What materials are shower curtains for the bathroom made from?

Types of fabric curtains

Shower curtains are divided into:

• rigid - varieties of curtains made of glass or plastic, they can be static, sliding, folding;
• soft - can be made of textiles or vinyl.

Hard curtains

Soft curtains
In addition, the curtains vary in length:

• short - the edge of the curtains barely touches the edge of the plumbing;
• medium - the edge of the curtain reaches approximately the middle of the bathroom wall;
• long - the curtain reaches the floor.

Recently, curtains with pockets have been gaining popularity, which is especially convenient for small bathrooms where it is not possible to place a sufficient number of drawers and shelves for accessories.

Material of manufacture

Textile curtains are a soft type of curtains, for the manufacture of which various fabrics or polyethylene film are used. As for the textile version of curtains, there are several types:

• impregnated cotton is a common fabric model made from 100% cotton impregnated with a special product that protects curtains from exposure to water and steam. The popularity of this type is due to its complete environmental friendliness;
• polyester is an environmentally friendly material that does not have an unpleasant odor. Polyester perfectly repels water, which is not absorbed into the material, but simply rolls down it;
• a mixture of cotton and polyester - a mixture of components occurs in different percentages. Thanks to this connection, it is possible to obtain a material with an excellent water-repellent effect.

Classification of curtains

In the modern consumer market, manufacturers offer a huge variety of bathroom curtains. They differ from each other:

• quality of the material used,
• sizes,
• fastening method,
• design,
• cost.

So, budget options include curtains made of polyethylene, fabric with mandatory moisture-resistant impregnation, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, and Teflon fabric.

More expensive ones include rigid structures consisting of plastic and specially treated durable glass.

Advantages and disadvantages

Although fabric curtains for the bathroom are not particularly popular, in fact they have a number of undeniable advantages, including:

• waterproof - thanks to the water and vapor resistance of the product, the bathroom will remain dry and clean. But not all textile products have such properties, only those that were coated with certain compounds during production;
• environmental friendliness - high-quality raw materials are used to make textiles, so the use of such accessories does not cause allergies;
• efficiency - manufacturers add weight to the edges of fabric curtains so that they do not deform during use and always remain in their original shape;
• large selection - thanks to a wide range of various colors, shapes and textures, you can choose the appropriate curtain model for absolutely any interior;
• ease of care - thanks to the coating of the fabric with a special composition, there are no streaks left on the surface of the curtain after use. In case of contamination, such textile curtains can be washed;
• ease of care - to give the curtain its original appearance, just wash it in the washing machine;
• low cost of curtains - you can decorate your bathroom without any special financial investments;
• assortment - you can easily find curtains of any color, texture and style on store shelves.

As for the shortcomings, there are practically none. The only disadvantage of fabric curtains is that they get dirty much faster than other types. But considering that they are very easy to care for, you can simply ignore this disadvantage.

Functional purpose

Bathroom curtains have a number of useful functions:

• prevent water from splashing onto walls and floors, which protects against the occurrence of fungus and mold;
• perform the function of zoning space;
• help create a pleasant microclimate and relaxation area;
• are a bright accent, an element of the overall decor.

There are many design ideas using this accessory. An interesting solution is a curtain for the bathroom with a crystal effect or a design with a 3D image.

How to make the right choice

To choose really high-quality curtains for the bathroom, you should know what to look for:

• at the bottom of the bathroom curtain there should be a heavy chain or magnets that will allow it to remain motionless and not deform over time;
• there should be a double seam at the top of the curtain, and the fastening holes should be treated with reinforced edging;
• the edges of the fabric curtain must be processed, and the most durable curtain is considered to be one with double folded edges;
• make sure that the packaging indicates that the curtain has an antibacterial coating and a water-repellent base;
• if the curtain has an unpleasant foreign odor, then it is better to refuse to purchase it, since in a humid, warm environment of the bathroom the smell will intensify significantly;
• if you carry out water procedures alone, then you can choose a transparent curtain option. If another family member is usually in the bathroom at this time, then it is better to choose thick, colored curtains;
• For a spacious bathroom, models with large patterns and even paintings are suitable; for a small room, it is better to choose a plain canvas or one with a small pattern printed on it.

