Sally is a Bathroom Products Manufacturer from China. With 26 years manufacturing of shower enclosures and sanitary wares, Sally now has grown up to be a international company.
In the previous two articles, we discussed the key components of shower enclosures: Glass and Aluminum Alloy Profiles. In this chapter, we will focus on introducing other hardware materials and accessories for shower enclosures.
The hardware accessories of shower enclosures are crucial components for realizing various functions and designs. These accessories include various types of rollers, shower door handles, hinges, glass clamps, wall mounts, waterproof strips, and so on. They are not only decorative elements but also essential for achieving the basic functions of the shower enclosure.
The main fittings for shower enclosures include the following:
4. Waterproof seals, magnetic strips
1. Stainless steel fittings
(handles, diagonal braces, glass clamps, support bars, hinges, hanging clips, wall-mounted locks, and so on)
In shower enclosures, stainless steel fittings are commonly made from 304 stainless steel material. 304 stainless steel, as a commonly used metal material, possesses the following characteristics:
Shower Enclosure Stainless Steel Handles
1. Corrosion resistance: 304 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for long-term use in damp shower enclosures without easily rusting.
Shower Enclosure Hinge
2. High strength: 304 stainless steel has high strength, capable of withstanding common usage and impact in shower enclosures without easily deforming or damaging.
Shower Enclosure Wall Mounted Lock
3. Aesthetic durability: This material has a bright appearance, easy to clean, and is resistant to water stains or scale buildup, maintaining the aesthetic and cleanliness of the shower enclosure.
Shower Enclosure Support Bar
304 stainless steel is often used for various fittings in shower enclosures, including handles, diagonal braces, glass clamps, support bars, hinges, hanging clips, and so on.
Shower Enclosure Glass Clamps
Question:
Some readers may wonder why not use aluminum alloy profiles instead of 304 stainless steel. Aluminum alloy profiles and 304 stainless steel have many similar properties.
Answer:
When comparing commonly used 6063 aluminum alloy profiles with 304 stainless steel, the hardness of stainless steel is much higher than that of aluminum alloy profiles.
Metal Hardness
The hardness of 6063 aluminum alloy profiles is generally around 75-85HB. The hardness of 304 stainless steel can reach as high as 187HB. Compared to aluminum alloy profiles, the hardness of 304 stainless steel is much higher.
Therefore, in shower enclosures, components subjected to strong forces need to be made of 304 stainless steel, such as diagonal braces, glass clamps, support bars, hinges, hanging clips, wall-mounted locks, and so on. However, the handles of shower doors can be made of aluminum alloy profiles.
In terms of procurement cost, the cost of purchasing 304 stainless steel is higher for shower enclosure manufacturing companies compared to aluminum alloy profiles.
Vacuum Ion Plating Coloring and 3D Engraving Processes
304 stainless steel can also undergo vacuum ion plating coloring and 3D engraving processes, enabling the metal fittings to be treated with different colors and patterns to meet the market demand for high-end shower enclosures.
2. Copper Fittings
(handles, glass clamps, hinges, wall-mounted locks)
Currently, some high-end shower enclosures opt for copper fittings. Because copper metal boasts a golden-yellow hue similar to gold, the following fittings in the shower enclosure utilize grade 62 copper: handles, glass clamps, hinges, and wall-mounted locks.
Shower Enclosure Handles
Question:
Some readers may wonder why there are far fewer types of copper fittings than stainless steel fittings in shower enclosures.
Shower Enclosure Glass Clamp
Answer:
As materials for shower enclosure components, in terms of hardness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and procurement cost, the performance of 62 copper is inferior to that of 304 stainless steel. Therefore, copper components cannot be used for some heavily stressed fittings.
However, because copper still appeals to a considerable user base due to its appearance and texture, some shower enclosure companies switched to 62 copper fittings to meet the demands of high-end customers.
Shower Enclosure Hinge
3. Rollers
(small rollers, big rollers)
In sliding-door shower enclosures, rollers are crucial components often overlooked by both consumers and dealers. High-quality rollers can effectively enhance the usability of the shower enclosure. It can be said that rollers essentially determine the lifespan of sliding door shower enclosures.
