Ranking the best bath screens for 2022

Often, in order to reduce the cost of production of sanitary equipment, its manufacturer produces goods with a minimum set of fixtures and devices, thereby allowing the buyer to decide on their own whether to purchase them additionally. This circumstance is especially clearly seen on the example of screens for the bathroom. Indeed, it is unlikely that any buyer will like models made of exactly the material that the manufacturer will offer in the kit, when there are a huge number of them.

Design and configuration properties of screens

The screen itself is a decorative element that is designed to be installed under the bath bowl, and it usually consists of a frame (made in the form of a frame or two rails) and a front panel. This element can be made in the form of sliding / hinged doors, it can be angular, solid or straight, or even consist of several elements.

Here it is worth distinguishing between the concepts of "screen" and "panel" - the latter has, rather, a decorative function and is designed to hide the unaesthetic appearance of the appearance of the bowl. The panel simply closes this part, it usually immediately comes with the bathroom and fits perfectly to it in all sizes. The screen has a slightly different design and it has some functionality - for example, it can be made at an angle or vertically, it can be retractable with shelves (for storing household chemicals there) or have a special ladder for legs.Both the screen and the panel have their advantages and disadvantages: an oversized screen with a set of shelves and recesses is ideal for storing various toiletries, but then it will have to be installed at an acute angle, which will make it difficult to mop the bathroom. The panel, in turn, will not take up much space, but it will not have any effect other than aesthetic.

Standard screens that the modern market offers, as a rule, have the following width dimensions:

• 75 cm;
• 85 cm;
• 90 cm;
• 102 cm;
• 120 cm.

Their height varies from 40 to 60 centimeters. However, if none of the options is suitable, then you can always make a product to order with the desired dimensions.

Screen devices are standardly equipped with 2-3 legs, the lower part of which is protected by a special gasket that prevents slipping. The height of the legs can be adjusted using a telescopic mechanism - this is not difficult to do, and besides, most bathtubs have a reference height. By means of these legs, the stable integration of the screen under the bowl is ensured, thereby limiting the access of water.

When installing a screen product, you should pay attention to the quality of the materials used. The fittings of the frame, handles, guide stops must resist corrosion. Otherwise, it may happen that the device itself will last a long time, but also for a long time it will please the consumer with a “shabby” look of its individual parts.

Manufacturing materials for different screen models

The main purpose of the screen fixture is not just to create a harmonious look for the entire bathroom, but also to protect the space under the bowl from moisture getting there.Therefore, the material of manufacture must be completely moisture resistant and not deform under the influence of hot steam or water. The overwhelming majority of materials used in existing samples meet such requirements, but there are also models whose properties do not meet practical needs.

MDF screen: aesthetics at the expense of practicality

Such devices from the finely dispersed fraction (MDF) are usually made in the format of sliding / hinged doors. Inside, they most often arrange a shelf. The general view of the whole structure looks much more beautiful than the plastic version, especially if the room itself already contains furniture elements in woody colors, then it is not so difficult to choose a similar color scheme.

However, MDF is extremely weakly resistant to high humidity conditions. This can be expressed in the fact that during a long stay in such an environment, the MDF swells, and the outer coating begins to peel off. The same problems arise with a frame made of chipboard or wood. According to customer reviews, such problems begin to appear as early as five to six months after installation.

Another problem with MDF screens is that they are difficult to trim. If the design does not fit in length and needs to be adjusted in size, then it will be very problematic to do it yourself. When using a household electric jigsaw or a regular hacksaw, the material will crumble, and the edges will be torn. Fitting is best done on a factory tool, using a cutter with a large number of revolutions, so as not to spoil the appearance of the entire fixture.

Aluminum screen: variety and reliability

First of all, they are distinguished by a frame made of aluminum. But the front part can be made in the form of panels of their plexiglass, PVC or even MDF profile. The current market offers a huge range of similar products, a wide variability in their design, however, the cost of aluminum structures is not designed for every wallet. However, the increased price will always pay off with the durability of the product - a frame made of such a metal perfectly tolerates increased mechanical loads, almost does not deform under the influence of moisture, and is slightly susceptible to corrosion processes.

Plastic screens: advantages and disadvantages

These devices are made of cellular plastic, which is installed in an aluminum or PVC profile housing. The most popular and budget models are made from standard PVC compounds and are white. More expensive options include special ingredients that affect the strength of the product, and they can also be equipped with a self-adhesive film of various colors (up to three-dimensional drawings).

