One of the most crucial choices you can make when designing a bathroom is to get a made to measure shower screen. However, it’s easy to miss the smaller elements that affect whether the final product looks and feels right in your bathroom. A made to measure shower screen is totally tailored to your individual measurements, your preferred style and the practical needs of everyday use, as opposed to off-the-shelf options that urge you to modify your bathroom to fit a fixed size. You may avoid wasting time, money, and energy in the long run if you do it correctly the first time.
Everything Depends on Accurate Measuring
You must realise that the accuracy of your measurements is of utmost importance before you delve into design options or choose glass finishes for your made to measure shower screen. Although it may seem apparent, this is actually the most typical spot where things go wrong. Older homes, and even some contemporary constructions, don’t always have perfectly plumb or square walls. If you take a single measurement down the length of a wall, you can discover that the screen fits perfectly at the top but doesn’t quite fit at the bottom, or the opposite is also true. Taking measurements from three different locations (the top, center, and bottom) and recording the smallest one can help you decide if the screen can be fitted flat or pressed against an uneven surface.
The precise measurement of the tray or threshold is of equal importance. Water can leak onto the bathroom floor if there is a misalignment between the base of a made to measure shower screen and any upstands, lips or trays. It is highly recommended to have a professional surveyor come and take measures for you before you place your purchase if you are unsure about your measurement abilities.
Properly Selecting the Thickness of the Glass
When choosing a made to measure shower screen, many individuals overlook the importance of the glass thickness. Six millimetres, eight millimetres, and ten millimetres thickened safety glass are the most popular options. Although thinner glass is more lightweight and may be suitable for smaller screens or areas where the framework provides substantial structural support, it is typically recommended to use a thicker glass panel for frameless or semi-frameless designs. The installation will have a more high-end, solid vibe with a 10mm made to measure shower screen because it will feel much more substantial, be less likely to bend when the door is opened and closed, and so on.
British safety glazing requirements require all glass used in shower screens to be toughened or laminated to ensure that small, comparatively harmless fragments, rather than big, deadly shards, are produced in the event of a break. Make sure the made to measure shower screen you order satisfies these requirements before making a final decision.
Style: Framed, Semi-Frameless, or Without a Frame?
Whether your made to measure shower screen is fully framed, semi-framed, or completely frameless, the style you choose will have a big impact on how it looks and how well it works. The metal channels that surround the glass panels of framed screens allow for some degree of adjustment, making them more accommodating to slightly off measurements. While they are typically easier to seal against water intrusion, the channels can accumulate soap scum and limescale, which makes cleaning them a bit more of a hassle.
However, the accuracy of the glass and the hardware utilised to support and hinge it determine the success of a frameless made to measure shower screen. Due to the lack of channels for concealing defects, very precise measurements are required, together with an absolutely level installation surface. The result of all that effort is a surface that is exceptionally easy to wipe down and maintain, with a lovely open look that is perfect for modern bathrooms.
Taking into account the Starting Process
Before you submit your order, you should give some serious thought to how your made to measure shower screen will open. To ensure that the door may open completely without hitting the toilet, basin, or the wall on the other side, there must be enough room in front of the shower enclosure for hinged doors that swing outward. This can be a real limitation in a small bathroom. When installing a made to measure shower screen in a cramped or otherwise unusually shaped room, a bi-fold door is a great option because it folds back on itself, taking up much less space.
Another common choice is sliding doors, which don’t need any swing area at all and are perfect for larger enclosures or walk-in bath/shower combinations. Get down on one knee in the lavatory and draw a rough sketch of the door’s motion before you finalise your specifications. You should think about the people who will be using the shower before purchasing it. Some features may be more child-friendly or easier to use than others, so keep that in mind.
Surfaces, Hardware, and Profiles
Your made to measure shower screen should come with metal profiles, hinges, and knobs that are both durable and stylish. While chrome is always a safe bet since it works with so many different designs, more and more people are looking for bathroom fixtures with brushed nickel, matte black, brushed brass or gunmetal finishes to complement their more modern or minimalistic decor. Choosing the same finish for your made to measure shower screen hardware will produce a harmonious and well-planned appearance, for example, if your taps, towel rails, and accessories are all brushed brass.
If you see any metal parts, be sure to enquire about the coating quality. The constant moisture and chemical interaction in a shower can damage low-quality finishes, causing them to discolour, pit, or peel. Investing a bit more on hardware that is well-finished and resistant to corrosion will yield better results in the long run.
Glass Enamel and Reusable Finishes
An easy-clean or hydrophobic coating can be put to the surface of the glass by many providers of made to measure shower screen glass. Instead of water remaining on the surface and drying to form limescale deposits, these treatments make the water bead and flow off the surface. Much of England is located in an area with hard water, thus this coating can really improve the screen’s maintenance ease. Coatings can be applied either before shipping or after installation; some are applied in the factory. As part of your regular upkeep, you should enquire as to whether the coating is permanent or requires periodic reapplication.
Time Required for Installation and Preparation
There is no stock for a made to measure shower screen; instead, it is manufactured to your exact specifications. The time it takes to go from making an order to getting the final product can range from two to six weeks, though it really depends on the design’s complexity and the demand at the moment. Be sure to include this in your renovation schedule, especially if other trades will be needed. If the shower screen won’t be arriving for another month, there’s no use in having the tiler finish the wet wall installation.
Get the installation location ready before the screen comes. It is recommended to tile, seal, and cure the walls. Make sure that any tray or floor in the wet room is in its final position. When your made to measure shower screen is delivered, you can install it right away without worrying about it becoming damaged in transit or being stored while other projects are being finished.
Making an Accurate Seal
A poor seal at the borders will cause issues, regardless of how precisely designed and exquisitely crafted your made to measure shower screen is. If water gets under tiles or into the floor substrate, it will cause damage and be expensive to fix. Before you use the shower, make sure the surface is completely dry by applying a high-quality, mold-resistant silicone sealant that is designed for use in damp areas. Be careful to apply the sealant in a smooth and even manner. The substantial investment you’ve made in your made to measure shower screen is safeguarded by this final, minor step, which also guarantees that it will serve you well for many years.