MASTERING SHOWER SCREEN
TERMINOLOGY
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Welcome to your friendly guide on becoming a pro at shower screen terminology!
Whether you're a homeowner about to undertake a bathroom renovation, a keen DIY enthusiast, or a seasoned renovation professional, understanding the intricacies of shower screens can seem overwhelming.
Let's simplify all that shower screen jargon and help you make confident, informed decisions and keep your renovation project moving along.
SHOWER SCREEN DOOR TYPES
PIVOT and HINGED DOOR SHOWER SCREEN
Pivot shower screen doors offer a sleek alternative, swinging open from a single hinge point and eliminating the need for a track. This ingenious pivot mechanism allows for a broader door opening, making entering and exiting the shower effortlessly smooth.
Pivot shower screen doors are tailored to accommodate a variety of needs, with some models capable of opening a full 180 degrees to ensure maximum accessibility, while others are designed to open at 90 degrees, perfect for more confined spaces.
SLIDING DOOR SHOWER SCREEN
Sliding shower screens present a perfect choice for smaller bathrooms, removing the necessity for extra space to accommodate door swing. They glide effortlessly on a track and are available in single, double, or triple sliding designs to complement a range of bathroom layouts.
Sliding shower screens can be configured to run parallel, or for better utilisation of limited space, they can be mounted adjacently with doors that slide out from a corner, creating a larger, more accessible opening.
The term "shower panel" might sound a bit vague, but it's really quite straightforward once you know the context. It usually means a sleek, waterproof wall panel that's a super alternative to the old-school tiles in your shower or bathroom.
Now, if we're talking about a shower enclosure, cubicle, or a swanky walk-in shower, "shower panel" refers to that stylish single pane of glass that keeps the water where it should be.
And for your information, this chic piece of glass is also called a fixed panel shower screen, coming in both framed or frameless designs to match your home design.
An over bath shower screen offers a stylish and practical solution for combining the functionality of a shower with the luxury of a bath.
It provides a modern, sleek look to any bathroom, while effectively preventing water splashes, making cleaning and maintenance easier. Additionally, it enhances the sense of space and light in the bathroom, making it feel larger and more open.
Available in framed and frameless, with fixed panels and extra swing panel options
SHOWER SCREEN FRAME TYPES
What's the Difference Between Framed, Semi-Frameless & Frameless Shower Screens
A framed shower screen features a aluminum frame encasing the glass panels, providing enhanced stability and offering a cost-effective solution. Depending on its design and finish, the frame can lend either a classic or contemporary aesthetic to the bathroom.
Frameless shower screens employ minimal hardware and utilise thicker glass for structural stability.
With no bulky frames or hardware, they provide an open and spacious feeling in the bathroom. This can be especially beneficial for smaller bathrooms, as it helps create the illusion of more space.
Additionally, the absence of frames also means there are fewer areas for dirt and grime to collect. This makes cleaning a breeze, saving you time and effort in maintaining your shower screen. The sleek surface also adds a touch of elegance to your bathroom.
Semi-frameless shower screens present a stylish alternative, featuring a partial frame that outlines the edges while maintaining an open and contemporary aesthetic compared to their fully framed counterparts. Typically, the door itself is frameless or partially framed, with the surrounding panels edged in a slender aluminum frame.
This design not only offers greater design versatility and customisation options but also simplifies cleaning and maintenance.
Semi-Frameless shower screens are built with durability in mind, using high-quality materials and construction methods to ensure they can withstand daily use and last for years to come. This not only saves you money in the long run but also adds value to your home.
A walk-in shower features an open design, eliminating the need for a door to enclose the space.
Featuring a sleek, single fixed glass panel, fixed panel shower screens offer effortless access, epitomising the modern, minimalist aesthetic. Available in both framed and frameless designs, this shower style caters to a wide range of preferences.
Walk-in showers are not just stylish and accessible; they're also low maintenance. Without a door, there's no need for regular cleaning or sealant application, making them a practical, convenient choice for bathroom design.
Fixed panel shower screens are also known as "roll in" showers, as they are especially accommodating for individuals facing mobility challenges or disabilities. Equipped with safety-enhancing features like grab bars and built-in benches, these showers blend style, functionality and care.
Yet, walk-in showers aren't exclusively beneficial for those with physical limitations. They bring a touch of luxury and openness to any bathroom, creating a spacious and inviting atmosphere. The absence of a door enhances the room's openness, contributing to an elegant and expansive feel.
WET ROOM
A wet room is a completely waterproofed bathroom where the shower area seamlessly integrates with the rest of the space, eliminating the need for a shower tray or screen. While it offers an airy and open aesthetic, this bathroom design may increase the risk of slips and falls for both homeowners and guests.
SHOWER SCREEN GLASS TYPES
Let's explore the terminology associated with glass for shower screens.
Primarily, the glass used in your shower screen must be either toughened or laminated to ensure safety, adhering to stringent Australian Safety Regulations.
CLEAR GLASS FOR SHOWER SCREENS
Clear glass is the preferred option for shower screens, renowned for offering uninterrupted views and inviting natural light to flood in. This choice significantly amplifies the sense of brightness and spaciousness in any bathroom.
