Choosing a bathtub screen

Bathtub screen is a familiar to everyone, without exception, the subject of bathroom furnishings. At first glance, its role in the interior is not so great, but very few people prefer to abandon this device.

The fact is that the bathtub screen performs several important functions at once:

• Protects surfaces, as well as furniture and appliances from contact with water;
• serves as a kind of "barrier" to the steam, so it is not dispersed throughout the room, and is kept in the area of the bathroom;
• zoning the bathroom, separating the place for water procedures;
• plays the role of an accessory, gives the bathroom interior a complete and harmonious look.

There are several different types of curtains for the bathroom. Depending on the method of installation, there are the following 5 varieties:

This is probably the most popular type of curtains for the bathroom. Most models sold in stores suggest this method of installation. In order to hang such a curtain, you need to buy a special rod in the store. Along the top edge of the curtain are made holes in which you need to insert hooks or rings, sold in the kit.

Such fasteners are a kind of clothespins, on the tips of which there are a couple of magnets. Thanks to the magnets they are very well fixed to the fabric, so it will be very difficult to accidentally tear the curtain. The advantage of this design is that one set of fasteners can be used for different blinds - and no holes are needed for this.

Loops are special rings that serve as a border for holes in the fabric or paper (in our case they are put on the bathtub screen). Thus, to hang the curtain, you need to pass the rod through the holes with eyelets. The eyelets are usually made of plastic or metal.

This design acts on the principle of the "gate" on the clothes, but the role of the rope, which is put through the fold in the fabric, performs the rod. Thus, the rod is sewn inside the curtain. Many people prefer to use such a fastener because it allows you to completely hide the rod. The disadvantage of this design is that the fabric very poorly slides on the rung.

A very unusual, designer way of fixing the curtain for the bathtub. To successfully implement it, you need to have a high enough ceiling in the room. Under the ceiling is installed cornice, decorative metal chains are attached to the cornice, and the curtain itself is suspended from the chains. Looks like such a design is incredibly striking and original.

On the other hand, bathtub screens can be classified based on the material of the product. In this case, we can talk about soft and hard types of curtains. These types, in turn, include several subtypes.

This option is considered the most budget-friendly. You can find such a curtain in any hardware store and it will cost just pennies. Affordability - this is the main advantage of this type of curtains for the bath. Among the disadvantages can be called a short life span and boring colors - interesting design such curtains are not different.

For the production of this type of curtains use a variety of fabrics, which are impregnated with a special composition, forming a water-repellent coating. The advantage of these curtains is that they look much better than polyethylene, and last much longer. True, and the cost of such products is more expensive, so many abandon the purchase in favor of the first option.

Such curtains are usually called simply "vinyl". They occupy an intermediate position between cheap but short-lived curtains made of polyethylene and more durable but expensive textile ones. If you want to buy a quality product at a reasonable price, you should consider this option.

Curtains made of plastic (however, as well as glass) began to appear in our bathrooms relatively recently. Partitions instead of the usual curtains are chosen by those who prefer stronger and more durable materials. Solid curtains, of course, will last longer, but also the installation of such a structure will take some time. Plastic curtains in this regard are more convenient, since it is much easier to mount them. Other advantages of this type of rigid curtains are their low cost and low maintenance. In addition, due to the plasticity of the material, it is possible to produce such curtains in almost any shape. Among the disadvantages of plastic curtains are their fragility and the fact that over time they lose their original appearance.

Glass curtains are similar in construction to plastic curtains, but differ from them in their performance characteristics. First, they are more durable and have a longer service life. In addition, they are made of tempered glass, so they are completely safe, even if they break. Finally, they look much more spectacular than their plastic counterpart. But there are also disadvantages. First, their price is much higher, and secondly, the glass panels require careful care, otherwise over time they become cloudy.

Romantic florals, strict stripes, playful polka dots and other unpretentious patterns are probably the most common options of colors for bath curtains. If you do not like these standard solutions, take a closer look at unusual models that stores offer original home products.

For example, today popular "educational" bath curtains, which are a visual teaching aid for various school subjects. The most common are curtains in the form of a map of the world and the Mendeleev table.

Not for educational, but for entertainment purposes serve the purpose of gimmick curtains. They produce a dumbfounding effect on the guests. For example, there are curtains with blood-red blotches, the shadow of a giant duckling, the image of a half-naked man or woman.

• First you need to decide what kind of curtains you want to install in your home. If you like more "capital" solutions that can last at least a few years, then choose a rigid design. For those who are used to changing accessories in the bathroom frequently, fabric models are more suitable.
• Be sure to measure the length of the tub before you go shopping. If the font is irregularly shaped, then measure the distance between the most distant points from each other.
• If your bathroom is small, you have probably faced the problem of lack of storage space for various accessories. In this case, pay attention to soft curtains with voluminous pockets in which you can keep sponges, brushes, bubbles with shampoos, etc.

Bathtub screens made of plastic or glass are usually accompanied by detailed installation instructions. And in this section, we will tell you about the sequence of installation of curtains made of soft materials.

• First, unpack the rod. There are plastic plugs at both ends - you have to remove them.
• The rod has a telescopic mechanism, that is, it can be adjusted in length. Extend the rod, put it against the partition where the bathtub is, and determine the desired length.
• Decide on the height at which you want to install the shower curtain: The cover must not reach the floor, otherwise it will get in the way of your bathtub. Mark the installation points.
• Screw the cover onto the connection strip and replace the cover caps on the ends.
• Install the rod in place according to the marked markings.

Each of the varieties of plastic curtains has both supporters and opponents. Many people have to try all the options we reviewed to find the most suitable:

• Curtains and polyethylene and vinyl are "blamed" for the fact that they stick to the wet to the body and, in addition, collect dirt, grease and detergent residue.
• Glass curtains are considered by some to be a very cumbersome construction, which also needs to be cleaned constantly.
• Plastic curtains after a few years completely lose their appearance and begin to need to be replaced.

Many of those who leave reviews of bathtub screens on various websites, consider the fabric version as the best solution.

What to choose - should be decided only by you, based on your own household habits and ideas about beauty.