Comparison GM 217 80x80 vs AquaStream Junior 80x80

Type determines design and functionality of shower enclosure.Found as simple varieties in the form of shower cabin, shower cabin, shower box with bathtube, and more advanced hydromassage cabins, hydromassage boxes (meet and double hydromassage boxes), hydromassage boxes with bathtub. More about each of them:

— Shower enclosures. This category includes the simplest models: «fences», which have no roof (in this main difference from the boxes, see below) and are not equipped with hydromassage racks. With rare exceptions, have 2, less frequently 3 walls (cf. «Walls»). The main advantage of this type is a low price: it is the optimal choice for not demanding users who do not want to overpay for an abundance of «in turn».

— Hydromassage cabin. Like classic shower cabins (see above), models of this type do not have a roof; however, their equipment includes a hydromassage rack (more about hydromassage, see «Functions»). They are a compromise between inexpensive cabins and advanced whirlpools (see below).

— Hydromassage box. The main feature of this type of shower cabin is closed on all sides structure: 4 walls, pallet and roof. This provides the possibility of installation (almost all the boxes are put in this way, see more. «Installation»), and also allows you to apply various additional features - Turkish bath, tropical shower, aromatherapy, etc. (more see «Functions»). An essential feature of any hydromassage box is the presence of a hydromassage rack. There are two-seater models, which are much larger in size, have two shower sets and are often equipped with two chairs.

— Hydromassage box with bathtub. ...Variety of boxes (see above), in which the tray is actually a bath. The bathroom means a deep container designed to be able to lie down with ease (or sit with legs extended), see more about it. The depth of the pallet. The presence of the bath correspondingly expands the possibilities of boxing - in particular, it would not have been possible to implement the function of horizontal hydro massage (see «Functions»). In particular, it would have been impossible to implement the function of horizontal hydromassage.

— Shower box. Type of enclosed shower cabin, no hydromassage (see «Functions»). Other additional features (see ibid. also), as a rule, too, but the distinctive feature of this type is precisely the lack of hydromassage.

— Double box. Double jetted box is designed for simultaneous use by two people. For this it is equipped with two headsets or two chairs (depends on the configuration). Read more about the type of whirlpool box in the appropriate selection point.

— Shower box with bathtub. Models similar in design to the above described hydromassage boxes with a bath and distinguished by an exceptional lack of hydromassage. They are somewhat cheaper, but in general they are still quite «expensive pleasure».

Thickness of glass or plastic (cf. «Walls material») from which the cabin walls are made.

The thicker the glass - the stronger it is, the less likely it is to damage the wall as a result of an accident like a collision with a solid object. On the other hand, large wall thicknesses increase the weight and cost of the device. The minimum glass thickness for modern showers is 3 mm, and the maximum can reach 8 mm.

— Vertical hydromassage. Hydromassage is a massage performed with water jets; it is provided by special injectors shower cabin. The word «vertical» is connected with the position of the body during the massage; simply put, it is necessary to stand, in extreme case - to sit. It is not as comfortable as lying down, but does not require a bath, and the rack with injectors for vertical massage can be installed even in a small shower cabin. Massage itself can play a different role: both toning, promoting awakening, and relaxing. This depends on the force of the impact and the temperature of the water, both of which are usually regulated. It should be borne in mind that in most cases for the normal operation of the hydromassage requires a fairly high water pressure at the input - about 4-5 atm. Not all plumbing provides such pressure; therefore, if you want to buy a cabin with this function, it is necessary to make sure in advance of its correct operation.

— Horizontal hydromassage. Presence of horizontal hydromassage function. It is in many ways similar to vertical (see above), except that in this case, during the massage you need to be located horizontally, lying in the bathroom. In the bathroom. Accordingly, this possibility occurs only in the variety of cabins that have a built-in bath (cf. «Type»).

— Foot hydromassage. The possibility of operating the cabin in...foot massage mode, usually at the level of feet and calves. For this purpose, special nozzles are provided in the design. For more information about the hydromassage in general, see. «Vertical Hydromassage» above; here we note that this function will be especially useful for those who have to move a lot on foot, and on the legs a significant load.

