A Guide To Bath and Shower Screens

Frameless Shower Screens

A Frameless Shower screen has no frame around the whole shower screen, it consists of glass panels and brackets. A Frameless shower screen gives a seamless look to a modern bathroom. Because there is no frame around the glass, the glass is held onto the wall with brackets and then silicone secures the glass on the wall and floor.

Key Points to Consider regarding a Frameless Shower Screen

Tight shower screen openings to minimise water leakage between the internal glass panels (some water leakage may occur due to the fact glass panels do not touch in frameless shower screens).
Hinges hold the door closed in frameless shower screens as opposed to magnets in framed and semi-frameless shower screens.
Doors can be up to a size of 800mm with 2 hinges and can be larger with 3 hinges.
10mm toughened safety glass is used for the glass panels, this is structurally strong and meets Australian Standards;
- Toughened glass is cut to size, with all glass cut outs that may be required, and then heat treated.
- This process changes the molecular structure of the glass and if/when impacted it will shatter into tiny cubes in such a way that it reduces the chance of being cut like large shards of glass would.
- If it breaks, new glass needs to be ordered to size and re-installed.
- Toughened glass from the day of ordering/giving the go ahead takes approximately 10 days to be received from our supplier.

Easy to clean
Is the most expensive of the shower screen range but is also the most aesthetically pleasing and modern

Semi-Frameless Shower Screens

A Semi-frameless Shower screen has both framed sections and frameless sections to the shower screen. Semi-frameless shower screens are designed in such a way that they have a sleek, continuous aluminium frame that surrounds the external rim of the glass, which provides strength, stability and durability. The internal parts of the shower screen are frameless, appealing to the eye and aesthetics of the bathroom, while providing the transparency of a frameless shower screen, and great function.

Key Points to Consider regarding a Semi-Frameless Shower Screen

Tight shower screen openings to minimise water leakage between the internal glass panels
Forged brass clamping system which is adjustable (not siliconed on)
Solid brass magnet door catches
Single hole in the glass for easy install and adjustment
No pocket in the sill (equals no mould build up)
Internal corner stakes with mitred corners for structural strength
Comes in a sill-less option with no mechanical fixings to the floor (great for wheelchair access)
Doors up to 950mm wide
The aluminium used in the shower screens we install are very strong and solid which ensures that they are sturdy and safe in your bathroom
Slimline frame design

6mm toughened safety glass is used for the glass panels;
- Toughened glass is cut to size, with all glass cut outs that may be required, and then heat treated.
- This process changes the molecular structure of the glass and if/when impacted it will shatter into tiny cubes in such a way that it reduces the chance of being cut like large shards of glass would.
- If it breaks, new glass needs to be ordered to size and re-installed

Easy to clean
Cheaper than frameless shower screen.

Configurations:

Framed Shower Screens

Framed shower screens can be very stylish, modern and essentially suited to many bathroom designs in a variety of ways. All of our shower screens are custom made to suit your bathroom which ensures that they are installed in such a way that they fit properly, regardless of whether the walls or floors are out of square. Framed shower screens can come in a variety of styles in pivot door and sliding door options and different colours.

Key Points to Consider regarding a Framed Shower Screen

Fully framed shower screens have very little to no leakage outside of the shower screen area.
Full length captive magnet handle for secure door closing.
Internal corner stakes with mitred corners for added structural strength.
Twin lock adjustable Pivot system with brass base pin.
Pivot blocks attached with nutserts and stainless-steel machine screws for minor door adjustments as houses settle and grounds move. (Opposed to many other brands that use self-tapping screws straight into the aluminium which becomes elongated with usage)
The aluminium used in the shower screens we install are very strong and solid which ensures that they are sturdy and safe in your bathroom. This also ensures longer lifespan of your shower screen which can withstand some heavy handedness.
White/silver aluminium framing is kept in stock with the options of satin black, matt natural, bright gold, pearl, barley, white birch available which is ordered in.

We use 6.38mm Laminated safety glass in framed shower screens
- 6.38mm Laminated safety glass consists of 2 pieces of 3mm float glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer
- This glass holds together when impacted, which means if you or anyone in your home were to slip/trip/fall onto the glass, it will stay in one piece, even if the glass cracks/breaks. By remaining intact, this reduces the level of injury which may be sustained. (Note; if cracked/broken the glass will need replacing, but will function fine until such replacement occurs)

6.38mm Laminated safety glass is kept in stock
Clear glass is the most commonly used, however translucent glass (milky white), grey glass or bronze glass can be used also if you do not want clear
Cheaper than semi-frameless and frameless shower screens for the same type of design

Framed pivot door configurations (From Danmac brochure)

Shower Panels

Shower Panels are a great option in bathrooms and come in both frameless and framed options. Shower panels are a single panel of glass that are attached to the wall with either a wall channel, or brackets, and used silicone to attach to the floor. The design of a shower panel ensures bathrooms look sleek and modern, whilst having suitable function. As we custom make all of our shower screens and panels, we can custom make your shower panel, which is great if your walls and floor are not completely square.

