Q. Which are the elements to be taken into consideration when choosing a shower enclosure?
A. A shower enclosure is today understood as a basic item in bathroom furnishings. Apart from aesthetic considerations, which may be subjective, when choosing your shower enclosure we recommend to carefully examine the technical and practical aspects that can ensure a better use of the product.
There are many solutions for the opening: with inner door, outer door, sliding or folding door, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to take into account possible impediments on the outside (sanitary fittings, radiators, towel warmers, entrance doors…), or inside (projecting taps, special shower heads, shelves…), which might obstruct proper opening.
On many models the opening side is not reversible and has to be stated at the order; in any case, it is always advisable to choose an opening that allows easy access and makes it easy to reach out for the bathrobe avoiding unpleasant thermal shocks at the end of the shower.
In bathrooms of a particularly narrow size or with little room to move about, an option might be that of choosing round or pentagonal shower enclosures, which ensure comfort, but at the same time require little space thanks to their shape.

Q. Is it possible to build a made-to-measure shower?
A.Vismaravetro can customize any shower enclosure to best meet the specific requirements of any bathroom. Our technical department and our long experience gained in the course of 60 years of business enable us to offer special solutions in a relatively short time.
Side attachments, small walls, sloped ceilings, special heights, just to mention the most frequent cases, are daily solved to offer aesthetically and practically refined solutions.

Q. Do you manufacture shower enclosures for disabled persons?
A.Vismaravetro has always taken into consideration the needs of disabled or elderly persons with motor difficulties. We are able to offer custom-made solutions, always complying with regulations and without having to give up the use of objects perfectly fitting into the bathroom architecture, with a high aesthetic value and all the practical qualities specific needs are calling for.

Q. Can I install the shower enclosure directly on the floor?
A.Vismaravetro shower enclosures can be installed on any flat surface ready to house a shower. Therefore, they can be installed on shower trays, marble, tiles, stone, wood etc. No hole is required on the surface the shower enclosure is meant to be placed upon. Curiously, abroad this is known as an “Italian” kind of installation.

Q. When do I have to take the measurements, before or after the tiles are laid?
A. All measurements have to be taken when the masonry is finished and the facing has already been laid.
Actually, the size of the shower can vary depending on the thickness of the tiles, on how deep the tray is built into the wall and on the angle between the two walls.

Q. Which are the measurements I have to take?
A. In the event of masonry niches, it is advisable to take the measurements at three levels:
at a height of 20 cm, one metre and about 180 cm from the shower tray, so as to be able to determine the verticality of the walls. In the case of corner trays, the measurement to be taken is that on the outside of the shower tray, namely between the laid tiles and the outer edge of the tray itself. Moreover, special conditions have to be pointed out: relief decorations, specially shaped shower trays, tap dimensions etc...

Q. Can I install the shower enclosure on any kind of shower tray?
A. Vismaravetro products are designed to be compatible with standard shower trays available on the market, as long as they are correctly installed on an even surface. The usable minimum and maximum dimensions depend on the selected style.

Q. Can any kind of round shower tray be used?
A.We manufacture curved shower enclosure models for the most commonly marketed shower trays. To verify the compatibility with your shower tray, please refer to the sections dedicated to shower enclosures with Round corner installation and Round wall installation.

Q. Can multi-functional columns be used with any kind of boiler?
A.The operating conditions for the correct functioning of the Babele and Idros columns are the following:
- minimum pressure 2 bars; max pressure 4 bars (in the event of a pressure exceeding 4 bars, the use of a pressure reducer is recommended)
- maximum difference in pressure between hot and cold water +1 bar
- minimum hot water temperature 55°C
- in the case of boilers with a low hot water flow, the use of a thermostatic mixer is not recommended.

Q. Can I install a Vismaravetro shower enclosure myself?
A.Our products can easily be installed by whoever has good manual skills and is familiar with drilling and sealing tools. The Idros shower enclosures and the Babele multi-functional column need water connections and therefore require some plumbing skills. However, we recommend installation by qualified personnel so as to obtain a well-installed and well-set product able to work at the best of its features. If not correctly installed, even the best shower enclosure may produce problems when working.

