Sliding Bath Screens: Design Features and Installation Tips
Sliding curtains for the bathroom in recent years are becoming increasingly popular. They have mostly only positive user reviews. Such products can be hung up by hand.
Special features
The accessory in the form of sliding shutters perfectly replaces the usual polyethylene screen. This option will allow to combine a shower cabin with a bathroom in a small room. It is worth noting the high practicality and ease of use of a sliding screen. The main thing is to make the right choice and install it.
Species
The main types of curtains:
- Sliding - designed for small spaces. Curtains are compact, they can be moved in two directions.
- Folding - This is a fragile form, consisting of many sections. With such curtains must be treated carefully.
- Swing - the design consisting of two or three sections is made of strong material.
- Products in the form of a screen suitable owners of large premises. This curtain closes a small part of the bathroom. Consists of two external sections.
- Glass Models in shape come in a rectangular, rounded and round appearance. Round glass is perfect for corner baths. The type and type of glass is chosen for compatibility with the interior of the room. For example, if you have a square sink, then a glass of the same shape will do.
The sliding design consists of 3 parts (2 mobile and 1 motionless). If the structure consists of one movable element, then it can be moved in two directions. Glass and plastic panel attached to the aluminum profile.
Materials
The main materials for blinds in the bathroom are glass or plastic.
For them use the following types of glasses:
- frosted glass;
- transparent appearance;
- tinted view;
- with the presence of patterned inserts.
Frosted glass screen is great for large families. This type is relevant for any design. The glass screen is made of quality material and has patterned inserts. Tinted surface gives the interior a more spectacular look. Such a screen has a high level of strength, it makes the design more expensive. For blinds only durable and tempered glass is used.
Manufacturers can use low-quality material and save money on it, and eventually get low-quality goods. It is important to consider this factor and be careful when choosing.
The advantages of glass curtains
The main advantages of glass screens are as follows:
- A wide selection of assortment. You can choose a screen with a transparent, matte and plastic sash. This product is suitable for different styles of interior, and the choice takes into account the personal wishes of customers. Blinds decorate the room and give it a more original look.
- Installation work for different baths.Regardless of the location of the bath, the installation of the curtain will take place without unnecessary trouble. If the bath is located between three walls, then a straight construction will do. And if the bath is in the corner of the room, then build a corner rack. If there is a rounded bath, then a stand of a bent look will do.
- The material easily removes dirt and prevents the appearance of fungal plaque and fungi.
- Caring for curtains prevents the formation of salts and rust.
- The material is quite durable. At production of a screen use the tempered glass. Such a screen can withstand high loads.
- Sliding shutters are compact and take up little space.
- You can combine a shower with a bath. Suitable for rooms with a small space.
disadvantages
In addition to the advantages, sliding glass curtains have their disadvantages:
- If the products are not cleaned on time, salt and greasy traces may appear.
- Difficult installation. When carrying out installation work it is necessary to measure the length and determine the location of the elements. If the screen cannot move in the guide profile, a malfunction may occur. A skewed structure may also occur.
- Such a curtain is expensive compared to polyethylene.
- Sliding screen visually makes the room small.
- When using plastic sheets, you can notice drips of water and soap stains. They need to be washed frequently with a detergent without abrasive particles.
- If you choose between plastic and glass, it is recommended to choose the second option. Designs of plastic are subject to deformation under the influence of water, unlike glass. Glass, in turn, is a stylish option for interior decoration.
Recommendations
If installation is carried out independently, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The material of the wall where the side profiles are reinforced. If the surface consists of sheets GVL and GKL, then the wall must be reinforced with a reinforcing element. If necessary, can be used metal strip and corner. In this case, the profiles are mounted using anchor bolts.
- The installation of the frame can be carried out before the completion of the finish. At the same time there is no need to drill tile. The frame thus acquires a massive appearance.
- Mounting should be carried out to a flat surface. In this case, the design will be strong and durable.If the screen is decorated with patterns, the pattern in the future may become unpresentable. For this reason you need to use frosted glass. In this case, the inner layer is decorated with patterns, and the outer one remains smooth.
Stick - holder can be 170 or 180 cm in length. These are its standard sizes. Instead of a curtain on it, you can hang the door-accordion.
Care for sliding shutters
If you want the curtains to look presentable and have a long service life, you must follow the rules of care
- It is necessary to use only soft sponges and rags.
- You should use special detergents for washing glass.
