Customising a New Glass Shower
The three main components of a glass shower are the screens, the framing, and the door style. Each of these elements offers a range of customisations, as explained below.
Glass Screen Options
First, you can pick different kinds of glass for the screens. One possibility is transparent glass, which helps open up a bathroom. It doesn't block the view, so the room tends to seem more expansive. Transparent screens are also glossy. They'll thus reflect light around the space. This also helps enlarge the space, as brighter areas usually seem bigger. However, you have to weigh up this benefit against the lack of privacy that clear glass provides for the shower enclosure.
If you want more privacy, opt for decorative glass screens. You could install frosted glass screens to blur the view into the shower. Or else, fit textured glass that has patterns moulded across its surface. Another glass option that blocks visibility is toned glass, which is full of colour-making minerals that give the screens a tint of blue, green, bronze, or grey.
Framing Alternatives
As well as thinking about what glass type to use in the shower, you need to consider the framing style. Frameless shower screens are held together with hardware such as brackets, which are pretty unnoticeable. Thus, the glass screens won't be cluttered with metal fittings, making them appear sleek and minimal.
On the other hand, fully framed screens feature a metal border around the edges, so the hardware is a stronger part of the design. However, this can be a positive if you choose a unique finish or frame design. A middle road option is a semi-framed shower. These often have metal borders along the wall edges and possibly the horizontal top and bottom. But the door is mainly metal-free, except for the handle.
Door Style Choices
A crucial aspect of shower screen installations is choosing the door opening style. You could fit an outward-swing door that provides a wide space to get into the shower, ideal for those with mobility challenges. In a small bathroom, however, an open door may stop others in the bathroom from moving freely about the space. Also, you'll need to design the layout in such a way as to provide enough free floor area.
Another possibility is a sliding door. It won't protrude outwards, but these doors often don't leave as wide a gap into the shower. Or else, you may be able to fit a pivot door that can swing inwards or outwards.
For more information about shower screen installations, contact local services.