Q. Does Vismaravetro carry out installations?
A.For correct installation, we suggest you contact the Point of Sale you have bought the products from, or a Vismaravetro customer service centre. Please refer to the section Where to find our products to find your closest Vismaravetro Customer Service Centre.

Q. Is the fastening material included in the box?
A. Every Vismaravetro box includes screws and anchors in the amounts necessary for each model. The supplied anchors are suitable for fastening to masonry made of solid or perforated bricks. In the event the shower enclosure is supposed to be fastened to other materials (metal, plasterboard, slide-away door frames or other), it is recommended to use the proper anchors and screws.

Q. Which tools do I need to install the shower enclosure?
A.The tools needed to install a shower enclosure are the following:
- drill with Ø 6 mm bit
- cross-tip screwdriver
- flat-tip screwdriver (only for certain models)
- level
- Allen key set
- hacksaw (only for certain models)
- silicone, possibly with relevant gun

Q. Do I have to use silicone as a sealant for the shower enclosure?
A. For a better sealing of the shower enclosure it is recommended to spread a narrow amount of silicone along the outer edge of the shower enclosure, between the profiles and the tiles or the shower tray.
This ensures perfect waterproofing, also in the case of wall facings with an uneven surface or particularly deep tile seams.

Q. What kind of silicone should I use?
A. We recommend the use of transparent anti-mould silicone. Through the special tip, the silicone has to be squeezed on the outer edge between the profile and the tile; then, it is spread using a wet tool.
Please remember that so as to ensure a proper adhesion of the silicone, the surfaces have to be perfectly dry and the shower must not be used for 24 hours after installation.

Q. Am I supposed to seal the shower enclosure also on the inside?
A.The shower enclosures have to be sealed with silicone only on the outside. If silicone is applied only on the inside, the water possibly leaking through the profiles may reach the outside, whereas if both the inside and outside have been sealed, water might stagnate inside the profiles themselves.

Q. What should I do if the walls are out of plumb?
A. All our models are designed with special solutions to compensate possible wall anomalies. Even the latest models with profiles of a smaller size can be adjusted for about 20 mm on each side.

Q. What should I do if the tray is not level?
A. The proper working of the shower enclosure is guaranteed only if the shower tray is installed perfectly level. Out-of-level trays may cause water leakage and an abnormal wear of the gaskets.

Q. Can I install the shower enclosure in the presence of a slide-away door?
A. In the presence of a sliding door, it is often impossible to use the normal fastening systems. Depending on the situation, it is advisable to fasten the part directly to the walled frame of the door with metal screws, or use shorter screws and anchors if the usable thickness of the facing is adequate. Obviously, the screws must always be of stainless steel. The silicone, insufficient by itself, can help to stabilize the whole structure. It is definitely advisable to choose a model with a framed door.

Q. Can I install the shower enclosure on a plasterboard wall?
A. There are no contraindications to installing a shower enclosure on plasterboard walls. However, it is advisable to properly waterproof the wall and use the special anchors for plasterboard fastening.

Q. I lost the Vismaravetro instruction booklet. What can I do?
A. The instructions for the installation and maintenance of Vismaravetro products can be easily found on this website under the relevant section of each product, in the Download Area. Use Search by code for quick access to the specifications of your product and to view the relevant instruction booklet.

Q. Where can I buy Vismaravetro products?
A.We sell our products through a sales network of points of sale. Our products are to be found at upscale bathroom furniture stores, dealers of heating and sanitary systems and at major dealers of sanitary fittings and tiles.
Please refer to section “Where to find our products” to locate your closest Vismaravetro Authorized Dealer or Point of sale.

Q. Can I buy Vismaravetro products directly from the factory?
A. Our sales staff is at your disposal to give you information on our points of sale. Please refer to section “Where to find our products” to locate your closest Vismaravetro Authorized Dealer or Point of sale.

Q. Does Vismaravetro offer an after-sales service?
A. Vismaravetro is equipped with a widespread network of Technical Assistance Centres throughout the domestic territory. As experts with an in-depth knowledge of Vismaravetro products, these customer service centres can solve such problems as measurements, special installations, spare parts or special maintenance works. Please refer to section “Where to find our products” to locate your closest Vismaravetro Authorized Dealer or Customer Service Centre.

