Shower screens it has become an indispensable element of the bathroom. Gone are the times when bathtub and shower curtains were the queens, and screens a more or less expendable accessory.
The massive arrival of showers to replace so many bathtubs, (at least in pre-pandemic times), the undeniable advantages of screens over curtains (cleanliness and design among others), have made screens an essential element in the search for our ideal bathroom.
When choosing a screen, In addition to its aesthetics, we must take into account the size and distribution of our bathroom that will condition the passage to the shower and bathtub, and will mark the best access gap to the shower.
The use that we give to the bathroom will also be a factor to take into account. As much as we like fixed cloth screens, if you like to take long-lasting showers with a lot of pressure, this may not be the best option.
Therefore, we are going to analyze the different options to get right when choosing the perfect shower model for our bathroom.
Fixed panel bulkhead
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Fixed partitions are placed in wall-to-wall showers. To be able to place a fixed screen, at least it is necessary to have 130 cm from side to side so that a part is covered by the screen (minimum 70 cm) and leave a gap of at least 55 cm (ideal 60 cm). In the event that the shower does not go from wall to wall and there are two sides of the four without sticking to the wall, it is possible to put the fixed one on the side of the faucet and access the shower from the other free side.
The advantages of these screens are their price, (they usually have the most adjusted prices) and their aesthetics because they do not have hinges and their profiles have a minimum thickness.
As disadvantages, It must be taken into account that this system always leaves a wide gap without protection for splashes which, although in principle it is sufficient, it may not be so if it is going to be used by careless people, (I am thinking of children and / or adolescents) or in people who like to take long showers.
Some models, like the previous one, include an arm to fix the screen. In this case, this frontal shower screen measuring 70cm and a height of 200cm is priced at 105.99 euros.
Shower screen Panel Fixed Screen 8mm tempered glass for bathroom (70x200cm)
A swing door
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When the shower is small, or when the hole through which it is accessed is small (in the case of showers embedded in a hole); needed a door screen. The necessary measurements for this panel format with a fixed door are between 45 to 90 centimeters.
Among its advantages are that it completely closes the exit or entrance to the shower and that its design requires a slightly thicker profile than the previous one but can still be very light.
And a fact to take into account in this design is that you have to decide if the door opens inwards, outwards or to both sides (better), with 180º opening.
One swing door and one side fixed door
For those who have a length greater than 90 cm and do not want to leave the gap, the best option is to combine a fixed side with a hinged or sliding door.
The swing door is attached to the fixed panel through a double aluminum profile (if you choose the screen in color like black), this profile will have a decorative weight. The connection can also be through visible hinges. An option, (that of the hinges), to take into account in vintage and / or industrial style bathrooms.
A hinge system that allows the two leaves to be folded. From Sport Ibermampara and available at El Corte Ingles from 579 euros
Prague Sport Ibermampara folding shower screen
Sliding door
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If instead of casement doors you choose the sliding doors, the vertical glass panels can be cleaner, (without structures or hinges) but the visible structure remains at the top through the rails through which these doors move.
In this model the guides are hidden in the upper and lower profiles. A shower screen with a sliding door and 5 mm transparent tempered glass with a size of 130x185cm is priced at 116.99 euros
Access through the center
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In some bathrooms, if there is furniture on each side of the screen (a very common layout is to have a shower at the back and the toilet and sink on each side), the most comfortable step to the shower will be in the center,
In this case, it will be necessary to have a door in the center, or that at least opens from the center to have better access to the shower.
If sliding doors are chosen in this case, you will not have a problem opening, but so that the doors do not protrude much towards the bathroom, it often unfolds and two smaller leaves open.
Central access shower screen through two sliding doors from 509 euros
IBERMAMPARA Shower screen Versalles 4P Ibermampara
Partitions in corners
When the shower trays to be covered are square and very small (between 60/70 x 60/70 cms), and the access to the shower must be done from the corner, – (if it can be done on one side, better choose to put a fixed cloth on one side and release the other) -, the new systems include mixed folding formats of the two corner sides and even slides of better finish and results than the old ones. So if you are suffering with an old screen that does not work well, investing in the change will improve your day to day.
A design shower screen model with double revolving doors. For size 80x80x190cm 444.95 euros
Mai & Mai Design shower screen with double revolving door 80x80x190cm corner shower cabin with shower tray, transparent tempered glass with easy-clean nano coating R01K
And this option, with sliding doors with black profiles and 190 cm height from 158.99 euros
76x76cm 6MM ANTICAL SLIDING CORNER SHOWER CABIN WITH BLACK PROFILING 190 CM HEIGHT, CORNER ENTRANCE
Cover image by Mauricio Fuertes for Susanna Cots project