FLUTED GLASS FOR SHOWER SCREENS
Fluted glass shower screens offer an exquisite texture that not only boosts privacy but also permits the gentle passage of natural light. This variety of glass is favoured in contemporary bathroom interiors, introducing an element of elegance and flair to the area.
Discover more about Fluted Glass Shower Screens.
along with our blog post "Why Fluted Shower Screens are Trending"
OBSCURE AND FROSTED GLASS FOR SHOWER SCREENS
Obscure and frosted shower screen glass features a delicately textured surface that ensures privacy, yet permits the passage of light.
Frosted glass offers excellent privacy solutions, ideal for bathrooms and en-suites where seclusion is key. Its textured surface provides an opaque effect, effectively obscuring outside view and ensuring privacy in shared spaces. This feature is particularly beneficial for showers visible from windows or doors, making frosted glass a top choice for homeowners seeking both functionality and style in their bathroom design.
Frosted shower screen glass not only enhances privacy but also improves natural light diffusion in your space. Despite its non-transparent nature, frosted glass panels allow soft, natural light to permeate, eliminating harsh glares and preventing hot spots.
Frosted glass for shower screens is available in
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Fluted (see above)
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Satinlite
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Spotswood
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Cathedral
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Metalux
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White translucent
SHOWER SCREEN GLASS THICKNESS
Thickness of the glass in your shower screen type varies, as a general rule
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Frameless shower screen glass has a thickness of 10mm of toughened glass
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Fully framed shower screens and panels use 6.38mm laminated safety glass
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Semi-frameless glass is usually 5mm or 6mm toughened glass.
LAMINATED GLASS IN SHOWER SCREENS
Laminated glass, featuring a durable construction of two glass layers bonded with a plastic interlayer, offers enhanced shatter-resistance and safety. Its unique build ensures that, upon impact, the glass remains adhered to the interlayer, significantly reducing the risk of injury from sharp shards.
TOUGHENED GLASS IN SHOWER SCREENS
Tempered glass, also known as toughened glass, undergoes a heat treatment process to enhance its strength significantly. This safety glass is designed to shatter into small, blunt fragments to minimise injury risk when broken. Its exceptional durability and safety features make it one of the reasons it is oftened used for shower screens in homes and commercial spaces like hotels and airbnb's.
SHOWER SCREEN HARDWARE
Discussing 'shower screen hardware' refers to all the essential components besides the glass. This includes handles, hinges, and frames - key elements that ensure functionality and durability. Understanding these parts is crucial for choosing the right shower screen for your bathroom renovation.
This includes:
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Screws
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Handles
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Hinges
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Brackets
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U Channels
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Clamps
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Tracks and rollers (for sliding doors)
By selecting from a variety of hardware options for your shower screen, you can tailor its appearance to seamlessly match your bathroom's design, ensuring a harmonious look and feel throughout the space. Whether sleek & simple, opulent & gold, black & bold or heritage.
Not sure which look to go for? - our design team at Flexi Showers can really help here.
SHOWER SCREEN HINGES AND HANDLES
Hinges
Hinges play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of your shower screen door's opening and closing mechanism.
Common types include:
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Pivot Hinges: Allow the door to pivot from a single point at the top and bottom.
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Continuous Hinges (also known as piano hinges): Run the entire length of the door, providing extra support and stability.
Handles
Handles are available in an array of shapes and colours, ranging from straightforward bars to elegant circular knobs. They fulfil a practical role while simultaneously enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your shower screen with a variety of colours to choose from to suit your style.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A SHOWER WASTE?
A 'shower waste' serves as the crucial point where all the water from your shower is efficiently drained, ensuring your shower base remains clear and prepared for its next use.
It is often equipped with a detachable grid, simplifying the cleaning and maintenance process. Shower wastes are available in an array of designs, shapes, and finishes, allowing for seamless integration with your bathroom's design & style.
SECURING YOUR SHOWER SCREEN - THE FINER DETAILS
As previously mentioned, the primary panels of your shower screen are secured to the wall using wall clamps and channels. Additionally, there are a few extra pieces - let's take a look.
SHOWER SCREEN RETURN PANEL
A return panel, an extra glass panel that connects at a right angle to the primary shower screen, plays a crucial role in keeping water confined within the shower space, thereby minimising the likelihood of splashes and spills. Particularly beneficial in expansive shower enclosures, these panels are available in a multitude of sizes and designs, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
SHOWER SCREEN SUPPORT BAR
This reinforcement bar provides extra support for your shower screen, boosting stability. Shower support bars come in various designs and colours to match your shower frame or set, ensuring a cohesive look.
Also known as a Support Brace.
SHOWER SCREEN CEILING ARM
A 'Ceiling Arm' is a shower fixture that mounts to the ceiling, not the wall. It offers adjustable height for a custom shower experience.
WHAT DOES 'HINGED TO INLINE' MEAN?
The term 'hinged to inline panel' describes a shower door attached to a smaller, adjacent inline panel, also known as an infill. This setup, including the door's dimensions, affects the size of that side of the shower enclosure. To specify your shower's dimensions, choose a shower door, inline panel, and return panel in various sizes to get the desired shape and size for your shower.
We hope this guide has helped clear up the terms you'll come across while hunting for the perfect shower screen.
With this information, you're now well-equipped to confidently select the ideal options for your shower screen and bathroom renovation.