If you don’t have the space or budget for a separate shower and bath, you’ve probably decided on a combined shower-bath. But should you go with a shower curtain, or choose a glass shower door to enclose it? Some of us might like the softer look of fabric that can be changed at will, while others might love the no-nonsense efficiency of a sheer pane of glass.

Here are the benefits of shower curtains and glass doors.

Shower Curtains

Soften Surfaces

Fabric can soften the overall aesthetic of a bathroom. Make sure your curtain — or at least the outer fabric section — can be washed at home, so any hint of mildew or staining can be nipped in the bud.

Add Personality 

Shower curtains can instantly inject a blast of color, print and personality with the minimum of fuss, expense and effort. And even better, when you’re tired of the look, the curtain can be replaced with one in a different style.

Be bold with color in the bathroom and remember, you don’t have to stick with top-to-bottom white for a fresh feel.

Change A Tub Into A Shower-Tub

Claw-foot tubs baths with a shower above can be difficult to pull off — particularly when it comes to dealing with water spills and splashes. Glass panels are generally a no-no where curves and awkwardly shaped tubs are concerned, unless you go for something custom, so your best bet is to install a robust ceiling-mounted rail and finish with a heavy-duty, waterproof shower curtain that can be swept all the way around the inside the tub.

Prettify The Room

The No. 1 reason people choose a shower curtain is simple: to prettify the room and makes you want to stay there all day.

Can Make A Design Modern 

May people think shower curtains are a thumbs down for the modern bathroom. Think again.

Glass Doors and Panels

Gives Full Enclosure 

There’s no fear of water escaping from the bath, as sliding doors fully enclose the tub. Sliding panels of glass are also a good option where space is at a premium, as they don’t need to hinge or pivot outward.

Helps Utilize Tricky Spaces 

A bath can be placed rather neatly in an unused alcove or nook in a converted attic, but how to cope with the sloping ceilings if you want a shower too?

One option is a custom shower panel, which can accommodate tricky recesses and angles as well as nonstandard heights. You might pay extra for this item, but for a neat, splash-proof solution, it’s worth considering.

Expands The Space

 

A fixed panel of frameless glass looks the part in any style of bathroom. This is the best option if your bathroom is compact and a curtain or glass doors with hardware would break up the space and visually shrink your room.

Keep It Simple 

If you have a lot going on in terms of decor in the rest of the bathroom then perhaps plain no-frills glass is the best solution.

Look for glass that has been finished with a special coating so dirt and limescale won’t accumulate and make it hard to keep clean. It might bump up the overall price of the screen, but it will save you cleaning time.

Gives You Options

 

With a shower curtain, you have one style of entry — you pull the curtain to one side to step in and then pull it closed. With glass enclosures, you have a choice of several types of entry. Besides a fixed panel of glass with an opening on one side, you can choose among various door types — sliding, hinged and folding.