In this article, Ann Boardman, Customer Services and Marketing Manager for Saniflo UK, looks at what Housing Associations can do to give tenants a dream bathroom whilst saving time, money and hassle. 

The benefits and beauty of shower cubicles are often overlooked as many people misunderstand the benefits of cubicles over enclosures. Cubicles offer a swift and efficient showering solution for any shape or size of bathroom. In some cases, you can have a watertight space, complete with the shower, controls and doors fitted and ready to enjoy in less than two hours.

For Housing Associations this means you can do a great job in very little time, causing minimum disruption and mess for tenants in cases of refurbishment projects and have new projects finished less time.

All Saniflo shower cubicles can be fitted without silicone. In the humid environment of the bathroom, silicone will deteriorate and discolour without constant maintenance. Our wall panels are cleverly designed to fit snugly within the shower tray.

Saniflo also offers a leak free promise. With our shower cubicles the water simply runs down the inside of the shower with no chance of escape. And as there’s no need for tiling or grouting, so your tenants’ showers will stay looking as pristine as the day they were installed.

We also use Cristal Plus Glass. Cristal Plus is a permanent, anti-limescale coating that minimises the build-up of calcium deposits and dirt on glass, reducing the need to clean. This transparent chemical treatment is resistant to hot water and UV rays, encouraging water to run off the glass without leaving streaks or water marks.

Installing a Saniflo shower cubicle really is as easy as A, B, C: assemble, bolt together and connect to waste and water and add the doors.

As with fitting any shower there are just three main considerations: floor construction; waterproofing, and drainage. The quality and reliability of the products used are essential. And if you don’t have mains drainage where you want to fit your shower cubicle, providing a water supply can reach there, we have a wide range of pumps that can pump all water away quickly and quietly without needing to worry about costly, time consuming and expensive ground works.

At Saniflo, we’re finding that in many cases Housing Associations are opting for self-contained shower cubicles designed especially to fit in exactly the same space as a standard bath. They love the Saniflo Kinemagic, which is available as a corner or recessed cubicle, and features cool, sleek glass panels and an attractive anodised finish. This high quality, all-in-one shower cubicle has been designed to fit in exactly the same space as an old bath and has an integrated thermostatic shower control.

Also popular with Housing Associations is the Kinemagic Serenity, which is perfect for less able members of the household. Serenity has also been designed to fit in exactly the same space as an old bath. With integrated thermostatic shower control, a fold-down, anti-slip flooring and secure grab bars, it provides a safe showering experience. The 30mm shower tray threshold guarantees easy entry into the cubicle and the cool-touch thermostatic shower is simple to use and operate and with two options for height of overhead rain shower.

Another firm favourite is the Kineprime with its sturdy plastic interior, plus integrated shower tray, thermostatic shower valve, hose and handset. The Kineprime can often be installed in just a couple of hours. The units are available in a range of styles and sizes to suit every bathroom design including quadrant, recessed and corner.

And for those who need to provide assisted showering, the Sanidoor is very popular with its shower walls that facilitate different openings: half-door, regular door, and fixed wall. Opening the upper half of the door allows easy access for helping a less disabled person or a child take a shower in a comfortable, attractive setting. These walls come in three models that can be adapted to all types of shower stall floors: half-door, regular door, fixed wall; for the layout you choose and personalised accessibility.