Key Points to Consider:

10mm toughened safety glass is used for the frameless panels and 6.38 laminated safety glass is used with the framed options
Since frameless panels are toughened, they can explode into tiny cuboid pieces if broken
As there is no door on a shower panel, it is great for easy access
Alternatively, due to having no door, water retention is not its strongest point
A frameless option creates an open plan bathroom look and feel

Bath Screens

Bath screens can be as simple as a glass panel fixed to your bath and wall, which may be framed or frameless. Or when we think of a bath screen, generally we work with semi-frameless options which may be; a fixed panel with a pivoting door, called a fixed and swing, a single swing door only, or a multi-fold consisting of 2 panels of glass. Essentially, it’s a screen system that is positioned on your bath that provides a great alternative option to a shower screen.

Key Points to Consider:

Bath screens are a great option if you want to create the illusion of a shower screen within the constraints of a bathroom that has an existing bath (whereby you do not want to do a complete bathroom remodel).
If you want to get rid of a shower curtain and replace it with a more aesthetically pleasing and functional water retention system.
If you want to be able to have full access to a bath, to bathe children, whilst also having the multi-fold screen so you can have a fully functional shower.

Most common questions about Shower Screens

What is the cheapest?

Typically price ranges in the following order from least expensive to most expensive; framed, semi-frameless, frameless. Frameless shower panels are dependent on the size you are after and bath screens are often close to the price of a framed shower screen. We can provide you with a free measure and quote to give you your custom price for your next shower screen.

What are the colour options?

Danmac (our main supplier) offer the following colour options: Bright silver, bright gold, matt natural, pewter, pearl white, barley, white birch and satin black (see below)

What are the best shower screens for water retention?

Framed shower screens are the best at water retention as all components overlap when closed, therefore, limiting the chance of water leakage. Semi-frameless, frameless, shower panels and bath screens all have sections where there are openings between the glass or panels which increase the chances of water leakage/spillage.

Are the products Australian made? – most parts are Australian made, however some extrusions and components are imported from China and New Zealand

Type of glass used and why?

Framed shower screens and framed shower panels use 6.38mm laminated safety glass as all edges of the glass are enclosed and these shower screens do not need holes cut out in the glass. This makes laminated (A Grade safety glass) more than suitable. Semi-frameless and frameless shower screens use toughened glass as it is stronger and to allow for the exposed edges. Semi-frameless glass is typically 6mm thick and frameless glass is 10mm thick

What is Laminated Glass?

Laminated safety glass consists of 2 pieces of 3mm float glass bonded together with a PVB plastic inner layer. If impacted, and the glass breaks, laminated glass will remain in the frame in one piece even though it is broken. Laminated glass cannot be used in semi-frameless and frameless shower screens as the exposed edges create weak points.

What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass is glass that is heat treated once it has been cut to the exact size (and has any hole/hinge cut outs for shower screens). Toughened glass is Grade A safety glass and is essential to use in semi-frameless and frameless shower screens as the glass has exposed edges and requires additional strength. The toughening process occurs after the glass has been cut to size accurately and it then undergoes heat treatment which changes the internal molecular structure of the glass. This results in the glass being 4-5 times stronger than regular glass. If this glass attains a significant knock resulting in glass breakage, the glass will shatter into tiny cubes which is designed as a safety factor so these tiny cubes cause minimal injury compared with large glass shards.

Can shower screens accommodate disabled access?

There are a couple of options to consider for disabled access; shower panels can be one such option, which can allow for any width required for wheelchairs or room for two people if needed. This option does, however, result in water that may extend throughout the bathroom as it will not be contained by a single piece of glass. The other option to consider is a sill-less framed shower screen. This type of shower screen is essentially the same as the regular framed option, however, the sill (which is the piece of aluminium that is connected to the floor) is absent. This therefore allows for wheelchair access to roll in and out of the shower easily. The only downside is that some water can escape at the bottom where the sill would usually be.

Is it for your home or a rental?

If this shower screen is for your own home, then any option can suit you, your style and your budget requirements. It is our recommendation, however, if this is a rental property, a framed shower screen is probably the best option. These reasons include;

• It is cheaper than semi-frameless and frameless

• Lower maintenance compared to semi-frameless and frameless

• Glass is quicker to replace if a panel breaks (as this glass is kept in stock, rather than requiring to be toughened and ordered from our supplier)

• More sturdy and robust with a strong aluminium frame

What is better: a pivot or slider? This is dependent on the available space and design of your bathroom. Sliding shower screens are often beneficial in smaller spaces as you do not need the room to open and close a door

What are the lead times? Typically, from the day that you give us the go ahead (note; not the date that we come to measure up and quote) it takes about 2-3 weeks to fabricate the shower screens (depending on workload and prior bookings). We will give you a call once the tradesmen have let us know they are ready, and book in a time for installation. For more accurate timeframes, the tradesman or office manager can advise you how our workload is going. For more information, check our 3 flyers available on our Residential page.