Outfitting a bathroom often isn't straightforward. Especially when it’s a small bathroom in your home. In such a limited space, a functional solution that offers both space-saving and high comfort in bathroom use is needed. A potential solution could be a bath with a screen. How does it work? What types of screens are there? Do they suit every type of bath? Discover the benefits and drawbacks of a bath with a screen.
What characterises a bath with a screen?
A bath with a screen is an unconventional solution for many. They often think they must choose between a bath and a shower for a small bathroom. Installing a shower cabin seems the most sensible solution, as it doesn't take up much space and allows water savings. However, this means giving up long, relaxing baths. The solution to this problem is a bath screen. With it, you don't have to give up either baths or showers. It will protect your bathroom from splashes.
What bath screen to choose?
A bath with a screen is very convenient for small bathrooms. It allows you to follow your preferences daily, taking either a quick shower or a long bath. The market offers various types of bath screens. So, which screen should you choose? They are divided based on opening types. They include:
- Folding screen - also called an accordion screen, fits any bath shape, even corner ones. It can consist of two or more parts, depending on the bath dimensions. It doesn't have any guides, making installation very simple;
- Sliding screen - also consists of two or more panels, fitting any type of bath. The sliding screen resembles a standard shower cabin in appearance;
- Hinged screen - its installation is a bit more challenging as it's attached on hinges. It consists of one element, hence it doesn't fit every bath shape. A hinged screen is suitable only for rectangular baths.
Bath with tempered glass screen or plastic one?
Bath screens are not only distinguished by their installation method. Once you've chosen the suitable installation for your bathroom and bathtub, you can also select the material from which it's made. You have choices like:
- Glass screen - made from tempered glass. You can bathe in hot water without worrying about damage. Tempered glass is highly resistant to thermal shock and mechanical damage. Such a screen comes in many colour variants. Moreover, tempered glass bath screens are safe to use;
- Plastic screen - a common choice due to its low cost and light material. A bath with a plastic screen is an excellent solution for families with children. Such a screen allows even young children to shower independently. A plastic screen, made from acrylic or polystyrene, is also resistant to damage but gets dirty much faster. It requires frequent cleaning;
- Shower curtain screen - the cheapest but also the least functional solution. A bath with a shower curtain rail offers some intimacy during a bath and protects the bathroom from splashes, but it doesn't look as aesthetically pleasing as a bath with a bath screen.
Advantages of a bath with a bath screen
The biggest advantage of a bath with a bath screen is the option to choose between a quick shower and a long bath. This is a common issue for many families with small bathrooms. For example, a woman may want to relax in a bath, while a man prefers quick showers. A bath with a bath screen is the best solution in such cases.
Moreover, you don't have to worry about where the bath with a shower screen works. It suits every bathroom, even small ones. You can install a folding or sliding screen on any bath. This also reduces the cost of fitting out a bathroom. Separate baths and shower cabins in a bathroom not only take up more space but also generate additional costs.
Another important aspect is easy installation. In both rectangular and corner baths, installing a screen is straightforward. It’s unhampered by low walls or sloped ceilings since a shower screen can be mounted only on the bath. Lastly, but equally important, is the aesthetic quality of shower screens for baths. Thanks to them, even small bathrooms can be elegant and modern.
Does a shower screen have any drawbacks? Yes, a bath with a screen primarily generates additional cleaning tasks. With just a bath, you don't have to clean the screen regularly. Additionally, a bath with a screen isn't suitable for people with disabilities using wheelchairs. In such cases, a shower cabin with a low or no tray is best.