The modern sanitary ware market is regularly updated with new products. One of them is a sliding curtain for the bathroom. They are used to protect the room from splashes and additions to the interior. In a short time they became very popular.
Consumers are attracted to their appearance, aesthetics, environmental friendliness, durability, practicality, the ability to turn the bathroom into a shower with one movement of hands and at the same time they seamlessly fit into any bathroom interior.
Production materials
Various materials are used for the production of sliding curtains: polystyrene( plastic), glass( glass), plexiglass.
Plastic
Pros:
- look beautiful and stylish;
- inexpensive;
- are safe;
- original coloring;
- simple care.
The disadvantages are for a short period of operation: no more than 3-4 years.
Glass
Pros:
- are functional;
- are beautiful;
- are durable;
- is made of tempered glass, so it's safe.
To the minuses of can be attributed only higher cost compared to plastic ones.
Specialists advise choosing curtains from glass, which can be tinted or matte. In strength, tempered glass is similar to automotive glass. Even if you somehow manage to break it, it will break into fairly smooth pieces that will not hurt you.
In addition, such material does not require complex maintenance. It is enough to use a rubber sponge and a small amount of a substance intended for washing glass surfaces. In the production on the surface of such a glass is applied antibacterial coating, so after taking a shower, there will be no divorces. At the request of the customer, any pattern or ornament can be applied to the glass. Therefore, such a screen for a bath can be an excellent option for decorating the room.
There are also budget options for curtains for the bathroom, which are made of plastic. However, they have their drawbacks. So with time, plastic can become cloudy, and on its surface will be formed stains. In addition, it is not as durable as tempered glass and as a result of the impact it can crack.
Quality curtains must be waterproof. To check this, immediately after installation, open the tap and pour water on all the seams and water junctions. Quality curtains will not allow water to pass through.
Pros
What is the benefit of sliding curtains? First of all, this:
- attractive, modern look;
- simplicity and ease of use;
- material strength, long service life and reliable protection of the room from water and splashes;
- compactness;
- easy installation;
- the ability to easily turn an ordinary bathroom into a shower cabin, while they are much cheaper than a stationary shower.
Cons
However, this design and drawbacks:
- with regular use on the mounts and sealant can form mold;
- with a low-quality roller mechanism, the service life can be reduced. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to them when buying.
- when selecting curtains from opaque material, you will need to do additional lighting.
Types
Depending on the device curtains, they can be divided into several types:
- stationary;
- folding, made on the principle of accordion;
- swing - they look like ordinary doors;
- sliding, operate on the principle of a sliding door wardrobe.
Based on the number of segments, curtains can be conditionally divided into consisting of:
- one section;
- two or three sections. This option is ideal for a rectangular bath;
- four sections. For corner baths;
- five and six sections - fit any bath.
In turn, two-section curtains can be divided into:
- Folding doors - when both parts are folded, then move towards the wall. This type is recognized as the most compact and convenient in operation.
- Half-folding doors - when one part is permanently fixed to the wall and is stationary, and the second one is movable and, if necessary, it is simply retracted. Such a model can be left-handed or right-handed, depending on the location of the bath.
- Swing doors - used in spacious bathrooms. This option is easy to use and are the easiest to install.
Three-section models of curtains come in several forms:
- Sliding, in which moving and fixed components alternate. Thanks to the slider system, it is convenient to approach the bathroom from either side.
- Foldable accordion - a fairly compact version, which, if necessary, can be fully folded.
Curtains four-section easily convert the bathroom into a shower cabin. Predominantly they are used for a corner bath. In this case, it turns out completely fenced off. In terms of design features, they can be completely frameless or have an aluminum frame. For their production can be used lightweight, cheap but short-lived plastic or tempered glass, which has a protective coating.
Tips for choosing
Before you go for a purchase, you need to decide how many sections will have curtains.
The most common are three-section models, which have one or two moving parts. Parameters such as configuration and number of sections are determined based on the shape and dimensions of the bath.
The first thing we pay attention to is the appearance of the product. In this case, it all depends on the style of the bathroom and your personal preferences. In this case, the material from which the curtains are made can be monophonic, with patterns, matt or transparent.
Having decided to buy curtains made of plastic, we recommend choosing models decorated with colored patterns. They will bring animation to the most ordinary and concise interior.
For the movement of the elements of the curtains the exact same principle is used which works in the sliding door wardrobe. Therefore it is very important to make a choice, pay attention to the fittings, which should ensure long-term operation and silent movement of all elements. Pay special attention to the rollers - this part often fails.
General interior concept
If your bathroom has a modest size, the curtains for the bath will be a real godsend. Especially if you like to take a shower, and there is no space for a separate shower cubicle. This problem is simply solved by just setting the curtains. In addition, it will protect the floor or rug from unnecessary splashes. And if in your apartment a bathroom is combined, then the installation of curtains will be doubly justified. In this case, you will not need to wait for your turn, and the interior will acquire an additional, stylish element.
If you need to emphasize the unity of style, it is enough to install sliding curtains, both above the bathroom and under it. This will give the room an individuality and open access to communications. This performance is the best combination of attractiveness and practicality.
Mounting
The installation can be done even by a non-trained person. Regardless of what material it is made of, its backbone will be a supporting frame, which is a four-pillar. Vertical need to be fixed on the wall.
Perpendicularly to them is fastened the carrier stand from above, and the bottom is fixed to the bathroom. For this you will need a level, a drill and fixing materials( screws, dowels).
First, the elements of the partitions are assembled, after which the top points in the wall are determined, where the curtains will be fixed. It should be noted that the lower part of the resulting structure should fit tightly against the sides of the bath.
In the wall holes are made with a drill, into which dowels are inserted. Using the screws, the frame fastenings are screwed. Before inserting plastic or glass cloths, make sure the structure is secure. Checking the design for durability, you can make the insertion of curtains. To ensure that water does not leak through the joints, they must be treated with any sealant.
Sliding curtains with their own hands
Those who wish can independently make sliding curtains. The easiest way is to use plastic, but experienced technicians can easily cope with glass.
Aluminum is suitable for the frame construction. With this material it is easy to work and it feels great in rooms with high humidity.
The easiest design is a three-winged system in which the two doors will remain stationary, while the third will be movable and replace the doors. You will need two vertical posts for fixing on the wall and guides that will be fastened at the top and bottom of the structure. Another need to prepare three leaves. The lower guide should be attached to the side of the bathroom, and the top one at a distance of 120-140 cm upwards.