While walk-ins and shower panels may be the surround of choice, the reality is the majority of showering still happens over the bath. So should bathroom designers and retailers place more emphasis on sales of bath screens? And how can they encourage higher-priced sales, without having to think of squeezing in a separate shower enclosure?

Kermi’s bath screen sales have been fairly consistent over the past few years. Indeed bath-screens still remain a popular choice within apartment schemes, additional bathing areas and hotel project design. Around 28% of Kermi’s annual glass sales can be attributed to bath-screen orders. Most popular bath screens are the single hinged panel, square edged 6mm CadaClean glass; such as the Kermi Cada DFE. The fastest-growing type of bath screen is the hinged screen with fixed panel, square edged 6mm glass.

The difference between a lower-end, mid-priced and top-end bath screen?
• Low-end: single panel hinged bath-screen (see image Cada DFE).
• Mid-end: hinged bath screen with fixed panel (see image Atea DE R/L)
• High-end: two way folding hinged bath-screen (see image Diga folding DI 2P).

However it is important to note here, that at every price point Kermi will only ever utilise high quality fitments. Of course, the overall-cost to the consumer increases in conjunction with additional functionality, features and benefits a high quality manufacturer such as Kermi chooses to incorporate in product design. For example, the Diga has three sets of high quality rise and fall hinge mechanisms; the screen is designed to fold back on itself to save space, and the panels hinge in and out of the bathing area to facilitate easy access when showering. Clients purchasing from Kermi are assured of longevity of product during everyday use, brand exclusivity, functionality and design, quality of fittings and of course after-care service and life of product warranty.

Kermi estimate that over the next two to three years around 25% of the shower enclosure market will still consist of bath-screen sales. Simply because baths and bathing areas remain popular and limited space for separate shower enclosure installations will always be a decisive factor in bathroom design.

The market trend here in the UK seemingly favours more glass, less frame; however, Kermi say that their most popular bath-screen in terms of retail sales consists of a single fixed glass panel with hinged panel return (see Atea image). Kermi’s product development team in Germany always take into consideration longevity of product, functionality and overall design aesthetics; for instance the company only ever incorporates high quality hinge mechanisms. This is a very important and sometimes overlooked element when searching for a safe and durable over bath-screen or shower enclosure.

6mm glass still proves to be very popular. Interestingly, the glass thickness of an over bath shower screen or indeed shower enclosure for that matter, has no bearing on the product’s ability to contain water when showering.

The bathroom market seems to be fixated with the thickness of glass or to put it another way; some individuals perceive that products fitted with thicker and heavier glass must surely equal a superior and high quality product offering…! Unfortunately, what the market often fails to acknowledge, is the overall weight bearing down from the wall and thus the wear and tear on the hinge mechanism over time.

Kermi’s Diga range is very popular (see image); of course its popularity could just be attributed to its unique product design, style and quality of the folding hinge mechanism this product is fitted with. There is often a preconceived notion that folding bath-screens struggle to contain water effectively and leak. However, Kermi can reassure all customers that with reasonable care during installation and within normal domestic use there should never be a problem. Currently the Atea fixed panel bath-screen with hinged return is the most popular choice amongst retailers.

Fully frameless means exactly that; very little adjustment, glass fixed flush to wall. Kermi have the facility to supply ‘true’ fully frameless products. Perfect perpendicular walls, floors and baths are a requirement when installing a ‘true’ fully frameless product. Kermi’s technician’s can make site visits to measure and template the glass to suit every bespoke application.

To replace a mouldy old shower curtain with a seriously competitively priced Kermi single folding hinged bath-screen, such as the ‘Cada’ single folding with CadaClean glass, contact Kermi today using the contact details below.