Stock Shower Screens Vs. Custom Solutions: What’s Right for You?
Are you contemplating a bathroom upgrade and torn between custom and stock shower screens? This common dilemma can significantly impact your renovation budget and timeline. With their distinct features and benefits, both options offer unique pathways to achieving your dream bathroom design. Custom shower screens are tailored to fit your exact specifications, allowing for a truly personalised touch. Meanwhile, stock shower screens are pre-manufactured, providing stylish and functional solutions that are readily available and often more budget-friendly.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we pride ourselves on offering a wide selection of high-quality stock shower screens that combine affordability and durability. Today, we’ll explore the advantages and considerations of both custom and stock shower screens to help you make an informed decision that suits your aesthetic preferences and budget. Whether you’re drawn to the tailored elegance of custom designs or the convenience and affordability of stock options, understanding the differences will guide you to the right choice for your bathroom upgrade.
Comparison Table: Stock vs. Custom Shower Screens
| Category | Stock Shower Screens | Custom Shower Screens |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Starts at $300; budget-friendly and includes DIY savings on installation. | Starts over $1,000; higher cost due to bespoke design and professional installation requirements. |
| Durability | Robust with 5–15+ year warranties (some lifetime). | Shorter warranties, typically 2–5 years, depending on the installer. |
| Design Options | Available in modern finishes like polished silver, matte black, and fluted glass. Includes multiple configurations like pivot and sliding doors. | Fully customisable finishes and configurations, tailored to unique preferences but at a higher price. |
| Glass Options | Includes standard clear and fluted glass with EasyCLEAN nano-coating for easier maintenance. | Offers frosted, tinted, and patterned glass; nano-coating is usually an additional cost. |
| Installation | DIY-friendly with clear instructions, saving on professional labour costs. | Requires professional installation, adding to overall project expense. |
| Availability | Pre-manufactured and ready to go, perfect for quick upgrades. | Made-to-order, requiring longer lead times for manufacturing and delivery. |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Stylish and versatile designs that fit most bathrooms without high costs. | Fully tailored designs for unique aesthetics but with significant financial investment. |
Which is the right shower screen for you?
When deciding between stock and custom shower screens, stock options shine with their affordability, durability, and easy installation. They offer a range of stylish finishes and configurations to suit most bathrooms, along with practical features like EasyCLEAN nano-coating for low maintenance. In contrast, custom shower screens excel in personalisation, offering unique designs and finishes but with a higher price tag and longer lead times. Ultimately, stock shower screens provide exceptional value and functionality for homeowners seeking a hassle-free bathroom upgrade.
Now that you’ve seen how stock and custom shower screens compare, let’s dive deeper into their specific benefits, considerations, and use cases to help you choose the perfect option for your bathroom renovation.
Overview of Stock vs. Custom Shower Screens
When planning a bathroom renovation, one of the first decisions you’ll encounter is choosing between stock and custom shower screens. Each option offers distinct advantages, catering to different needs and preferences. Let’s dive into what sets them apart in terms of availability, cost, and customisation potential.
Stock Shower Screens
Stock shower screens are pre-manufactured in standard sizes but offer up to 100mm of adjustment to accommodate various installation requirements. These screens are available in a variety of contemporary styles and finishes, allowing you to effortlessly select the ideal aesthetic for your bathroom without exceeding your budget. Their ready-to-go nature means you can quickly and affordably update your space without the wait. Additionally, they adhere to the same safety standards as custom screens, meeting Australian Standards AS/NZS 1288 and 2208, with our models featuring 6mm AS/NZ2208 toughened safety glass.
Custom Shower Screens
On the other hand, custom shower screens are crafted to your precise specifications, allowing for a personalised touch. They are ideal for unique bathroom layouts, offering flexibility in style and glass preferences. However, this customisation comes with higher costs and longer lead times, which may not be suitable for every budget or timeline. Understanding these nuances can help you make a choice that aligns with your renovation goals.