Before purchasing, be sure to decide on the size of the curtain, since insufficient length will not prevent splashes from getting on the surface, and a curtain that is too long will interfere with water procedures.

If you decide to make textile curtains yourself, then we advise you to abandon this idea, since during production they are impregnated with special water-repellent compounds and ordinary fabric will not be suitable for such purposes.

Only due to the specifics of production, textile curtains do not get wet, do not become moldy and do not deteriorate under constant exposure to water. And thanks to the use of special paints for coloring, the material is resistant to getting wet and even tolerates washing.

Mounting options

To fasten a fabric curtain in a bathroom, you additionally need a rod, rings or hooks. As for the rods, they are:

• folding;
• static;
• spring.

If you choose a static option, then be prepared for the fact that you will have to prepare holes for fastening on the wall or ceiling. Once they are ready, all you need to do is attach the rod and you can hang the rings and curtain on it. With the spring version everything is even simpler. It is enough just to connect the two parts of the hoses together, twisting them along the threads and you can install it, resting its ends on opposite sides of the wall surface. After this, it will be enough to adjust the height and hang the curtain.

In addition to the rod for attaching the curtain, you will need special fasteners, which include:

• clamps;
• rings;
• hooks;
• eyelets.

Installation nuances

Installing curtains over the bathtub to protect the interior from splashes must take into account the design of the cornice, supporting elements, wall materials, ceiling partitions and their linings.

Installation height

The vertical level of the cornice relative to the side of the bathtub primarily depends on its design:

• ceiling - attached to a floor slab or profile specially mounted on it under a suspended or suspended ceiling;
• string and rod - must be fixed to the walls taking into account the height of the curtain, the lower 20 cm of which will be tucked inside the bowl during operation.
• L-shaped or semicircular rod - the length of the suspension at the corner of the structure should be sufficient for fixation to the ceiling, the side parts are attached to the walls.
  Cornice height.

The installation height of frames with guides for curtains made of polycarbonate and glass is determined by the manufacturer and is indicated in the instructions.

Mounting method

Installation of brackets is carried out using dowels and nails to main walls and floor slabs. To do this, markings are made, blind holes are drilled, plastic dowels are driven in, then nails with a “ruff”.

This method is not suitable for drywall, even covered with tiles. Therefore, even when installing the frame for gypsum plasterboard systems, you should add a profile at the site of future fastening. The same applies when decorating a bathroom with PVC panels.

Installation of a profile ceiling cornice or arched, corner curtain hangers is usually carried out by installers of suspended ceilings along with lighting fixtures.

Thus, there are several ways to install a curtain rod in a bathroom. The choice usually depends on the renovation budget and the interior of the bathroom.

Care

Fabric curtains can be safely washed both in a machine and by hand. There is no need to wring them out, but immediately after washing you can hang them on a hose, where they will dry on their own, gradually straightening out. If you don’t like to wait and want your bathroom to be tidy, then such textile curtains can be pre-ironed at a minimum temperature before hanging. When washing by machine, it is better to choose the gentle wash mode, and it is better to iron at a temperature no higher than 120 degrees.

After each bath or shower, straighten the curtains so that they dry faster and water does not stagnate in its folds. Caring for curtains is not difficult if you follow a certain chain of actions:

• took a bath or shower;
• the curtains were rinsed;
• ventilated;
• straightened;
• washed if necessary.

To clean dirt on curtains, do not use hard brushes or aggressive cleaning agents that can damage the protective layer of the product. There are also a number of other precautions regarding textile curtains that are important to know about:

• do not boil;
• do not use hot air pressure for drying;
• iron only if this is not prohibited according to the instructions.

