Shower Enclosures

Showers – Explained

Who doesn't love a shower? Whether it is a de-stressing shower or a quick shower, you can't beat the streams of warm water cascading over you.

Showers are a bit more complex than baths. That's because there are three different parts that make up a fully functioning shower enclosure. They are:

    1. The Shower Valve
    2. The Shower Tray
    3. The Shower Door

1. The Shower Valve

A shower valve is the working part of your shower - the controls, the hose and the heads.

We have a wide selection of shower valves so there will be something to suit your tastes whether it is an all in one shower valve kit or a concealed valve with your choice of head, jets or slide rail kit.

Our shower valves are Thermostatic Valves with Volume Controls. This multi-piece shower control system consists of a thermostatic valve which works only to maintain the temperature of the water, and a volume control which turns the water on and off for each water outlet.

A thermostatic valve allows a homeowner to have greater control over the temperature of the water, allowing the user to pick the temperature before turning on the water.

An anti-scald feature prevents the temperature from being turned past 100-degrees accidentally by including a two part control, which requires the user to deliberately push and turn the valve to achieve higher water temperatures.

Thermostatic systems work well with performance showers, for homeowners who prefer complete control over their shower, and for showers being used by two people with widely different tastes in water temperature.

Shower Valve Kit:

An all in one shower system

In their simplest form, they contain a bar valve with on/off and temperature controls connected to a slide rail kit that holds the shower head & hose.

Go one further and choose a kit that also includes a drench shower head. This kit will have a diverter within the bar valve so you can choose which outlet the water goes to.

Concealed Shower Valves

These are made up of your choice of water outlets: slide rail kit, shower head and/or body jets. You can control which outlet the water comes out from using the diverter within the valve.

A water diverter acts as a means of moving water from one outlet toward another.

There are 5 steps to follow when creating this style of shower valve.

    1. Decide how many water outlets you will have; 1, 2 or 3
    2. Choose which design of concealed valve you want; square, round or cross head and match it

to your requirements:

  1 way diverter: 1 outlet
  2 way diverter: 2 outlets
  3 way diverter: 3 outlets

3. Choose the water outlets that you want to go with your valve.
4. If you have chosen a slide rail kit, you must choose a wall elbow to go with it. This will connect the hose to the shower wall.
5. If you have chosen a drench shower head, you must choose a wall or ceiling arm to connect it to wall.

Shower valves will only be covered by our warranty if they are fitted by a professional. If they are removed from the wall, they will no longer be covered by the warranty.

2. The Shower Tray

There are 3 different shapes of shower tray:

And all come in either low level or standard height

Rectangular/Square Quadrant/Offset Quadrant/Low Level/Standard Height

The difference between the standard and low level shower tray is height. Standard trays are 100mm high while Low Level trays are 45mm high. Low Level trays are minimalist and contemporary in design while standard are more traditional.

All our shower trays are sold alongside the correct wastes so if you require a waste don’t forget to add it to your trolly .

Shower trays must be fitted by a professional to ensure they do not flex under pressure or leak. It is your plumbers responsibility to ensure your tray has been water tested but we can assure you all of our trays are high quality stone resin.

Handing Trays:

Offset quadrant trays come in a right or left had version. Most doors to suit these trays are universal but there are a few that require handing as well. Just use this simple diagram to ensure you pick the correct hand.

Left Hand - Right Hand3.

The Shower Door

There are many different types and styles of shower doors.

Sliding doors & Bi-folds:

These doors are ideal for bathrooms where you don’t have a lot of space as the doors don’t open out into the bathroom.

Hinge Door; Pivot Door; Corner Door:

These doors require space in front of the shower to open.

Quadrant Door; Off-Set Quadrant Door:

Curved doors that are ideal for space saving.

Sliding, Bi-Fold, Hinge & Pivot Doors can be used in a recess or with a side panel.

Important terminology when choosing a shower door:

Door Adjustments

This is the tolerance for the finished tile measurements.
For example if you purchase a door that is 1200mm; the door will adjust down to 1170mm or to 1200mm; it will not adjust beyond either of those measurements. If you need 1220mm you will have to purchase an extension profile. If you need less than 1170mm you will need to purchase a smaller door.

If you are not sure about door measurements we recommend you contact us before making your purchase.

Please take care to order the correct size and handing of door if appropriate. We cannot accept returns of door where the box has been opened.

Extension profile

An extension profile increases the size of the shower door by 30mm.
For example if you have a shower door that is 1100mm and add one extension profile of 20mm, your door is now 1120mm.

Where to start when designing your shower enclosure:

1. You need to know how much space you have available; this will determine the choice of tray and shower door available to you.

2. Make a drawing of the room. Mark out where the door, radiator, windows and any other existing features that you’re keeping are. This will allow you to see exactly what space you have available.

3. Measure the floor area and the height of the room where you intended to install the shower enclosure. If you are going to tile or re-tile the area where the shower door and tray are being installed, measurements for the door and tray need to be taken after the tiles are installed.

4. Consider the space for the door. You also need to make sure you have enough space to open a shower door. This is important if you’re thinking of a pivot or hinge shower door. If there isn’t enough space, then a sliding or bi-fold door would be better.

5. When you have decided what enclosure & valves you fancy, speak to your plumber and check they are all compatible with your water system.

6. Please take care to order the correct size and handing of door if appropriate. We cannot accept returns of doors where the box has been opened.

Trust Lily Bain to send you quality products, have a professional fit the Valve, Tray & Door and

ENJOY!