Durability: Stock Shower Screens Outlast Custom Alternatives
When investing in a new shower screen, durability is a key factor for any homeowner. You want a shower screen that not only looks good but also endures through daily use. Let’s explore how stock and custom shower screens measure up in this department.
Stock Shower Screens
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our range of stock shower screens is renowned for its robust build quality, offering 5 to 15-year warranties, with some even boasting lifetime warranties. This assurance provides peace of mind, knowing that your investment is protected for the longevity of your bathroom. Our screens are designed to endure the rigours of everyday use while maintaining their sleek, modern appearance, making them a reliable choice for any bathroom.
Custom Shower Screens
In contrast, custom shower screens typically come with shorter warranties, usually between 2 to 5 years, depending on the supplier or installer. While they can add a personalised touch to your bathroom, the limited warranty might suggest concerns about their long-term durability. Despite their tailored aesthetics, they may not offer the same level of reliability over time.
Durability Verdict
For homeowners seeking both reliability and long-term value, Ross’s Discount Home Centre’s stock shower screens clearly have an edge. Their extended warranties and sturdy construction make them a dependable option that can withstand time, ensuring your bathroom remains stylish and functional.
Cost Comparison: Stock Shower Screens Offer Superior Value
When choosing shower screens, cost is a critical factor that can significantly influence your decision. With so many options available, understanding the financial implications of stock versus custom screens can help you make a smart investment for your home.
Stock Shower Screens
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our stock shower screens are priced to fit any budget, starting at a low price of $300 for a basic glass panel. These budget options are perfect for homeowners who want quality without overspending.
I recently faced this decision when I was quoted $1,122 (including GST) for two custom shower panels for my investment property. Needless to say, I chose our Walk-In Glass Shower Panels and installed them myself, saving almost $600! This experience highlights how stock options can help you save on both product and installation costs, keeping your total project expenses in check.
Read our guide to Shower Screen Costs for a more detailed look at stock shower screen costs.
Custom Shower Screens
Custom shower screens, while offering the allure of personalisation, come with a heftier price tag. The costs can escalate rapidly due to the bespoke manufacturing process, extensive design consultations, and the necessity for professional installation. On average, you might find yourself shelling out over $1,000 or more, depending on the complexity, glass type, and finish.
Cost Verdict
While custom shower screens provide the potential for personalisation, the price point can often be prohibitive. In contrast, the budget-friendly stock screens at Ross’s Discount Home Centre deliver excellent design and functionality at a fraction of the cost, making them the superior choice for homeowners looking to maximise value without compromising style.
Aesthetic Appeal: Stock Shower Screens Offer Stylish Versatility
When it comes to shower screens, aesthetic appeal can be just as important as functionality. After all, your bathroom is a personal sanctuary, and having a stylish shower screen can elevate the entire space. Let’s explore how stock and custom options stack up in terms of style.
Stock Shower Screens
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our shower screens are designed to meet various style preferences. Available in on-trend finishes like polished silver and matte black, they seamlessly blend with contemporary bathroom designs. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, frameless look, the subtlety of a semi-frameless design, or the practicality of pivot, sliding, or hinged doors, walk-in showers or stand-alone shower doors, our range has got you covered. Plus, we offer unique options like quadrant shower screens, like our Alpine Curved Corner Entry Silver, which is perfect for maximising space in compact bathrooms—something you won’t typically find with custom solutions.
Custom Shower Screens
Custom shower screens offer the ultimate in design freedom. You can choose from bespoke finishes, glass options, and configurations tailored to your specific aesthetic vision. They are ideal for creating highly personalised bathroom designs. However, this level of customisation comes at a steep price, which might not justify the incremental style gains over the versatile options available in stock screens.
Aesthetics Verdict
Stock screens provide all the necessary configurations and modern finishes to cater to most design preferences without the hefty price tag of a custom build. At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we make it easy for you to achieve the stylish, functional bathroom of your dreams at a price you can afford.
