SHOULD MY SHOWER SCREEN BE FIXED WITH WALL BRACKETS OR SILICONED INTO WALL CHANNEL?

There are two main methods of fixing glass showerscreen panels. These options are: (i) wall brackets (approximately positioned 200mm up from the base and 200mm down from the top of the panel) or (ii) siliconed into channel in the wall.

(i) Wall brackets are a more secure way of fixing your shower screen as there is a mechanical fixing through the glass. Therefore, wide panels or panels fixed to natural stone are better suited to this fixing method. In the case of wide panels, there is considerable flex the wider the panel so wall brackets securely ‘anchor’ the panel to the wall, rather than just relying on silicone alone. Regarding a panel fixed to natural stone, silicone doesn’t adhere very well to the natural stone sealer. Over a short amount of time, the silicone can lose its grip allowing the panel to move so, again, wall brackets will provide a secure ‘anchor’ for the shower screen panel, especially if there is a door hinged off the panel.

(ii) When the wall channel is embedded into the tiled wall you will achieve a more seamless look, as if the panel seems as if it is ‘floating’. Your tiler will need to embed the 18×18 channel into the wall and finish the tile face in-line with the outer edge of the channel. To overcome the issue of securely fixing large panels, or fixing to natural stone, it’s recommended that the panel extend into the ceiling cavity to combat any movement issues.

We hope this clarifies the pros and cons of each fixing method. If you require more information, please contact us or visit www.showerscreen.com.au