If you are renovating your bathroom, you may be installing a new shower screen as part of this. Although it may seem like it, fitting a shower screen is not an overly complicated task, but the process for installing a wetroom shower screen and a bath shower screen do differ slightly.
If you are not confident in your DIY abilities it may be beneficial to have someone help fit the shower screen, especially when holding the screen steady to ensure it is level.
How to install a wetroom shower screen
If you have a wetroom with a shower tray or are going to be fitting one, this will need to be installed prior to installing the shower screen.
Step 1 – Check that the bathroom floor is level
Before installing a shower screen, you should check that the surface you will be installing it onto is flat. Use a spirit level to check that your floor, or shower tray, is completely flat and at the right angle to ensure that the installation process is straightforward.
Step 2 – Drill the wall bracket
Some brackets do come pre-drilled, but this varies between brands and may depend on the design of your shower screen. If you are installing a shower screen without holes, take the wall bracket and drill four equally spaced holes into it, as these will be used to screw the screen into the wall.
The drilled holes should not be too close to the top or bottom of the bracket, as you will need to allow room for the sealant.
Step 3 – Mark the wall
Hold the wall bracket up against the wall you will be installing your shower screen into. This should be in line with the edge of the shower tray or the parameter of the shower area in your wetroom.
Check that the bracket is lined up correctly using a spirit level, and then use a pencil to mark the holes that have been drilled into the wall.
This step may also involve taking into account any wall cladding that’s been fitted behind the shower area.
Step 4 – Drill the holes and screw in the bracket
Using an electric drill, drill the holes marked on the bathroom wall. You can add a wall plug into each hole for extra security. Then, take the wall bracket and line the holes in the bracket up with the holes in the wall. Screw the bracket in place using four screws.
Step 5 – Fitting the frame
Once the bracket is in place, you can fit the glass frame of the shower screen. It may be beneficial to have another person help you with this stage, as some glass shower screens can be heavy.
The glass screen should slide into the wall bracket, and it can then be secured with the screws that were part of the installation kit or a glass seal strip. Whichever of these you are able to use will depend on the design of the shower screen.
Step 6 – Fit the support arms (if needed)
If you are installing a shower screen that comes with support arms, these are usually fitted over the top of the shower screen and fixed to the wall for extra support. Depending on how your bathroom is set up, you may need to trim the bars to the correct length.
Measure the length needed and mark this on the support bar, and then use a hacksaw to shorten the bar to the right length. The support arm will then need to be placed atop the glass screen, but take care so as not to scratch the glass. Once the arm is straight, mark the wall where you will need to install the arm bracket so you know where to drill the holes. Once the support arm bracket is installed, the arm should easily slot into the bracket and secure on to the shower screen.
The screen may also have a protector that can be fitted between the arm and the glass.
Step 7 – Silicone sealant
Using a silicone sealant and the correct applicator, place a layer of sealant across the bottom of the glass screen where it meets the floor or shower tray. You can also place a line of sealant between the wall bracket and the screen if there was no glass seal provided.
Repeat this process (and other previous steps) if needed for any extra panels that need to be installed.
Installing a shower screen on a bath
Step 1 – Ensure the bath is level
Using a spirit level, check that the side of the bath that the screen will be secured to is straight and level.
Step 2 – Prepare the wall bracket
The bracket provided with the installation kit may already have the holes drilled for you, or you may need to drill the holes for the securing screws yourself. If you need to drill the holes yourself, count how many wall bracket screws were provided as part of the installation kit, usually three to four. Based on this number, drill however many screw holes you need, checking that they are properly spaced across the wall bracket.
Step 3 – Fit the wall bracket
Using the holes drilled into the wall bracket as a guide, mark the screw holes onto the wall where the screen will be secured onto. Drill the holes into the wall, and place a screw plug into each hole. After drilling the holes, line the wall bracket up with the holes and screw it into place.
Step 4 – Install the screen
Slide the glass screen into the wall bracket. The screen will need to be secured in place using either a glass seal or by being screwed into place.
Step 5 – Seal the screen
Apply a thin layer of sealant along the bottom of the glass screen where it meets the bath. If you have installed a moving or hinged screen, this is not necessary. In some cases you may need to add sealant between the wall and the wall bracket too.
Generally, a shower screen should take around an hour or two to install if you are attempting to do it yourself. However, it can be a delicate task, so hiring a professional can make it easier and ensure that the screen is safe and stable.
