Even if it may not seem like that, shower screens play a big part in the aesthetics of the bathroom. They’re an important element that can make or break the space if not chosen properly. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, they’re extremely useful as well. They keep the water from spreading and keep your bathroom floor dry and tidy.
They’re most commonly made of glass and can vary in their thickness. If you’re looking for a replacement for your shower curtain, shower screens are a perfect choice.
Types of Shower Screens
Long gone are the days when you could find just one or two types of shower screens for your bathroom. Nowadays, there are so many options when it comes to shapes, sizes, materials and designs. No matter what’s the interior design of the bathroom, we’re sure you’ll find the right match.
Framed
This is the most popular high-quality shower screen on the market. It’s the one that’ll benefit your family bathroom the most. It’s completely enclosed and is surrounded by an aluminium frame. It can fit in any size bathroom. The space won’t feel tight even if the bathroom is smaller than usual. This type of screen can have many different features and configurations. One of the things that makes them popular is their affordability. You could get a great product for a reasonable price.
Frameless
When you compare the framed and frameless type, the frameless one has a more minimalist look. Their design is simple and has very little hardware. They’re a perfect match for smaller bathrooms where you need open space. But there’s no denying that they will add sophistication and elegance to any bathroom.
Semi-Frameless
Despite their name, these screens are fully framed. The only difference is that the frame is super thin. They’re an amazing fusion of frameless and framed screens and bring you the best of both worlds. You’ll get elegance, sophistication, open space and durability.
Sliding Door
Sliding shower screen doors make excellent space savers. Although they offer the same amount of room as closed showers, they save a lot of space because the doors glide instead of opening inwards or outwards. They’re a great choice for restrooms that are small and enclosed.
Pivot Door
Pivot door shower screens are the classic, traditional type of door that opens from the centre. You can find them in many shapes and patterns. But be careful, they’ll only fit well into larger bathrooms, because when the door opens up it takes up a lot of space. So, putting it in a small bathroom won’t be practical.
Bi-Fold Door
Bi-fold shower doors are incredibly functional, have a wonderful design, and look very attractive. They save a lot of room and have an appealing, elegant appearance thanks to their opening mechanism. They look fantastic in contemporary-styled, modern bathrooms because they can have two or more folds. They’re also fairly inexpensive so anyone can afford them.
Quadrant
Because they can be installed in any corner of the room these shower screens are ideal for smaller bathrooms. They will match any type of aesthetic and have a sleek, polished appearance. You can put them on the opposite side of the entrance, close to the door, or near the bathroom sink. Opening them won’t be a problem because they have a sliding mechanism.
Fixed Panel
These screens appear to be both extravagant and quite straightforward. There is only one panel that has no frames and looks very simple. However, you can only put them in larger bathrooms with sufficient drying space.
What to Consider When Buying
Your Budget
The first thing you must decide on is your budget. The majority of shower screens are inexpensive, but you may want to set a budget that you feel comfortable with. Although prices on the market can vary, you should never sacrifice quality. There is a possibility that the screen will break or get damaged, costing you thousands of dollars to try to fix it. That’s why it’s best to invest a little more upfront in order to benefit from a durable glass shower screen for a lot of time. The price will vary because of a number of factors, including the glass’s size, thickness, quality, and added features.
Bathroom Size
After you’ve decided on a money limit, consider your available space and the bathroom’s size. Take a measuring tape and see how much space you have available around the area you plan to install the shower screen. A frameless one with transparent glass is the best option if your shower is small. These shower screens don’t require any extra hardware and can easily fit in compact spaces. Additionally, the translucent glass will let light in, giving the appearance of a larger bathroom.
If space is not an issue, then you should go for a frameless or a semi-frameless screen. Make it frosted glass or even tinted and you’ll get the perfect combination for a spacious bath. Also, take into account the screen’s shape. Small spaces are best suited for screens with sliding or folding doors. Pivoting and hinged doors are better for larger rooms.
Quality of the Glass
Buying a high-quality hardened glass screen is very important. It should be sturdy and durable and able to withstand a few bumps. If you’re concerned that the kids might get hurt on it, you can always buy a foldable screen you can tuck away when they’re close by. There are 2 main types of screens, single and double panel screens.
Typically, these are made of a single glass panel that has hinges. Because of their simple design and lack of sharp edges or crevices where dirt might collect, they are among the most popular options. To get the best minimal style a lot of them are frameless. Double-panel screens have a hinge in the middle, and you can open them in lots of ways. They’re great for smaller and longer bathrooms.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Cleaning can take a lot of time from your day, so choosing a material that’s easy to clean is very important. You should be able to reach the glass into every crevice and corner. Remember that clear glass is much easier to clean than frosted and tinted ones. If the screen doesn’t have a frame, it’ll be even easier because there are no fixtures where dirt can collect. Make sure you clean it regularly and wipe it after every use and it’ll last for a long time. To get the job done you can use glass cleaners or vinegar mixtures and clean them well.
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