A splash panel is piece (or pieces) of glass installed to keep water in a shower while leaving an open entrance to the stall. You will also hear them referred to as “shower screens” or “splash guards.” They have several immediate points of appeal for many remodelers:

• This product can be less expensive than alternative enclosures since only a single piece of glass and its metal fasteners are needed.
• Continuity is created between the shower and the rest of the bathroom.
• The open entrance boosts accessibility.
• It’s an up-to-date style that can rebrand an old bathroom.

With these points in its favor, the splash panel might seem like an obvious choice for your space. However, there are some other factors that must be taken into account to avoid possible problems and dissatisfaction with the enclosure down the road.

1. Splash Panel Overview

Before delving into those, however, we’ll give a quick overview of the options available for splash panels. As with other custom showers, they are most frequently made of clear glass. However, if there is a wish for privacy, you will want to go with acid-etched or patterned glass instead. (Keep in mind, though, that the open entrance somewhat negates privacy efforts, so if that’s an issue, a splash guard might not be right for your space.)

Next, a shower panel can be fixed or hinged. If you want the piece of glass to remain stationary it will be secured with either clamps for a frameless look or U-channels for a framed appearance. On the other hand, a swinging panel is desirable if you sometimes need outside access to the faucet – ie to bathe an infant or assist a toddler with hair-washing. Most pieces of hardware are available in multiple styles, and you will also pick from finishes like chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, satin brass, and brushed bronze.

Finally, the exposed corner of the panel can be left square, or it can be rounded off to form a radius corner. This is an aesthetic matter, so the choice should be made based solely on which look you prefer.

2. What You NEED to Know Before Making this Choice

It is not possible for a single glass panel and open entrance to keep water inside the shower in the same way that full hinged or sliding door enclosure can. Water will escape the splash panel, and pooling on bathroom surfaces may lead to mildew and even rot if proper waterproofing has not been carried out. Thus, the most important factor to consider is that extra waterproofing will need to be done in your bathroom outside the shower area.

If you’re considering a splash panel for a curbless shower area, floor slope is another key issue. Every shower floor should slope gradually toward the drain to prevent pools of water. However, if a shower area has neither a curb nor a full glass enclosure to help with water containment, proper floor slope and drain placement are of paramount importance.

Last but not least, you’ll want to consider the impact of this design choice on shower spray(s). Of course, the shower head itself should be placed at the end of the stall that is protected by the splash guard, Even in an enclosure with a door panel, glass shower pros remind homeowners not to aim water at any gaps or seams. When the entire entrance to the shower is open, it might be necessary to entirely avoid a handheld spray or extra body jets. Thus it’s important to weight the appealing aspects of a splash panel against the restrictions and requirements we’ve discussed.

3. The Bottom Line

So is a splash panel right for your bathroom? If you’re willing to make the space more waterproof and to design a shower area with water containment in mind, a splash panel can be a fashion-forward and economical choice. However, if a curtain or old set of doors is replaced with a splash guard haphazardly and without the necessary accommodations, you may find yourself plagued with puddles, mildew, and rot down the road.

Whether you choose a splash panel or a full enclosure, know that Glass Simple’s team:

• Has many decades of combined industry experience.
• Is available during business hours at (571)707-7760.
• Will never transfer your call to an off-site call center.
• Can help with your glass shower hardware questions!