— Air massage. This type of massage is carried out with the help of a large number of small air bubbles, which are generated by nozzles and rise through the water, while contacting the skin. Accordingly, it is possible to realize such a function only in the showers, where there is a full bath (cf. «Type»). Air massage itself is very useful for relaxation - it causes pleasant sensations in the body; in addition, it contributes to the absorption of useful substances dissolved in water (for example, curative salts). In the latter case, it is recommended to combine this function with hydromassage (see above). It is recommended to combine this function.

— Cascade shower. A kind of shower, in which water is poured on the cockpit man not with jets, but a continuous stream - similar to how it happens when you are under a waterfall. This, among other things, helps to improve the mood and normalize health: in a depressed state helps to cheer up, in a tense - to relax. The effectiveness of the cascade shower can be assessed at least in the fact that in many sanatoriums it is used as a health procedure.

— Overhead shower (tropical). It is a specific type of shower, to some extent imitating rain: water does not come from a separate nozzle, but from a special lattice that occupies a large area on the roof of the cabin. At the same time, instead of a concentrated jet at the output produced small trickles or even drops, which promotes relaxation and allows you to effectively use aromatic oils together with water (see «Aromatherapy» below). Tropical showers are usually equipped with boxes (see «Type») premium class, and in some models with this option may not have a traditional shower head at all.

— Aromatherapy. This function allows you to create a pleasant smell inside the shower cabin with special aromatic oils or balms. Special containers are provided for such substances in the design. Aromatherapy is most often realized when working in a tropical shower mode (see above) or a Turkish bath (see below). Aromatic substances enter together with steam or small drops of water. The range of application of aromas is quite wide: some oils contribute to cheerfulness and tone, others - relax and soothe, the third is considered useful for the prevention of colds, etc.

— Ozonation. The presence of ozone in the shower room - ozone saturation. Ozone is a substance whose molecule consists of three oxygen atoms (in «ordinary» oxygen required for breathing, diatomic molecules). It is a powerful disinfectant - it destroys all known microorganisms, including viruses, which ensures cleanliness and no unpleasant odors in the shower cabinet. In this case, ozone acts very quickly and with a minimum of side effects, because it quickly turns into normal oxygen. It can be used in the process. In addition, the slight smell of ozone creates a feeling of freshness. However, it must be taken into account that the substance is safe for humans only at very low concentrations. And therefore, before using the shower cabin with ozonator should carefully read the safety measures written in the documentation of the manufacturer. Ozone is usually fitted to the boxes (cf. «Type»)

— Turkish bath. Possibility of working shower cabin in the mode of Turkish bath («hamam»). In such a bath, a large number of heated steam is fed inside; thanks to this, the humidity is maintained at 100%, but the temperature is relatively low (40 - 60 C). It is believed that the hammam has a beneficial effect on health, in particular, provides a very good cleansing of the skin; it is suitable even for those who do not tolerate the characteristic of other types of baths (for example, saunas) high temperatures. For technical reasons, this function can only be in boxes (cf. «Type»).

— Backlight. The shower cabin has its own lighting system. It provides more «targeted» lighting than the external light source in the bathroom, and allows you not to worry about the placement of the cabin and enough light inside. And the most advanced models can have a backlight with the possibility of automatic color change - it is believed that this promotes relaxation.

— Ventilation. This function is used in closed boxes (cf. «Type») and is realized by the built-in fan. Its main purpose is to air the cabin after water treatments, so that because of the increased humidity inside did not appear stains and unpleasant odors. And in models with Turkish sauna or sauna regimes (see above), the fan can also ensure even steam distribution.

— Timer. This feature provides automatic shutdown of the shower cabin after a certain time. Thanks to the timer you can not worry that you overheat in the sauna, get involved in air massage (and late somewhere) etc.: just set the right time on the timer, and the cabin itself will turn off on time.

