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When it comes to the interior design of our homes, we want to settle for nothing but the best. Apart from our living room, bedroom, and kitchen makeovers, bathroom renovations are also on the rise for this reason. After all, your shower is something you use each day, so it’s important to get the right look and feel.
Shower screens are an integral part of any bathroom remodeling project as they can enhance the aesthetic value of your bathroom while giving you a sense of privacy.
If you are thinking of installing a shower screen glass in your bathroom, here are some factors to take into account to make an informed decision.
Budgetary Constraints
There are countless shower screen glass options in varied styles, sizes, and shapes. The installation charges can also add to this purchase cost depending upon what you choose to buy. Framed shower screen glass or frameless shower screen glass? Or something in-between – a partly-framed shower screen?
The type of glass and the type of finish, among other such factors, play a big role in how much money you end up spending. This is why your budget should be your number one priority when you are thinking of remodeling or renovating your bathroom.
Once you are clear on how much you can afford to spend, it becomes easier to narrow down your options and choose the best fit.
Types of Shower Screen Glass
Here are the common types of shower screen glasses to choose from:
Fully-framed
As the name suggests, fully-framed shower screens provide support on each side and are built using a robust aluminum frame. There are multiple configurations available to suit bathrooms of all sizes. Fully-framed screens are mostly found in older homes and are popular for being long-lasting and sturdy.
Frameless
The stylish and contemporary finish offered by frameless shower screens makes them a popular choice for homeowners. They are easier to clean and give your bathroom an aesthetically pleasing appeal. They can make your bathrooms look bigger by allowing them to shine in natural light that seamlessly blends with your bathroom’s design.
Partly-framed
Partly-framed shower screen glass sits between the frameless and framed category. They are ideal for giving your bathroom a unique look without making a hole in your pocket. Only a section of the glass is framed and you have the flexibility to choose the perfect bathroom hardware that complements the entire look of your space.
Consider Your Bathroom Space
The next thing to consider is the size of your bathroom. If you have a small bathroom, bi-fold doors or sliding doors can look visually attractive without making the space look smaller or crowded. Conversely, if you have a large bathroom, hinged or pivoted doors can add grandeur to your space.
Another thing to consider is your bathroom’s upgrade. Ask yourself if you are happy with the existing configuration or would you like to change anything? A more in-depth renovation involving a tub-and-shower combo can allow you to play with large, walk-in glass enclosures.
If you are happy with the current configuration, you can choose the best shower screen glass depending upon the footprint and space of your shower and other bathroom fixtures. Frameless shower screens with clear standard glass are easy on the pockets and involve easy maintenance.
Compliance with Australian Safety Standards
It’s advisable to go through the Building Code of Australia to understand the compliance requirements associated with shower screen glasses. AS 1288:1994 outlines the Australian compliance standards on glass buildings selection and installation. AS/NZS 2208:1996 focuses on the Australian compliance standards on safety glazing materials in buildings.
You must ensure that you use Grade A safety glass for your shower screen enclosures as a safety precaution. In an unfortunate event, if a Grade A glass breaks in the bathroom, it won’t cause a health risk by breaking into large jagged pieces.
Additionally, choose either laminated or toughened safety glass with at least 5mm thickness for framed screens. In the case of frameless screens, the thickness should be 10mm, whereas, for partly framed screens, you can go for 6mm thickness.
Pro Tip: In the case of any confusion, check out the Fair Trading Website to fully understand glass use before you purchase shower screen glass for your bathroom.
Eco-friendly
Climate change, global warming and wildfires are only a few of the environmental issues the world is facing at large. This makes it our responsibility to protect the ecosystem by using products that are natural and less toxic. Choosing shower screen glass for your bathroom is no different.
We firmly believe choosing eco-friendly shower screen glass can collectively help in reducing the carbon footprint on our planet and make it more sustainable. So, we use state-of-the-art technology on glass surfaces to make our shower screen glasses environmentally friendly. This makes them more hygienic and enables them to resist bacteria growth, discoloration, and staining.
Wrapping Up
We hope the above guide has been helpful to assist you in buying the perfect shower screen glass for your bathroom. A good starting point is to check your bathroom space and customize the shower screen glass accordingly. Consider the type of shower screen glass that will accentuate the overall look of your bathroom. Account for the money you are willing to spend, the maintenance required, and the compliance with Australian Safety Standards to get the best buy.
