Shower curtains are not just a piece of synthetic material that is hung over the bathtub.
Currently, designers offer a wide variety of curtains for both bathtubs and shower trays.
They are sold in stores and interior showrooms, and you can even make them yourself.
How to choose shower curtains or create a protective barrier for the bathroom? To do this, you need to understand their types, materials and properties.
Materials
Half a century ago, such a bathroom element was made from raincoat fabric, linen, bologna, tarpaulin and even cotton. But they all had their drawbacks, which forced them to be abandoned, although even now you can find curtains made from such materials that serve more as decoration than with a protective function.
Among their disadvantages is the ability to absorb water, so fabric curtains quickly wore out and served as an excellent habitat for various microorganisms.
Modern products are durable, environmentally friendly and safe. The most popular shower curtains for the bathroom are made from:
- polymer,
- plastic,
- glass
Dimensions and shape
Tile pallets can have almost any shape - in the form of a circle, oval, square, rectangle, sector or complex figure. The length and width of the structure are usually selected according to the size of the bathroom and start from 70 cm. When choosing, you can focus on a ready-made booth - or vice versa, buy or order plumbing fixtures that are suitable for a tiled tray.
One of the popular options for a small bathroom is a corner shape and large tiles. The tiles are selected in the same color scheme as those used for finishing the walls and floors. The color of the pallet makes the interior of the room more harmonious, and the design allows you to save space.
Corner design with tile trimSource ligastroygroup.ru
The depth of the pan can be small - only sufficient to drain liquid with a slope of 0.03-0.05. If there is a side around it, the design performs almost the same functions as a shallow bathtub. The pallet is laid out with small tiles (mosaics), and the walls with large tiles, preferably made in a similar color scheme. The same material can be used to decorate shower partitions.
Glass
Using glass shower panels as privacy curtains is a great way to add a little luxury to your bathroom. There are different options in stores. From them you can make not only a shower without using a tray, but also a high-quality bathroom.
For this purpose, special tempered glass is used. You can also use triplex - this is special glass with a protective film on both sides. When hit, such glass will not crumble, because all the fragments will remain on the film.
A modern shower room consists of a tray, a cubicle and a niche. Using rigid glass curtains, you can create a practical niche where you can conveniently store bath accessories. You can’t do without a niche and closed shelves in the bathroom.
After all, some products need to be stored away from water. There is an option to make a niche above the shower and put doors there, hinged or sliding, or hang a curtain.
Which option to choose depends on the wishes of the owner and the designer’s suggestions; besides, photos of shower curtains can be viewed in catalogs or on the websites of the manufacturer’s companies.
Curtain selection
Pallet curtains look great, which is due to the variety of designs and styles that blend well with any shower and bathroom interior. When choosing the type of material, you will need to take into account the dimensions of the tray and the dimensions of the curtain fabric to fully protect the floor in the sanitary room from water ingress.
Shower curtain
Depending on the type of design, all currently produced shower curtains are presented in combined, frame and frameless versions.
Shower curtain material
The most common practice is to use two types of curtains that are equipped with shower trays:
- Special waterproof fabric. A soft version of the partition, quickly installed using the upper rod. To hang such material, special hooks are used to prevent the fabric curtain from breaking. It should be noted that waterproof fabrics are universal and mobile, so they will be the best option for almost any type of structure.
- Glass or thick and transparent plastic. A more massive and heavier option, requiring competent selection of all structural elements. It is important that the strong frame base used for mounting glass and plastic partitions is as stable as possible. The frame and guides, made of metal, require reliable fixation to the walls and pallet.
The second option requires mandatory treatment of all joints with waterproof sealants and installation of special rubberized linings that prevent the penetration of moisture.
It is important to remember that fabric shower curtains must be impregnated with special compounds that allow incoming water to freely roll into the pan.
Shower curtain size
The practicality indicators of shower curtains today do not raise any doubts among consumers and specialists, therefore, in the absence of newfangled functionality in the design, it is recommended to make a choice in favor of such systems for enclosing space.
Glass and plastic curtains are produced in accordance with a certain size of the shower structure, but the most popular and in demand at present are fences with dimensions of 80x80 and 90x90 cm.
Curtains made from waterproof fabrics are an excellent alternative to purchasing a separate hydrobox, and their use allows you to save significant money, ensuring sufficient reliability and functionality of the shower stall.
Fabric moisture-resistant options may differ in size, appearance and cost, but their choice, as a rule, is not difficult, due to the features and basic characteristics, including the size of the material.
Bottom line
Which shower or bath curtains to choose? You need to rely on the practicality of the option and how this or that element will fit into your bathroom, and not just look at what is fashionable.
Curtains made of flexible and elastic material are excellent for corner showers, and protective plastic or glass structures can be made for straight ones.
Price
The price of shower trays with ready-made curtains made of plastic or glass varies from the lowest to the highest.
The approximate cost of ready-made structures that are popular on the Russian market is:
- Nautico SWB-8005, China – 13 thousand rubles;
- Loranto CS-7006, China - 7 thousand rubles;
- Wasserfalle F-2005, Germany – 48 thousand rubles.
- Shower tray RGW PA-56, Germany – 25 thousand rubles.
- Buon Trapezen G-06, Sweden - 23 thousand rubles.
- Parlu ZE91, China – 8 thousand rubles;
- Aquadush AD-H, Russia-Slovenia – 8 thousand rubles.
- Erlit, Russia – from 12 thousand rubles.
- Arcus AS-З01, China – 12 thousand rubles.
- River Don Light, China – 6 – 12 thousand rubles.
- Pucsho Kreis TR, Germany – 20 thousand rubles;
- Am.Pm Like Twin Slide, Germany-Italy 26 thousand rubles.
- Graham-Graham MG 06, Great Britain – 26 thousand rubles;
- Jacob Delafon Odeon Up, France – 40 thousand rubles.
- Niagara NG-00З, South Korea – 80 thousand rubles.
Photo of shower curtains
Flaws
Glass partitions, like any product, have some disadvantages.
- Glass curtains are much more expensive than their fabric counterparts, since in addition to purchasing the partition itself, you will have to spend money and effort on installation, not to mention delivery.
- The main disadvantage is the complexity of installing the structure. And in this case, there are two options: either install it yourself, if you understand that you can do it, or call specialists. Correct installation is important for sliding structures, which simply will not close tightly if installed unevenly.
- If you do not monitor and care for the partition, fungus and mold may develop on it, the removal of which will have to suffer.
Photo by ReRooms
Shower partition in a bathroom design project from ReRooms