Plastic samples are popular because of a number of their advantages:

• Simple installation, the ability to independently adjust the dimensions with improvised tools;
• Low price in relation to other materials;
• A wide selection of sizes, shapes, designs, colors, ornaments;
• Absolute insensitivity to high humidity and readiness for direct and prolonged contact with moisture directly;
• Extended service life - from ten to thirty years.

Their only drawbacks can be called two things: fragility and susceptibility to oxidizing substances.In the first case, plastic structures should be carefully protected from excessive mechanical stress, and in the second case, caustic abrasives should not be used when cleaning them.

Glass screens: apparent fragility in the service of longevity

In such products, tempered glass is used, which has all the necessary qualities for installation in the bathroom: moisture resistance, strength, durability, low susceptibility to scratches, and resistance to plaque formation. In addition, glass, unlike plastic, lends itself well to cleaning with abrasive products.

Glass panels can be with sliding or hinged doors, or made on a solid basis. The frame on which they are fixed is made of aluminum alloys, and which is subsequently covered with a special powder enamel.

Some manufacturers may also offer mirror options that will visually increase the space in the bathroom. But, as a rule, such models are extremely fragile and cost a lot. Among other things, they are very difficult to care for: they constantly fog up, splashes from water are perfectly visible on the surface and after drying they leave clearly visible traces. As a result, mirror surfaces require constant wiping.

Traditional quality - tiled mosaic

One of the methods known to domestic finishers since Soviet times can be called a traditional finish using ceramic tiles. As a rule, the frame for such a structure is made using simple brickwork, on top of which tiles or mosaics are glued.Such a home-made screen proved to be excellent: it reliably protects the space under the bathroom from moisture penetration and allows the bowl to live quietly until the next overhaul of the apartment.

At the same time, if the bowl in the bathroom has non-standard shapes, then a brick frame can hardly suit it. In this case, options from polystyrene foam boards or moisture-resistant cardboard should be considered. At the same time, there is a super unreliable option for the lazy - from wooden bars.

The main advantage of tiling is the ability to independently develop all structural elements as a whole, without focusing on the dimensions set by the manufacturer.

Natural bathroom materials

The trends in modern society to “use everything natural in all areas of life” have led to the fact that bath screens are also made of wood. It would seem that you can’t find a worse material, because it is prone to delamination, the formation of a fungus, and it does not resist moisture well. However, with the help of special chemical compositions, the wood base can be treated in such a way that the above negative conditions cannot have any effect. It's just worth mentioning that such screen devices are made only to order, and their price is very, very considerable.

Less common is the decoration of the bathroom with natural stone. In this case, such a decorative element can be considered as an excellent alternative to ceramic tiles, especially since stone is a durable material. And with sufficient design skill in the bath, in general, you can create an exclusive masterpiece. Unfortunately, again, this option is most often made to order.

Some screen selection features

First of all, it is necessary to make measurements of both the room itself and the bathroom bowl. It should be noted that a screen with telescopic legs is better suited for self-assembly. Despite the variety of models, most samples have standard dimensions - 50-60 cm in height and 150-180 cm in length. Less common is a shorter length - about 100-120 cm.

It is worth remembering that the standard height of MDF structures is 56 cm. If this parameter is high, then you need to trim this element using professional equipment, after which it is better to varnish the cuts. With plastic structures, everything is much simpler: their dimensions are very easy to adjust using retractable legs, which are present in almost any model. The only thing is to adjust the extension of the legs in such a way that the installed screen does not restrict access to the bath bowl itself. During the final installation, the location of the communication pipes under the bowl should also be taken into account - they should not interfere with the installed structure.

Separately, you should pay attention to the handles of the fittings. In order to extend their service life, they must be made of galvanized steel or other stainless metal.

If the screen has sliding/hinged doors, then the installation of the entire structure must be carried out in such a way that no additional efforts are required to open/close the doors. At the same time, the hinges (or roller mechanism) will also require close attention - they must move freely.

As a rule, the "native" screen fixture (which comes with the bowl) installs quickly and without problems.If even the telescopic legs are not enough to close the space under the bowl, then instead of regular bolts, you can always use longer ones.

In general, most professional finishers prefer to install do-it-yourself designs rather than using factory options.

