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emmelinewe

POLL: Shower curtain or shower screen?

Emmeline Westin
9 years ago
I think we can agree that both have their advantages and disadvantages. Limescale on glass and mouldy shower curtains would be in the disadvantage camp. Their advantages? How elegant a shower screen can look and how creative you can get with a shower curtain.

Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section what you picked!
Shower curtain
Shower screen
Other
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Island Bathrooms & Kitchens
    9 years ago
    Emmeline,

    A shower screen has more benefits than a shower curtain. After a while, shower curtains can go a little mouldy whereas a shower screen will not, and a shower screen offers more protection against possible floor puddles.

    Comments (37)

    • PRO
      MPK Lofts Conversion & Construction Limited
      9 years ago
      We agree with Island Bathrooms, shower curtains are a bit dated! Screens are more modern and easy to maintain.
    • BellasHouseProject
      9 years ago
      Aesthetically, I normally prefer screens but I'm currently really struggling to reconcile that with a tiny attic en suite shower room where a screen or enclosure will severely restrict the space. It would be great to see more stylish curtain options or even fold away screens if anyone can direct me?
    • paulineelawson
      9 years ago
      Because the shower screen allows light in and visually give a sense of space. It would have to be shower screen for me. However, I do love the homely feel a shower curtain can bring to a room too.
    • weeducks
      9 years ago
      Curtains may get mouldy but all they need is popping in the washing machine! You can change them whenever you wish or as and when you redecorate. Our first shower was in 1971 and we haven't looked back so you can see we have had very many showers all over the world, I may add, Its curtains for the screen!!!
    • nicola_marks
      9 years ago
      Curtains every time, shower screens leak as they're frequently not long enough, and require an awful lot of cleaning to keep them looking good. Shower curtains protect you from droughts, are stylish, easy and cheap to replace and go straight into the washing machine.
    • iolosdad
      9 years ago
      Choose a screen and buy a karcher window vac to keep it looking as new
    • User
      9 years ago
      shower curtain for a family with a baby for full access to the bath. the mould argument does not stack up... you should wash your shower curtains! (yes I know you can get glass screens that fold out of the way)
    • User
      9 years ago
      Definitely prefer a screen and its easy to keep clean if you keep a squeegee hung inside to wip down after each use. Then you can always dress it up with external shower curtains and tie backs, if you like the look.
    • PRO
      Island Bathrooms & Kitchens
      9 years ago
      Hi BellasHouseProject,

      I could get one of our sales team to call you as we do offer solutions for shower enclosures under ceilings, it would be worth speaking to one of our bathroom experts about your specific requirements.

      http://www.islandbathrooms.co.uk/blog/loft-conversion-showers-fitting-an-enclosure-under-a-sloping-ceiling
    • bjwpg
      9 years ago
      I have a glass shower door (as we call them here) in my current house. It's my first experience with one. I strongly dislike it. It takes endless attention to keep it looking clean.

      Even though I clean the whole shower after each use it still shows water spots without both a squeegeeing and a wipe down with a dry towel.

      The shower curtain in the other bath just needs to be popped in the wash every week or two.

      A glass shower door *could* work if one had a water softener, thereby effectively eliminating spotting and deposits.
    • gravel41
      9 years ago
      Ooh but I would have said screen until I saw that picture of the one with curtains...
    • Emmeline Westin
      Original Author
      9 years ago
      My thoughts exactly @gravel41!
    • PRO
      MostynCooper
      9 years ago
      There seem to be quite a few comments about the difficulty of keeping the shower screens clean and limescale ‘spotting’ free. It is a real problem and whilst it shows, and wastes your time, on the shower screen, its doing far worse to your shower. If you’d like information on a total, permanent, chemical free solution to the spotting, please get in touch or check out www.ecosoftwater.co.uk.
    • PRO
      BathroomDeal.com
      8 years ago

      we go for screens based on the design elements alone :)

      This one seems to be very popular with us right now too > https://www.bathroomdeal.com/crossover-wetroom-500mm.html

    • PRO
      Williams Creative Design
      8 years ago

      Although a shower screen does need certain level of maintenance to keep it looking good, there is always the reassurance that when clean it maintains the architects vision of a clean and bright space

    • PRO
      Victoria Halsall Interior Design
      8 years ago

      I find shower curtains do have the tendency to get mouldy and suffer wear and tear quicker than shower screens. They also keep the water in the shower area better.