Shower enclosure rollers are divided into big rollers and small rollers, with shower enclosure manufacturers typically using different sizes of rollers for shower enclosures with different glass thicknesses.
Shower Enclosure Big Rollers
(1) Big Rollers
Most big rollers are made of stainless steel. Due to their ability to withstand heavier glass, big rollers are generally used in sliding door shower enclosures with glass thicknesses ranging from 8mm to 12mm.
(2) Small Rollers
Compared to big rollers, small rollers use nylon as the roller material, thus supporting lower weights. Therefore, small rollers are typically used in sliding door shower enclosures with glass thicknesses ranging from 5mm to 6mm.
One of the most important components in rollers is the bearing. Bearings reduce friction and enable smooth rotation of the rollers, which is crucial for roller performance.
SALLY Shower Enclosure Small Rollers
SALLY shower enclosures use AISI 440C stainless steel for roller bearings. AISI 440C stainless steel offers better hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness compared to other grades of stainless steel. Good bearings ensure smooth roller operation, reduce energy loss and extend the lifespan of the rollers.
Shower Enclosure Small Rollers
SALLY shower enclosures feature a quick-installation design, allowing users to easily replace universal roller components in the future, significantly extending the lifespan of the shower enclosure.
4. Waterproof Seals and Magnetic Strips
4.1 Waterproof Seals
The waterproof seals in shower enclosures generally consist of two main components: a rigid part and a flexible part.
Waterproof Seals
(1) Rigid Part: The rigid part is usually located inside or at the bottom of the waterproof seal, providing structural support and stability. It is typically made of sturdy materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or other plastic materials. The rigid part helps the waterproof seal maintain its shape and size, while also providing additional support to ensure better adherence to the shower enclosure door or door frame.
Waterproof Seals
(2) Flexible Part: The flexible part is located outside or at the top of the waterproof seal, often connected to or wrapped around the rigid part. It is typically made of flexible materials such as EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) or nitrile rubber. The flexible part offers good flexibility and elasticity, effectively filling gaps in the door and sealing it against the door frame or door, preventing water from seeping out of the shower enclosure.
SALLY Waterproof Seals
By combining the rigid and flexible parts, the waterproof seal provides both structural support and flexible sealing, ensuring excellent sealing performance for the shower enclosure door and preventing moisture leakage from the shower enclosure.
4.2 Magnetic Strips
Usually, magnetic strips are placed within the rigid part of the waterproof seal. This is primarily done to ensure that the magnetic strip receives sufficient support and stability. Specifically, the role of the magnetic strip in the shower enclosure's waterproof seal includes:
Magnetic Strips
(1) Providing adhesion: The magnetic strip can generate magnetic attraction with the metal surface on the shower enclosure door or door frame, securely adhering to the shower enclosure door in the closed position, ensuring sealing performance.
(2) Enhancing sealing performance: While adhering to the shower enclosure door or door frame, the magnetic strip helps create a tighter seal between the waterproof seal and the door, preventing water from seeping out of the shower enclosure through the door gap.
Magnetic Strips
(3) Stabilizing the position of the seal: The magnetic force of the magnetic strip stabilizes the position of the waterproof seal, preventing it from shifting or deforming easily and ensuring long-lasting sealing effectiveness.
Magnetic Strips
Magnetic materials are typically made from iron oxide (Fe3O4, Fe2O3) or barium oxide (BaO). These magnetic materials are then incorporated into various materials to impart magnetism. In shower enclosure waterproof seals, iron oxide magnetic strips generally exhibit strong magnetic properties, effectively adhering to the metal surface of the door frame or door, ensuring sealing effectiveness.
In Summary
In the same type of shower enclosure products, even though there isn't much cost difference between the glass and frame materials, hardware components like fittings play a crucial role in enhancing the quality and sophistication of the shower enclosures. Therefore, elevating the product's level and sophistication, it's usually only achievable through optimizing the hardware fittings and product design.
I'm Jessica Liang, thrilled to join Sally Bathrooms. As a Marketing Assistant, I excel in copywriting, market analysis, and intelligence gathering. With rich writing experience, I craft compelling stories for products and brands. Through market analysis and intelligence gathering, I provide reliable decision-making support. I also collaborate with the sales team to achieve sales targets. Excited to contribute to Sally Bathrooms' growth!
