Your Guide to Shower Screens: How to Pick the Right AS1288-Compliant Option

Key Points:

• Choosing the right shower screen depends on your bathroom layout, style preferences, and budget.
• Frameless, semi-frameless, fully framed, and custom shower screens each offer unique advantages for modern bathroom design.
• AS1288-compliant installation ensures your shower screen is safe, durable, and properly fitted for everyday use.
• Working with DLG gives you access to expert support, premium products, and reliable shower screen installations that follow Australian safety standards.

Summary:

Homeowners can explore the different types of shower screens available on display at the showroom and learn how to match the right style to their bathroom layout, space, and cleaning preferences. When it comes to choosing the right one, understanding AS1288 compliance is essential, as it ensures each shower screen is installed safely and built to withstand daily use. With support from DLG Aluminium & Glazing, it becomes easier to select a high-quality, compliant shower screen that delivers long-lasting performance and a polished finish.

Outline: 

1. Introduction
2. What Are the Different Types of Shower Screens?
3. Which Type of Shower Screen Is Right for You?
4. Why Professional Installation of Shower Screens Matters
5. How DLG Can Help You Get the Right Shower Screen for Your Bathroom

Updating your bathroom is one of the most effective ways to lift the comfort and style of your home. A quality shower screen is a big part of that change, as it shapes both the look and function of your space.

In this guide, you will learn about the most common types of shower screens, how each one works, and what you should consider when selecting the best option for your bathroom.

You will also gain insights into the importance of proper installation and Australian Safety Standards, particularly AS1288, along with how DLG Aluminium & Glazing supports homeowners through trusted shower screens supply and installation in Albury.

What Are the Different Types of Shower Screens?

Choosing a shower screen involves more than style. Your screen plays a role in water control, ease of cleaning, safety, and long-term performance. Below is a clear breakdown of the most common options available to homeowners looking for shower screens in Albury-Wodonga and beyond.

Fully Framed Shower Screen

A fully framed shower screen has aluminium framing around every edge of the glass. This style keeps most water inside the enclosure, often between 95 and 100 percent, because all water running down the glass stays within the framed structure.

The full magnetic handle adds an attractive look and helps keep the door closed. It is a strong and practical decision for standard family bathrooms, particularly those used by children. The standard height is 1850 mm, although it can be made up to 2000 mm for additional coverage.

Frameless Shower Screen

As its name suggests, a frameless shower screen has no frame around the edges of the door. These screens create a clean, modern appearance that suits contemporary bathroom designs.

In smaller spaces, such as a 900 x 900 shower, frameless screens are not recommended due to the likelihood of water escaping the enclosure. Rubber strips can help reduce this, although adding them often takes away from the sleek, minimal finish that frameless screens are known for.

Frameless screens work best in larger shower areas. Many homeowners opt for a single frameless panel with no door, especially in bathrooms where the shower occupies one entire wall.

Panels can be made in a range of widths. Those that are wider than 1200 mm are often braced to the wall or ceiling to reduce movement if bumped. This is not a safety requirement, but a comfort choice for added stability.

Semi-Frameless Shower Screen

Semi-frameless shower screens, on the other hand, combine the strength of a framed screen with the cleaner, lighter look of a frameless design. The frame is more subtle, which gives the screen a stylish appearance while still delivering reliable performance.

They are a strong option for homeowners wanting durability with a softer visual finish. Popular examples include the Corner Entry and Aspen designs, which complement a wide range of bathroom styles.

Sliding Door vs Pivot Door vs Fixed Panel Designs

Sliding Door Shower Screens

Sliding doors are ideal for bathrooms that have limited space. The door glides along a track instead of swinging out, which frees up valuable room while still giving you access to a full shower enclosure.

Pivot Door Shower Screens

A pivot door rotates on a central hinge. These doors suit larger bathrooms because they require space for the door to open. They come in a variety of styles and remain one of the most traditional choices.

Fixed Panel Shower Screens

A fixed panel uses a single piece of frameless glass to create a simple, luxurious look. Fixed panels require a generous bathroom layout, as the open design needs a drying area that allows water to fall safely within the space. They are highly popular in modern homes that want a minimal aesthetic.

Which Type of Shower Screen Is Right for You?

Selecting the right shower screen starts with understanding your priorities, including maintenance, privacy, design goals, and the size of your bathroom.

One of the biggest considerations is cleaning. Frameless shower screens are much easier to clean, as you can wipe the entire surface of the glass without worrying about mould or soap build-up hiding behind a frame.

Frosted glass can be more difficult to clean than clear glass and tends to show soap scum more easily. Many homeowners prefer clear glass for this reason.

The size of your bathroom also plays a role. Sliding doors work best in smaller areas. If your bathroom has more room, a hinged or pivoted door may be suitable.

Homeowners replacing an old shower curtain over a bathtub often benefit from hinged glass bath screens. These allow more natural light into the space, which can make the room feel bigger, while also keeping moisture inside the tub.

Why Professional Installation of Shower Screens Matters

Even with the right product selected, correct installation is essential for safety and long-lasting performance. Working with trusted shower screen installers helps ensure that your screen functions as intended, fits your space properly, and meets Australian requirements.

Before beginning a bathroom renovation, it is important to understand the standards set out in the Building Code of Australia. All shower screens must comply with AS1288, which requires the use of Grade A safety glass.

This is designed to prevent serious injuries if the glass breaks, as it fractures into smaller, less dangerous pieces. For framed screens, the minimum glass thickness is 5 mm, while for partly framed screens, the minimum is 6 mm. As for frameless screens, the minimum is 10 mm.

Using AS1288-compliant products and professional installation protects your household and keeps your renovation in line with national safety expectations.

How DLG Can Help You Get the Right Shower Screen for Your Bathroom

DLG Aluminium & Glazing supports homeowners with shower screens supply and install services across the region. To ensure our clients’ safety, all shower screens we supply are glazed in line with AS1288-2006.

The glass used is either toughened safety glass stamped in the lower corner of each panel or 6.38 laminated Grade A safety glass. Every screen is manufactured and installed with strict attention to the Australian standards that guide safe and reliable shower screen installations.

We also provide a 2-year warranty on installation and materials, including frames, hardware, and workmanship, along with a 3-month warranty on silicone sealing for mould and leak protection.

If you are searching for trusted experts in Albury for shower screen supply and installation, our team is ready to help you create a bathroom that feels safe, stylish, and built to last.

Contact DLG Aluminium & Glazing today to talk through your options and find the perfect AS1288-compliant shower screen for your home.