Shower glass doors can greatly improve the value of your home, as well as beautify your bathroom, giving it an open, modern appearance. Springfield Glass, a premier commercial glazing contractor in Southwest Missouri offers a guide on shower glass doors.
Read on to learn more about the various styles and designs, as well as the pros and cons associated with each type of glass shower door.
Table of Contents
- Considerations Before You Remodel Your Bathroom
- Shower Glass Shopping Guide
- Factors When Choosing Shower Glass Doors
- Shower Doors vs. Shower Curtains
- Framed vs. Frameless Shower Glass
- Frameless Shower Glass Pros and Cons
- Framed Shower Glass Pros and Cons
- Shower Door Styles, Models & Shapes
- Neo Angle Shower Doors
- Round Shower Doors
- Steam Shower Doors
- How to Clean Your Shower Glass
- Why New Shower Glass Requires Professional Installation
Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Doors
Framed will be $400 to $1,100, but frameless can cost between $1,400 to $3,300 to install. It often ranges between $12 to $50 per square foot.
Most shower glass is easy to clean. Just wipe it down with a sponge or foam cleaner once a week and perform a deep clean, using water-repellent spray, once a month. To prevent hard water spots and mold or mildew buildup, squeegee the water off of the door after each use.
Depending on the layout of your bathroom, you’ll want to choose a design suitable for it. Corner showers, like neo angle shower glass or rounded doors, offer more space savings.
Resources When Shopping for Shower Glass in Springfield, Missouri
Top Considerations Before You Remodel Your Bathroom
Glass Shower Door: Evaluate Your Options
From making style choices to working out your budget, there are many things to consider when planning a bathroom renovation. Additionally, glass shower doors come in many shapes and sizes. Once you measure the available space, you can narrow down your options. A swinging shower door complements a classic bathroom, which can work for years to come. For a unique aesthetic, choose a glass door that slides.
See Related Post: Custom Mirrors: Planning for a Bathroom Remodel
Glass Shower Enclosure: Add Beauty to the Master Bath
These days, floor-to-ceiling glass enclosures are trending up. If you’re remodeling, consider this seamless layout that makes the room look extra tall. A rectangular-shaped enclosure will look beautiful, and you can customize it to fit the blueprint for your master bathroom. Some designs feature a glass door that swings out, while other enclosures have a single glass panel wall.
Glass Shower Door: Match the Style of Your Bathroom
A glass shower door can make your bathroom shimmer, and it can also provide the finishing touch to your remodeling project. Do you prefer a traditional or modern aesthetic? What color should the sinks, countertops, walls, and floors be? Do you want natural lighting? Give yourself time to think about a bathroom theme that matches your lifestyle. Glass shower doors can pair well with white and grey marble, for example. For a contemporary bathroom, opt for a frameless shower screen.
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5 Step Shopping Guide: Before You Purchase
#1. Choose the Right Design that Matches Your Bathroom
Two types exist: corner and-alone shower stalls. Get professional design assistance to help you know which style of shower door best fits your bathroom’s layout. Door sizes are between 22 and 36-inches. If a shower opens wider than the door size, you’ll need another door panel for it to work well.
#2. Get the Right Dimensions and Measurements
Accurate measurements ensure the right fit. For new constructions, be sure to measure after the walls and enclosure area is finished. Measure the opening width and height to the nearest 1/16-inch; then choose a door that’s equal or closest to these measurements, especially if it is a swinging door — make sure there’s room.
#3. Choose a Frame Design or Go with a Frameless Option
Choose between framed and frameless shower glass designs. Both options offer pros and cons that have to be closely examined and valued into your home remodel goals and interior design vision.
#4. Select the Type of Glass Design, Pattern and Texture
The structure of your shower door, along with other various design factors, like the type of frame or frameless. This is where an expert design consultant comes in handy. Consider this: Thick glass panes can stand securely in a metal frame. Thinner glass is harder to slide open and can risk damage if handled incorrectly.
#5. Choose a Reputable Installation Company
If your glass is installed incorrectly, it can impair the longevity of your investment. The more expensive your glass shower door, the more necessary it is to get a reputable, experienced company to install your glass with accuracy.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Shower Doors
Glass Appearance
Decide which texture and pattern you prefer. Clear glass can be appealing because it showcases tile and stonework in the shower. However, if you’re looking for an alternative, consider frosted, patterned, cast, or colored glass. Textured glass provides added privacy and style in any bathroom.