Ranking the best bath screens for 2022

Sliding

3rd place: "Kvart" (trademark "MetaKam")

This sliding sample is a budget offer from a Russian manufacturer. Despite the fact that the model fits the economy class level, its material is based on a special PVC compound based on the principle of 4 chambers (the same is used in plastic windows). There is a possibility of drawing drawings on a self-adhesive film.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	PVC
Number of doors	2
Warranty, years	2
Weight in kg	1.7
Price, rubles	790

• Use of innovative technologies;
• Possibility of drawing drawings;
• Possibility of installation of telescopic legs inward.

Weakly tolerant to mechanical influences.

2nd place: "COMFORT MARBLE"

This model is suitable for almost any bathroom: both where communications are installed under the bowl, and where they are brought out. The shielding element is equipped with screw support legs, all fittings (handles, plugs) are made of a rigid plastic profile. Free air circulation qualitatively extinguishes the formation of mold and fungus.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	PVC
Number of doors	3
Weight in kg	2.5
Warranty, years	3
Price, rubles	1300

• Versatility and multifunctionality;
• There is an additional door;
• The design uses hard plastic.

• Supplied already assembled.

1st place: Santa Rhodes

This model is representative of the business class segment. The material of the screen elements is MDF. The handles are made of galvanized metal and painted with a special anti-corrosion compound. The screen will not cause difficulties during installation, however, it has clear overall dimensions.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	MDF
Number of doors	2
Weight in kg	3.5
Warranty, years	2
Price, rubles	4500

• Sturdy MDF base;
• Extended warranty period;
• Galvanized fittings.

• There may be problems with modifying dimensions.

Swing

3rd place: "Lira 1.5 (bleached oak)"

This fixture is designed for use in bathrooms where high humidity levels are established. The design of MDF has additional reinforcement with a moisture-resistant laminate, successfully resists excessively humid air. Accessories (handles, telescopic legs) are made of chrome-plated metal.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	MDF-reinforced
Number of doors	4
Weight in kg	4
Warranty, years	2
Price, rubles	3200

• Reinforced MDF formula;
• Chrome fittings;
• Excellent value for money.

• Not detected.

2nd place: "Soft Alavann"

The aesthetics of this model will perfectly fit into the design of the apartment, finished in the style of "Hi-tech". Doors have an adjustable opening angle - from 45 to 90 degrees. The structure of the front surface is made in the style of "gloss".

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	MDF-reinforced
Number of doors	3
Weight in kg	3.5
Warranty, years	2
Price, rubles	6100

• Aesthetic glossy surface;
• Unique design;
• Galvanized fittings.

• High price.

1st place: "Francesca Imperium Venge"

Stylish sample, made in a classic style. The material used is MDF, painted with moisture-resistant paint according to the European Kronospan technology. The frame is made from chipboard. To increase the service life, the entire surface is additionally protected with a PVC film. The model range provides at least 5 colors - from plain to patterned.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	France
Production material	MDF-reinforced
Number of doors	4
Weight in kg	4
Warranty, years	3
Price, rubles	6500

• Application of ecological European technologies;
• The presence of Russian production (hence the extended warranty);
• Variety of color choices.

• The minimum choice in size in height (53-54 cm).

With drawer

2nd place: MetaKam 170

A multifunctional sample that combines two options for using storage space - it has both hinged compartments and a retractable drawer at the bottom. The model makes the most efficient use of space. Extremely convenient for storing household chemicals and other cleaning supplies.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	MDF-"Standard+"
Number of doors	3
Weight in kg	4.6
Warranty, years	2
Price, rubles	6100

• Convenient storage options for cleaning supplies;
• A special impregnation of the MDF structure was applied;
• Reinforced hardware.

• Not identified (for its segment).

1st place: "Bath screen with drawer 170 cm white" from "Leroy Merlin"

Another device with a variety of ways to store items. It is an exclusive model from the French company Leroy Merlin. Supplied exclusively assembled. The standard MDF base is sealed with special moisture-resistant ingredients.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Production material	MDF-reinforced
Number of doors	4
Weight in kg	4.2
Warranty, years	1.5
Price, rubles	7200

• The innovative technology of protection against moisture is applied;
• Exclusive model;
• Extended version.

• Overcharge.

Instead of an epilogue

Even a cursory review of the Russian market for bath screens will show that the Russian consumer is quite satisfied with the domestic manufacturer. There are very few goods from abroad in this market. You can purchase the necessary designs both directly at retail and through Internet sites, since the product itself does not have a large number of details in which it is possible to allow marriage. At the same time, you should always request a certificate for the material of manufacture in order to be sure of its durability.