Everything You Need to Know About Our Glass Shower Screens
Curious about the partitions we supply at EGW to protect your bathroom? From bath-shower combos to walk-in shower enclosures, our safety glass shower screens are a popular choice for their modern aesthetic as well as their ability to prevent water from spraying outwards onto your bathroom floor and walls.
To help you order the right glass shower screen for your home, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions with more information on these products and how to install them. Learn more about the various kinds of shower screens, available fitting types and finishes, size options, and their benefits below!
If you need more advice before buying a glass shower screen, you can contact us by calling 020 8500 1188 or emailing info@egw.co.uk, and we'll get back to you with recommendations.
Why are glass shower screens the best option?
While standard shower curtains may be cheaper, you get what you pay for – and if you want a divider that both acts and looks the part, then toughened glass is the top choice. Why wrestle with a leaky, unattractive plastic sheet when you could wash in peace with a sturdy frameless glass shower screen?
These bath shower screens function as protective barriers, keeping water from splashing or spreading throughout the room, while also adding a contemporary decorative element. Glass is such a versatile material that it looks good wherever it’s used – especially in smaller rooms, where it’s important not to block the flow of light.
While plastic curtains can soon become worn and discoloured and frequently need replacing, a toughened glass screen will stay in place and do its job well for a long time.
Practically speaking, tempered safety glass barriers are also more dependable and accessibility-friendly for people with mobility issues. Toughened glass is much more resistant to breakage than standard glass, and if it does break under a heavy impact, it will shatter into smaller, blunt pieces to reduce the risk of injuries.
Thanks to their non-porous smooth surfaces, making them resistant to mould and mildew, glass shower screens are also much easier to clean than shower curtains – especially if you opt to add a stain-resistant, protective polymer coating when you place your order for delivery across the UK.
Like table tops or kitchen splashbacks with glass surfaces, all you need is warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth to wipe down glass shower screens and maintain their sleek appearance.
Leaving you to enjoy your shower time, stress-free, for many years to come!
What is the best shower screen for my bathroom?
Choosing the right screen for your bathroom is as much about personal style and design preferences as it is function and sizing. This means the best glass shower screen for you and your space is likely to be different from what is best for other homeowners and their bathrooms.
With a range of styles available at EGW, we’re confident you can find the right shower panel to match your specific requirements, as well as your layout and colour scheme.
For example, we offer 8 mm thick panels that are 1500 mm tall and up to 600–900 mm wide, which are ideal for shower-bath combos that don’t need a full-height barrier. For step-in showers or wet rooms, we offer 10 mm thick partitions that are 2000 mm tall and up to 500–1465 mm wide.
Depending on the type and size of shower screen you would like, there are also different glazing options to select from. Whether you choose a traditional clear divider, frosted for extra privacy, or a grey tint for a more unique look, you’ll also have a choice of finishes for the fittings that come paired with it.
Whichever style you choose to install, a glass shower screen is an essential purchase for any modern-day bathroom to create a splash-free zone outside the bathtub or enclosure.
What are the different types of glass shower screens?
Shower partitions can differ based on the overall layout of your bathroom, but all of our shower screens are made from high-quality materials. The main types are:
Wetroom screens:
Ideal for larger bathrooms, glass wet room screens provide an open and airy feel, enhancing the sense of space with a seamless look and allowing easy movement within the shower area. With no steps, shower tray, or barriers, wet rooms are highly accessible for individuals with mobility challenges who may not be able to use a standard bath or shower-bath.
Over-the-bath screens:
As a space-saving solution, over-the-bath screens are great for smaller bathrooms or en-suites where a separate shower enclosure isn’t feasible. They allow you to have a partially enclosed shower area without sacrificing the functionality of a bathtub. Unlike cheaper shower curtains, these glass dividers provide a more premium, polished appearance.
Shower enclosures:
Like wet rooms, walk-in shower enclosures create a sectioned-off shower design. However, they often require a tray on the floor, along with either a sliding or hinged door, to form a completely waterproof, contained showering area. These types of step-in shower enclosures suit smaller and simpler layouts, but can also create more spacious shower cubicles.
Shower Partition Comparison:
|
Feature |
Wet Rooms |
Bath Screens |
Shower Enclosures |
|
Space Requirement |
Larger spaces |
Compact spaces with a bath |
Small or large spaces |
|
Aesthetic Appeal |
Modern, minimalist |
Versatile |
Simple, compact |
|
Accessibility |
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Installation Cost |
High |
Low |
Moderate |
|
Maintenance Ease |
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
What finishes are available for shower screen glass panels?
Our shower screens are crafted from toughened safety glass that is far more resistant to breakage than the standard version, with a polished finish to the edges of each panel.
The multiple variants available include low-iron and regular clear toughened glass, frosted toughened glass, and grey tinted toughened glass.
