Guide:
Written by glass enclosure and door expert Jake Barr and Pioneer Glass owner Dave Brunell, this guide is for anyone researching a new shower door or frameless shower enclosure. We will walk you through all of your glass door and cover options so you can make the best decision for your specific project.
Bathroom design has changed dramatically over the past five years. Homeowners are building much
larger bathrooms and using more elaborate fixtures and tiling. For them, the purpose of the master bath
has changed. Many people are looking for an oasis or spa bathroom that is both relaxing and elegant, or
fresh and airy. Others have smaller bathrooms and want to maximize the space with a sleek update.
Regardless of their personal design preferences, they all want one thing, a frameless shower glass. Most
consumers have limited knowledge about shower enclosures and doors. This article will help you make
wise decisions on how to build your dream shower.
Choose the ideal shower door for your bathroom:
Showers have taken a central role in today's bathroom design, with some people, even opting to skip the tub from their bathroom renovation in favor of a larger shower. There is no one-size-fits-all shower enclosure, and equally, shower doors come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit any design and budget. Glass shower doors and screens are a popular choice as they give the bathroom an open and clean feel, allow light to flow through the room and help the space appear larger.
Walk-in showers can be customized to fit any space, so use your imagination and work with a
kitchen and bathroom design professional to find the right shower door to meet your needs. You can
find plenty of inspiration in our bathroom design gallery, but here's an overview of some options.
A framed cabinet tends to be seen as a somewhat dated option that is more difficult to clean and
maintain as the frame collects dirt and grime. For some people, an old framed shower can be one of the
reasons they want to change their bathroom! While it may not be at the top of your favorite accessory
list, updated versions of this style of shower door can still suit your new bathroom as a less expensive
option.
A frameless cabinet with hinged doors is a more popular choice as it brings a clean, modern
edge to any stylish design. Clear glass also allows tiles and other decorative elements to be showcased
and leaves less room for dirt to catch. Choose a glass finish designed to repel soap scum and water
stains to keep your shower glass clean. A frameless cabinet can be either all-glass, like the one below
left, or a combination of tiled walls framing glass doors, like the one below right.
Sliding glass doors are available in double or single doors to accommodate any size shower.
Sliding doors are an elegant choice for your bathroom and also take up less space than hinged doors.
The elegant and practical designs below use Dream line sliding shower doors for a larger shower area.
Textured or frosted glass provides more privacy for your showering experience and adds a unique
look to your bathroom design. Frosted glass, like the Doylestown, PA bathroom remodel pictured below,
does a better job of covering the user of the shower, but a textured option provides more variation in
style and allows more light to shine through the shower.
Hinged tub/shower doors provide a stylish alternative to a traditional shower curtain for your
tub/shower combination. Even in a small bathroom, hinged glass doors can be an elegant option to keep
moisture in the bath while opening up the space and allowing light to shine through.
Go all or nothing with either no door or a fully enclosed shower. Where you have the space and
budget for the ultimate showering experience, consider installing an open shower without a door. This
type of large walk-in shower is usually partially enclosed by a tiled wall and glass but leaves the door
open. It evokes a relaxing feeling from the spa, especially in combination with a rain shower head or
massage shower panel. On the other end of the spectrum, you can consider a custom shower with a
fully enclosed door to create your own home steam room like the one pictured below.
Customize your shower to achieve a unique, stylish shower. Let your imagination be your guide when
choosing design and materials, such as using glass block instead of a standard glass enclosure or creating a unique shower enclosure like the arched entry below.
There are many possible variations of shower door styles to match your design. When determining
which style of shower door is best for you, consider your available space and budget, the style of your
bathroom, and other factors such as who will be using the bathroom. Your design expert will ensure that
these requirements are taken into account when designing your bathroom to give you the best possible
showering experience.