The number of vertical hydromassage nozzles (excluding the nozzle in the bathroom). This determines the type and intensity of the hydromassage. In showers the number of hydromassage nozzles can reach 15 and even 20 pieces, but the average shower box has within 6-8 injectors. Models with a large number of hydromassage nozzles can use different nozzles, and the total number of nozzles will affect the features of the massage. When calculating the number of injectors, it should be borne in mind that nozzles can be heterogeneous. In the shower enclosures, a number of rotary nozzles can be used in parallel with standard nozzles.

— Bath tap. Bath mixer included in the shower enclosure supply. For obvious reasons, it is only found among bathroom boxes (see «Type»). This will save you the need to purchase a mixer separately; in addition, the complete one will be guaranteed, while the installation of the purchase may be difficult.

— Hand shower. The presence of a shower box in the supply of the cabin (usually, the kit includes both a nozzle and a hose). Thanks to this, you do not have to buy a waterproof box separately, and the standard version is optimal for both design and design.

— Shampoo dispenser. Cockpit has its own shampoo dispenser. Actually, the name is quite conventional - this device can be used for any liquid bath products (liquid soap, shower gel, balsam, etc.). The main convenience of the dispenser is that you do not have to deal with bottles (which can fall, be out of the cabin at the right moment, etc.). In advanced models of dispensers can be several.

— Built-in radio. The built-in radio will allow you to listen to radio broadcasts directly during swimming - through a water-resistant speaker, left inside the cabin. Most often, models with this function are designed for melomans and equipped with an FM-band tuner, but there may be options with a wider range of frequencies.

— Spea...kerphone. This function is realized due to the speakers and microphone installed in the shower room - they can be connected to a telephone line and communicate on the phone right during water procedures. This will be useful for friendly conversations, and in order not to miss important business calls (though, in the latter case, you should be careful - for example, to turn off the water in time). Loudspeaking occurs mainly in top-class models.

- Bluetooth. Availability of a wireless module to connect to the acoustics of the sauna smartphone, tablet or other media of music content.

— Display. The presence of own display in the cabin design is usually the simplest single color LCD screen, although there are exceptions. The display is used to display service information: the selected operating mode, hours, timer settings and remaining time, notification of faults, etc. This makes the use of the cabin more convenient, and the control - simple and visible.

— Electronic control. With this function, the cab is controlled by special electronic circuits. Simply put, instead of, for example, turning the tap manually, the user presses a button, and the electronics command the automatic valve. This is more convenient than mechanical control, and the functionality of such cabins is much broader - say, you can set the desired temperature, and the device itself will adjust the ratio of hot and cold water. On the other hand, the advanced design affects the price accordingly.

— Panel backlit. The presence of a separate lighting system of the control panel of the shower cabin. The role of such illumination is mainly decorative - it gives the design an original look. At the same time, illumination can be useful for people with low vision and/or poor external lighting.

— Towel holder. The design of the shower enclosure has its own towel rack; this will save you the trouble of finding and installing a separate towel carrier. The hanger is usually located outside so that the shower spray does not hit the towel, and at the same time it could be easily reached without leaving the cabin.

— Siphon. Equipped with a siphon (curved drain pipe) eliminates the need to buy a siphon separately, especially since the complete pipe is optimal for the pallet in size. However, it is not impossible to specify the size of the complete siphon and check how it will fit into the intended installation site.

— Mirror. The presence of a mirror in the shower cabinet will be useful first of all for various cosmetic procedures - applying masks, shaving, hair coloring, etc.

— Shelves. The shelves inside the shower can be used to accommodate various bath accessories: soap, shampoos, shower gels, washcloths, etc.

— Seat. With its own seat in the shower, you can take a relaxed position - not as comfortable as in the bath, but more pleasant than standing on your feet. Such a seat may be an element of the cab itself (in this case it is usually foldable) or be supplied with it as a separate chair. In models with the possibility of hydromassage (cf. «Functions»), this function is realized in such a way that under the jets of water was convenient to both stand and sit.

— Headrest. Special headrest installed in the model with bath (see «Type»). It plays the role of a pillow and allows you to comfortably place your head, lying in the bath - for maximum relaxation.