Shower curtain

Shower Curtain vs Liner

What Are The Differences Between [Shower Curtains] And Shower Liners?

At first glance, there does not seem to be any real difference between shower curtains and shower liners.

And on the surface, it may seem that shower curtains and shower liners share the exact same purpose: Prevent water from the shower from getting onto the floor.

However, there are differences between shower curtains and shower liners, and these deserve to be explored.

Now these differences might not seem like they are too significant, but they do matter. Choose a shower curtain when you would truly benefit from a shower liner, and you might be frustrated with your shower curtain. The opposite of this is also true.

Both shower curtains and shower liners have their place, but you need to know which one is right for your shower.

Before these comparisons can be made, it is a good idea to get an idea of what a shower curtain and a shower liner are on an objective level. It will be much easier to understand the differences between shower curtains and shower liners if they are first looked at on an objective level.

What is a shower curtain?

Anyone who owns any kind of shower knows what a shower curtain is but might be confused with what the purpose of it actually is.

A shower curtain hangs from the bar over your bathtub or other showering module, but instead of preventing water from the shower from splashing outside of the shower or tub like many think, it functions much better aesthetically or by blocking sunlight if that is applicable.

That said, some shower curtains are capable of keeping water from leaving the shower area and dripping onto the floor. This is especially true if the shower curtain is made of something other than fabric.

Most shower curtains are placed on the outside of a shower since most of them are designed to make a shower or tub look presentable. If you are going to place a shower curtain on the inside of your shower or tub, you will run the risk of mold developing on the curtain. This is guaranteed to happen if your shower curtain is made of a plastic based material.

What is a shower liner?

Most shower liners are specifically designed for keeping water out of your shower or tub and prevent it from coming in contact with the floor.

Nearly all shower liners are made of a material called polythynene vinyl acetate, more commonly known as PEVA. In the case of shower liners, PEVA materials will naturally stick to the corners of your tub or shower area and prevent water from your shower from splashing out onto the floor.

While shower liners can be placed on the outside of your tub or shower, most of them should be placed inside of them this way they can do their job optimally.

Shower liners are not really designed to accomplish anything impressive on an aesthetic level. While some shower liners that are not solid in color do exist, they are often rare and they are often not necessary if you combine them with shower curtains.

Now that you understand the objective facts about shower curtains and shower liners, it is now time to compare them and explore their relationship in greater detail.

The fundamental differences between shower curtains and shower liners

The relationship between shower curtains and shower liners depend on their differences, and anyone who wants an optimized shower should understand that the relationship between shower curtains and shower liners is symbiotic in that one relies on the other to maximize the role of each.
The main purpose of a shower curtain is aesthetics first and function second. A shower curtain can prevent water from a shower from splashing onto the floor, but you should not use a shower curtain to only perform this task.

Shower liners are best used to prevent water from splashing outside of your shower or tub. That is their major function and that is why you should place your shower liner on the inside of your shower or tub. Placing a shower liner on the outside of your shower or tub is not effective at all.
The differences between shower curtains and shower liners is fundamental and academic.

Shower liners prevent most water from a shower or tub from splashing outside and act as a compliment to the shower curtain.

A shower curtain can prevent some water from a shower or tub from splashing outside, but their main purpose is to make the shower or tub look presentable.

Shower curtains and shower liners are best used together and not as standalone shower devices. They share a symbiotic relationship and are much more effective when paired together.

How to set up shower curtains and shower liners properly

Many use shower curtains or shower liners for their tubs and shower areas, but never both.

Whether they do not know how to combine shower curtains and shower liners properly or are just lazy, not combining shower curtains and shower liners will hold the quality of your tub or shower back in many ways.

You should consider shower curtain and liner combinations because shower curtains and liners are clearly not as effective on their own as they could be combined.

However, there is a method to combine shower curtains and liners properly, and if you do not follow it, you will get frustrated and go right back to using one or the other.

The first thing you should do is know how to coordinate your curtain and liner. Do not forget that shower curtains are largely for aesthetics and shower liners are for preventing splashing. When you combine the two, your liner should do all it can to compliment the design of the curtains.
You should also hang both the curtain and the liner with the same rings. If you use different rings for the curtain and the liner, they will quickly get disorganized and even tangled.

Make sure that the liner goes on the inside of the tub or shower and the curtain goes on the outside. The only exception to this is if your curtains are made of PEVA material. If this is the case, feel free to hang the curtain on the inside if you think it will improve anything.
Remember to take your shower liner outside of your tub or shower after using it. One of the most common reasons why mold can grow on the liner is from standing water that comes between it and the tub itself. If you just leave your liner to absorb it after your shower, the water will build up and begin to stand, resulting in partial molding.

Something else you should do is clean your shower curtain and liner every month. Removing them and washing them is time consuming, but you need to understand that both absorb water and moisture on a daily basis (or whenever you shower). Let it absorb said water and moisture too much, and mold might develop on them. Prevent this by washing them regularly.

Conclusion

Shower curtains and shower liners may appear the same, and in some cases they are.

Indeed, a shower curtain that is made of PEVA material can function the same as a liner in that it can prevent water from a shower from splashing on the outside.

However, shower liners that are made of PEVA materials are much more effective at preventing splashing, and when combined with a proper shower curtain, they can improve how your tub and shower look but they will also decisively prevent water from your shower from splashing onto the outside.

Never forget that shower curtains and shower liners loosely rely on each other in order to maximize their effects. The best combinations of shower curtains and shower liners will not only prevent water from splashing to the outside, but will also make your tub and shower look much better than it did with only a curtain or only a liner attached to it.