Shower Curtain Liners:   Fabric vs Vinyl

 Just because some shower curtain liners are clear, doesn’t mean they’re all the same. And even though they appear simple enough, there are differences.  Let’s take a look! 

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 When deciding on which shower liner you’ll buy, there are 5 factors to consider:

1. Materials – What it’s made of?
2. Weights & Measures – How heavy is it and what size do you need?
3. Water Resistance – Do you need Water proof or will Water Repellent do the trick?
4. Appearance – Will you have a shower curtain with it or use it alone?
5. Accessories and Conveniences – Do You Need Grommets or Magnets?

Little-known fact:  bathtubs are shallower than they used to be - who knew?  But the length of shower liners has not changed.  Have you ever noticed your shower liner bunching up on the bottom of the tub?  It’s because liners have been a standard 72” long since the dawn of time.  So your liner bunches up,  collects water in its folds and voila - MILDEW GROWS!   

Click here for an easy solution to this problem .

 Most shower liners are made of either fabric or “vinyl”.   Here’s a quick look at the factors for each:

 A word about “Vinyl”:  A broad term used to describe many different materials. There is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). Liners made from PVC contain a mix of chlorine,  BPAs,  Phthalates and other chemicals potentially harmful to people AND our environment. To learn more, see Environmental Impact.   Shower liners without these chemicals are made of either PE or PEVA and fortunately have dominated the market in recent years.

 Water Repellent vs Water Proof?

Vinyl liners are all water proof.  Water runs off their surface into the tub.   They do not leak.  Fabric shower liners are water repellent and if they become soaked or have repeated washings will leak water.   This is the reason they are not optimal with curved shower rods.  The curve of the rod creates a ledge where the liner tends to rest and water puddles.   If you use a fabric liner with a curved rod, have plenty of towels handy to clean up the floor.

 Weights & Measures

 No matter how you weight it, the thickness, or gauge of the liner, can affect your showering experience.  Fabric liners are of course soft and drape easily but they tend to ‘blow’ into the shower while the water is running and stick to your wet skin.  Yuck.   Vinyl, on the other hand can be thick enough to stay in place (depending on the gauge) but it’s also less flexible.    A thick liner is not likely to cling to your skin even without magnets at the bottom.

Gauge              Weight                                                      Properties

   3                   Lightweight Shower Liner                            Thin, flexible, very easy to use.

   5                   Mid-weight Shower Liner                             Durable and affordable

   8                   Heavyweight Shower Liner                          Very durable and designed for heavy use.

  10                 Heavy Duty Shower Liner                             Tough,  withstands commercial use.

Appearance:

You can use your liner alone or with a decorative curtain.  The liner always stays inside the tub and if you use a separate curtain hangs outside and adds to the bathroom décor.  If it is used alone there are plenty of attractive designs to temper the typical clear or plain white liner.

 Accessories and Convenience:  

You’ll decide if you want grommets on the top and magnets on the bottom. Grommets make it easier to put curtain rod hooks in and prevent tearing over time.  Magnets are an absolute necessity for fabric and lower-gauge vinyl liners.  It’s the only way to keep the darn liner from blowing in and leaching onto your wet skin. The magnets keep the liner against the tub instead of sticking to you.  This is solved with either a curved rod or a heavier gauge liner.  The problem with magnets is that when the shower is finished it traps water against the tub and in the folds and prolongs drying.