Replacing a shower screen means you can say goodbye to your old water stained, out-of-date and leaky screen. A new shower screen can have a practical and stylistic impact on your bathroom.
It may be part of your new bathroom design ideas, and at the same time be a smart cost-effective solution. Replacing a shower screen will not only add a new touch of style, it will be a lot cheaper than replacing an entire shower unit.
Here you’ll find practical tips on how to install a shower screen, what tools you’ll need and how much you can expect to pay for a new screen.
Thomas Oldham
Thomas has worked in the engineering and construction industry for over a decade. He has spent the past four years using his expertise to develop the UK Construction Blog - a leading online platform dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses in the construction industry for over 14 years.
Replacing a shower screen: What types are there?
Shower screens come in a range of styles as Thomas Oldham, co-founder of UK Construction Blog reveals, “Shower screens come in three main styles: framed, semi-frameless, and frameless.”
Each style has its appeal as Oldham continues, “Framed screens, made from aluminium, are a budget-friendly choice with a classic look. Semi-frameless designs, with minimal framing, provide a more modern feel and are ideal for mid-range budgets. Frameless screens, although more expensive, offer a sleek and luxurious finish.”
If you have a large space that needs a shower screen, Oldham suggests a few options, “For larger spaces, sliding doors are a practical way to save room, while fixed panels create a minimalist look in walk-in showers. Pivot doors work well in standard layouts, and bi-fold screens are a smart choice for making the most of compact spaces.”
What to consider before replacing a shower screen
Before you invest in a replacement shower screen there are a few points you need to consider, some more obvious than others as Colm Lalor, commercial director at nuie points out, “Ensure the size is correct, a good way to check would be to measure the old screen if it was a perfect fit, also remember to measure the space that the replacement screen will be used in.”
Alongside size you need to consider the glass. Lalor says, “We have a variety of glass thicknesses to choose from and all screens use toughened safety glass.” This is a key consideration to ensure your safety.
David Cruz, plumbing expert at MyJobQuote, says, “The thicker the glass the more durable your screen will be.” But he adds a note of caution, “However, thicker glass is heavier. So it’s not always the best option for over-the-bath showers. And, flat glass is much easier to run a squeegee over, and there are fewer nooks and crannies for soap scum to collect in with simpler screen designs.”
Finally, you can’t forget style, Lalor says, “Style is down to personal taste as long as it fits and is compatible with the shower area, make sure it fits the bath or shower tray etc.” He adds, “Frames come in many different finishes, again down to personal preference, with brushed brass screens being very popular as this finish is very on trend.”
Colm Lalor
Colm Lalor has been a Commercial Director at Roxor Group for almost 40 years. He is an expert in the field of bathroom renovations with a wealth of knowledge about best practices and pitfalls to avoid.
Try these shower screens to replace your old one
Nes Home Denver Frameless Curved Shower Screen
A bath screen that is suitable for any type of straight edge bath. The design is reversible which can be fitted to either the left or right hand side.
Roxbury Brushed Pewter L Shape Fixed Bath Screen
This is a sleek and functional square bath screen with a brushed pewter finish. Made from 6mm toughened safety glass for durability and safety.
Toreno Matt Black Bi-Fold Shower Door
A bi-fold shower door that offers a contemporary matt black frame finish. Its panels are made from toughened safety glass for your peace of mind.
David Cruz
David has worked in the plumbing industry for over fifteen years. David has worked on countless domestic and commercial projects as a plumbing expert and gas-safe engineer. David also works closely with MyJobQuote to provide expert plumbing knowledge to homeowners, tradespeople and news outlets.
Shower screens are installed slightly differently, so Cruz says, “Read over the installation instructions that come with your screen. That way you’ll know exactly what you need to do.”
Next you need to remove the old screen. Cruz says, “If it’s an over-the-bath screen, you start by removing the glass panel. This may be clipped or screwed onto the wall bracket.” After that, “You should then be able to access the screws that are holding the bracket onto the wall. In some cases, there may be some silicone sealant that needs removing first. A utility knife or silicone removal tool (which can be found in this Wild Polar Professional 11-Piece Tilers Kit from Amazon) will help you do this.”
Finally Cruz adds, “Once you’ve removed the fixings and bracket, give the area a good clean before you start fitting your new screen.”
2. Measure and mark up
With the old screen removed and the area cleaned up you need to sort where the new is to go. Cruz says, “Mark up the wall where your new shower screen bracket is to go. Line it up close to the edge of your bath or shower tray, following your screen’s installation instructions.”
He adds, “Use a spirit level to make sure your bracket is sitting plumb. Then, make a pencil mark through each of the screw holes, so you know where you need to drill.”
Cruz offers a note of caution, “If this is a new bathroom installation, it’s worth using a detector to check there are no wires or pipes where you’re planning to drill.”
3. Drill and fit
Now get out your drill and fit the screen bracket. Cruz says, “Using a suitable drill bit (typically masonry or wood) drill holes. You might need to use Rawl plugs to help secure your fixings.
Next, “Line up the bracket and secure it in place with the screw fixings. It’s best to use an electric screwdriver or drill-driver for this.”
He adds, “Check it feels secure and then lift up your glass screen and slide it into the bracket. Secure it using the fixings in your kit. This might be clips or screws. There may also be a sealing strip to fit.”
Can you just replace the glass in a shower screen?
If the glass in your shower screen is cracked, scratched or simply not to your taste, but the frame is still perfectly workable you can think of replacing it. Cruz says, “You can buy tempered glass that’s cut to size in the thickness you want, so it is possible to replace the glass in a shower screen.”
But replacing the glass may not be as simple as expected to fit or cost effective as Cruz shares, “One sticking point might be getting the old glass cleanly out of the frame and it could be tricky getting your new piece in, depending on how your screen is constructed and fitted. He adds “You may also find that replacing the glass is more expensive than simply replacing the whole screen.”
How much do shower screens cost?
Shower screen costs can vary greatly depending on size and quality. Cruz shares the price differences between budget, mid-range and high-end screens, “You can expect to pay between £50 and £80 for a budget shower screen and between £80 and £200 for a mid-range screen.”
He adds, “A high-end shower screen or one with a frameless or on-trend design, such as a gold or black frame or fluted glass, is likely to cost between £200 and £400.”
Other factors such as glass can also pay a part in the overall cost. Cruz says, “You may also pay more for slightly thicker glass. Basic screens usually feature glass that’s 3mm to 6mm thick but higher quality screens are more likely to have an 8mm glass thickness.”
How much for a pro to replace a shower screen?
Simpler shower screens such as a hinged bath screens can be tackled by a DIYer, but you will need the right tools and a second person to help hold the screen. Larger shower screens are more difficult to install.
If you’re not confident installing a shower screen you can call a pro as Cruz shares, “It might be worth asking a local handyman, property maintenance company or plumber to come and do it. Most of the time it’s a quick job, so it should only cost between £50 and £80.”
But, this is only for basic smaller screens as Cruz continues, “If installing a large, expensive or heavy screen, it’s better to get the trades in. A plumber or bathroom fitter is probably best as you want to make sure it’s fitted properly and safely to prevent accidents and breakages.”
This will increase costs as Cruz shares, “On average, plumbers charge around £60 per hour and fitting a screen typically only takes an hour or two.” He adds, “However, it may take a little longer if there’s an old screen to remove, multiple panels to fit or any remedial work to do.”
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Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating.
He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.
He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.
