Shower screen frequently asked questions
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
Q: What’s better – toughened or laminated or wired glass?
A: All glass has a breaking point. Toughened glass shatters into tiny chunks when it breaks. Laminated and wired glass develop crack lines when broken. The wired glass is more prone to breaking when (in cold weather) the hot water causes the wire in the glass to expand and thus cracks the glass. The hardiest glass would be toughened, followed by laminated, and then third choice would be wired.
Q: What is the difference between semi-frameless and fully framed shower screens?
A: A semi-frameless shower screen has toughened glass which has been cut to size, polished, and put through an intense heat process prior to delivery to us. A fully framed screen uses laminated or wired glass which can be cut to size on site. Laminated glass must be framed and sealed or mould can enter the glass.
Q: When the shower is being used – steam shows up marks on the glass of my screen. What causes them and how can I get rid of the marks?
A: Marks can be caused during the manufacturing process (oil residue) or while being installed (silicone). To remove the marks, use turpentine on a soft cloth.
Q: Why can’t I get rid of mould?
A: The longer water sits inside the shower screen, the more likely mould will occur. Silicone is mould resistant but can still develop mould when spores and water are together in your shower. Sometimes the mould is actually behind the silicone and not in it! When the mould on the glazing vinyl is a reddish colour, it may in fact not be mould. Bleach and hair dye can change the colour of the glazing vinyl.
Q: Why did the return panel break without anyone touching it?
A: The most common cause of glass breaking is the hot water hitting the glass (particularly the wired glass) in cold weather, causing rapid expansion and thus cracking the glass. Another cause is the seasonal expansion and contraction of the ground causing the foundations to shift thus bringing pressure to bear on the glass.
Q: Why can’t I have a Fixed and Swing wider than 900mm?
A: The Fixed panel is attached to the bath with silicone and to the wall with silicone, a couple of screws through the tiles and a brace at the top. The combined weight and size of the Fixed and Swing makes it dangerous to have it any wider.
Q: Why don’t you have tinted glass?
A: People spend a lot of time carefully choosing their tiles. When you put tinted glass in front of your tiles, it changes their look. We have found that people prefer a clear, unaltered view of their tiles. Tinted glass also shows up soap scum and calcium stains a lot more than clear glass.
Q: Why can’t you match the glass in my screen?
A: The Law requires that only currently approved safety glass can be placed in shower screens. If the screen is older than 20 years then it most likely does not have safety glass. Some of the older screens have glass that has now been removed from the safety glass register, e.g. Diamond and Para line. Amber glass is no longer available as the manufacturing process involved very toxic substances and was deemed to be too dangerous.
Q: Can I re-use an old screen?
A: Sometimes it is possible to refit your own screen after a renovation as long as the following conditions are met.
- The glass MUST be CURRENT approved safety glass. It is illegal for a tradesman to install any screen which doesn’t have safety glass.
- The shower recess must not have increased in size.
- The glass & frame may require cutting down if the shower recess has decreased in size. Note that toughened glass cannot be cut.
It is not recommended that you buy a second hand screen, as the risks are extremely high that it cannot be installed in your shower recess
Q: What is the thickness of the glass used in Speedy Shower Screens?
A: Laminated glass is 6.38mm thick.
- Wired glass is approximately 6mm thick.
- Cathedral glass is approximately 6mm thick.
- Toughened glass is usually 5 mm thick. Note: The return panel on the cornerless shower screen is 6mm thick.
Q: I have a leaking shower but don’t know exactly where the leak is coming from. What can be done?
A: We can only help stop leaks where the leak is coming between the frame and the tiles or base. If there is a crack in the base or the tiles, or where the leak is behind the tile work, then you will need a plumber or specialized tradesman.