Although the latest trends in interior design make them practically invisible, the truth is that the screens, very discreet, play a crucial role in the bathroom, since they not only protect it from splashes but also guarantee a pleasant temperature during the shower or bath . Make sure to choose the model that best suits the available space without forgetting issues such as tightness or ease of access. Materials, opening systems, finishes, made to measure or standard ... There are many factors that must be taken into account to be successful. For this reason, we have approached two experts to tell us everything there is to know before installing a shower screen in the bathroom.
Functionality, accessibility and aesthetics. These are the keys to choosing the most suitable screen for our bathroom and these should be the factors that guide our choice. The main function of a screen is to prevent water from leaving the shower area itself and from splashing dirt or even spoiling the rest of the bathroom. The first thing to analyze is what type of opening is the most appropriate with respect to the available space, so that access is more comfortable and offers greater security. In fact, for José Luis Moldes, marketing director, a pioneering firm in the manufacture of screens in our country, “the most important thing for the correct choice of a screen is to take into account the users since, for example, children and the elderly need more security, stability and places of support for".
Take action. In addition to the wide range of standard models available, the possibility of custom manufacturing means that there are no space limitations to mount a screen in any bathroom, no matter how small. However, from Suelos y always advise "to guarantee an access to the shower of a minimum of 50 or 60 cm, so that it is practical and comfortable". From , they emphasize that "the height and the entrance gap of the screen must exceed the measurements of the people who are going to use it."
Some firms have a partition configurator service , through which the user can make all kinds of combinations of measurements, finishes, profiles, etc… in order to design the piece that best fits in their bathroom from all points of view. These tools are usually available on the web pages of the main manufacturers of screens and allow us to get a very reliable idea of how the final product will look in our bathroom, thanks to the possibility of choosing different layouts, wall coverings and floors. In some cases, a real image of our bathroom can even be loaded into the application to give us a much more approximate idea of the possible result.
Sliding. The type of opening is decisive in the choice of a screen, especially in bathrooms where there are no more than meters. "The screens sliding panels are the most used, because they need free space for opening and fit almost all kinds of forms of shower trays , " he says from his experience director marketing of .
Swing. From the point of view of comfort, experts recommend hinged opening partitions, since they are the ones that offer a wider access to the interior of the shower and a better seal. However, from Duscholux they warn that "you have to take into account the elements that surround the screen to avoid obstructions when opening the doors." Hence, there are more and more models that not only open to the outside, but also to the inside - like the one in the image - which also offers the possibility of replacing one of the panels with a mirror, an element always practical in bathroom.
Folding and more. Particularly suitable for small bathrooms, the folding leaf partitions allow wider openings than the sliding ones when it comes to not very large showers since "they collect on themselves both in and out", says José Luis Moldes.
It also adds another important factor that must be taken into account if we have elderly people at home, with some type of disability or even small children: "In these cases, partitions with integrated assistance systems, such as handles that function as grab bars to make it easier to get in and out of the shower safely, they are highly recommended ”.
To the last. Finally, it is worth mentioning the fixed screens as the most innovative for walk-in showers , that is, large enough that they allow you to walk inside. They are suitable, according to our experts, for bathrooms with minimalist aesthetics, given the practical absence of profiles. From Duscholux they recommend them mainly for large bathrooms.
Invisible security. The main material of today's partitions is tempered glass, "in thicknesses of 6 and 8 mm, the latter recommended for leaves over 70 cm wide", explains Demetrio Muñoz. It is a safety glass with fracture properties that, as José Luis Moldes clarifies, “when it breaks, it leaves particles whose maximum size is between 4 and 5 mm, without generating sharp or tearing pieces”.
Special mention deserves the option, used more and more manufacturers, to incorporate anti-scale treatment to the panels. It is a product that is chemically integrated into the glass and gives it the property of repelling water, avoiding persistent lime, salt and dirt incrustations, with the consequent reduction of cleaning tasks.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) – 3D digital model of the building, which contains all necessary project information, allows all project participants to interact in an online mode, jointly opt...
