There’s one question we get constantly when renovating bathrooms: should I put in a screen or a curtain? It seems like a minor decision, but it significantly affects the budget, maintenance and overall look.
The short answer: it depends on what the bathroom is for, your budget and how long you’re staying. Here’s the breakdown without sugarcoating.
The price difference, straight up
A shower curtain is the most affordable option: from €20 at Ikea or Leroy Merlin for basic PEVA or fabric models, up to €60 for better quality with a weighted hem and anti-mould fabric.
A shower screen is a different category entirely. The range goes from €150 for a simple single-panel bath screen to €800-1,200 for a 10mm tempered glass walk-in with matte black finish. Screen installation adds an extra €80-150, depending on whether it requires drilling into the tiling or uses a magnetic anchoring system.
| Element | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Basic PEVA curtain | €20-35 |
| Quality fabric curtain | €40-60 |
| Curtain rod | €15-40 |
| Single-panel bath screen | €150-300 |
| Sliding shower screen | €200-450 |
| Single hinged door | €250-500 |
| Fixed 8mm walk-in panel | €350-700 |
| High-end 10mm walk-in | €600-1,200 |
Cleaning and maintenance: the screen wins (but not entirely)
The curtain has an obvious problem: it accumulates mould at the bottom. If you don’t wash it regularly and leave it spread out to dry, in a few weeks you’ll have black stains on the seam. Fabric ones can go in the washing machine (30°C). PEVA ones get thrown away when they’re too dirty.
A glass screen is more durable but also requires maintenance. The main enemy is limescale, especially in Valencia where the water is very hard. If you don’t clean it regularly, lime deposits become embedded in the glass and are very difficult to remove. A screen with factory-applied anti-limescale treatment (Profiltek and Roca offer this in their mid-range products) makes the job much easier. You also need to watch the silicone seal between the screen and wall: it blackens over time and needs renewing every 3-5 years.
The bottom rails of sliding screens are the most uncomfortable maintenance point. They accumulate soap, limescale and dirt in small grooves. Fixed panel or walk-in screens with no bottom rail are much easier to maintain.
Safety: tempered glass vs plastic
A PEVA or PVC curtain is harmless in an accident. If someone falls into it, it gives without resistance. This can actually be an advantage in bathrooms used by elderly people or young children.
Screen glass must always be tempered glass (EN 12150 standard). Tempered glass, when it breaks, does so in small rounded fragments rather than sharp shards like conventional glass. There shouldn’t be any non-tempered glass screens on the market, but if you buy something very cheap without documentation, be wary.
The real risk with screens isn’t the breakage itself (it’s rare), but impacts: if someone hits a 6mm glass screen with force, it can break. With 8mm the risk is lower. With 10mm, practically non-existent in domestic use.
Installation: what nobody tells you about screens
A curtain is the easiest thing in the world: a telescopic rod between two walls or a wall-mounted rod with a rawlplug and screw. Ten minutes and done. No construction work, no dust, no waiting for an installer.
A screen is a different level. Most require drilling into the tiling to anchor the profiles. This requires specific drill bits for stoneware and porcelain, and a professional who knows how to do it without cracking the tile. If the tiling is more than 15 years old or of poor quality, the risk of fracture is real.
There are screens with no-drill anchoring systems, with pressure profiles or reinforced suction cups. These are valid options for rentals or for those who don’t want to touch the wall, but they have rigidity limitations and aren’t suitable for heavy thick-glass screens.
The brands we install most frequently at Reformarte are Profiltek, Roca, Noken and Duravit. Profiltek has very good value for money in the mid-range. Roca is solid and has wide availability of spare parts. Noken and Duravit are more expensive but the finish and mechanisms are noticeably better.
When a curtain makes sense
There are situations where a curtain is the most sensible option, without that being a drawback:
Old bathtubs you’re not going to change. If you have a built-in bathtub from the 90s and you’re not planning a renovation, a bath screen might cost €300-500 and it’s still going to be an old bathtub. A quality new curtain costs €50 and has the same functional effect.
Rental properties. If you’re renting out the flat and don’t want to invest in improvements you won’t enjoy yourself, the curtain makes perfect sense. If the tenant destroys it, you replace it for €30.
Very tight budget. If you have a spending limit and there are more urgent things to sort out (plumbing, flooring, damp), a decent curtain lets you leave the screen for the next phase.
Guest or service bathrooms. A secondary bathroom that gets little use doesn’t justify a €400 screen. A good quality fabric curtain works perfectly.
When a screen is genuinely worth it
A screen is the right option when:
- You’re doing a full bathroom renovation and want a coherent final result
- The bathroom is the main bathroom in the home and you use it daily
- You have a new built shower or new shower tray (a curtain doesn’t make as much functional sense)
- You want a clean, modern look that will last 10-15 years without visual deterioration
- The space allows it and you want to take advantage of the visual openness of transparent glass
A fixed walk-in panel in 8mm tempered glass with no frame is what we get asked for most these days. It opens up the space visually, is very easy to clean (no rails, no doors) and will last for decades without issue. From €350 installed for a simple fixed panel.
Quick comparison
| Criterion | Curtain | Screen |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | €20-60 | €150-1,200 |
| Installation | No construction | Usually requires drilling |
| Cleaning | Easy but frequent | More involved but less urgent |
| Durability | 1-3 years (PEVA), 3-5 years (fabric) | 10-20 years |
| Visual appearance | Functional | Much better |
| Safety | Neutral | High (tempered glass) |
| Renovation needed | No | Recommended |
Frequently asked questions
Can a shower curtain cause damp or mould on the walls? If the bathroom doesn’t have good ventilation, yes. The curtain retains more moisture in the immediate area than a screen. Good extractor function and spreading the curtain out after each use are important.
Can I fit a screen on a bathtub without renovating? Yes, there are specific bath screens that install on the rim without any construction work. They come in fixed and hinged versions, from €200 installed.
What happens if I want to change the screen in the future? You’ll need to fill the tiling drill holes with silicone or plugs. If the new screen has the same anchoring profile, it can reuse the same plugs. If not, they’re minor repairs.
Are screens without a bottom rail more hygienic? Yes, clearly. No rail means no groove to accumulate dirt. Floor cleaning is also easier. The downside is that water may splash out slightly more if the shower is narrow.
If you’re weighing up whether a screen fits into your renovation budget, check our bathroom renovation calculator for a real estimate in ten minutes. You can also read our guide to shower screens: types and how to choose for more detail on specific models.
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