Shower Doors Atlanta can brighten a bathing experience and modernize bathroom design. When designed well, they can even boost a home’s resale value.
Typically, shower and bathtub glass doors are made with safety glazing. This type of glass breaks into small pellets rather than sharp shards to avoid injury. Popular choices include frosted and patterned glass to provide privacy and aesthetics.
The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in any home, so it’s no surprise that homeowners are always looking for ways to improve its look. One of the most common options is installing a new shower door. A framed or frameless shower door can add both beauty and functionality to any bathroom.
A framed shower door has a metal frame that holds the glass, and can come in a variety of designs to fit different decor themes. The frames are often made of aluminum and can be powder-coated in a wide range of colors and finishes. They can also be textured, which allows for easier cleaning of mineral deposits and soap scum. Framed doors usually use thinner tempered safety glass than frameless options, which saves money on materials and installation costs.
Framed showers are generally less expensive than frameless or semi-frameless enclosures, and they can be a good option for older bathrooms with a traditional opening. However, they can be difficult to keep clean because the metal framing is susceptible to mold and rust. They also tend to collect more hard mineral deposits around the edges of the glass, which can corrode over time.
Another drawback of framed showers is that they only open one way, which can be a problem for seniors or children. In contrast, frameless doors can open both inward and outward to make it easier for people to get in and out of the shower without worrying about slipping or getting hurt. They also offer a more modern aesthetic and are a great choice for anyone who wants to give their bathroom a more updated, contemporary look. Unlike certain design trends that can come and go, the appeal of frameless doors is timeless, making them a wise long-term investment.
Frameless
Frameless shower doors offer a sleek, minimalistic look that many homeowners love. They also require less maintenance and repair work than framed enclosures, which have metal frames that can collect mineral deposits and mildew over time. Additionally, they are typically easier to clean than framed enclosures because they have no nooks and crannies for soap scum to collect in. Frameless glass can also be treated with Diamon Fusion to make it more resistant to water spots and grime.
Framed shower doors have a metal frame that supports the glass. This helps to ensure the glass doesn’t crack or break under the stress of regular use. The frames can be made from a variety of materials, including aluminum and bronze, depending on your preference. They may be a smooth or textured finish and can come in a range of colors. Framed enclosures often feature sliding doors, but they can also swing on pivot or wall mounted hinges, slide along metal tracking (bypass doors) or open inward like a French door.
Frameless showers are a popular choice for modern bathrooms. They provide a clean, sleek look and can help to open up smaller bathrooms or add more light to larger spaces. They also tend to be sturdier than framed enclosures and require less maintenance over the long term. However, they do need to be installed by a professional, and they are more expensive than framed enclosures. In addition, frameless showers need to be made from thicker glass, which can lead to them being heavier. This makes them harder to install in older homes that are already built with a traditional framed shower. However, this can be offset by using specially-designed clips to secure the glass to the walls.
Pivot
Pivot shower doors are a popular choice for equipping alcoves in your bathroom. They are made of tempered safety glass and have high-quality pivot hinges that allow the door to be opened inward and outward. They can be easily installed using the included hardware set and the supplied mounting instructions. When choosing a pivot shower door, it’s important to make several measurements to ensure that you choose the right size. First, measure the height from the bottom of the fiberglass or tile on the wall to the floor of the shower opening. This will tell you the standard door height needed. Next, measure the width of the opening at the top, middle, and bottom to get the total width. Finally, measure the depth of the opening to ensure that you have enough space for a hinged shower door.
Pivoted doors add light to your shower creating a pleasant and soothing environment. They also keep water from getting onto the floor and making a mess. If you’re tired of buying a new shower curtain at Bed, Bath and Beyond each time one gets dirty, then these are the best solution for you.
Hinged shower doors require adequate room to open so are not ideal for small bathrooms. They can be more expensive than sliding doors but if you want to show off the intricate stone or tile designs in your luxury shower, then these are the way to go.
These are typically framed but they can be semi or fully frameless. They are often used to upgrade a stand-alone shower stall or tub/shower combination and are suitable for most any style home. They are available with a wide variety of glass styles and finishes, hardware options and sizes. Some models offer a reversible installation option, allowing the door to be installed with the opening on either the left or the right side of the shower enclosure.
Swing
Hinged shower doors swing out to open, and they are available in both framed and frameless options. The frameless design offers a sleek, seamless appearance that is conducive to modern bathroom styles. They also provide a larger opening into the enclosure than sliding shower doors, which makes them safer for users with mobility issues.
Often, shower heads and benches are built in to the wall above the hinged shower door. Depending on how far these features stick out, they may interfere with the proper opening and closing of the shower door. It is recommended to place the door on a side of the enclosure closest to the wall mounted controls and shower head. This provides easy access to these important fixtures while still allowing the door to open and close properly.
Bath screens (also known as bi-fold or tri-fold doors) are another variation on the swing shower door. These feature one fixed panel and two other glass panels that fold in on top of each other, similar to the way a bifold closet door works. They can be used in almost any type of shower enclosure, but are particularly well suited to corner showers in small bathrooms and mobile home bathrooms.
A framed swing shower door features a black metal framework glazed around the edges of clear tempered safety glass. This style of shower door is typically paired with white or other light colored shower tile for a striking contrast. Often, these doors are hinged on the same wall as the shower controls to make it easier for the user to reach the controls. This placement also helps direct water past the gaps that would occur if the door was hinged on the opposite wall.
C10
Upgrading your shower curtain to glass is one of the best investments you can make in your home. Glass adds style and value to your bathroom, while making the room feel larger and easier to clean. If you want your glass shower doors to last longer and keep their shine, consider using a glass coating to help them resist water stains, mineral deposits, soap scum, and corrosion.
A common choice is to use a shower coating such as Cardinal 10, also known as C10. This product seals the pores of the glass and prevents minerals and soap scum from sticking to your shower enclosure. It helps reduce cleaning time by up to 90%, giving you more time to enjoy your sanctuary.
Another great option for your glass shower doors is to choose a product with built-in antimicrobial protection, like Microban. HMI’s C10 glass protectant, powered by Microban, works around the clock to actively reduce the growth of microbes on the surface of your shower enclosure. The product is applied during the manufacturing process and becomes part of the molecular structure of the glass.
While a shower guard or C10 is an excellent way to maintain your new glass shower doors, the best option is to regularly clean your shower with a squeegee to remove dirt and grime from the microscopic pores of the glass. Invest in a quality squeegee and follow the recommended care instructions to get the most out of your investment.