Glass Thickness
Shower doors and enclosures are usually built from tempered glass, which is tougher than standard glass. The glass thickness depends on structural and design factors, such as whether the door is framed, semi-frameless, or frameless.
Typically, there are two thickness options for frameless shower door glass: 3/8″ and 1/2″. 3/8″ glass is the minimum thickness that yields the stability of the glass door, while 1/2″ feels more deluxe.
Thinner glass is generally more cost effective. Thicker glass offers a smooth open and close of the door due to the frame weight.
Glass Maintenance
As a homeowner, you don’t want to spend extra time and effort to keep your newly installed shower clean. Framed shower doors require regular cleaning and thorough scrubbing since moisture, and potentially mildew, gathers in the metal frame. Frameless glass showers, on the other hand, are increasing in popularity because they don’t have this issue.
Once your shower is installed, you can add privacy film or etching to your glass to add another layer of protection.
Glass Shower Doors VS. Shower Curtains
Which Is Better — A Glass Shower Door or a Curtain?
Ultimately, it’s about what you prefer and what best matches your budget and bathroom layout. Some people may desire a glass enclosure because it’s easier to clean, while others might appreciate the versatility of choosing different rod options and curtain sizes. Glass doors will cost more upfront, but they’re worthwhile for the long haul because they don’t accumulate mildew and soap scum like curtains do.
Drawbacks
- Mildew smell over time
- Take longer to clean
- Bathroom space seems smaller
- May require replacement (which adds up)
Positives
- Easy to remove to bath children & pets
- Design can be changed easily
- Softer, warm, comfortable look and feel
Should I Go with Shower Curtains Over Glass?
They’re a cost-effective option that typically appeal to families who bathe young children. It’s easy to move the curtain to one side so you can lean into the shower area or bathtub. With traditional shower curtains, there are endless variations of patterns, colors, and rods to choose from. You have flexibility for the configurations to connect in unusual spaces. Additionally, you can replace the plastic waterproof fabric at any time.
In general, it’s a good idea to choose a shower curtain if:
- You have a smaller space
- Your kids, pets, and/or elderly relatives share the bathroom
- You want to easily change your bathroom layout in the future
Drawbacks
- No privacy
- Can attract smudges
- More expensive than shower curtains
- Can break under stress or high heat
Positives
- Bathroom looks bigger & brighter
- Easy to clean
- Adds value to your home
- Numerous creative design options
Should I Go With Shower Glass Instead of Shower Curtains?
Let’s compare. First, shower curtains tend to emit a damp mildew smell over time, but you can easily clean a shower door with glass cleaner. Next, glass enclosures give your bathroom a modern, luxurious look — especially the frameless ones. The glass can make the compact space feel large while simultaneously fitting into tight areas. Furthermore, glass doors are a great way to showcase beautiful tile work on the inside of your shower, and they’re efficient at holding water within the shower area.
Generally, you should choose a glass shower door when:
- You have plenty of bathroom space
- You plan to stay in your home for a long time
- You want a clean, modern look
Framed VS. Frameless Shower Glass (Pros & Cons)
Benefits of Frameless Shower Glass Doors:
These doors offer a wide range of motion, a modern, sleek-looking design and plenty of variety when it comes to style, size, and configuration.
- More natural light flow
- Spacious, modern, luxury look
- Less risk of mold & easier to clean
- Plenty of design options to choose from
Drawbacks:
Without a frame, there’s no stable structure to hold the glass in place, rendering it unprotected. Frameless glass is often thicker to compensate for this drawback.
- Higher cost ($400-$1,500 more than framed)
- Complicated to install - not a DIY project
- No strong frame to seal against water
- Susceptible to accidental damage
Pros & Cons of Framed Shower Glass
Benefits of Framed Shower Glass Doors:
With a heavy-duty aluminum frame around the interior edges, your shower glass is durable and cost-effective. Frames can be customized to meet nearly any home decor.
- Easy to install
- More stability and durability
- Sealed frame offers water leak resistance
- Less expensive than frameless doors
Drawbacks:
Although cheaper, and just as customizable as frameless, the design is outdated, the frames can see moisture build up, and most only open outward, unless designed otherwise.
- Limited range of motion
- Metal frames can corrode from moisture
- Outdated, old design (comparatively)
- Harder to clean and maintain
Shower Door Styles, Types, and Shapes
Pivot (Swinging Hinged) Doors
Available on a framed or frameless shower door, pivot doors open at 180 degrees inward or outward by a hinge. These are often used on curved or round glass shower doors and are perfect for those who require wheelchair accessibility, the aging or disabled.
