Shower glass is not only functional but can also make a statement in your bathroom. We will go over the types of shower glass designs that are available and how to select the right one for your space.
Standard Swing Door
Shower glass with a standard swing door is the most common design seen in bathrooms. Swing doors are not the most space-saving solution and are often used in larger bathrooms. The good thing about swing doors is that they can swing in both directions when you are tight on space. These can be custom-made to fit your space and the width of the door can vary based on your comfort level and the size of the bathroom. We love swing doors because they provide a tight seal and are great for keeping water within the wet area of the bathroom.
Swing doors allow homeowners to add towel bars and other accessories to them. This allows for customization, so you can match the door handles, towel bars, and hinges to the rest of the accessories in your bathroom.
When to Install Shower Glass with a Swing Door
We recommend installing swing doors in most cases if the bathroom layout allows for it. They can be used for rectangular, square, and corner showers.
Challenges with Installing Shower Glass Swing Doors
Homeowners must be mindful of the door swing interfering with other elements within the bathroom such as the toilet, shower controls, and shampoo niche. The locations of these items must work well with the swing of the door to allow for a comfortable shower experience and functional bathroom design.
Sliding Doors
Sliding glass doors are available in frameless and framed designs and can be customized to fit the aesthetic of your bathroom. Like swing doors, towel bars and hooks can be mounted onto the glass itself if you are tight on wall space in other areas of the bathroom.
When to Install a Sliding Shower Glass Door
Sliding shower glass doors are a great space-saving solution for smaller bathrooms. Oftentimes, when the toilet is right next to the tub, it can interfere with the swing of a glass door. We recommend installing a sliding door in these situations and eliminating the swing. Wall space within showers can also be limited, and sliding doors take away the concern of the door hitting any wall-mounted plumbing fixtures.
Challenges with Installing Sliding Glass Doors
The one possible negative with sliding glass doors is that the water seal is not as tight as other types of shower glass options that are available. Over time, the seal can wear out and water can start to pass through the bottom of the glass. This is something to be aware of, and you must act quickly to fix the problem once you notice the seal starting to deteriorate.
Fixed Shower Glass Panels
Fixed glass panels provide more of a modern aesthetic that can work well in curbed and curbless shower applications. We recommend this option if you are looking for more of a statement piece within your bathroom.
When to Install Fixed Shower Glass Panels
We recommend this application if you are looking for a seamless aesthetic and have a larger footprint for your bathroom. You want to ensure there is enough clearance around the opening to comfortably enter and exit the shower. This type of application is very dependent on the location of the shower fixtures. If your bathroom is large enough and allows for the functionality of a fixed panel then we say go for it!
Challenges with Installing Fixed Shower Glass Panels
This type of design requires more tile installation which can add to costs, especially around the opening of the shower. We would recommend installing wall tiles for additional waterproofing just in case of splashing outside of the shower enclosure.
Glass Options
We have talked about the different types of shower glass designs, now let’s talk glass!
Clear Glass
This would be the most common type of shower glass that is available on the market and allows for a seamless look. We also recommend using clear glass to show off your beautiful statement tiles within the shower enclosure.
Frosted and Opaque Glass
Frosted glass is ideal if you are looking for an extra layer of privacy within your shower. It still gives the feeling of airiness and lets light pass through while providing a sense of comfort. Shampoo bottles and other bathroom products can be very distracting and take away from the overall design of the space. If your bathroom tends to be on the messy side, this glass can be a great solution to hide away bottles and other products within the shower enclosure and let the rest of the bathroom design speak for itself.
Framed Shower Glass
Framed glass can add a detailed element to the overall look of the bathroom. If you are looking to match a finish and tie in the glass to the rest of the space, then we recommend this option. It’s not a seamless finish and draws the eye towards the shower glass and shower enclosure in general.
Shower Glass with Grid
A grid design can definitely be an eye-catching statement that adds a beautiful and unique touch. This is usually a more expensive option, and you have to be mindful that the grid makes the glass more difficult to clean.
Good to know the options!