Clear glass: A pristine and timeless finish, clear glass offers a 21st-century look with clean lines that enhances the open ambience of the room. It allows a seamless view through shower screens, making your bathroom appear larger and airier. The clarity makes it extremely versatile, so it matches with any bathroom décor, be it contemporary or traditional.
Frosted glass: Known for providing privacy while still allowing light to filter through it, frosted glass is an ideal choice for shared bathrooms or for those who prefer a more secluded showering space. The cloudy finish produces a blurred image of whoever is standing behind the glass, so you can shower privately, even if someone else is using the room at the same time.
Grey tinted glass: Opting for grey tinted glass adds a hint of colour, creating a distinctive aesthetic that fits into both traditional and contemporary bathrooms. It also reduces glare, which can be beneficial in rooms with a lot of natural light. Whilst not as opaque as its frosted counterpart, the grey finish can provide a degree of privacy as well as unique visual appeal.
Grey frosted glass: Providing all the benefits of the standard variations, our grey frosted glass offers an extra touch of luxury. The perfect choice for a more modern-style bathroom.
What fittings and fixtures do I need for my shower screen?
Whichever type of glazed partition you choose, fixing glass in place requires the right fittings to ensure it is installed correctly. The shower screen fittings we offer at EGW include:
Wet room screen fittings:
- U-channel
- Support bar
- Wall or ceiling bracket for support bar
All our wetroom fittings are available in a range of finishes, including chrome, brushed satin, polished brass, or matt black.
Bath screen fittings:
- Glass-to-wall hinges
We offer glass-to-wall hinges in both brass and matt black finishes.
Whether you prefer fixed profiles or reversible doors that you can swing open and pull closed with the ideal adjustment, you’re sure to find the perfect glass panel within our collection.
Regardless of the type of glass selected, when installing shower wall channels and bottom glazing channels, remember to also install the appropriate seals along the edges. While the glass barrier can stop water splashing everywhere, seals are necessary around the edges of the panel to prevent water from leaking out over the bathroom floor.
What shower screen size should I get?
When buying a new shower screen, size is clearly one of the most important factors. From small bath screens to large wetroom screens, we have standard sizes available for every bathroom – so, here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you pick the right one.
Take accurate measurements:
- Preparation – Ensure the area is clean and free from any obstructions. Have a measuring tape, a level, and preferably a helper at hand to ensure accuracy.
- Height measurement – Measure from the base, where the bottom edge will sit, to the top, where you want the screen to reach. For full-length screens, measure from the floor to the required top level. For over-the-bath screens, measure from the flat edge of the tub to the desired height.
- Width measurement – Measure the width at different heights (at the base, the middle, and the top) to account for any irregularities in the wall surfaces.
- Record details – Write down your measurements clearly, always double-checking for accuracy. It might be helpful to sketch a simple diagram of the area, noting down the shape and size.
Pick the right size:
Once you have your measurements, you’ll be able to pick the perfect product from our range of standard screen sizes (in millimetres):
Bath screens:
- Height – 1500
- Width – 600, 700, 800, or 900
Wet room screens:
- Height – 2000
- Width – 500 to 1465
Request customisations:
As made-to-order glass suppliers, we know that standard sizes don’t always fit all bathroom spaces. If you need to create a custom shape, you can contact us to supply technical drawings and request a personalised quote for a shower screen with cut-outs, radius corners, dubbed corners, or internal notches.
For example, if you’re planning a hinged design, you’ll need the correct hinge cut-outs or drill holes. Depending on the size of the panel, we can advise you on the minimum drill hole size and positioning, as they will need to have an appropriate internal radius and be a reasonable distance from other holes to ensure structural integrity.
If it’s possible for us to manufacture your custom shower screen, we’ll provide a tailored quote and supply your bespoke product to the same high standards.
Can you use glass screens for any kind of shower?
As long as you order the correct size for your bath, shower, or wetroom space, our safety glass shower screens can be installed in most types of shower-baths, shower enclosures, or wet rooms that require a rectangular divider. The shape just needs to match the tray or bath’s lines, with enough room for people to access the shower and/or bath taps.
Please note, however, that we currently do not offer curved screens for rounded corner baths or folding bath shower screen systems.
As you’ll see from browsing our screen designs above, we offer a selection of standard sizes, with fixed heights and a range of widths to choose from. All our shower screens are available to order online – simply add everything you need to your online basket and head over to our secure checkout for convenient home delivery.
However, we understand that the same sizes may not fit all rooms, which is why we would be happy to help if you contact us to request a bespoke shower screen.
For example, if you’re interested in a specific finish, such as bronze tinted toughened glass, particular shapes, like large cut-outs for right or left-hand rakes or smaller socket cut-outs, or certain glass thicknesses to fit in your preferred wall channels, just ask, and we’ll do our best to provide a suitable product for you.
Use the online chat or get in touch by phone or email to submit an enquiry with your required dimensions, glazing type, and fitting finishes. A customer service representative will get back to you with more information and a bespoke quote if it’s possible to proceed with purchasing glass cut to size for your custom shower screen.