Keys to choose the shower screen for the bathroom [Guía Práctica]

Protecting our bathroom from the splashes of the shower or bathtub will avoid leaving everything lost with the daily shower. In addition, excess water and humidity can damage the floor or furniture in our bathroom. For all these reasons, the installation of a screen is essential, but which one to choose? Keep reading this practical guide to know all the keys to choose the shower screen for the bathroom.

A bathroom screen is made up of a door (sliding, hinged or open corner), made of glass or acrylic that is translucent or transparent. Its main function is to separate the interior of the bathtub or shower from the rest of the bathroom. With the installation of Shower Enclosures will prevent water from splashing past the dish or tub and in a cleaner and more aesthetic way than with the classic PVC curtains.

There are different models, types and designs of screens on the market so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs and the aesthetics of your bathroom. The most common are listed below.

how to choose the screen for the bathroom

Types of bathroom screens

The types of bathroom screens They are classified according to the type of opening, its shape, which will depend on the place where it is installed, and the manufacturing material.

Screens according to their opening

There are four basic models depending on the type of opening:

  • sliders. These are those partitions whose doors are installed on bearings that slide through a guide. They are ideal for small and/or narrow bathrooms. As they do not open in a collapsible way, they do not need too much space.
  • Folding or pivoting. It opens like a traditional door, turning around an axis or using hinges. This type of screen requires free space around it so that when it opens it can do so fully, turning the necessary degrees to facilitate our entry and exit, so they should be installed in medium or large bathrooms. Its main advantage is the wide opening range it offers, which allows the elderly or people with reduced mobility to access the bathroom more comfortably.
  • folding. Together with the sliders, it is considered an excellent option to save space in the bathroom. In this case, it is made up of a series of doors that fold in on themselves, like an accordion. In this way, its opening is optimized, occupying only a few centimeters.
  • Fixed. Open or fixed screens do not have moving doors, but are made up of panels that are installed on the side of the shower head in such a way that they partially cover the shower tray or bathtub. They manage to protect the bathroom from splashes without taking up space, but it requires a passage area that is wide enough and clear enough to be able to enter comfortably.

shower enclosure with folding doors

Screens according to their shape

The screens offer different configurations to optimally adapt to the shower or bathtub tray, or to make the most of the space in which it is going to be installed. Generally, we will find 3 basic models:

  • Frontals. They are those partitions that open their doors or leaves frontally.
  • angular. Its square or rectangular shape presents an entrance located in one of its corners or angles.
  • semicircular. They are installed forming a semicircle.

semicircular shower enclosure

Screens according to the manufacturing material

Normally, the partitions are manufactured with aluminum profiles that incorporate an electrolytic anodizing treatment. This process is done to create artificial aluminum oxide layers covering the surface of the profiles and making them resistant to abrasion, wear and corrosion.

Aluminum provides an elegant and durable finish, although those made with stainless steel also offer a clean aesthetic.

On the other hand, the partition panels can be made of tempered glass or acrylic and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages:

  • Tempered glass. It consists of a safety glass between 5 and 8 millimeters thick that, if broken, only cracks. They are easier to clean and some incorporate an anti-limescale treatment. On the other hand, they are much heavier than acrylic ones and require quality double bearings to ensure movement, especially if they are sliders.
  • Acrylic. Its main advantage is that it is much cheaper than glass and weighs less, so the structure that covers them does not suffer as much. However, among its main disadvantages are that water drops remain marked on its surface, it scratches easily and is less durable than glass.

shower and bathtub screens

5 essential tips for choosing the right shower screen

at the time of choose the screen for our bathroom It must be taken into account that no two bathrooms are the same, since each one is conditioned by the structure of the building and the functionality and aesthetics that we want to provide. These are the keys to choosing the one that best suits your needs:

  1. There are specialized stores such as Balnearian, which is a benchmark in this sector, as it offers solutions that adapt to the aesthetics and dimensions of our bathroom. On its website you can find all kinds of shower enclosures at the best market price, with an official 2-year guarantee and free shipping throughout the peninsula. In addition, they have models with profiles in white, black or chrome with which you can give your bathroom the style you are looking for.
  2. Follow this order when you go to choose the type of screen: shape of the shower tray or bathtub, available space and your personal tastes. You should also take into account the type of people who are going to use the shower, since it is not the same if they are young people than if they are children or older people.
  3. The materials are a guarantee of quality and durability. They have to adapt to the demands of daily use, but also to your budget.
  4. For a correct installation you must measure the space well and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. If you are not sure, ask a professional to install it.
  5. If the water in your area has a high concentration of dissolved minerals (calcium and magnesium salts), choose a glass with anti-limescale treatment since cleaning is much easier and faster. In addition, the transparency of the screen will enhance the feeling of visual spaciousness in the room.

screen with anti-limescale treatment

I hope these tips will help you when you go to buy the bathroom screen. If you liked this post, you can find many more guides on DIY and decoration at and video tutorials on .

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