Shower Liner vs Curtain (Pros and Cons & Differences)

Here’s our comparison of a shower liner vs curtain, including their pros and cons, the best materials to use, and where and when to use both types.

Shower liners and curtains are terms you often see and hear as used interchangeably, but are they the same? Yes, they are, but to a certain degree, they also have certain differences.

To cut it short, all liners can also double as shower curtains in function, but not all curtains can work as liners.

What Is A Shower Liner

Bathroom shower liners have a function at its core. Their main purpose is to keep the water inside the stall and to stop it from scattering to the other parts of the bathroom. It’s typically made out of waterproof materials such as vinyl and polyester; both of which are typically waterproof.

Shower liners have to be inside the enclosure base or the tub as they were specifically manufactured and put in to keep water from splashing all over the place.

What Is A Shower Curtain

To explain this further, a shower curtain is used to provide some screen of privacy or can even be used for decoration or to visually separate the other parts of the bathroom from the actual showering area. It can be made out of a variety of materials, from linen, polyester, cotton, and vinyl.

These curtains also typically hang outside of the base or the tub, and although there may be times that it can double in function by keeping the water in, that technically isn’t its main or primary purpose. Read more about shower curtain sizes here.

Difference Between Shower Curtain And Liner

The lines are at times blurred on what the differences are between the two but at its core, it all boils down to function and practicality.

In its essence, shower curtains are mainly decorative, with many designs and colors as well as materials to choose from.

These curtains aren’t necessarily waterproof, or at least that isn’t the main requirement.

Shower liners, on the other hand, can only be categorized as such if they succeed in the function of keeping the water in the tub or the stall space.

Do I Need Both A Shower Curtain And Liner?

It all boils down to preference, but if you’re all about a functional aesthetic, then the answer to this would be yes, you need both a curtain and a liner.

With both, you can keep your stall or tub area private while, at the same time, you get to keep the water contained effectively. That’s exactly what a curtain and liner can bring to the table for your bathroom setup.

This is the most recommended and ideal setup in the bathroom, as it’s the perfect marriage of function and style. You can keep the water from spreading all over the bathroom floor when the stall or tub is being used, while on the other hand, you get to bring the whole look together. 

This makes sure that the design is cohesive with the rest of your bathroom aesthetics because of the different styles, colors, and materials that are available in the market right now.

Pros And Cons Of A Shower Liner

Pros

It’s safer to have children in the house as you watch for them when they’re taking a bath, keeping bath-time-related accidents and other injuries at bay.

Once it gets dirty, it becomes instantly apparent, and you can do something about it immediately.

Maintenance is a breeze as the material is waterproof, so it works for people who prioritize hassle-free sanitation compared to aesthetics.

Cons

Liners are a little limited in the design and aesthetics department, so they may not always appeal to homeowners visually.

Mildew, grime, and other debris that build up in the tub or the showering area are instantly visible, and you can’t hide them if you don’t have the time to clean up.

There is no privacy at all in the bathroom, so if you happen to be living with roommates, this can be a huge disadvantage as you can’t use the space at the same time.

Pros And Cons Of A Shower Curtain

Pros

Bathroom sharing is possible as opaque curtains, in particular, allow some privacy for the person showering. This means that one doesn’t necessarily have to hog the bathroom space if someone else needs to use the sink or the toilet while taking a bath.

You only need to keep one thing clean instead of having to clean 2 bathroom accessories.

Cons

It can be quite prone to water damage as it can have grime, mildew, or mold buildup because the materials they’re made of aren’t always waterproof.

Curtains can be bothersome, especially the unweighted ones, as they don’t necessarily stay in place and can blow over, touching you while you bathe.

Pros And Cons Of A Shower Liner And Curtain

Pros

The lifespan of your curtain is extended as the liner protects it from the usual water damage.

Sharing the bathroom with other people is doable as privacy is ensured, whether the curtains are opaque or not.

You can decorate it according to the style and theme of your bathroom without ever having to spend too much money on it.

Cons

The maintenance can be a little tedious as you must keep the two items clean while maintaining it.

Best Shower Liner And Curtain Materials

Liners and curtains can vary in materials and costs, so if you happen to be looking for something to buy for your bathroom, there is sure to be something available out there for your specific taste and budget.

Liners and curtains can range anywhere from $10 to over $300, depending on how high-end the products will be. Here are some materials to keep in mind.

For Shower Liners

Vinyl

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If you’re on a budget, vinyl is your best option for a liner. They’re generally cheap but at the end of the day, they can get the job done.

Cleaning them up would usually involve just wiping them down. Also, because it’s so inexpensive, you can easily replace it with a new one or recycle it when it gets too dirty.

Go for vinyl that’s made out of PEVA instead of PVC as PVC can be toxic.

Polyester

If you’re on a budget, want an extra layer of privacy, and are health conscious, polyester can be your best material for a liner.

Polyester doesn’t have any PVC content at all is machine washable, and is also quite affordable.

This material is also opaque, which means you get to enjoy some privacy while enjoying the benefits of keeping the water inside the enclosure or tub area.

For Shower Curtains

Cotton

See this Barossa design cotton honeycomb curtain at Amazon [sponsored link]

Cotton is the best material for a curtain as there are so many textures, thickness levels, colors, and designs to choose from, allowing you to maintain the aesthetics in your bathroom area.

Whatever your bathroom décor may be, you’re bound to find a cotton curtain that will match it. Remember that you would need to have a liner installed so that you don’t end up ruining it from water damage.

Linen

If you want to upgrade the décor aspect and don’t mind spending a little bit more or even the extra task of getting it ironed, you might want to go for linen curtains. Linen is far sturdier than cotton, which makes it reasonable why they would normally cost more.

Linen tends to shrink when washed incorrectly so take note of the washing instructions before you throw it in the washer. It also wrinkles easily so you would have to iron out the wrinkles to keep its appearance nice and seamless.

Shower Curtain Liner Q & A

Here are the common questions most homeowners have related to curtains and liners.

Is A Fabric Or Plastic Shower Curtain Better?

Fabric liners are generally more pleasing to the eye and bathroom design. Fabric is also quieter than plastic liners. A fabric liner is also better for the environment and doesn’t leach harmful chemicals. However, a plastic liner is much easier to clean and doesn’t require being machine-washed.

How To Prevent A Shower Curtain Liner From Mildewing?

Keep the material as dry as possible. This is the best way to keep mildewing at bay for curtains in wet environments. Make a habit of pulling the liner along the tub so that the curtain doesn’t get to wet.

Some ventilation will also help accelerate the drying process, so you might want to leave a door or window open to let some air in. To keep everything sanitary, ensure you get it cleaned or washed at least once a week.

How Often To Replace A Shower Curtain?

For plastic curtains, the typical lifespan is anywhere from 3 months up to a year, but the general rule of thumb is that you should get it replaced the moment that you find it difficult to clean out any mold and mildew buildup.

For fabric curtains, it can have a lifespan of up to several years, and you can extend it even more by using a liner with it.

Do Shower Curtains Stay Inside Or Outside The Tub?

Shower curtains stay outside the tub. They were never meant to get soaked in or exposed to water, and keeping them outside makes it easier to accomplish that way. The shower liner is designed to stay inside the tub to repeal water with the curtain on the outside. 

For more related ideas, check our guide to the types of glass shower doors.