Buyer’s guide to shower screens

Are you tired of your old shower screen? Looking for something new and unique to replace it with? Fortunately, there is a wide variety of shower screens with stylish and attractive designs to choose from. In the past, there were very little options to choose from, but shower screens have evolved greatly since their inception and we now have more variety than ever before. Here is a look at your shower screen options and how you can liven up your bathroom. 

Different types of shower screens

With the wide variety of shower screens available today, you’ll want to first determine the kind that will best suit your bathroom. Here are a few of the most popular options:

Sliding door: The classic sliding door shower screen has at least one fixed panel, with a door thats designed to slide from side to side.

Pivot door: These have stationary panels and a door on a pivot hinge for exiting or entering the shower.

Fixed and swing: These have both a fixed panel and a fully swinging door that opens outward. Because of the outwardly swinging door, they’re better for bathrooms that have a bit more space.

Corner shower screens: This corner unit has several fixed panels and a pivoting door to enter and exit the shower.

Fixed panel: These don’t have a door but instead have fixed panels of glass to create a walk-in shower.

Shower frame options

Fully frameless: This type has no frame at all around the screen. The glass panels are instead attached together using specially designed fixings or clamps. A frameless shower creates a streamlined, minimalist look, and it’s especially easy to clean because there’s no place for dirt and soap scum to accumulate.

Semi-frameless: This type of screen has a frame around the outside borders, but has no frame around the doors or interior panels. It gives the appearance of being almost frameless and is significantly cheaper than frameless varieties.

Fully framed: This traditional shower screen style has a frame around the entire shower as well as around each of the glass panels. These are the least expensive of all shower screen types.

Perimeter: Only the outside of the screen is framed, leaving the door completely unframed. Since the door does not have that additional support, perimeter shower frames are best for smaller showers.

Fully framed shower screen advantages

Versatility: Since they enjoy support on all sides, fully framed shower screens are suited to a wider variety of bathroom designs. Customise the look further by choosing framing that either contrasts or blends in with the rest of your bathroom. Glass can come in patterned, frosted, or clear panes, and the door can either pivot or slide.

Price: Where your budget is concerned, fully framed shower screens are your best friend. It’s consistently the most affordable of the four types of screen.

Longevity: If you want a shower screen that will last a lifetime, choose a fully framed shower screen. No matter how long it stands, it will look brand new, and it’s easy to maintain.

Frameless shower screen advantages

The greatest advantage of the frameless shower is the ability to create a clean feeling in the bathroom, while allowing other features in the bathroom to stand out, like a spa, statement basin or tiled wall. An additional benefit is that frameless showers are easy to clean due to the lack of nooks on the surface. Therefore, soap scum, mould and deposits are unable to build up.

Hobless shower pros and cons

Without a barrier to step over, hobless showers can provide a sleek and modern look to any bathroom. They can also be more accessible for those with mobility issues or for anyone who wants a safer and easier experience while showering. However, hobless showers may require additional waterproofing measures to prevent water damage to the surrounding areas, and they may also be more difficult to clean compared to traditional showers. Additionally, the lack of a shower hob can result in water spilling out onto the bathroom floor. As with any home renovation decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision.

Shower screen glass options

Frosted glass shower screens

Frosted glass is glass that is made opaque using acid etching or sandblasting or by applying special window films. Frosted glass lets light through, but can’t be seen through. When frosting glass, the entire panel can be treated or designs can be applied to create a pattern on the glass.

Several things make frosted glass a good choice for shower screens. It gives privacy without creating a sense of being closed in and without cutting out any light. This privacy is especially useful with an open bathroom plan, where the toilet is in the same area as the shower. With frosted glass, other people can use the bathroom at the same time with no loss of privacy for anyone. Frosted glass gives an elegant and classic look to a bathroom and doesn’t interfere with the colours of the tiles and walls in your shower. You can choose to have one or both panels of the shower screen frosted, depending on the layout of the bathroom, your preference and your budget. Frosted glass can be used without a problem in all kinds of shower screens.

Tinted glass shower screens

Tinted glass for shower screens is just like any tinted glass. A film or coating is applied to the glass to colour it and reduce the light that gets through the screen. Glass is most often tinted in shades of grey, green or blue, but tinting in other colours is available.

Tinting can allow you to decide the level of privacy you want by picking how dark you want the tint to be. Darker tinting allows less light through and creates more privacy. The colours of tinting can also make the shower screen a more prominent feature, with more pop than clear glass. Tinted glass can look elegant, modern or cosy, depending on the colour and depth of tinting and will suit a variety of bathroom styles. As with frosted glass, you can have one or both panels of the screen tinted. When decorating your bathroom, be aware that the colour of tinted glass will alter the look of the tiles and walls of the shower. Make sure you pick tiles and tinting to complement each other and give you the colour result you want.

Shower screen installation

If you’re handy with DIY projects, you should easily be able to instal your own shower screen, but be aware that frameless and semi-frameless styles can be tricky to put in. In addition, you may need to invest in specialised tools in order to do the job properly. 

Depending on your skills and your tool supply, you may want to consider bringing in a professional who can do the job for you efficiently and quickly.