Gone are the days when a simple plastic shower curtain was an acceptable solution for containing splashes of water from the bathtub or shower. While they offer a lot of freedom in choosing colours and printed designs, shower curtains tend to look cheap and inevitably aren’t very good at keeping water inside.
If you’ve learned firsthand how frustrating it is when shower curtains stick to your skin or end up outside the bath, spilling water all over your bathroom floor, then you might be looking into the benefits of modern shower screens instead.
Typically constructed from a simple panel of toughened glass attached to the wall, an elegant shower screen is the ideal way to make your bath or shower splashproof, while upgrading your bathroom aesthetics at the same time.
One of the biggest advantages shower screens have over off-the-shelf curtains is that you can order them in a custom size and shape, ensuring a perfect fit.
So, if you’re thinking about ordering a custom shower screen for your bathroom, here’s what you should consider to make sure the final product is exactly what you need.
1) Calculate measurements
The first step in designing your bespoke shower screen is measuring the area carefully to determine the right size and shape for the dimensions of your space.
Not all bathroom layouts are built the same, so if you’re working with a unique wall or ceiling angle, you might need a raked panel rather than a straightforward rectangle.
Even if a rectangular or square panel will do the job just fine, you’ll need to triple-check the measurements and submit your custom sizes with a 2mm tolerance.
2) Select an installation style
The function of your shower screen is another important consideration that may affect the dimensions – should it be fixed in place, or is there enough room to swing it open?
Hinged shower screens make it easier to climb in and out of bathtubs, but in a walk-in shower, the screen should be secured on two to three sides to reduce the risk of leakage.
Whether you want a frameless screen that pivots or a framed screen that stays where it is, you must factor the installation into your design in case you need specific cut-outs or notches.
3) Choose the right glass finish
The glass itself is the star of the show, so contemplate your options before settling for clear glass – though you can’t go wrong with this classic finish, there are other types, too.
Low-iron glass is ultra-clear for a minimalist look, while satin frosted glass offers a greater degree of privacy with a clouded surface, and tinted glass is somewhere in the middle.
However, while tinted glass is luxuriously stylish, it’s usually only available in the standard thickness of 10mm, so if you would prefer thicker safety glass, you may want to stick with clear.
4) Consider extra protection
When you order your made-to-measure shower screen, it should come with polished edges, but you may want to pay a little more for dubbed or radius corners for extra safety.
Additionally, if you want to enhance the practicality of your screen by making it easier to clean, you could upgrade it with a protective polymer coating that repels water and soap scum.
This will prevent deposits from building up and help to keep your glass stain-free, so all you have to do is wipe away any residue to restore your screen to sparkling clean after showering.
5) Purchase appropriate fittings
So, you’ve decided on the measurements, thickness, finish, and extra features, and accounted for any drilled holes or hinge cut-outs required for your chosen installation method.
Now you need to find the perfect fittings for your custom shower screen – would you prefer a slim profile or stylish hinges with a visually interesting finish, like brass or matt black?
Most bathroom fittings use polished or brushed chrome or aluminium with a silver finish, but golden-hued brass or powder-coated black can make a bold style statement.
A reliable supplier of bespoke shower screens should also offer a selection of shower screen fittings, so you can find everything you need in one place and order it all at the same time.
Whether you’re looking for seals and glazing channels, support bars and brackets, or wall-mounted hinges, choosing the right hardware is the last step in completing your design.
All that’s left to do is wait for your shower screen to arrive and install it – instantly modernising your bathroom and allowing you to enjoy every shower without worrying about spillages!
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