Shower curtains

[SisterA]

Thoughts? Pros/cons?

We have had a shower screen in since we bought our flat. I've cleaned and regrouted many times but it just gets grotty again and I'm ready to get rid of it, but not sure whether to go for another shower screen or a curtain instead soooo just thought I'd see if anyone had some opinions of shower curtains or screens so I could make a well thought out decision :)

[PickAChew]

I find that, even with airing and regular washing, shower curtains only last a year or so before they get so grotty and stained that they need replacing. Cheaper and easier to replace than a screen, but still need some diligence to keep nice.

[SisterA]

Thanks PickAChew.

I think I'm okay with replacing it annually. I tend to get a bit fed up with bathroom decor after a year anyway and like a bit of a change, but that's good to know :)

[dudsville]

I often think about old fashioned shower screens that had patterns on them. I think they must have hidden the hard water stains better. I would also prefer distorted glass rather than smokey but clear glass. The thing with curtains though is the ick factor when they touch you. Easily replaced but they will still get you from tie to time and that feels icky to me.

[SwedishEdith]

I'm thinking about this as hate our shower screen because I don't clean it regularly. Can't you get shower curtains with weights on the bottom which would reduce to icky waftiness a bit?

[SealSong]

I got rid of a (leaky) shower screen and got a curtain and much prefer it. No leaks whatsoever. I think it looks ok. No more banging my elbow on a hard screen when in the shower. Makes getting out of the over-bath shower easier as the shower curtain pulls right back, no dodging around a screen.
Easy to keep clean, just bung in the wash every week or so, comes out sparkling, no need to dry just re hang.
It is a fabric shower curtain from Ikea, if you are looking for one.

[SisterA]

Thanks for sharing your opinions! I am leaning more towards getting one :)

I work offshore & shower with a curtain and it's not the most pleasant experience so I'm surprised I'm feeling so into it for home, but I'm determined it'll be a far superior experience because the space out here is LIMITED to say the least.

[ColdFeetAndHotCakes]

When I stayed at a friend's house in Germany a few years ago they had a pull down blind like contraption that was somewhere in between screen and curtain. More sturdy than a curtain and it didn't need to be unrolled past my bum to do the job, and after leaving it for a few hours to dry off you just rolled it back up and didn't have to look at it. They don't cling to the bath or themselves and get that horrible permanently wet grott that curtains do, but you don't have to polish it like a glass screen. Haven't seen or heard of them since but I thought it was bloody genius!

[SisterA]

I have found some shower curtain blinds ColdFeet but I was a little unsure of them because I hadn't seen one in action before/hadn't heard of anyone using them! Interesting to hear a first hand account!!

[ImNotReallyReal]

I bought a house with a grotty family bathroom. No shower just a switch for the shower head on the taps and no screen or curtain.

I put up a ceiling hung shower curtain rail around the bath and used a clear plastic liner and a pretty white linen outer layer. It's worked well for five years. I also put up sliding shower head holder like in a normal shower.

I just replace the liner, it costs about a fiver on eBay once a year at most. The linen hasn't ever needed anything more than a wash and iron as it stays outside the bath. The plastic liner protects it and even fussy DH who hates shower curtains says it works well.