Screens Or Curtains? How To Dress Your Shower!

If you have an over-bath shower installed, you've probably spent some time wondering if you should get a traditional shower curtain or go for one of the increasingly popular shower screens. To help you make the choice, here's a list of the pros and cons of each option.

Shower Screens

Generally speaking, shower screens are attached to the wall at the side of the bath and to the edge of the bath itself. Most have a hinged portion that can be opened or closed.

PROS

  1. Shower screens are extremely effective and are a great way to keep the rest of your bathroom as dry as possible through the longest of showers.

  2. They last for a long time and won't need replacing for many years.

  3. They have a clean, minimalist look to them and blend in perfectly with a huge range of bathroom styles.

  4. No matter how streaky or watermarked they become, you'll always be able to clean them back to a shine with the right product and a little elbow grease.

CONS

  1. They can be difficult to clean and tend to get streaky and water-stained pretty quickly.

  2. They're not a good fit for everyone's personal style, particularly in period-themed bathrooms.

  3. You'll need to drill into the wall to install one, and not all landlords allow modifications of that sort.

  4. If your bath isn't close against a wall, it may not be possible to have an effective screen installed.

Shower Curtains

Most shower curtains are hung on a rod that runs from one wall to the other across the front of the bath.

PROS

  1. Shower curtains are trivial and inexpensive to replace, meaning you can change the look and feel of your bathroom whenever you like.

  2. You can buy extending rods that fit between two walls with no drilling, meaning you can install a shower curtain in any rented accommodation.

  3. They come in an enormous range of colours, designs, patterns and styles, meaning there's a shower curtain out there for everyone.

CONS

  1. Some curtains have a tendency to stick to you while you're inside the shower, which is a sensation some people dislike intensely.

  2. They don't keep water in as effectively as screens, and you need to be very careful to ensure the curtain stays inside the bath at all times.

  3. Over time, shower curtains can develop mildew that looks bad, smells of damp and is difficult to remove.

  4. They can look a little shabby, particularly in small bathrooms without a great deal of space.

If your style is very specific, attached to a certain period or changes a lot--or you live in rented accommodation--you should stick with a traditional shower curtain. In most other circumstances, a screen is a better choice: They're more secure and more practical, and there's no denying they generally do a better job.


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