Shower enclosures: curtain or cabin?
The first and most obvious advantage of a curtain is the purchase price. Buying a shower curtain costs less than buying a complete shower cabin; in the cheapest case, just a few euros. Another advantage of the curtain is that it is comparatively quick to install . Fixing a suitable rail is enough to give the curtain the support it needs. Installing a shower cabin takes considerably more effort. And last but not least, the curtain is also fairly easy to care for.
Take it down, put it in the washing machine and hang it back up clean: that is all the care a curtain needs. The advantage of buying a shower cabin such as those from AcquaVapore or a walk-in shower clearly lies in the attractive appearance, and in the fact that a shower enclosure keeps the bathroom dry while you shower.
The seals of the cabin stop water escaping while you shower, which is a considerable advantage, especially when children use the shower as well. You should also bear in mind that a shower cabin needs regular care. Depending on the material, the shower screen has to be wiped down with a squeegee after every shower. Not everyone is reliable about doing this every time. Here the curtain is less demanding.
Points to watch when buying a shower curtain
If you opt for a curtain, however, take a close look at the material the curtain is made of. The so-called Bernoulli effect causes the curtain to billow into the shower area while the water is running, which means it ends up clinging to your body. The only way to prevent this is to make sure the curtain is heavy enough.
Alternatively, the hem of the curtain can have metal or rubber elements sewn in to stop it billowing inwards. Some curtains even come with magnets in the hem as standard, which hold on to the shower tray and so stop the shower curtain from billowing in.
Low purchase price versus comfortable use
There is no question that a shower cabin is more comfortable to use. But you also have to remember that a shower cabin needs a lot of care and that, for example, limescale deposits have to be removed regularly to keep it looking its best.
A shower curtain, on the other hand, goes into the washing machine or, at worst, is replaced at little cost once limescale stains have taken hold. When you shower, a shower cabin protects the bathroom from splashes; unfortunately, a curtain does not do this as reliably.
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