If you don’t like the looks or closed in feeling of shower doors or curtains around your tub enclosure you’re not alone. Fortunately by using a bath shield you can create a clean, open space while still keeping the water in the tub. Learn below what a tub shield is, advantages of this system, where to use this product and options you can choose from.
What is a tub shield (also called a tub screen) – A tub shield is a glass enclosure used on the top of the tub (also called the tub deck) to keep water in the space. What makes this product different from a traditional sliding shower door is it’s available with either a (1) a single fixed panel (2) a fixed & pivoting section or (3) a pivoting section alone. It also has an opening at the end of the tub and there are no metal tracks underneath the enclosure.
Advantages
This product has several advantages over curtains or glass sliding doors:
Improved accessibility – It can be cumbersome to climb over sliding door tracks – there are no tracks at the end of the tub screen.
Pivoting doors – Since the doors pivot both inward and outward it is easy to get in and also to position the door to minimize any water coming out.
Easy to clean – there are no tracks to capture hair, shampoo and other bath materials.
Better safety with improved light transmission – Shower curtains tend to block light – a tub screen lets the most light in making it safer for people whose eyes may not function as well as they’d like.
You won’t feel claustrophobic – Since the end of the tub is open (and the product is available in clear glass) the space will feel bigger and less confined than with curtains or traditional shower doors.
Where to use a tub screen – This product is most commonly used in alcove style bathtub/shower areas (usually with 3 surrounding interior walls). You’ll also find these shields around soaking tubs. They are an excellent compliment in a smaller bathroom and can work in any type of bathroom design style – from contemporary to transitional to traditional.
Product Options – These units are available in different heights (59” and 63” are most common) and come in multiple finishes including chrome, brushed nickel, bright brass, polished nickel and oil rubbed bronze. The glass partitions can be squared off or rounded at the end and there are 4 different hardware styles (in the Evolution series) to compliment most any type of design style. The glass thicknesses are 3/16”, ¼” and 3/8” and come in both clear and obscure styles.
What do you think about using a tub screen or shield in your bathroom? Do you have any questions about them? Please comment below.
If you’re looking for more information or an estimate to install a bath tub shield visit The Bath Doctor of Cleveland (216-531-6085) or Columbus (614-252-7294).For nationwide direct product sales call Innovate Building Solutions (877-668-5888). For complete bathroom remodeling contact Cleveland Design & Remodeling (216-658-1270).
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
