How to Compare a Bath Tub Shower Door, Bath Screen or Shower Curtain

If you’re struggling to figure out an attractive, cost effective and functional way to enclose and keep water inside a tub shower space you’re not alone. This article will outline the advantages and disadvantages of 3 options – (1) a bath tub shower door, (2) a bath screen (also called a tub shield) pivoting door and (3) a shower curtain.

Option 1 – Bathtub Shower Door – These doors are made in many finishes in framed and frameless designs and slide inside tracks which sit on the tub rail.

Advantages

• Since the bypass bathtub doors overlap they do a good job keeping the water in
• Are safer because they provide greater structural stability than shower curtains
• Easy to clean
• Provide more light into the tub area than a fabric or vinyl curtain system

Disadvantages

• Bottom rails of the tub doors can collect mold and soap scum and are hard to clean

• Can create a closed in feeling – not the best for someone who suffers with claustrophobia
• Ability to get in and accessibility are low since tub doors only provide 50% opening space
• More expensive than shower curtains

Option 2 – Bath screen pivoting door – These doors (which are also called tub shields) swing into the tub space to create a walk in type design and are available in frameless and semi-frameless type designs.

Advantages

• Have a more open feel than a typical sliding shower door with a larger opening for improved accessibility.
• Easy to clean because there is no bottom track to collect mold or soap scum
• Doors swing 90 degrees to the inside to minimize water getting out
• Clean, contemporary European design
• Are a safe option since they provide the maximum light into the tub/shower area
• Long lasting

Disadvantages

• More expensive than shower curtains
• Leaves an open space at the end of the tub (although the swinging doors keep water into the space)

Option 3 – Shower curtains – Curtains are available in many colors, styles and textures in both straight and curved designs.

Advantages

• Least expensive option to keep water inside a tub/shower area.
• Curtains provide the widest possible opening to get into the tub.
• Very easy to replace vs. shower doors and tub shields.
• Can be purchased with a curved shower rod which increases the space inside the bathtub.

Disadvantages

• Provides no structure to grab onto in the case of a fall.
• Maintenance can be difficult and mold and mildew can grow pretty easily.
• Flimsy nature of the material can cause a good amount of water to get out of the tub and damage the surrounding bathroom floor and trim.
• Vinyl curtains can be a health problem and cause headaches from the release of volatile organic compounds

Which of these 3 options do you think is best? Please comment below.

If you’re looking for more information or an estimate to install a bath tub shower door, bath screen or curved shower rod call or visit The Bath Doctor of Cleveland and Columbus, Cleveland Design & Remodeling (216-658-1270) and Innovate Building Solutions for nationwide supply (877-668-5888).