Blog>Questions>Can you replace a shower screen and use the same fittings?
Last updated: 27 November 2023
Can you replace a shower screen and use the same fittings?
Looking to replace your shower screen? Then you may well be wondering if you can replace a shower screen and use the same fittings. Here, we'll reveal all.
Looking to replace your shower screen? Then you may well be wondering if you can replace a shower screen and use the same fittings. Here, we'll reveal all.
Can you replace the shower screen and use the same fittings?
Replacing a shower screen and using the same fittings is possible. But getting your shower screen installation right depends on the specific make and model of the shower screen and the wall channel.
Let's say that you want to swap a three-panel glass shower screen for a one-panel frameless screen. In this instance, you'll need to check if you can attach your new screen to the same wall channel. If you can't, you'll also have to replace the wall channel.
What holds a shower screen in place?
You'll need to secure a metallic vertical channel to the wall to hold a glass shower panel safely.
Wall channels come in different thicknesses, as do shower screens. So, ensure the thickness of the wall securing plate and replacement shower screen match. Always check the dimensions of your wall channel and shower screen before you begin.
If you're unsure how to do this, ask a professional bathroom fitter or plumber for advice.
Installing your new shower screen
To install your new shower screen correctly, professionals often recommend replacing the shower screen and wall securing plate with a new one. Finding the exact wall profile to match a new shower screen of a different make and model can be challenging.
You might not want the mess of removing your old wall channel to replace it with another; drilling correctly into bathroom tiles to attach new screws can be challenging.
If you would like to replace the shower screen yourself, you might be able to keep your old wall channel by contacting the old screen manufacturer. Ask if they have any other screen varieties available for purchase that match the wall channel already screwed into your tiles.
Or, look for a new shower screen with a wall profile to match the existing screw holes in your current wall channel. Check your measurements first, then visit a merchant in-store to measure the profiles of their wall channels and find a suitable screen.
Find a local expert to replace a shower screen
Often, it's a good idea to replace the entire fitting unless your track sits behind the tiles. Don't want the hassle of doing the job yourself? You might find it easier to call in a professional to ensure your new shower screen is securely attached to the wall.
Enter your postcode into the search box below to find a highly-rated bathroom fitter or shower screen installer near you.
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