Everything you need to know about bath shower screens

If you’re thinking of smartening your bathroom up by changing your bath shower curtain, have you considered swapping one for a bath shower screen? It may be more expensive in the short term, but the advantages can outweigh the drawbacks over time.

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What a bath shower screen is

What is a bath shower screen?

Instead of a shower curtain, a bath shower screen is a piece of glass that fits to the wall and provides a watertight seal with the top of your bath so you can shower without water spilling from the shower head onto the floor. Some can be bought for existing baths, but new baths can sometimes have a fitted shower screen that is installed at the same time.

Hygiene and cost

Hygiene

Mould loves damp places, and your shower curtain is the perfect breeding ground because it takes longer to dry out than tiles and glass. There are plenty of reasons that you’ll want to prevent mould from forming in in the first place, as Prevention.com makes clear. A bath shower screen is easier to keep clean and wipe dry.

Cost

Depending on what you are looking for, a shower screen can cost anywhere from £50 for a no-frills panel to as much as £600 or more if you’re looking for tailor-made, frameless screens. If required, you’ll also need to think about the cost of installation.

Styles of shower screen

Shower screens come in different styles that not only suit your tastes but also your needs. For example, a fixed screen might suit someone who takes more showers than baths, but a foldable screen would work better for a young family if you need access to the bath to help bathe the kids. The glass can be frosted, patterned or tinted. It can come in different thicknesses to suit the size of the showering area, such as the 12mm shower glass panels at sites like https://marvinandpinch.co.uk/products/12mm-clear-toughened-shower-screen-wetroom-panel-glass?variant=50220687892.

Measuring for a shower screen

Measuring for a shower screen

Before measuring, make sure you have all tiling and grouting work finished. The size of the screen is measured from the edge of the bath to the top of the showering area, and then along the edge of the bath to your required depth. Bath shower screens can be made to order if you have a particularly difficult space to accommodate.

 

Summary

This article explains what a bath shower screen is and how it differs from a shower curtain, providing a watertight seal that’s easier to keep clean and less prone to mould. It covers costs ranging from around £50 for a basic panel to £600 or more for a tailor-made frameless screen, different styles such as fixed or foldable, and how to measure for one.

Questions this article raises

• How long does a bath shower screen typically take to fit?
• Are foldable shower screens as watertight as fixed ones?
• Can a shower screen be added to any existing bath?