What Is a Shower Screen Actually For?

One of the biggest misconceptions homeowners have about shower screens is believing that the shower area should be completely sealed.

A shower screen is not designed to be a fish tank. Its purpose is simply to screen the water and help control where it goes within the bathroom.

A properly functioning shower depends on several elements working together, including:

• the position of the shower screen
• the direction of the shower head
• the slope of the floor tiles
• the position of the shower base or polymarble tray

In many bathrooms the floor tiles are layed with a slight fall toward the waste so that water naturally drains away.

When a shower base such as a polymarble tray is used, the tray is already designed to direct water toward the drain.

The shower screen works together with these elements to keep water within the shower area.

Problems can occur when mistakes are made during tiling or when the shower base is positioned incorrectly. In these situations, the shower screen may be expected to contain water that should normally be directed away by the floor fall or the base design.

With more than 30 years experience and over 50,000 bathroom visits, Sam has seen many examples where understanding how the shower base, tiling, and screen work together can prevent ongoing water problems.

Understanding the purpose of a shower screen helps homeowners make better decisions when planning a bathroom renovation or replacing an existing screen.

Not sure if your shower screen, tiling, or shower base layout will control water properly?

Send Sam a photo of your bathroom and he will let you know if a consultation would be helpful.