Creating that ideal bathroom space includes getting the details right, including selecting a shower enclosure that fits into the atmosphere you have created.

When it comes to picking the right shower stall that is best for you there are four things to keep in mind:

1. Whether or not the enclosure will fit in the area you have
2. Does it match the look you already have in the room
3. What are the functions of the enclosure and are they what you want
4. Ultimately, a shower stall should add to the overall design of the room

What is a shower enclosure?

Essentially, a shower enclosure includes all the elements you need for a shower. That includes the doors, walls, and drain.
However, it can get more complicated for homeowners as there are many, many different styles of shower enclosure elements.

Types of Shower Stalls

There are several different styles of shower stalls. These include ones that are square, rectangle or quadrant shaped; ones that have the door handle on the left and others that have it on the right; as well as ones that have a tray at the bottom and others that do not.

Manufacturers have created a variety wide enough to fit any homeowner’s desires. The quadrant shape can give a room a modern look as it has been designed to fit into the corner of the room. The front is curved so it is best for tight spaces. In contrast, a square shower stall can offer you more options when it comes to selecting a door style, but you need to be sure you have the space for it.

For those who do not have any concern about space, a rectangle shape is a viable option.

Deciding on a Door

When it comes to picking a shower door for your enclosure, you will need to know what shape of stall you are going with. Style options for a quadrant shape will be limited because of its curved front, but if you have a square shape, you will have a better door selection.
A hinged shower door gives the space a more open feel and is ideal for those with accessibility issues. Alternatively, if space is a concern, you can opt for a sliding door. This style can be adjusted to fit any shower stall shape. A more modern look can be glass blocks for your shower enclosure. Basically, there is no door and the shower space is blocked off with panels of glass with an open space as the entrance.

There are three basic types of shower stalls, including frameless, framed and prefabricated box doors.

Frameless - these are most often custom made shower doors / enclosures, which allows homeowners the opportunity to find a unique style for their bathroom. Contrary to framed shower doors, frameless shower doors offer a smoother look and allow for a more “open” appearance relative to other options. Frameless shower enclosures offer a more streamlined appearance, and use small clamps, where required, to support the glass instead of channel. The glass must be measured precisely in order to provide a finished product that is acceptable to a client and, as a result, a significant amount of skill and attention to detail is required for a truly frameless glass shower enclosure.

Framed - framed shower doors / enclosures use channel or a “Frame” to provide mechanical support. Doors can be with or without a frame, depending on the customer’s design specifications. Because the framing material can hide mistakes, these enclosures require less skill and attention to detail to install. That said, they close off a space and, over time, the channel can fill with water, leading to other issues for a homeowner. That being said, sometimes a homeowner wants channel to achieve a certain design aesthetic (i.e., black framed industrial “look”) which can only be achieved using framing / channel material.

Prefabricated box doors - Often seen as the simplest way to get a shower enclosure, a prefabricated or prefab one is created in a factory and is usually adjustable to be easily installed in the bathroom. These require the least skill to install and no design customization, but are an economical solution to enclose your shower stall.

Tips to Find the Right Fit

A good way to get to know your shower enclosure needs is to step into the space with your back to the corner. From here you should be able to see the whole room. As you look around, take note of windows, doors and other obstacles, such as a sink or toilet. It will be important when you go to select your shower stall to visualize how you need the door to open (left or right) and other accommodations you need to make.

When you are shopping, try the same visualization in the store. Step into the shower enclosure and imagine how it will fit into your bathroom. Does the door open left or right? Are there windows that you will need to adjust to get the stall to fit?

Pick your glass style

A major decision when it comes to getting the right shower enclosure is to use the right material. While most shower stalls are made of glass, there are a few different types of glass that you can select from, these include:

Safety Features:

Tempered glass: this type of glass is made stronger by the application of chemicals or heat treatments. It is said to be four times stronger than regular glass.

Laminated glass: is layered glass that can hold together if shattered. This makes it a smart safety choice.

Design Features:

Clear - is the most common type of glass used for shower enclosures. Clear glass doors have a greenish tint and are easy to maintain.

Frosted glass - has a smooth, opaque appearance, which is the result of one side being etched while the other is smooth. TIP: ensure the frosting is installed on the outside of the enclosure, so the inside (which will require more cleaning due to exposure to water) is smooth and easy to clean.

Rain glass - a decorative looking glass inspired by dripping rain. One side of the glass is smooth while the other side is patterned. Many claim that the pattern on the glass helps to hide fingerprints, stains and watermarks.

Coloured glass - for a creative look that fits into any decor, coloured glass is another unique option for shower stalls. Bronze or grey glass can add an additional level of elegance to the enclosure, if paired with the right washroom design.

A final choice for your glass shower enclosure is how thick you want the material. Most homeowners will choose 10mm or 12mm for custom glass enclosures, depending on their preferences.

To learn more about how to choose a shower enclosure that’s right for you, call Glass Showers and More at 416-800-1156 or contact us here.