Q. Are Vismaravetro products covered by a guarantee?
A. All the products are guaranteed for 24 months from the date of purchase. Vismaravetro extends the guarantee in case of breaking of the glass panes up to 5 years, with the exclusion of shattering caused by impact, collisions during transportation or handling during installation.

Q. What is the product life of a shower enclosure?
A. The lifetime of a shower enclosure depends on numerous factors and it is hard to offer an accurate forecast. All the Vismaravetro components are subjected to a wear test equal to a minimum of 50,000 opening/closing cycles - much more than requested by regulations - which under standard conditions can be compared to approximately 30 years of product life. Proper maintenance and professional installation can sensibly extend this estimate.

Q. Is there any product certification?
A. As of September 1st, 2007, it will be mandatory for all shower enclosures sold in Europe to be EC-marked in compliance with regulation EN 14428, and they will have to meet strict requirements regarding their safety and functional aspects. So far, Vismaravetro has been operating in compliance with regulations EN 12150 regarding the safety of tempered glass, ISO 14001 regarding environmental protection, and ISO 9001:2000 as far as quality is concerned.

Q. What is tempered glass?
A. Tempered glass is glass that has been subjected to a special heating process reaching a temperature of 620°C with a subsequent sudden cooling achieved with the help of cold water jets.
Due to the thermal shock, a state of “compression” is produced on the surface of the glass plate, which causes an improvement of its mechanical resistance. If the toughened layer is scratched, tempered glass shatters into tiny, non-hazardous fragments. For this reason and for its great mechanical resistance it is considered a “safety glass”.

Q. Is tempered glass safe?
A. Tempered glass withstands impacts and bending 6 times as much as normal glass. Moreover, in case of breaking, it shatters into tiny parts making any serious injuries impossible. All the Vismaravetro glass panes comply with the strict EN 14428 safety regulations.

Q. Can I modify a tempered glass pane?
A. Tempered glass cannot undergo any kind of mechanical processing. Any attempt to pierce or reduce the size of the glass would result in the immediate shattering of the panel.

Q. What is a serigraph?
A. A serigraph is a decoration obtained by serigraphy using special heat-glazed enamels, which are baked at 700°C and will not change over time. It is produced on the glass surface on the outside of the shower enclosure. Please refer to the section Finishes and Materials to view the serigraphs proposed by Vismaravetro.

Q. Can I ask for custom-made serigraphs?
A. Custom-made decorations can be achieved through a specific stencil. However, the design has to be monochromatic and the colour areas have to be neat and without shades; shaded patterns cannot be printed.

Q. What is limescale?
A. The water supplied through our water systems contains calcium and magnesium minerals, which are responsible for its hardness. Heating up the water, the hardness produces a chemical reaction that forms calcium and magnesium carbonate (commonly called limescale), and carbon dioxide. Their amount and quality varies depending on the geographic area, producing water with a different “hardness". Limescale is the main factor that determines the scaling that builds up in the pipes and system, especially when the water is heated. Limescale is the result of the fact that these hardness salts settle when the water evaporates. The harder the water is, the more frequent and stronger is the limescale phenomenon.

Q. How can I eliminate limescale?
A. If there happen to be small limescale deposits, you can try to remove them using some vinegar, better if lukewarm, or water with lemon juice. Once applied onto the glass pane, leave it on to act for some time, then remove with a soft cloth applying a certain pressure, then rinse. It might be necessary to repeat this operation several times. The use of excessively aggressive products is not recommended, because they may cause damage to the finish of the aluminium profiles.

Q. What is TPA (“Trattamento Preventivo Anticalcare”, Preventive Treatment against Limescale Deposits)?
A. Vismaravetro employs the innovative TPA technology in the protection of the glass panes of shower enclosures. The treatment consists in applying a special polymer that considerably reduces the adhesion of limescale to the glass panes. Applied to the glass panes of shower enclosures, the TPA system makes cleaning easier and reduces the aggressive action of limescale residues and dirt in general.
The effectiveness of the treatment depends on how often the shower enclosure is used and on the relevant maintenance, which has to be carried out with the suitable products.
The chemical and physical features of the water and especially its hardness may affect the effectiveness of the treatment (4/5 years).

