A single glass shower door is perfect for dressing up a small shower stall or closing off certain types of entrances on larger shower rooms. While a shower door is relatively simple, there are still many options to choose from that let you tailor the door to your convenience and design sensibilities. Working with a professional shower door company, you should be able to view samples and consult with a glazier about the specific needs of your project. Get a head start today as we answer common questions about glass shower doors.
Most shower doors are made of tempered glass, which has been put through a heating and rapid cooling procedure to give it 4-5 times the strength of standard (annealed) glass. In fact annealed glass may not be used for shower doors because of its fragility and the injury that it could inflict if broken. Besides being stronger, tempered glass does not form razor sharp edges when fractured. Instead, it will dissolve into small, less hazardous chunks that are easier to clean up. As we’ll discuss in a bit, there are many style variations within the tempered glass category.
At times, homeowners want something stronger still for their shower door glass. For example, if a family member is at a high risk for falls, even tempered glass might not be deemed sturdy enough. In a case like this, laminated glass is an appealing option that offers these characteristics:
In summary, tempered glass is an ideal choice for most glass shower doors, but laminated glass gives you an option with even more safeguards against injury.
A single shower door panel operates by swinging open and shut on hinges. As you consider design options, remember that building codes dictate that the door be able to swing outward into the bathroom even if also swings inward. There must be enough clearance around the shower entrance for the door to open without hitting another installation. A shower door can be installed with side hinges or pivot hinges. Side hinges are mounted on the wall and attached to the surface of the glass door panel. Pivot hinges, on the other hand, are installed on the surfaces above and below the door at equal distances from the adjacent wall. The door pivots on this hinged point to open and close. If a pivot hinged door is not extending all the way up to the surface above the shower entrance, a header can be installed and the upper hinge attached to it. Check out key features of each option:
Glass shower doors are often seen in high end bathrooms, and they style up the space where they’re installed. While a shower curtain is a less expensive option, it can also be less fashion forward and may prove unreliable for keeping water within the shower. For example, if the curtain and liner aren’t perfectly situated, water can spill onto the bathroom floor. A glass shower is appealing because of these features:
Wondering why clear glass is a favorite choice of homeowners and designers? Get answers with these FAQs.
Will a glass door hide my new shower tile?
Remodeling your shower area often involves new tile as well as a new shower door. There is no need for one of these to outshine the other, though. Choosing clear glass gives you the convenience of a shower door while keeping the tile visible.
How can I match a new shower door to the rest of my bathroom?
It is impossible for clear glass to clash with any color scheme, and it harmonizes with many styles of sanitaryware. In most cases, clear shower glass is an excellent choice for matching a new door to existing fixtures.
Which type of shower glass is easiest to clean?
Glass with a smooth, untextured surface is the easiest to wipe clean and sanitize. Both clear and tinted glass have this flat surface, and clear glass is the more popular look of the two.
How will a clear shower door impact the ambiance of my bathroom?
When a clear glass door takes the place of a curtain or a door with privacy glass, this will have an impact on the rest of the bathroom. With a transparent divider in place, not only the shower stall but the entire room looks and feels larger.
Clear glass is typically favored for the primary bathroom, but in other settings privacy glass might be more practical. For example, if your children or guests will be sharing a bathroom, a more secluded shower stall is better. Fortunately, the wide array of privacy glass options makes it easy to achieve your desired style and level of privacy:
If you want privacy glass, how should you choose from among acid-etched, patterned, and tinted options? It’s recommended to view samples and/or photos of the specific options and consider their suitability based on these considerations:
Frameless and gridscape shower doors are arguably the two most popular choices today, and they’re on opposite ends of the spectrum with regard to framing. First, let’s look at the features of a frameless shower door.
Frameless shower doors have been “top dog” for quite some time, and they are now joined in popularity by Crittall style shower doors which pair glass with a gridwork of metal framing. Gridscape doors showcase the following characteristics.
A gridscape shower door is one way to achieve this look, and ABC Glass & Mirror offers a second option. Black ceramic frit is bonded to the glass in the form of mullions, and the glass edges are fitted with black U-channel. While different materials and techniques are used, the finished look of this product is also in the Crittall style.
Minimal hardware is used in the construction of a frameless shower door, but what is there contributes to the overall style of the door and should be chosen with care. The hinges, for example, can have square or beveled edges. Handle styles offered by ABC Glass & Mirror include rounded or squared pull handles, ladder and sculptured pull handles, and the more ornate Victorian and Colonial pull handles. Many finishes are possible for the handles and hinges, and homeowners usually match the shower hardware to the metal on the bathroom’s other sanitaryware. If you’re doing a full remodel, you might want to consider updating your hardware finish with these considerations in mind.
Just about any bathroom will benefit from the addition of a glass door. Let’s look at a few examples of how a shower door can enhance trending bathroom décor styles.
These are just a few examples. Glass shower doors can be customized to blend in with and enhance pretty much any bathroom style or theme as seen in the slideshow below.
A transom is a panel of glass across the top of a shower door. Single shower doors are installed with and without transoms, and transoms are either fixed or operable. If you want to use pivot hinges, for example, you need somewhere to attach the upper hinge. A stationary transom can be installed for this purpose, removing the need for a header. A fixed transom also may be included simply because you prefer the look of a fully enclosed shower entrance. An operable transom is hinged so that it opens and closes. These transoms are necessary if your glass door is being fitted onto a steam shower. The transom is what will allow you to control conditions within the stall by releasing steam as desired. Bottom line, consider a transom if one of these describes your situation:
Still not sure if you should include a transom? You can set up a free consultation with an ABC Glass & Mirror specialist for assistance with shower design as well as a free estimate.
One of the most important ways to care for a glass shower is actually something you do before it’s even installed: choose ShowerGuard glass. ShowerGuard glass is tempered glass that has been permanently sealed with ion beam technology. This takes place during manufacturing, giving the glass a layer of protection that never wears off or needs to be reapplied. Although the surface of glass seems perfectly smooth and impermeable, it is actually full of microscopic pores. These can quickly fill with soap scum, mineral deposits, and even harsh elements that permanently mar the glass. On ShowerGuard glass, these pores have been filled and this risk eliminated, which means you don’t need to clean as often and the glass will come clean more easily. In summary, ShowerGuard glass is more expensive, but it’s a worthwhile investment into the beauty and longevity of your glass door because:
When it comes to after-install care, the keys are regularity and proper cleaning agents. Cleaning the glass and metal regularly keeps them looking their best and minimizes lasting damage from water residue and soap scum. Use only approved glass cleaners and avoid harsh or abrasive materials to keep from damaging the glass. If ShowerGuard glass is not used, it’s also crucial to dry the shower door after each use with a squeegee or soft towel.
Working with ABC Glass & Mirror, your door will be customized to fit in your shower entry. The first step is the in-home meeting with one of our glass estimators. The estimator will carefully inspect and measure your shower entry, recording all the info we’ll need to provide a quote. You’ll also be able to see samples, ask questions, go over various options, and get design tips based on the estimator’s years of experience in the glass shower door industry. Next, our office team will work up the quote and email it to you. Once we receive your order, all the materials are fabricated and ordered, and the project wraps up with professional installation of the shower door.
Along with single shower doors, we offer double doors, rolling barn style doors, corner showers, steam enclosures, and more. If you’re ready to begin, give us a ring at (703)257-7150 to speak with a glazier or schedule your free consultation.
