Shower screens are one of the best budget-friendly ways to give your bathroom an aesthetic uplift. Although Bathroom renovations are expensive and take too much time, most Australians are looking for shower bath screens to help them add appeal to their bathrooms.
Adding a frameless shower or bath screen to your bathroom helps open up the space and adds a touch of elegance. However, many Australians have trouble deciding what type of frameless shower screens to buy.
What is a Frameless Shower?
A typical shower screen has metal frames that hold the glass panels together. However, a new shower screen is gaining popularity in Sydney due to its elegant and versatile designs.
A frameless shower panel is not held together using metal frames but instead by brackets and clamps to connect the panels to the walls and silicone to connect them. As a result, such a shower screen is becoming popular for small bathrooms as it does not require much space.
The toughened frameless shower screen allows light to travel through the edges, which would otherwise be blocked in a framed shower screen, giving your bathroom area a brighter feel.
Types of Frameless Shower Screens
There are several different types of shower bath screens depending on the design of the frameless shower screen you want. Therefore, We are mentioning below some of the most popular frameless showers.
Fixed Frameless Shower Panel
The fixed frameless shower panel comprises a single 10-15mm glass panel that can capture the attention of anyone who enters the bathroom. First, the installer fits the panel into the wall and tiles by drilling holes or using aluminium U-channel brackets. Finally, You can use extra brackets depending on how fixed you want the panel to be.
One of the main benefits of fixed frameless showers is that it is quick and easy to install. For example, you do not have to add more panels to a door, so you can get the job done at once. Moreover, the frameless shower panel is perfect for adding separation on one side of the bathroom, giving you an accessible shower compartment.
Wall to Wall Frameless Glass Shower
As the names suggest, a single frameless glass panel goes from one wall to the adjacent one in a single swoop to act as a shower screen. However, Sydney has seen an increase in sliding shower systems in the bathroom with walls on either side and for such showers, the wall-to-wall frameless shower screen is a perfect choice.
You can also add the shower screen using hinges or brackets to attach the glass panel directly to the wall or to attach the panel to the door of the shower.
L-Shaped Corner Shower Screen
L-shaped corner showers are the perfect choice to cover the shower or bath from both sides. However, in Sydney, showers and baths are positioned in the corner between two walls, leaving behind two spaces uncovered. Therefore, many homeowners prefer this design to add elegance and privacy to their showering section.
As the name suggests, the frameless shower panels go in an L-shape on both sides, attached through hinges or sliding systems.
Diamond Shaped Shower Bath Screens
A diamond frameless shower screen consists of three panels, two attached to the wall and diagonally toward the centre panel. Also, the panels are attached using brackets or hinges, and most use silicone to attach the glass panels.
The diamond shape is an excellent choice to add another aesthetic element to the bathroom and give the bathroom a brighter feel.
Over Bath Screen
An over-bath screen is a perfect choice for smaller bathrooms as it allows you to integrate a shower and a bath. In addition, the over-bath screen consists of a single frameless shower panel that attaches next to the shower head, giving you a shower area inside the bathtub. The other half of the bathtub is not covered by a screen, giving you the best of both worlds.
Quadrant Shower Screens
A quadrant shower screen is one of the most elegant and aesthetic designs available to give your bathroom the extra pop it needs. Not only, but the screen also consists of two frameless glass panels from either side of the corner, meeting in the middle. But also, this design allows the most prominent space for showering in the bathroom.
Types of Glass
Now that you know some of the frameless shower screen designs, you must also know the types of glass you can use. Therefore, we mention some of the most popular glass panels below.
Standard
Standard clear glass, also called annealed glass, is the same glass you find on windows or glass doors. The manufacturer heats the glass by mixing soda ash, sand, and lime. However, clear glass is the least expensive of all the other types and is the most used. There are many reasons why Australians prefer clear glass over other kinds, including:
- It allows you to see the tile work inside the shower
- It makes the bathroom and shower enclosure feel brighter and bigger
- It works with any bathroom style and design
- It is easier to clean than the other types.
Frosted
Frosted glass, also called acid-etched glass, is produced by acid etching the clear glass. While it allows some light to pass through, it only shows shapes or silhouettes by creating an obscure vision. Therefore, you get the perfect privacy in your shower, where someone can tell that there is a person on the other side but can not tell anything more. Frosted glass is popular with people installing frameless shower bath screens because:
- It is easy to clean
- It promotes privacy
- It is more durable than clear glass
- It does not show scratches
Pattern Glass
As the name suggests, pattern glass, also called textured glass, is clear glass with a specific pattern or texture embossed on either side. Not only does it obscure the image, adding privacy, but it can also add another level of aesthetics to the frameless shower. Glaziers use pattern glass for several reasons, including:
- It can hide an untidy shower
- Adds aesthetic appeal to the privacy element
Cast Glass
Reverting to the Egyptian era, they make cast glass by pouring molten glass into a mould to harden and produce a distinctive look. Cast glass panels are unique for every person as they come in several designs and offer many benefits, including:
- High durability
- Customizable glass panels
- Several design options
- Adds aesthetic appeal
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is made by adding metal oxides to the clear glass and gives different colour combinations. The glass not only adds privacy to the shower system but lets you employ different choices in style and design to match your bathroom colour contrast. For several reasons, we use tinted glass as a shower screen, including:
- Can block up to 99% of U.V rays
- Adds privacy
- Several design options
Benefits of Frameless Shower Screen
Are you still worried about whether you should get a frameless shower screen or not? We have listed several benefits of frameless glass showers to make your decision easier.
- It can be custom-made to fit your bathroom dimensions
- Toughened glass ensures safety and durability
- It gives a roomier feel to the shower space
- Easy to clean and low maintenance
- Allows lighter to pass through, increasing brightness.
- Allows users to see the tile work behind the screen
- It is resistant to mould and rust
- Door hinges can work 90 degrees both ways (inside and outside) to give more access.
- It provides several design options.
Cleaning Frameless Shower Screens
When you own a frameless shower screen, you must keep it clean to ensure that the shower screen shows its full potential. There are several things to remember when cleaning the frameless shower panel. Some of these things include:
- Use a microfiber cloth or a bath sponge
- Use cleaning solution, either homemade (made from lemons, vinegar, or baking soda) or shop-bought.
- Do not use brushes, as they can leave marks and scratches.
- Use Liquid soap to reduce soap scum.
Moreover, you should also know when and how frequently to clean your shower screen.
- Clean with a sponge daily or after every use
- Wipe down the entire frameless glass panel once a week
- Thoroughly clean the shower screen once a month to remove accumulated soap scum
- After cleaning, we suggest treating the glass with a glass coating service like VPG100 or hiring our professional glazier to do it for you.
Choosing the Right Frameless Shower Screen
Frameless shower bath screens have a range of benefits and allure that make you want to get them. Therefore, you must know what to consider regarding which type of frameless glass screen you want. Some of the things you must consider are:
- Budget: If you are looking for something incredibly affordable, consider the semi-frame options. Moreover, a wall-to-wall design is more affordable than other designs.
- Size: If your bathroom or bathtub size is not huge, you can look for more compact designs such as the hinge and panel frameless designs or the corner designs.
- Colour: If you are getting frameless screens, you don't have to worry about the colour. However, for other designs, consider the colour that goes best with your bathroom and bathtub.
- Glass: Consider the thickness, height, and width of the glass you want. Moreover, you can also consider the type of glass you want, either frosted, reeded, or sapphire.