Have you ever wondered what the real difference is between a shower curtain and a glass door? Wonder no longer; Aluplex has exactly the information you didn’t know you were looking for. While the superiority of either choice is fairly subjective, we have some facts that might help you decide where you stand. So, let’s take a look at the benefits of glass shower enclosures, as well as shower curtains.
Managing Mold
When you take a moment to consider the primary challenges presented by showers and tubs, one of the first that comes to mind is mold. Our showers and tubs are rarely ever given time to dry completely. This is especially true if more than one person is using it in a day. Turn out the bathroom light when you leave and your shower or tub becomes the perfect incubator for mold.
The question is, while mold is nigh impossible to avoid entirely, which enclosure handles it better? The answer truly depends on how you wish to handle it.
For those of you who would prefer cleaning a reusable barrier, mold management is one of many benefits of glass shower enclosures. You can buy an effective, foaming cleaner and scrub down a durable shower enclosure for many years – even decades – before mold begins to affect its overall quality.
For those who have less time or energy to keep up with cleaning, a quick solution may be preferred. In that case, shower curtains are great. They’re cheap – only a few dollars – to replace, and can be switched out in just a few minutes. If you have a tub/shower combo, you will likely still get some mold growth along the side of the tub that the curtain rests against, but the necessary cleaning time is much smaller. The most unfortunate downside to relying on curtains in this case is that replacing them every 1-3 months produces a lot of plastic waste, which is bad for the environment.
The Necessary Upkeep
When it comes to upkeep, much of the same principles applied to mold cleanup are the same. Tubs and shower bases will continue to need occasional cleaning, regardless of the barrier type. What the curtain makes up for in disposability, it loses in contributing to the problem. Shower curtains block a lot of light, making them produce a better breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other grime where they rest.
Glass shower enclosures may add somewhat to the area that needs cleaning. However, they allow more light and air flow, drying faster and preventing as much bacteria and mold growth. Also, the age old problem of mold and grime getting trapped along metal framework is a thing of the past. Buying a frameless glass shower enclosure is an easy way to avoid this pitfall of glass enclosures.
Health and Safety
When you take all of these things into account, it does begin to paint a pretty stark picture of your bathroom’s health and safety situation. Curtains block light, crowd the tub wall, don’t get enough airflow behind them, and more. Therefore, they encourage the growth of harmful organisms. However, one of the benefits of glass shower enclosures is their improvement of lightflow, airflow, and cleanliness. This makes them safer to use. While the difference may be marginal for some, it may make a huge difference for others, especially those with allergies or breathing sensitivities.
If you want to upgrade your shower curtain to a glass shower enclosure that won’t crowd you while you wash, you know who to call. Ditch the short-term solution and choose something that will give you long-term results.
