diff --git a/graphics/elements/hbar.lua b/graphics/elements/hbar.lua
index 189a429..bba4eb6 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/hbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/hbar.lua
@@ -5,27 +5,35 @@ local util    = require("scada-common.util")
 local element = require("graphics.element")
 
 ---@class hbar_args
----@field bar_fg_bg cpair bar foreground/background colors
+---@field show_percent? boolean whether or not to show the percent
+---@field bar_fg_bg? cpair bar foreground/background colors if showing percent
 ---@field parent graphics_element
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field width? integer parent width if omitted
+---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
+---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg cpair foreground/background colors
 
 -- new horizontal bar
 ---@param args hbar_args
 local function hbar(args)
+    -- properties/state
     local bkg = ""
     local last_num_bars = -1
 
     -- create new graphics element base object
     local e = element.new(args)
 
-    -- bar width is width - 5 characters for " 100%"
-    local bar_width = e.frame.w - 5
+    -- bar width is width - 5 characters for " 100%" if showing percent
+    local bar_width = util.trinary(args.show_percent, e.frame.w - 5, e.frame.w)
 
     assert(bar_width > 0, "graphics.elements.hbar: too small for bar")
 
+    -- determine bar colors
+    local bar_bkg = util.trinary(args.bar_fg_bg == nil, e.fg_bg.blit_bkg, args.bar_fg_bg.blit_bkg)
+    local bar_fgd = util.trinary(args.bar_fg_bg == nil, e.fg_bg.blit_fgd, args.bar_fg_bg.blit_fgd)
+
     -- set background blit string
     bkg = util.strrep(args.bar_fg_bg.blit_bkg, bar_width)
 
@@ -45,34 +53,39 @@ local function hbar(args)
         if num_bars ~= last_num_bars then
             last_num_bars = num_bars
 
-            local bar = ""
+            local fgd = ""
             local spaces = ""
 
             -- fill percentage
             for _ = 1, num_bars / 2 do
                 spaces = spaces .. " "
-                bar = bar .. args.bar_fg_bg.blit_fgd
+                fgd = fgd .. bar_fgd
             end
 
             -- add fractional bar if needed
             if num_bars % 2 == 1 then
                 spaces = spaces .. "\x95"
-                bar = bar .. args.bar_fg_bg.blit_fgd
+                fgd = fgd .. bar_fgd
             end
 
             -- pad background
             for _ = 1, bar_width - ((num_bars / 2) + num_bars % 2) do
                 spaces = spaces .. " "
-                bar = bar .. args.bar_fg_bg.blit_bkg
+                fgd = fgd .. bar_bkg
             end
 
-            e.window.setCursorPos(1, 1)
-            e.window.blit(spaces, bar, bkg)
+            -- draw bar
+            for y = 1, e.frame.h do
+                e.window.setCursorPos(1, y)
+                e.window.blit(spaces, fgd, bkg)
+            end
         end
 
         -- update percentage
-        e.window.setCursorPos(bar_width + 1, 1)
-        e.window.write(util.sprintf("%3.0f%%", fraction * 100))
+        if args.show_percent then
+            e.window.setCursorPos(bar_width + 1, math.max(1, math.ceil(e.frame.h / 2)))
+            e.window.write(util.sprintf("%3.0f%%", fraction * 100))
+        end
     end
 
     return e.get()
diff --git a/graphics/elements/vbar.lua b/graphics/elements/vbar.lua
index d626575..333af74 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/vbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/vbar.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
--- Horizontal Bar Graphics Element
+-- Vertical Bar Graphics Element
 
 local util    = require("scada-common.util")
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 -- new vertical bar
 ---@param args vbar_args
 local function vbar(args)
-    -- last state
+    -- properties/state
     local last_num_bars = -1
 
     -- create new graphics element base object