Should You Install Shower Curtains or Glass Doors?

An often-debated topic when it comes to designing a bathroom is whether to choose shower curtains or a glass shower door.

The choice will ultimately come down to personal taste, but factors like style, maintenance, utility and cost that should be considered before you make your choice.

Style

Glass doors offer a simple look, relying on the elegance of the material itself to improve the aesthetics of a room. Value can also be added to your home by installing glass doors. Many families put value on glass structures, so you can boost the sale price of your home.

On the other hand, the benefit of shower curtains is the variety of styles they can provide. Printed and solid coloured curtains come in with all sorts of designs and styles. This means customizing them so they fit a certain aesthetic vision is much easier than with other bathroom accessories.

Maintenance

Curtains are susceptible to mold and mildew as your bathroom is prone to moisture and humidity. Trying to keep curtains well-maintained also poses problems as they require regular washing, scrubbing and cleaning.

Shower glass enclosures are resistant to mildew and molds, but hard water stains and soap scum can build up and be a problem if left unattended for a long time. However, with the right glass cleaner, keeping it cleaned is all you’d have to do to maintain it.

Try to base your decision on your cleaning habits.

Utility

If you have a bathroom with limited space, then shower curtains have the advantage as they provide great flexibility. They can be stretched, adjusted, removed or replaced with little effort. The same flexibility can be a double edge sword however. If the curtains get wet, the material will become slimy and unpleasant on your skin.

Alternatively, shower doors are not flexible, but they are water-proof. The only problem is that the shower door doesn’t work with a freestanding tub. They also provide an additional advantage in that they allow more light to come in, unlike shower curtains.

Price

There is a big difference when it comes to the cost difference between shower doors and shower curtains.

Shower curtains with rod are far more inexpensive. But, glass shower doors are a one-time investment with no recurring costs. Once it is installed with proper care and maintenance it can last for years, but curtains get soiled, stained and damaged and need to be replaced every few months.

The Final Word

Whatever may be your preference, base your final decision on a practical analysis of both your lifestyle and taste.