Most bathroom showers require some type of screen or curtain to stop the water from splashing out and damaging other areas of your bathroom. Unless you are lucky enough to have a huge open space for your shower, then we recommend finding a suitable shower screen that complements your other bathroom fittings. Today we’re going to discover how to install a shower screen or you can learn more about bathroom refurb support by getting in touch with your team.
Choosing the Right Shower Screen for Your Bathroom
Before you learn more about fitting a shower screen, you’ll want to make sure you select the right size and material for your needs. Shower screens are usually made from standard glass panels and are designed to stop water from spilling onto the floor. Thanks to their appearance, they usually don’t make the shower feel too claustrophobic and can make for an attractive addition to your bathroom.
When you start to research shower screen fitting, you’ll might be surprised to see how many different types of shower screen are on offer. You can find static, foldable and hinged screens, all of which have different fitting methods. A static shower screen will generally be the easiest option to mount, but you may need extra support and guidance for hinged and foldable screens. Of course, you don’t have to DIY this task if you don’t feel comfortable, and you can outsource this task to your team of professionals who can help you with installing any bathroom fittings near me.
How to Fit a Shower Screen
Once you’ve selected your shower screen, it’s time to figure out how to fit the shower screen safely and effectively. Follow these steps below to fit your new shower screen into your home.
Remove Your Old Shower Screen
Before you can think about putting your new screen in, you’ll want to make sure that you safely take out your old shower screen. Start by disassembling the glass panel from where it sits in the metal wall channel. Then you can remove the screws that are fastening the wall channel before you can scratch the sealant off the wall channel to take it off. Before installing the new shower screen give the wall a good scrub before you can fit the new screen into place.
Preparing the Wall Channel for the Shower Screen
A wall channel is needed for even frameless glass screens and will need to be placed about 10-15 mm away from the outer edge of the shower tray. You’ll need to make sure you use a spirit level to balance and align it and then mark your holes before drilling. Select the right drill bit for the job at hand and then ensure you remove wall plugs and electrical wiring before you start to drill the wall. Fix the channel into place where the holes were drilled and then fasten them with screws.
Install Your New Glass Panel
When you have the foundation in place, you can move onto fitting the glass panels. Follow the instructions that came with your shower screen. Every manufacturer will have slightly different instructions and you’ll want to enlist the help of a friend or family member at this point. They can help to steady the panel while it is being fastened to the channel. Bracing bars are often necessary for larger shower screens that need extra support for their weight. Make sure you have the right angle for this to avoid issues further down the line and to ensure the full weight is supported.
Sealing the Edges
The final step in this process is to seal off the edges with caulk. A shower screen is designed to stop water splashes from escaping your shower area and damaging your bathroom fixtures. Therefore, sealing off the edges is the final step to ensure your shower screen can properly do its job. Using caulk to create a seal will help to create a watertight barrier to protect the rest of your bathroom. Once your sealant has been applied, you need to leave it for 24 hours to dry off fully. This will also help to add extra support to the wall channel and makes the glass screen more secure and effective.
While you do have the option to DIY this job, we typically recommend leaving the installation of a shower screen to the professionals. With the weight of the screen and the potential damage you can do to the glass, you’ll only want to tackle this job alone if you feel very confident with it. Our team will be here to support you with any shower screen fitting project. Contact us today for more information or to discuss any questions about how we can help you to upgrade your bathroom with a new shower screen.