Category Archives: Product

A Buyer’s Guide to Shower Enclosures

Choosing the right shower enclosure can significantly impact the aesthetics and functionality of your bathroom. With a myriad of options available, selecting the right one for your bathroom requires careful consideration. In this buyer’s guide, Mike Gahir, Lakes Showering Spaces, explores the factors you should keep in mind when choosing the perfect enclosure to suit your bathroom space and personal style.

  1. Consider the space available: Is the shower enclosure for an ensuite or the main family bathroom? This can influence the type of enclosure that’s right for your requirements. It’s also important to take accurate measurements of your bathrooms before you decide which enclosure to choose. You will need to consider all dimensions including ceiling height. You will also need to think carefully about where the enclosure will be installed in the room as this will affect which type you choose. Will it be in the corner of a room or in a central position against the wall?
  1. Budget considerations: Your budget is a crucial factor in the decision-making process. Remember that while premium materials and features can enhance the overall appeal, there are also budget-friendly options available that still offer durability and style.
  1. Style and Aesthetics: The style of your shower enclosure should complement the overall design of your bathroom. Whether you prefer a sleek and modern look or a classic and timeless feel, there’s an enclosure to match your taste. The most common types of enclosures include:

 

Sliding Door: Ideal for smaller bathrooms, sliding doors save space and offer easy access.

 

Quadrant: Quadrants are designed to fit perfectly in the corner of a bathroom or ensuite, making the most of all the space available. They normally come with sliding curved shower doors.

 

Pivot Door: Pivot doors rotate on a pin mechanism at the top and bottom of the door frame. The door opens outwards into the bathroom, but because the far edge of the door swings backwards into the shower, they need less clearance than a hinged door.

 

Hinged Door: A hinged shower door opens into the room – something to consider when planning the layout of your bathroom. Best for spacious bathrooms, hinged doors offer wide access to the shower.

 

Bifold Door: Bi-folds consist of two or more glass panels. Generally, one glass panel is fixed to the shower surround, while the other panels fold in on its hinges. These are a great option when space is at a premium, as the door folds completely into the enclosure.

 

Side Panel: Shower glass side panels are individual glass panels that can be used to create unique shower enclosures. Side panels joined with a door to create a bespoke shower enclosure perfect for your bathroom.

 

Walk-In: The popularity of walk-in and walk-through showers have grown significantly, driven by a desire to achieve a wet room look without the expense of tanking the floor and walls. Comprising a simple glass panel teamed with a low-profile or concealed underfloor shower tray, one end is left open allowing you to ‘walk-in’, or both ends are left open to ‘walk-through.’

 

Frameless: These provide a modern and sleek look with minimal hardware. Planes of clear glass create the illusion of more space with clean lines that flow right the way through.

 

Semi-Frameless: These combine the best of both worlds. A semi-frameless enclosure has framing on each side of the larger piece, but not around the door panel.

  1. Functionality and Accessibility: The functionality of your shower enclosure is paramount. Consider factors such as ease of access, especially if you have family members with mobility concerns. Sliding or pivot doors are great for compact spaces, while walk-in enclosures provide a barrier-free entry. Additionally, think about the cleaning and maintenance requirements of different enclosure types. Frameless enclosures, for example, are not only stylish but also easier to clean due to fewer nooks and crannies.
  1. Maintenance and Cleaning: Shower enclosures are subjected to water and soap residue daily, so ease of cleaning is a vital consideration. Additionally, choosing glass with protective coatings can help prevent water spots and mineral build up, making your cleaning routine more manageable. All Lakes glass enclosures come with AllClear protective coating as standard.
  1. Professional Installation: Unless you’re experienced in DIY projects, it’s recommended that your shower enclosure is professionally installed. Proper installation ensures the enclosure is stable, safe to use and won’t leak.

With the exception of the Prospect Range, which has a 10-year guarantee, all Lakes own manufactured products are back by a unique no-quibble guarantee. Download the brochure www.lakesshoweringspaces.com

Top-Of-The-Range Black Finish Option Added To Lakes ‘Popular’ Wave Collection

Lakes, the leading manufacturer of innovative showering spaces, has updated its popular Wave Collection to include a top-of-the-range high spec black finish option.

The Wave Collection, which was launched in June 2022, is precision engineered to the highest standards, with great attention to detail throughout and has previously been in a contemporary stunning silver finish as standard.

Now, the Lakes team has updated the range to reflect the growing popularity of the use of black in showering spaces – loved by many for its enveloping feel and timeless, sophisticated aesthetic.

The Wave Collection focusses on the use of 8mm glass for a great balance between strength and lightness.