Rating of the best bath curtains

Based on considerations of practicality, optimal cost and design, then polyester fabric curtains can easily be called the best and at the top. They are relatively inexpensive, do not require maintenance, and are easily machine washable. A large selection of colors and prints will help you find a solution for every room.

Vinyl curtains are also good in decorative and practical terms, but when choosing this material it is important to give preference to quality products from well-known manufacturers. The product is preliminarily assessed not only visually, but also for foreign odors.

When buying a glass or plastic screen, it is better to give preference to the first. It is more durable, easy to care for, although it requires a lot of attention, it looks stylish and well-made. Over time, the plastic will become cloudy or yellowish, and scratches will appear on the surface. Glass is not afraid of this, and to clean it you can use various, including aggressive, detergents with a pronounced disinfectant effect.

Textile curtains in the interior

Thanks to the wide range of bathroom curtains, it is possible to choose the right option for absolutely any interior style. In addition, many manufacturers are trying to produce themed collections, which only makes the choice easier. Particularly popular are curtains with patterns, which look great and do not lose the richness and brightness of the colors even after multiple washing processes. A marine theme is popular, with shells, fish and other inhabitants of the deep sea depicted on the curtains.

Often the color of bath curtains is matched to match the tiles or sanitary ware. But in this case you should be careful, as the curtain can blend into the background and become invisible. It is better to give preference to bright, rich models that create a contrast with the overall decoration of the bathroom. For example, a red curtain will look great in a black and white bathroom, and a bright yellow curtain will decorate a blue room.

Plain light-colored models are suitable for delicate interiors. Light curtains with openwork overlay flowers look especially great. You can also choose curtains with a natural landscape depicted. These options are suitable for bathrooms in greenish or bluish tones.

Bright options are suitable for modern interiors. For a high-tech style bathroom, it is better to choose “metal” curtains or options with abstraction. Creative people choose options with portraits to decorate their bathrooms, and for a children's bathroom, a curtain with their favorite fairy-tale characters is suitable.

Successful design examples

A fabric bathroom curtain can solve any problem and make your dream come true:

• If there are small children in the house, you can hang a curtain with a child's drawing. Select a product with images of dolls, cars or animals. When the children grow up, the curtain can be removed and thus easily get rid of the children's design.

Example of children's design

• A young girl’s bath should be decorated with a curtain with lush flounces.
• It is easy to find a suitable romantic design for newlyweds, which will turn the bathroom into a real paradise.

Manufacturers and prices

You can buy curtains for the bathroom in many specialized stores. As for the cost, you can find products for $10, and there are some that cost hundreds of dollars. This is influenced not only by the quality of the curtain itself, but also by how well known the name of the manufacturer is. On average, the price of fabric curtains varies between $12-90.

The most popular are curtains made in Germany and Switzerland. But domestic manufacturers do not stand still, constantly expanding their product range.

Original design solutions

Many designers take an original approach when developing new types of curtains:

• thanks to designer Florian Kreutli, who decided to add magnets to the texture of the curtains, fabric curtains have become more flexible;
• researchers from Sweden tried to add a base to fabric that collects and emits sunlight. But such curtains can only be used in bathrooms where there are windows so that they can accumulate light and then emit it in the dark;
• You can often find bathroom curtains with cheat sheets for learning foreign languages ​​or formulas from physics and mathematics printed on them.

Types of structures

Plastic and glass curtains can be made in various ways.

Stationary ones are made from solid fabric on one side of the bathroom. With their help you can visually expand the space and reliably protect the room from water

The shape of this type of curtain can be varied: semicircular, rectangular, straight. They are usually installed in miniature rooms, since sliding structures take up little space.

An accordion curtain, or folding one, consists of several parts. Their number depends on the shape and size of the bathroom. They must be used very carefully, as their design is very fragile.

The swing version resembles a regular door on a mount. They are very practical, but only in a large room.