Top Tips On Choosing A New Shower In A Bathroom Upgrade

Renovating a bathroom is both exciting and daunting, as there are so many things to think about. Not only will you have to decide what type of design you want, you will need to think about every little fixture and fitting, including the shower screens and accessories. 

To help homeowners make all these difficult decisions, here is a useful guide on how to choose everything you need for a functional and stylish shower in your new washroom. 

Shower screens

It is a good idea to choose your shower screen first. For instance, you will need to decide whether you want a clear, frosted or patterned design on the glass.

This may be down to personal preference, or other factors such as wanting some privacy if you share a bathroom. 

It is also worth considering what each would look like in the space. Clear glass, for example, makes a small bathroom look bigger, as it maximises the light in the room with its minimalistic design. 

Homeowners should also think about whether they want a framed shower screen or a frameless one. 

The trend at the moment is for frameless designs, as these look contemporary and understated. They are also easier to keep clean, as there is no need to worry about making sure the seals and frames are free of mould. 

However, framed screens are often more affordable. Black frames are also incredibly popular at the moment, as they give off a modern look, bringing your bathroom into the 21st Century. 

Alternatively, you could opt for a brushed nickel frame, which would look great in a more traditional washroom. This would team well with brushed brass heated towel radiator, roll-top baths and old-fashioned pillar taps, and perfectly suits period properties, such as Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian homes. 

Framed shower screens also offer more stability, so if you have a busy family with young kids, it might be worth opting for the more secure option in case they bang into it by mistake. 

It is also worth choosing a thicker glass, such as ones that are over 8mm, as this makes for a more stable screen as well. A thinner glass is more fragile if there are people rushing around the washroom. 

Shower door towel bars

After choosing your shower screens, you need to think about the accessories that will bring your bathroom to life. This includes towel bars on the shower doors. 

Having towel bars on the shower door is a great way to keep your bathroom organised and tidy, as you can hang your towels up after using them, instead of leaving them on the floor. They also help to keep the walls clear, which is ideal in small washrooms. Therefore, you can save the space for other features, such as floating shelves. 

They also help to add style and character to your home, particularly if you choose something modern like a black straight bar or a vintage-looking towel bar made out of brass. 

When picking your towel bar for your shower door, make sure it is fitted properly so it is perfectly secure and does not weaken the integrity of the glass. 

Shower door handles or knobs?

Whether you choose a door knob or handle comes down to personal taste, but there are some things to consider before you make your choice. 

Firstly, with door knobs, you could pick single-sided ones, which means you can only open or shut the shower door from one side. Alternatively, you could have matching back-to-back shower knobs, enabling you to open and close the shower door whether you are inside the shower or outside.

The simple push/pull nature of a door knob might be easier for some people, and avoids leaving mucky handprints on the glass door. 

For some people, however, shower door handles are a better option. For instance, they may be easier for elderly people to hold on to than a knob. What’s more, they provide something to grab if they feel wobbly or start to fall. 

Young children also might find them easier, as there is more surface area to hold on to than a small door knob. 

There are lots of styles of handles available, so you are sure to find one that suits the aesthetic of the bathroom. For instance, you could opt for D-shaped handles, square, circular, crescent or ladder ones. 

They are also available in different types of metal, as well as acrylic. 

Single-sided door handles are available, meaning homeowners do not have to fit them on the inside of the shower, as well as the outside, giving a more seamless appearance to their shower suite. 

Panel support bars

Some bathrooms might need a shower panel support bar if they have a frameless shower screen. 

This makes the shower more stable by supporting the glass panel in the absence of a frame.

With these bars, homeowners can still enjoy the modern look of their frameless shower with the stability they need to ensure the glass does not wobble or become insecure. 

You can get wall-to-glass support bars that fix the wall to the shower, or glass-to-glass ones that lock two perpendicular shower screens together. 

There are also bar brackets that might do the trick, though it is worth speaking to your bathroom fitter first to get a better idea of what the best support would be for your shower unit.

Hinges

Even small details like shower door hinges need to be given a lot of consideration, so do not forget to spend time on these small fittings. 

For instance, you will need to get the right hinge, depending on whether you are attaching the wall to the glass or two glass screens together. You might want a full-length hinge or just small ones.

Of course, you will need to decide how far you want the hinge to open, from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.

Hinges are typically available in different colours and metals, so you can pick one that suits your bathroom style the best, making sure all the fixtures blend well together for a stylish new washroom.