Bath Screen Buying Guide

Fitting a shower over a bath is a classic way to save space in a family bathroom. But choosing the right bath screen can make the difference between keeping water inside the bath and regularly wiping up the floor. You need a design that keeps the water in, clears your existing layout, and is easy to maintain.

Here is what you need to consider before you buy.

Which type of screen works best?

Your screen dictates how watertight your setup is and how easily you can reach the taps.

• Fixed panels: A rigid pane of glass sealed directly to the bath edge. These offer the best defence against leaks because they have no moving hinges, but reaching around the glass to turn the shower on can be awkward.
• Hinged screens: These swing outward into the room or inward over the bath. They offer excellent access, but if you choose an outward-swinging model, measure carefully to ensure the glass won't hit a nearby basin or toilet.
• Folding and bi-fold screens: Made of multiple narrow panes that concertina back against the wall. Perfect for compact bathrooms where a hinged screen would hit an obstacle. Keep in mind that every hinge requires a vertical seal, which creates more traps for soap scum.

Glass thickness explained

Bath screen glass usually ranges from 4mm to 8mm thick, which affects how the panel feels to use.

• 4mm to 5mm: Typically used on folding screens. Keeping the glass lighter prevents excess strain on the wall hinges.
• 6mm: The standard choice for single and hinged panels. It provides a solid, rigid feel without putting too much weight on your wall fixings.
• 8mm: Delivers a heavy-duty, premium feel similar to a high-end shower enclosure. It requires highly secure wall anchors—if you are fixing to stud or plasterboard walls, you may need internal reinforcement first.

Dealing with uneven walls

In many older UK properties, perfectly straight walls are a luxury. Fixing a rigid piece of glass to an out-of-true wall means the screen won't sit flush against the bath, giving water an easy escape route.

To solve this, look for a screen with an adjustable aluminium wall profile. This channel usually gives the installer around 15mm to 20mm of play, allowing them to set the glass perfectly straight, even if your tiling is slightly off.

Matching the screen to the bath

Standard straight screens only fit standard straight baths. If you have a dedicated shower bath, the screen must match the tub's exact shape:

• L-shaped baths require a screen with a sharp return panel to enclose the square showering area.
• P-shaped baths need a curved piece of glass that follows the exact radius of the tub.

Top tip: Try to buy the bath and screen as a paired set. Mixing manufacturers often leads to slight radius mismatches and frustrating fitting issues.

Keeping the glass and seals clean

Sitting directly in the splash zone means your screen will quickly attract soap residue and hard water deposits. Where possible, choose glass treated with a factory-applied protective coating—this helps water sheet off the surface and stops limescale from bonding to the pane.

For daily maintenance, clear standing water with a squeegee and gently wipe the bottom rubber seal to stop mildew forming. When it’s time for a deeper scrub, read our comprehensive guide on how to clean bath screens to remove stubborn water marks without damaging your hardware.