    • PRO
      AG Interiors
      8 years ago

      shower screens every time .....

    • PRO
      BigBathroomShop
      8 years ago

      A shower screen definitely, it creates a neater finish and protects the bathroom floor better.

    • PRO
      Glasstrends
      7 years ago

      We find that our clients tend to go for shower screens especially frameless ones for the modern home.

    • PRO
      SAP Landscapes
      7 years ago

      Definitely a shower screen!

    • PRO
      London Bathrooms
      7 years ago

      Shower screens look more modern and dry more quickly so are better for avoiding mould issues.

    • PRO
      Aqueous Design Ltd
      7 years ago

      Always would recommend a water softener when using shower screens, helps to keep them clean

    • PRO
      Mullen domestic
      7 years ago

      shower screens for sure, modern and classy.

    • biigem
      7 years ago
      A shower screen offers minimal protection from pooling water unless it forms part of a fully enclosed shower.
    • Tim Price
      7 years ago

      Screen, screen and again screen. Curtains end up draped outside of the shower tray/bath and the result is a wet floor all the time. This can lead to expensive replacement of wooden floors and ceilings below.

      I really don't care about which is easier to clean (though I think screen wins here too) and even less about the aesthetics. Their is nothing pretty about a bathroom collapsing through a rotten floor!

    • redmondwendy
      7 years ago

      It has to be a screen. Every time I have tried to shower with a curtain it ends up drawing towards me and sticking to me! This is likely to be because I always have it inside the bath to stop water pooling on the floor. I find shower curtains stressful! I know screens have drawbacks too but I always go for the most practical option which I consider to be screens.

    • keithjam
      7 years ago
      Would prefer show screen, but always end up with water on the floor as not long enough - need to find a good design & build quality full length expandable type.
    • stefanmh
      7 years ago
      Never felt safe in a shower with a curtain after watching Pyscho and I'm a man lol. Apart from that the last one I showered in was in a cruise last month and the cabin shower had a curtain. Still stuck to my backside
    • sara_brennan1
      7 years ago

      Screen every time having tried both over the years, Maintenance - Mr Muscle Shower Spray does a pretty good job & every now & again, you do have to clean thoroughly the 'seal strip' at the bottom where it meets the bath (I was out-voted on getting rid of the bath in favour of just a lovely large shower unit or even better....wet room) :-( Ah well. Had the plumbers move the shower controls to the middle of the bath so we could still reach them without having to get wet by turning them on or making it impossible to reach round the screen on the bath - I would recommend that!

    • Julia Servi
      7 years ago
      I use both! I never have to clean the screen and regularly pop the curtain in the washing machine
    • Anja van der Laan
      7 years ago

      No curtain, no screen. We have created a smaller entrance into the shower corner and fitted the shower in a way it doesn't splash directly in the direction of the entrance. Works perfectly.

    • PRO
      Love Shutters UK
      7 years ago

      Shower screen all the way!!

    • PRO
      Beau Scheire
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Shower screen definitely!:)

    • PRO
      Clean Line Construction Ltd
      7 years ago

      Glass can increase the feeling of space in what can be the smallest room of the house!

    • PRO
      The Bathroom Company
      7 years ago

      As bathroom specialists, although shower curtains have their place for certain situations, we find that screens are much more practical from a cleaning and hygiene perspective with clear-shield glass-guard.

    • keithjam
      7 years ago
      Can anyone please recommend a full bath length retractable shower screen, which is easy to clean & durable - Maybe asking too much!! Thanks
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