Q. How am I supposed to clean the glass panes of the shower enclosure?
A.- If possible, the shower enclosure should be wiped dry after use: this simple operation will avoid the forming of lime stains.
- For cleaning use liquid detergents and water, and a soft cloth or sponge
Avoid paste or abrasive detergents.
- Do not clean the aluminium parts with aggressive products. Avoid the use of bleach, alcohol, acetone, solvents or particularly acid products.
- In the case of TPA-treated glass panes, cleaning is easier: a cloth and natural products are perfect. Always avoid the use of anti-limescale products containing silicone, which nullifies the TPA effect.

Q. How do I clean the TPA-treated glass panes of a shower enclosure?
A.- If possible, the shower enclosure should always be wiped dry after use.
- Use a soft cloth with water to remove lime deposits.
- The use of a glass wiping spatula makes it easier to remove the residual water drops or the water film still left over on the panels. For this purpose, Vismaravetro worked our Virgola, an especially designed tool.
- DO NOT use paste or abrasive products.
- DO NOT use bleach, alcohol, acetone, various solvents or particularly acid products (as aggressive limescale removers or liquids meant for unclogging drains).
- DO NOT use products containing silicone: they spread a film on the glass surface which totally nullifies the TPA effect.

Q. When you ship a shower enclosure, how is it packed?
A. Every shower enclosure is wrapped with all its components in a plastic film and then packed into a carton box made to measure, with the help of a forming machine, for each model. To avoid any moving and make the packing more solid, some polystyrene spacers are placed between the carton and the item; then, a foaming agent is injected, which expands to fill up the void spaces left over.

Q. Is it difficult to transport shower enclosures?
A. The special packing of our products is able to protect the shower enclosure very well. The only precaution is that of not placing the boxes horizontally or flat or placing any load on top of them.

Q. How should I dispose of the shower enclosure packing?
A. The packing can be disposed of normally: the box and the carton spacers are disposed of through the standard separate paper collection, whereas all the rest can be collected with the municipal solid waste.

Q. Are there spare parts for the shower enclosures and are they easy to replace?
A. Spare parts are available for each of the models listed in the catalogue and Vismaravetro runs a spare part warehouse also for models that have been out of production already for a few years. Most of the components can be easily replaced by the final user, while some might require the partial disassembling of the product, which should therefore be carried out by qualified personnel. Please refer to the section “Where to find our products” to locate your closest Vismaravetro Customer Service Centre.

Q. Where can I find spare parts for the shower enclosure?
A. Any of the spare parts can be found at Vismaravetro Points of Sale, Vismaravetro Customer Service Centres or directly at the manufacturer’s, through agencies. Please refer to the section “Where to find our products” to locate your closest Vismaravetro Customer Service Centre.

Q. Can I receive the Vismaravetro catalogue?
A. Should you wish to receive further documentation on Vismaravetro products, we can send you our catalogues by mail. With its complete information and photos, the Vismaravetro website is now to be considered an updated version of the printed catalogue. Please refer to the Vismaravetro on-line catalogue or ask for the Vismaravetro printed catalogue filling in the form in the Contacts section.

Q. Can I receive a Vismaravetro price list?
A. The price list is a tool for the exclusive use of professionals and sales operators, and given the complexity of the offer and the extremely vast possibility of custom-made solutions, it is not easy to consult.
The stated prices are recommended retail prices; relevant information can be obtained from distributors.

Q. Do you have a CAD library of your drawings?
A. All our products are designed and engineered internally. Therefore, our technical department has all the CAD drawings of all our products and can supply them on request if needed when planning a room layout.
Some versions, in which internal components are simplified, are available in the relevant model’s section, in the download area. If you know the code number of the model you are interested in, you can quickly access the product specifications using search by code; or you can choose the shower enclosure model or the type of shower enclosure.

Q. Which shows does Vismaravetro attend?
A. Vismaravetro attends the main domestic and European trade shows. Fixed appointments are Bologna, Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Birmingham. To be always updated on trade shows and events Vismaravetro takes part in, please refer to section News and Events.

Q. Does Vismaravetro offer services in the Contract sector?
A. Thanks to its production capacity and the subsequent autonomy, Vismaravetro is specialized in designing and manufacturing products meant for orders in the fields of boating, hotels and accommodation facilities in general. A special technical department is at the customers’ disposal to deal with daily submitted requests and offer winning proposals.