water moving and provide a massaging effect while you are in the water. They also come in a variety of different shapes and styles, so you can have a whirlpool tub while still going along with the décor of your bathroom.
No matter what style of bathtub you decide to choose for your bathroom, one important thing to remember is you are probably going to be the one cleaning it, so make sure that it is a tub that is relatively easy to clean. Purchase a tub that is made out of a material that will not easily scratch or stain. If you find a tub that looks great, feels great, and is easy to clean, then you will be able to enjoy many relaxing evenings in your tub enjoying your choice.
By Christopher W Smith



