Glass is a good material for your bathroom, especially your shower. It naturally reflects light, which creates a bright, airy ambiance as the glass mirrors both natural and artificial light.
Glass has other benefits that make it ideal for the bathroom. For one, glass is a naturally non-porous surface. This surface makes it resistant to bacteria, mold and staining. Glass surfaces are also relatively easy to clean. For these reasons, many homeowners choose to enclose their bathing spaces in glass. This guide lists four options you should consider for your shower enclosure.
1.Mixed Materials Enclosure
If you have a walk-in shower, you may be considering your stall options. A common choice is having a stall placed into the wall with a glass front. Better Homes and Gardens even recommends adding a wall extension to accommodate a vanity or tub.
For the stall itself, a prefabricated fiberglass shell is the most budget-friendly option. These come in many different sizes and configurations as well as in a range of colors. When a stall is customized, tile work is a commonly used material. Porcelain tile is very popular, but glass tile adds an additional shimmer to the stall.
For the glass front, you may have a combination of a glass wall and a door. For this type of installation, hinged doors are the most common.
2.Framed Glass Enclosure
If you want even more glass, one of your options is a framed glass enclosure. Contractors typically install the base of the shower with a drain in a corner of the bathroom so that new shower walls don’t have to be built. The rest of the enclosure consists of glass.
With a framed glass enclosure, contractors use lightweight, tempered glass that is framed in metal to construct the walls. The metal framework gives the structure stability. Framed glass enclosures can be open at the top and bottom, or they can seal up tight for a steam bath. Indeed, framed enclosures are the best way to avoid water spraying into the rest of the bathroom.
Framed glass enclosures tend to be easier on the budget than frameless enclosures because the contractors use a lighter weight of glass.
3.Frameless Glass Enclosure
The other option for an all-glass shower enclosure is to go frameless. For this construction, contractors still install a base in a corner of your bathroom. However, they use a heavier grade of glass to construct the walls. Instead of metal frames, the contractors put the construction together with a set of discrete hardware.
Frameless glass enclosures carry a higher price tag because they lack the metal framework that provides stability. Likewise, frameless enclosures don’t seal up as tightly, so you have to adjust the shower sprays accordingly.
The main benefit of a frameless glass enclosure is its aesthetic. With no metal framework, the enclosure fits almost seamlessly into your bathroom. There’s no obstacle blocking the sightline. This effect is enhanced if you choose highdefinition glass.
Another big advantage to a frameless enclosure is you can have it designed without a curb. The curb from the shower pan can catch toes, which can cause inconveniences and injuries. A curbless shower is also a selling point if you decide to put your house on the market.
4.Sliding Glass Door
If you have a shower and tub combo, you can still add glass to your enclosure. You can toss your shower curtain and have contractors install a sliding glass door. This door runs along tracks at the top and bottom. You can choose between framed and frameless here, as well. It’s also possible to choose decorative hardware that complements the rest of your bathroom.
Let the aesthetic and practical qualities of glass enhance your shower experience. Contact the glass experts at Capital Glass And Mirror LLC about creating a glass enclosure for your shower.