Sliding Doors or “Bypass” Doors
Whether with or without frames, sliding shower doors function similar to patio doors. These are used in stand-alone showers, as well as shower/tub configurations. In order to open and close, the doors might inside of grooves or small rollers could assist the movement. Framed sliding doors remain among the cheapest options available.
Bath Screen Door (Bi- or Tri-Fold Doors)
These consist of several glass panels. Typically, one remains fixed and the other two fold in on hinges attached to the frame. These doors use space efficiently, affordable in price, and easy to install.
Steam Doors
Simply put: these glass shower doors come with an airtight seal that allows your shower to transform into a steam room. There are often built-in panels above the door that can be used as adjustable vents. Impressive, but expensive. These are difficult doors to install and remain the most expensive option on the market.
Neo Angle Shower Doors Explained
Sits as a Corner Shower
Neo angle showers sit in the corner of your bathroom. They’re great for small bathrooms where space is limited. The innermost corner of your shower often sits on the opposite side of the room from the door. Shower glass for neo angle enclosures looks like it fills the entire corner in a square shape, except the corner that is closest to you has a rounded edge or a flat edge.
Diamond Shape
Neo angle shower glass doors can create a diamond-like shape. In a diamond gem, you see a pointed end with angles going upward and then a flat edge. When you have a neo angle shower, the top of the diamond is the edge you see closest to you, and that’s the edge that forms the door.
How the Angles Work
Where the shower glass door meets the front of the shower, the glass sits at a 135-degree angle. Every other angle measures 90 degrees, meaning the glass is at a perpendicular point against the wall. The two pieces of glass coming out from the wall meet the third piece at different angles so they can open properly and into the space of your bathroom. All neo angle shower doors have three pieces.
Opening Outward
One thing all neo angle shower glass doors have in common is how they open. Every door on a neo angle shower opens outward. They can’t slide because of the way the angles work. Even in a small bathroom, these shower glass doors offer a stylish addition to your home when you want to refresh your bathroom decor.
Round or "Curved" Shower Doors Explained
Curved shower door enclosures are often pricier options that have enormous versatility when it comes to design options. They come in a wide selection of finishes, fabrications, and glass textures.
Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, round glass shower doors offer many benefits.
More Light
Sometimes, one overhead light just isn’t enough. Round shower glass doors let in the light from the rest of your bathroom (and maybe a window). Consider how important this is for safety in case the overhead bulb burns out and you need another light source to see by. A mirror over your vanity further increases the light in the room, making it easier to see when you shower.
Softening Angles
Bathrooms, especially small ones, have a lot of hard angles. There are four corners of the room. Then you have the vanity jutting out at right angles. The back of the toilet also has hard angles. Soften the appearance of your bathroom with round shower glass doors. Consider complementing your round shower glass door with a round vanity mirror or round-shaped floor tiles.
Making Your Small Bathroom Seem Bigger
Opaque or translucent shower doors make your bathroom appear smaller (at least visually). Shower glass doors for a round shower can make your bathroom appear as if it has more space.
Versatility
Round shower glass doors are versatile. They can have one big door that opens outward, or they can have two smaller doors that meet in the middle. Two smaller doors don’t take up as much interior space compared to a single door when they open into your bathroom.
Steam Shower Doors Explained (Glass Enclosures)
Glass shower doors can be sealed from top to bottom to create a water-tight enclosure, serving as both a shower and steam room.
How Does a Steam Shower Work?
Steam showers are surprisingly simple. A steam generator brings water to a boiling temperature and creates water vapor. Next, a disperser channels the steam into the shower and fills the enclosed area with moisture and warmth. You can use the control panel to adjust the desired time and temperature, and there are safety features to keep the steam from rising above 118 degrees.
Related Post: How to Plan For a Bathroom Remodel
What Are the Benefits of a Steam Shower?
Relieve Stress
When you invest in a steam shower, you have a convenient way to reduce stress and unwind after a long day. The warmth of the steam releases endorphins in your brain that enable you to mentally relax. Step into your personal bathroom spa and experience a relaxation that will help you sleep better and increase your energy.
