Similar to the kitchen, your bathroom is also the epicenter of your living space. So, you want that space to be cozy, comfortable, and sometimes even energizing. Showers play an important part in that. And choosing the right shower enclosure can make or break the harmony of your decor and interior. However, the process of finding and purchasing the right shower enclosure isn’t always straightforward, nor easy. So, here’s a simple guide to buying the most suitable shower enclosures.
Are shower enclosures different from shower doors?
Traditional walk-in showers are essentially shower spaces that don’t have any screen doors. Instead, they’re usually open and sometimes fully tiled. Although walk-in showers look incredibly modern and stylish, there’s the issue of water leaking and splashing.
On the other hand, shower enclosures come with large framed or frameless glass panels that enclose the entire shower area. These enclosures can also come with a sliding, folding, or swinging shower door.
So, the main difference between typical shower doors and enclosures is the latter includes both a door and glass panels. So, a walk-in shower might only require one glass panel to close it off (that is a door). Or it might require more than one glass panel, which makes it a shower enclosure.
Factors that determine the buying decision
Your bathroom size?
You might be worried about getting the perfect style within your set budget. So, it’s easy to forget about one of the most important aspects. And that’s finding out how much space you’re currently working with. Before you make any stylistic or budget-driven decisions, you need to consider the size of your bathroom. So, to determine the right size, you need to take precise measurements of your shower space.
To make your dimensions more accurate, we recommend using chalk. Draw the length and width of your shower to determine which enclosure will be the best fit. Don’t forget to take the height into account as well. When considering the size, you should also think of the nature or purpose of the space. The enclosure you get should depend on whether the shower is for an ensuite, main bathroom, or separate shower room.
The design you want to select
When shopping for a new shower enclosure, you might be overwhelmed by the variety of styles and designs available. However, there are a few things that’ll help you decide on the most suitable style for your existing shower room. First, consider the shape you want. Then, think of the positioning or angle your enclosure will occupy.
You should also base your shower tray’s shape and size on the design aesthetic you want your bathroom to convey. For convenience and functionality, you can opt for the standard corner shower. On the other hand, if you want to make a statement put your enclosure in the center. Although this will require more glass panels. And by extension, more space, and a bigger budget. But the sleek elegance of this contemporary design is absolutely worth it. Not to mention how much value it will add to your home!
Type of shower enclosure
- Recessed shower
Recessed showers are largely popular at the moment. They also happen to be the most budget-friendly. If you have an alcove in your bathroom space, then it’s the perfect option for you. The shape itself is very interesting and adds a sense of freshness to your shower room. Not to mention how aesthetically appealing it is.
It can even serve as the bathroom’s focal point. All you need for this type of enclosure are your existing walls and two glass panels. If you love the modernity of a recessed shower but you don’t have an alcove, you can create your own. Although that is a very ambitious home improvement project that will take time and money to accomplish.
- Quadrant shower
The quadrant shape is also very common, especially among small homes and apartments. If you have limited bathroom space but you still want a stylish shower, this is the way to go. This enclosure can sit very neatly into any corner and gives you sufficient space to shower comfortably. The soft curve at the edge also allows for amazing space efficiency with the added benefit of luxury and sophistication.
- Offset-quadrant shower
Offset quadrant enclosures actually use the same concept as the above. The only difference is how in the offset version one wall is longer than the other. This allows for a roomier shower space without cramping up your bathroom. So an offset enclosure is ideal when you want a larger shower with the style that corner positioning offers.
- Corner shower
If you’re looking for more imposing geometric shapes rather than the softness of quadrant, you can use rectangular or square enclosures. These utilize the same concept as they’re slotted into the corner. The difference mainly resides in the shape and dimensions. So again, this type of enclosure saves space but also looks incredibly elegant.
- Quality and thickness of the glass
The quality and thickness of the glass matters when it comes to the durability you can expect from your enclosure. Each design and type of shower enclosure will come in different thicknesses. However, this usually ranges anywhere from 4mm to 10mm. keep in mind that the thicker your glass panels are, the more durable and reliable they will be. Be that as it may, you should expect the price to go up as well.
It’s also worth noting that thicker glass will require more support. So you might need to consider that if you intend to get a frameless shower. Especially since frameless showers offer less support compared to framed ones. In addition to that, curved glass designs can only be achieved with small thicknesses.
How Soap Scum Sticks to Glass Sliding shower doors?
When soap is used in hard water, soap scum is formed. To explain this scientifically, soap scum is formed when magnesium and calcium particles in water combine with soap. As long as we use water in our bathroom and it splashes on our glass sliding shower doors, the minerals in the water mix-up with the soap to form soap scum.
This combination creates a scaly layer on the surfaces of glass sliding shower doors and with time, this builds up. Those who have hard water, i.e. water with more minerals, will experience more soap scum build up because hard water contains more minerals.
The scum if left for too long can build up rapidly especially as you keep using the bathroom. Let’s take you through different ways you can easily employ to get rid of soap scum.
Where to buy?
Glass shower enclosures come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. With that said, whichever style you choose, you can expect premium quality and high durability from Fab Glass and Mirror. We offer the standard enclosures mentioned above. If your bathroom has any awkward angles or you have specific dimensions, we cater to that as well. You can order custom glass panes with the thickness, style, shape, and color of your preference. In addition to that, we also offer a variety of shower doors. Namely, sliding doors, fixed screens with rolling doors, and bypass sliding doors.
