The adage “form follows function” certainly applies to the styles available for your new shower door.
In our previous post about bathroom remodeling, we covered the variety of shower door enclosures available, considering size and function. Today we’ll highlight the features that give your shower enclosure just the right look for your bathroom design. Think about the level of privacy you require. What fixtures and hardware are you trying to match? Do you want to show off colorful tilework or simply conceal an unexceptional tub area?
Shower doors and glass panels must secure to the walls, and the style you choose (framed, frameless, and semi-frameless) will affect the appearance and maintenance of your bathroom.
A framed shower door has the frame running along all four sides of the glass. In a variety of finishes, the frame might correspond to the finish of your fixtures. The bottom part of the frame serves to drain falling water from the doors and will need regular maintenance to keep it clean and prevent mildew from accumulating.
A frameless door gives a more contemporary, open feeling to a room and is much easier to keep clean. Frameless panels and doors are customizable to the dimensions of your space. However, the sleeker look and nifty sliding mechanism of frameless shower doors come with a higher price tag.
Semi-frameless doors have a metal frame around the glass panels only. Because the door itself doesn’t have a frame, the look is minimal compared to a framed shower door, and, unlike the frameless door, a semi-frameless installation has a bottom edge to catch dripping water. (Some extra upkeep is necessary to prevent mold and mildew buildup in the drip track.)
Your choice of glass for the enclosure will impact your bathroom design. A clear glass shower door gives a light and open feeling, especially important if there’s a window on the other side of the shower or tub. It looks clean, makes a small room feel larger (especially during that morning shower), and is an excellent option for highlighting sleek-looking hardware, decorative tile work, or if there’s a window in the shower.
Frosted glass is a good choice for a high-traffic bathroom, providing privacy behind the glass while still allowing light to filter into the shower area. Textured doors of rain shower glass (with the look of rain running down a window) or hammered glass (with indentations simulating pounded metal) trade greater privacy with some light allowed in. Patterned glass furnishes privacy with mood-setting ornamentation, such as a grove of trees, flowers, or geometric designs.
Like a clear glass door, you can see through tinted glass, with color added to coordinate with your bathroom design. Available in various shades, keep in mind the impact your color choice will have on the shower area: a tint’s darkness will increase privacy while decreasing the