The versatile collection includes most showering space styles and features hinged, quadrant, slider, and bi-fold door options as well as a side panel which can be combined with the hinged, slider and bifold doors.

 

Reassuringly sturdy, while minimising weight to save resources, the strong frames mean there is no compromise in the quality or performance of the showering space, while retaining simplicity and ease of handling for installers when carrying and manoeuvring it into position in confined spaces.

The process of introducing the Wave Black range – which is now stocked by Lakes and available to order – wasn’t simply a case of putting a lick of paint on its current Wave stock.

In line with Lakes’ commitment to quality, the colouration was a focused and detailed operation built around creating a durable finish that would stand the test of time.

Managing Director Bev Brown says: “The ever-changing landscape of bathroom trends is always so exciting to observe and be a part of, but some styles are just timeless.

“Over the last couple of years, it has become clear that black is here to stay; it has transformed from a trend to a staple.

“With that in mind, we wanted to update the Wave range to reflect this, providing an alternative with the highest quality black finish available.

“Attention to detail is important for many homeowners, which is why our Wave Collection design has been developed with precision engineering, allowing customers to achieve the perfect balance of functionality and style.

“The option of Wave in matt black gives customers even more choice and freedom to design their dream showering space.

“This new collection will help refresh showrooms and drive sales for national merchants and stockists.”

All Lakes products are backed by a unique no-quibble guarantee.

To add Lakes’ new Wave Collection to your display, call 01684 853 870.

Download the Wave Collection Here..

Lakes Introduces Wave Brushed Brass Range

Lakes, the leading manufacturer of innovative showering spaces, has expanded its popular Wave Collection to include a high spec brushed brass finish.

After the successful launch of Wave Black earlier in 2023, the popular range’s brushed brass offering is now available, reflecting the growing popularity of the trend amongst designers and homeowners.

The Wave Collection was launched in June 2022 and features hinged, quadrant, slider, and bi-fold door options as well as a side panel which can be combined with the hinged, slider and bifold doors. 

It was initially launched in a contemporary stunning silver finish as standard, with black and now brushed brass offered.

Reassuringly sturdy, while minimising weight to save resources, the Wave collection’s strong frames mean there is no compromise in the quality or performance of the showering space, while retaining simplicity and ease of handling for installers when carrying and manoeuvring it into position in confined spaces. 

The Brushed Brass colouration process was built around creating a durable finish that would stand the test of time, in line with Lakes’ wider commitment to quality.

Managing Director Mike Gahir says: “The Wave collection is precision engineered to the highest standards, with great attention to detail throughout to offer the perfect balance of functionality and style.

“The addition of a brushed brass option to the range is one we are particularly excited about as it is such a sought-after style right now.

“Its popularity has grown consistently over the past few years and it’s here to stay now, so we’re delighted to support our customers across the UK by introducing it to our Wave range.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Wave brushed brass in showrooms across the UK and seeing the final results when installed in homes.”

All Lakes products are backed by a unique no-quibble guarantee. 

To learn more about Wave Brushed Brass, visit lakesshoweringspaces.com/collection/wave/

or call 01684 853 870. 

Lakes Launches ‘Wave Wins Prizes’ Campaign

Merchants and retailers could win major prizes – including a holiday – as part of a new campaign from leading shower enclosure manufacturer Lakes.

To mark the new showroom exclusive Wave Black and Silver range, Lakes is launching its ‘Wave Wins Prizes’ programme for displaying customers, with installers or consumers purchasing either enclosure also in with a chance of winning.

A monthly prize draw from September will see three invoices drawn from Wave sales paid in that month, with winning merchants and retailers able to claim up to £500 of Lakes product and buyers gifted with up to £500 of vouchers for electrical retailer AO.com.

Each purchase of a complete Wave enclosure equals one entry, meaning that merchants and retailers completing multiple purchases will have multiple chances to win.

In addition, a further draw will be held twice a year for all invoiced merchant or retailer sales covering the previous six month period, with a holiday up to the value of £3000 going to a randomly selected winner.

Darren Bedford, Sales Director at Lakes, said: “We’re excited to launch Wave Wins Prizes, which we think is a great way to support Lakes customers and launch our showroom exclusive Wave range with a bang!

“Not only is it a chance to really add an extra layer of excitement to purchasing from our Wave range, it is going to allow us to build a greater connection with customers, which is crucial in everything we do.”

The Wave collection, which was launched in striking matt black earlier this year, strikes a perfect balance between function and stylish design. The collection includes quadrants, hinged doors, slider doors, side panels and bi-fold doors.

The range is set to expand further with the inclusion of a brushed brass option for customers launching in Q3 of 2023.