Improve Your Skin and Circulation
Steam showers open capillaries, which leads to increased blood flow and improved circulation. The steam also removes toxins from your body and deep cleanses your skin. Spending just 20 minutes per week in a steam shower can clear up breakouts and blemishes. Picture feeling the moist heat soaking into your skin from the comfort of your own bathroom.
Recover from Exercise
Steam showers can help athletes recover from intense workouts. During strenuous exercise, metabolic waste accumulates in your muscles, which causes them to feel sore. Taking a steam shower can help your body get rid of this waste. The steam also allows stiff muscles and joints to relax.
Breathe Easier
If your sinuses are frequently congested, you could greatly benefit from a steam shower. The steam helps clear your nasal passages and reduces stuffiness, which allows for easier breathing. By choosing a steam shower, you can submerge yourself in healing steam each day and enjoy the relief that it brings.
Your Options for a Steam Shower
You have some options for creating your ideal steam shower. You can purchase a steam shower kit with units that are quick to install. Or, you could renovate your existing space and make it a steam shower with the right shower enclosure and a steam system.
How to Maintain Clean Shower Glass Doors
Use the Right Tools
Cleaning the shower is an unpleasant chore, but it goes much quicker when you use the right tools.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Double-sided sponge
- Tub and tile cleaner
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Distilled water
- A spray bottle
- Microfiber cloths
If you don’t have a sponge, use a brush instead. A brush with a diamond-shaped head can reach corners more easily than a flat-headed brush.
Give Your Shower a Deep Clean
It’s surprisingly simple to deep clean your shower immediately after you use it. Your job will be easier when the warm water has already loosened up stuck-on dirt and stains.
First, use your favorite shower cleaner to spray down the glass door, walls, and fixtures. Then, wipe down the surfaces with a brush or sponge.
For tough stains, let the mixture sit before scrubbing and rinsing.
We recommend giving your shower a deep clean once a month. Scrub the whole shower thoroughly and be sure to hit the gaps, crevices, and metal tracks.
Quick Tip: Don’t use vinegar if your shower consists of stone.
Use a Squeegee
Have a squeegee close by and use it to wipe away the water each day. Mold and mildew love damp environments, and this 30-second task will help prevent them from appearing. For convenience, you can find clip-on squeegees that will hang in your shower. Also, consider leaving the door open post-shower to let it dry out. With drywall and doors, less soap scum will build up.
Create Your Shower Spray
You can also create a DIY daily shower spray by mixing ½ cup vinegar, 1 cup water, a little dish soap, and some drops of oil for a pleasant scent.
Keep a spray bottle of this in your shower to mist down the glass door after squeegeeing.
Springfield Glass Company Quick Tip: All cleaners contain chemicals, and some combos can be extremely dangerous to your health. Don’t mix the following household cleaners:
Vinegar and Bleach
Ammonia and Bleach
Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
Certain shower surfaces require special care. Use cleaning solutions and scrubbers that won’t ruin your shower’s surface.
Why Shower Glass Requires Quality Installation
The quality of installation is just as important as the type of design. If done poorly, you live with the consequences for a long time.
1. Risk of Shattering
Frameless shower doors use thicker, heavier glass and do not have a metal frame for support, so even minor measurement errors could lead to shattered glass.
Shattered glass is a safety hazard for your family as well as a financial strain, but you can eliminate that risk by choosing to hire a trusted professional like our experts at Springfield Glass.
Related Post: Broken Glass Safety Tips from Springfield Glass Company
2. Dragging or Sticking Doors
If your frameless shower door is dragging or won’t open or close, it could be due to a measurement error.
Trying to pull or force a glass door open risks shattering, scratching, or chipping your glass, which is costly to repair and virtually impossible to do yourself. Ensuring proper glass fitting will prevent this issue.
3. Leaks and Water Damage
Frameless shower doors don’t have an edge of rubber or metal at the bottom, so a gap between the door and the floor of your shower exists.
If the gap is too large due to imperfect measurement, this could cause water to leak or gush out of your shower, causing costly water damage and a giant headache.
An expert at Springfield Glass will ensure that your glass is measured and installed flawlessly, easily avoiding potential leaks.
4. Cost of Repair
Remember, while shower doors are aesthetically beautiful, they are significantly more costly than conventional shower doors. If you decide to invest your hard-earned money in a beautiful frameless door, you’ll want it to last a long time and require little maintenance.
A trusted company like Springfield Glass will ensure your door is fitted correctly, reducing the need for replacement and repair and providing you with a product that will stand the test of time.