A sliding glass shower door can make your bathroom look open and bright, but very often it allows water to settle onto the tracks and, in turn, mold develops. A good solution to this is a frameless shower screen. This is a piece of glass that is attached to the wall with or without a hinge and which doesn't require a track. If you're thinking of a frameless shower screen for your bathroom, your installer can recommend some options for you but you might want to do some research on your own first. This will ensure you choose what will work best for your home and your bath.

1. Choosing height

Unless you're prepared to have your shower screen custom made, you may need to choose from just a few standard heights. While a smaller size may be more affordable, note that it may also let out the most amount of water, especially if you tend to angle the showerhead straight forward rather than angled downward. If you have a large bath and don't mind a bit of splatter getting out of the shower, you can opt for a shorter screen, but for smaller baths where water may splash onto the sink, toilet tissue, and the like, invest in the taller height.

2. Pivot hinge versus side mount hinge

A pivot hinge allows the door to open both ways whereas a side mount hinge only opens in one direction. Typically, a pivot hinge is installed in a long, floor-to-ceiling type of tube so that it detracts less from the overall look of a frameless door. The pivot hinge design may be stronger for holding the weight of a thick screen, so it can be a better option for very large panes of glass or for when you choose the thickest panel available. 

However, a pivot hinge can be more expensive than a standard side mount hinge. Consider your budget versus the look you want and the support you need for a larger door when choosing the type of hinge.

3. Choosing frames

You can actually choose a u-frame or u-channel for your shower door. This is a long channel that fits one side and typically the bottom of the door, and which might interfere with the look of plain glass but which can also make the door seem anchored; some might actually prefer the look of a frame on their glass door. This u-channel also keeps more water from getting out of the shower area, as it may provide a tighter fit against the floor of the shower or your tub. For a smaller bath where you want to keep the outside area as dry as possible, consider a u-channel or frame. 

For more information and options, contact shower screen installers or visit websites like http://www.justglass.com.au.

Share