- If the stains are not rubbed off, you need to wet the sponge for half an hour and then clean them.
- It is not recommended to use products with abrasive substances. They may scratch. At the same time, the screen takes on a worn and muddy look.
- It is not recommended to use detergents with a potent effect.
- The blinds should be cleaned regularly to avoid lime and rust on the roller mechanism. It is necessary to thoroughly wipe the mechanism after taking a shower.
- It is recommended to use a water repellent coating to treat the surface of the material. In this case there will be no stains, because the moisture rolls off the surface.
- In the manufacture of sliding shutters, it is important to use high-quality materials. If desired, you can buy tempered glass for the sash. This glass is quite durable and has a presentable appearance.
An economical option will be the model of plastic. Such models are extremely scratch-resistant. It is important not to buy low-quality material, because it does not justify the savings. Products come in different colors and textures that may be suitable for different room interiors.
Installation details
To install using the following tools:
- dowel;
- screws;
- building level;
- aluminum profile;
- screwdrivers.
Together with a set of curtains attached instruction with information on the installation work. Before performing work, it is necessary to measure all profiles and sash. When using a plastic shutter, a paint knife can be used. Working with glass will take a long time, since it must be ordered in advance in specialized stores.
Before work it is necessary to get acquainted with this information in detail:
- markup;
- preparation for drilling holes;
- fastening of guides from a profile;
- sealing joints.
Glass doors are made of any size. Measurements are done independently or with the help of specialists. Then try on the frame of a certain length. It is attached to the ceiling, two walls and a bath.
The main elements of the frame:
- aluminum frame;
- upper and lower guides (the lower one is attached to the bath, and the upper one - to the ceiling);
- vertical racks that attach to the wall;
- marking and installation of the profile.
Measuring points for drilling holes is carried out using a tape measure. Vertical posts are applied to the side walls and then marks are made with a marker. For accurate markup, a building level is suitable. After that, drill holes.
When drilling, you must follow certain rules:
- In order to prevent a split of the tile, you need to retreat at least 20 mm.
- Drilling is best done at the junction of two tiles.
- In work it is necessary to use a diamond and pobedit drill.
- When drilling should establish a low turn of the drill.
- To securely fix the drill and prevent it from slipping, glue a piece of adhesive tape in place of the hole.
- After you drill the tile, you need to replace it with a regular drill for concrete.
- You must use a stopper or piece of tape to make a hole of the required depth.
After that, dust is blown out of the holes, and dowels are inserted. Then with the help of screws fasten vertical profiles. The upper profile is inserted into the vertical guides and attached to the ceiling (with a low ceiling). Often the distance from the side of the bathroom is 140 cm, and the location mark the top rail. At the final stage, all joints are treated with sealant. In this case, the water will not leak from the bath to the floor. The important point is the seams through which water should not leak. For these purposes, using special formulations. It is necessary that the quality of silicone pads was at a high level.
It is inserted into the side profiles and fixed with fasteners. The lower rail is inserted into the side structure and fixed to the side of the bath with a sealant. At the final stage, insert a screen. Plastic or glass sash set with special screws.
There are several signs to consider:
- If you use 1 bath mixer, then you must take into account the sliding part.
- If there is a separate tap in the bathroom, you must add a fixed sash.
- The flap moves with the help of rollers.
The roller mechanism should be made of quality material. Moving the sash in this case will be silent.
Criterias of choice
The choice of sliding screens is wide enough, but you can make the right choice according to recommendations of sales assistants. They will provide you with accurate information about the product and help you make the right choice. The main criterion here is the ratio of price and quality.
When choosing a sliding sash, it is necessary to take into account the advice of experts, because it is important:
- Screens with adjustable shutters are suitable for walls with a rough surface and warps.
- When installing a matte or colored sliding screen, it is necessary to provide good lighting in the shower room. Good lighting will be an important part of the bathroom.
- Choosing products, it is important to pay attention to the quality of fittings. If the holder, fasteners and sliding mechanisms are included in the kit, carefully inspect them for defects.
Having made the right choice, the owner will enjoy water treatments for a long time.At the same time on the floor will not form puddles and drips.
It is also important to consider the quality of the material of the screen. If you have any suspicions about the quality of the provided screen, you can verify the documents confirming the quality of the goods. Goods must meet high quality standards. The price should vary depending on the appearance of the screen and its characteristic features.
On how to install a curtain for the bathroom, look in the next video.