Glass Options: Popular Choices in Stock Screens vs. Custom Flexibility
Choosing the right glass for your shower screen can transform the feel of your bathroom, adding that perfect touch of elegance or privacy. Let’s explore how stock and custom options compare in this department.
Stock Shower Screens
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our stock shower screens come with a fantastic perk: EasyCLEAN or AllClear nano-coating as standard. This coating significantly enhances the appearance of your screens and simplifies cleaning, a feature that custom manufacturers typically charge extra for.
While most of our screens feature clear glass, a favourite for those who cherish a minimalist, spacious vibe in their bathroom, for those seeking a little more flair, we also have select fluted glass shower screens that add a trendy touch without overwhelming choice. This way, you get style, practicality, and value all rolled into one.
Custom Shower Screens
For those who desire a personalised touch, custom shower screens present a plethora of glass options. You can choose from an array of finishes like tinted, frosted, or patterned glass, allowing full customisation to match your unique vision. While these choices can create stunning and distinctive looks, they often come with a significantly higher price tag, which might not be feasible for everyone. Moreover, you have to pay extra for glass treatments, adding to the price tag.
Glass Verdict
Standard glass showers like those at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, especially with nano-coated glass, provide a practical and stylish solution that suits most homeowners’ needs. These options not only deliver a sleek and modern look but also offer the added benefit of easy maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice compared to custom alternatives. These stock screens allow you to enjoy a beautiful, hassle-free bathroom.
Installation: DIY-Friendly Stock Screens Save Time and Money
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we believe that a stunning bathroom transformation shouldn’t come with an exorbitant price tag. Let’s compare the installation process of stock and custom shower screens to understand how you can save time and money with stock options.
Stock Shower Screens
I can attest to the fact that our stock shower screens are an ideal DIY project! Designed with you in mind, they come with easy-to-follow instructions that turn installation into a weekend project rather than a major renovation. By taking the DIY route, you can save a significant amount on labour costs, making it a budget-friendly option for any homeowner who enjoys getting hands-on.
Read our guides on How to Install a Shower Screen and How to Install a Shower Panel for easy DIY installation.
Custom Shower Screens
On the flip side, custom shower screens usually require the expertise of professional installers. The bespoke design of these screens necessitates precise fitting, a cost that can significantly impact your budget. While a custom look is undoubtedly appealing, the added costs of professional installation might be a dealbreaker for some.
Installation Verdict
Opting for stock screens means you’re not just saving on the initial product cost. By skipping the professional install, you’re safeguarding your budget against unnecessary expenses. This makes stock screens the go-to choice for DIY enthusiasts and anyone happy to save money by installing them themselves.
Final Considerations: Why Stock Shower Screens Are the Smart Choice
When it comes to upgrading your bathroom, choosing the right shower screen can make all the difference. Our stock shower screens offer numerous advantages that are hard to overlook. Let’s recap why our shower screens are the smart choice.
Cost-effective
Starting at just $300, our shower screens are a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on quality. Their DIY-friendly design means you can sidestep the hefty fees associated with professional installation, leading to substantial savings.
Durability
Our screens are built to last, often with longer warranties—some even offering lifetime coverage. This durability ensures your investment continues to pay off, providing peace of mind and exceptional value.
Design Versatility
With a wide array of finishes, glass types, and configurations, our shower screens can seamlessly blend with nearly any bathroom aesthetic. This versatility means you can achieve the look you want without the premium price tag of custom designs.
Ease of Installation
Designed with simplicity in mind, our shower screens are perfect for those who prefer a DIY approach. Their straightforward installation process saves time and money, making your renovation journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Ross’s Discount Home Centre’s stock shower screens offer unbeatable advantages—lower costs, extended warranties, stylish designs, and easy DIY installation—making them the ideal choice for most Perth homeowners.
We take pride in providing a diverse range of affordable, high-quality options that enable you to achieve a chic bathroom transformation without stretching your budget. Ready to elevate your bathroom? Visit our Perth bathroom showroom or browse our online collection to discover the perfect shower screen for your renovation project. Let us help you create the bathroom of your dreams!
