Shower screen glass, every home has it, but how do you choose which type is the best for your bathroom? Whether you’re renovating your bathroom, building a new one or updating the glass, here is everything you need to know to help you make the right choice.

You Are Spoilt For Choice When It Comes To Shower Screen Glass

Shower screen glass comes in a variety of types, colours, textures, and styles. The most difficult part is deciding which one to install in your bathroom. When it comes to aesthetics, it is ultimately up to you, but it pays to consider how the glass will look with the rest of the bathroom. For instance, if you have a stunning design feature tile wall in the shower, you don’t want to cover that up by using frosted glass.

Your Glass Must Meet Standards To Ensure It Is Safe

Firstly, your shower screens and doors must meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 1288 and 2208. Shower screens must be Grade A safety glass. This prevents injury if it happens to break, rather than breaking into large, sharp pieces, it shatters into small blunt pieces that are unlikely to cause serious harm. Your glass must be either laminated safety or toughened glass. If it is framed, it needs to be at least 5 mm thick. If it is partly-framed, it needs to be at least 6mm thick and if it is completely frameless, it needs to be a minimum of 10 mm thick.

Different Types Of Shower Screens

As mentioned above, there are many different shower screens available. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Fully Framed Shower Screens

Fully framed shower screens are the original style of shower screens and you’ll find them in most older homes. They aren’t used as much in new bathrooms as more modern looking styles are preferred; however, they do come with some benefits. You can choose the colour that you want the frame to be, and they are an affordable choice if your budget is tight. They are sturdy and long-lasting as the glass is supported on each side.

Semi-Frameless Shower Screens

A semi-frameless shower screen is a mix between a fully framed screen and a frameless screen. It can give your bathroom a sleek look without breaking the bank. Instead of the entire glass being framed, only a section is. Again, you can choose the colour that you want your framing to be. Many people match the framing with the bathroom hardware to create a well-thought-out cohesive space.

Frameless Shower Screens

Frameless shower screens have become increasingly popular over the years, and that’s primarily due to the contemporary and stylish finish they offer. The fact that they are easier to clean is a bonus. As there is no framing, it doesn’t obstruct the view of the bathroom or detract from its overall appeal by limiting the amount of natural light from filling the space. They can make a bathroom look bigger. There are several ways you can install frameless glass, and you can choose an installation method that serves your bathroom best from a functional and aesthetic point of view. The only drawback to this style is that they are usually priced higher than other types.

Make Sure Your Glass Is Easy To Clean

Shower screens are notorious for collecting soap scum and the last thing you want is glass that is difficult to clean, well that is unless you like cleaning of course. When deciding on which type of screens to pick, you need to factor in framing as this is where mould likes to harbour. It can be difficult to remove and looks unsightly too. This is where frameless shower screens are a good choice. There is nowhere for the mildew and gunk to get stuck, therefore they require less cleaning. If you were considering frosted screens for the privacy benefits, it is not the best choice when it comes to cleaning as soap scum tends to show up more obviously. Worry not, there are other options such as acid-etched glass which provides privacy without the cleaning hassles.

The Placement And Size Of Your Shower Screens

If your bathroom is on the smaller side, it’s a good idea to think of ways you can make the most of your space with the placement of your shower screens. Consider limiting the shower to a singular screen rather than creating a box-like finish with screening all around it. If you have plenty of room to work with, you have more freedom when it comes to the design of your shower screen.

Get In Touch With The Professionals

As all glass in Australia must meet and be installed to strict standards, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. At True Blue Glass, we only use superior glass and products, and all our work is completed to the highest industry standard. We have a huge variety of shower screen choices available, and we can work with you to find the absolute best solution for budget and bathroom. If you are looking for someone to install or replace your shower screens and you are in South East Queensland, our highly skilled team of glaziers can help. Contact us today for more information.