We’re all familiar with shower curtains, but how many of us have ever stopped to think about all the reasons they became so popular?
Almost all of the elements of today’s bathrooms, from the fixtures to the floors, have hard surfaces. A well-chosen shower curtain can help to create a softer, more welcoming ambiance. Being relatively inexpensive, they’re a quick, easy, and very affordable way to make a dramatic change in the look of the room.
Usually made of polyester, nylon, linen, or cotton, shower curtains and their liners are designed simply to keep water from escaping your shower enclosure and splashing onto the floor. Choose one that’s machine-washable for simple cleanup when mildew or staining develop on the surface.
People with young children or pets appreciate having the option to push the curtain aside to make bath time go more smoothly. That’s also an advantage when you need to care for someone who has a disability or other problems with mobility.
Downsides to shower curtains include that darker, heavier ones can make your bathroom look smaller. As mentioned above, they are susceptible to mold and mildew. And some contain polyvinyl chloride, organotins, and volatile organic compounds, as well as DEHP, which is suspected of being carcinogenic. Read the label carefully to avoid triggering respiratory and other problems in individuals who may be sensitive to these chemicals.
Glass shower doors can be either clear or opaque. They do a good job of preventing the leakage of water onto your bathroom floor. Because there’s no blockage of the bathroom’s ambient light, they can make the space seem larger. That makes glass shower doors ideal for smaller environments.
Other benefits that help to offset their higher cost include ease of cleaning, absence of any harmful chemicals, and the fact that they add to the resale value of your home.