Feedback for shower design

[JMB]

Good morning. I am working on ideas for a bathroom renovation and would appreciate some feedback from those who have been there before me, as I am new to bathrooms!

As I hope the sketch shows, the shower is to consist of a 1200 x 900mm shower base, with a semi-frameless shower screen along the front and right sides. I would like the right side of the shower screen to sit on top of a tiled cupboard, that will be accessed from the other side. I do not want to have a full shower screen here, with the tiled cupboard butted up next to it, as it would be impossible to clean and a doubling up of materials. I forgot to include in the sketch that the shower head will be on the left hand side of the enclosure.

I am concerned about:

1] the cost of having the shower screen custom made as compared to using a standard screen
2] how complicated it will be to fit the shower base and secure the tiled cupboard so that I can still use a standard 1200mm shower screen at the front
3] the stability of the right side screen.
4] whether it will be too difficult to have the shower screen and tiled cupboard flush on the inside, so that the door when closed would not be lining up with a straight edge [bad look!!].

Anyway, would be very grateful for any feedback.

[silentC]

That's no different to the common practice of a half-return shower screen when the shower goes in next to a bath. There is a low wall between the bath and the shower and the shower screen sits on top of it. Shouldn't be any problem getting that made up and shouldn't cost any more because there is less glass - probably should be cheaper than a full return actually, depending where you buy it.

[JMB]

Thanks for that silentc, that's put my mind at rest.

Another question - If the right side of the enclosure is 1200mm from the shower head then do I need a shower screen here at all, especially as the tiled cupboard is 1m high? Maybe I could also shorten the front shower screen as well?

The bathroom is very small and I am thinking that the less shower screen there is the bigger the room will look.

[silentC]

Mine is 1200mm wide and the opposite wall always gets wet, so I would say it is better to have a full enclosure. Regarding the height, if you make it too low, you will have to duck under it to get in. I'd just leave it at 1800 with a half return but make it clear glass. That will give a more open appearance in the room.

Edit: Forgot to say, shower screens usually have a head rail that runs over the door opening to hold the return and the fixed panel next to the door in place - hence the height problem.

[JMB]

Silentc, that makes good sense. Will stop fiddling around with shower ideas and get onto the vanity design. Thanks again.

[juan]

How about a posting plan of the bathroom and adjoining hall etc showing entrance and proposed layout.

Is it possible to convert the cupboard a full height one?
This would simplify the enclosure, give you more storage space for towels etc and may even reduce the cost.

You could perhaps then simply go with a semi-frameless sliding panel and fixed panel on the front. It will make waterproofing and tiling easier too I suspect.

[JMB]

Juan, have attached a very basic drawing of the bathroom. Hope the writing is large enough to read.

My partner and I have thought about extending the tiled cupboard to the height of the shower screen but we feel that it would be too much in your line of sight when you looked through the door. The bathroom is very small, and we like the idea of being able to see through the glass of the shower screen return, [even if you end up seeing the head of someone if they are sitting on the toilet!].

[juan]

I can see why you prefer the see through half panel as it would open up the room a bit compared to a full shower height cupboard

1] the cost of having the shower screen custom made as compared to using a standard screen

I agree with Silent C I think it should not work out that expensive. You can get a couple of quotes over the phone in half an hour. My guess is budget for $900 and you may be pleasantly surprised

2] how complicated it will be to fit the shower base and secure the tiled cupboard so that I can still use a standard 1200mm shower screen at the front

Insufficient info on your skill levels, the floor type and condition, water outlet, type of base you plan, etc to offer any opinion on this concern.

3] the stability of the right side screen.

With a semi frameless shower screen you could have a support rail across the top of the door which would make the right side panel very secure given it will be fixed in two spots to the rear wall and again to the cupboard top.

4] whether it will be too difficult to have the shower screen and tiled cupboard flush on the inside, so that the door when closed would not be lining up with a straight edge [bad look!!].

I do not see any issue in having the inside of the glass aligned with the finished tiling on the cupboard giving a straight edge to align with the door edge. I would consult the screen manufacturer before you build the cupboard to see how they will fix their channel for the glass panel to your cupboard.

My feeling is that it is a relatively straight forward bathroom renovation if such a thing exists. Make sure you give plenty of thought to the waterproofing of the whole bathroom but the shower area in particular.

[Dirty Doogie]

The plan looks good. The tiled shelf is very do - able.

I take it the open side is on the WC side?? Or the shower side?? - Or both ?? It doesnt matter - just waterproof it all over (the shower side) before tiling

It is a good idea any way.

The recessed cupboard above the vanity might be tricky depending on the wall construction.

I would actually suggest that you do get a custom screen - have a look around at various semi frameless styles ( cos there are at least 4) and show your drawing of the shower/cupboard to the screen supplier - just in case they want a tiny design modification.

Just on aesthetics - the shower cupboard is going to be the first thing you see when you enter the room - IMO the tiling of the cupboard should be designed so there are no obviously cut tiles. You will also have to consider the tiled corners. In this respect I am thinking that maybe a small piece of the same color angle they use for the screen might look good.

The planning is the fun bit - so enjoy

Cheers

[JMB]

Dirty Doogie and Juan, thanks for the replies.

The tiled cupboard will have sliding doors on the WC side. It will be made from treated pine framing and villaboard, with the inside lined with ply. Final measurements will be decided after the tiles have been bought so that the tiles fit exactly onto the panels, where possible. Off to look at tiles and shower screens today and will keep an eye out to see if there are any examples of metallic angle used on tiled corners. The opening for the tiled cupboard will be framed in aluminium angle so some more angle may fit in well.

For the recessed cupboard above the vanity I am planning to cut out the hole I need in the villaboard, then cut the stud which is in the road and insert a frame which the cupboard will fit inside of. The cupboard is 900mm long and the stud is 600mm from the wall - not easy to fit into my design.

The planning for this job is sort of fun but I would like to start some work soon! My quote and list of materials needed for the job is about 3 pages long and the $$$ needed just keep getting bigger. Another week or so and I can start work on the timber vanity. Hooray.

Anyway, thanks again for the replies. Very nice to get some input into our bathroom.

[Dirty Doogie]

Hi JMB, just check that the wall where you want to put the above vanity cupboard isn't a load bearing or bracing wall. If it is either you'll need to put a header across the cupboard opening.

[JMB]

I am just wondering which grade of treated pine to use in the bathroom, and in the shower area, H2 or H3?