The bathroom is an abode of personal peace for an individual, helping them escape reality. In a generation dominated by aesthetics, choosing the right building material can get you the shower space of your dreams. And, glass is one such material!
Thanks to modern technological advances, glass has evolved into a durable and striking material, which consists of an assortment of exceptional patterns, designs, and other customizations.
Glass shower doors don't just deliver excellence; they also help keep your bathroom dry, organized and sophisticated.
The selection and understanding of all the options available can become tediously confusing. This article will provide a step-by-step guide to assist your decision-making with precise information about the perfect shower door and how should go about the selection process.
Types of Shower Doors
Sliding (Bypass) Doors
This space-saving genius was created with a fixed panel and a sliding panel placed on rollers within a track that slides behind the fixed one when opened. Sliding shower glass doors create an illusion of a larger space as they neither open inwards or outwards. This structure also maximizes lighting making it a classy yet straightforward choice.
Pivot (Swinging) Doors
The sheer simplicity and one of the common types is the Pivot Shower Door, as the name suggests, it is installed with pivots located primarily at the top and bottom at about 25% of the way in on the length. This makes them an incredible choice for glass showers because of the neat, modern look they provide.
Fixed Shower Doors (Panel Enclosure)
An entirely unmoveable Shower door that is placed to allow free entry without opening or closing. The glass panels are strategically positioned such that there won't be any water splashing out due to the calculated placement of the shower-head, making it an ideal match for people looking for simplicity.
Hinged Shower Doors
The classic glass door design is found commonly across the world. Hinged doors are supported by pivoting hinges that can easily be attached to the wall, around the shower, or even to an immobile panel attached to the shower. Even though they are pretty standard, you need large spaces to accommodate them; otherwise, they will be an obstruction in the bathroom.
Types of Shower Shapes
Corner (Neo-Angled) Enclosure Shower
As the name suggests, these Showers are located in a corner. However, the door is not installed at right angles to the wall. Instead, it is located in the centre of two panels attached to the wall, with an inclination of 135 degrees. These are best suited for a large bathroom since the door is attached to a hinge and swings out.
Alcove (Inline) Enclosure Shower
These doors can be placed in showers encompassed by two parallel walls such that it has a single straight opening and include sliding bathroom doors, single swing doors, and door and panel structures without angled panels. Alcove enclosure shower is a space-efficient design that will correctly portray minimalism.
Curved or Round Enclosure Shower
It may be placed in a corner with curved glass or stand alone in the shape of a cylinder, in any case, the door in the corner would be fixed and freestanding, and direct walk-in and the cylindrical one would slide along its track to be opened and closed. These features give both of the accurate fit for small spaces.
Types of Glass Varieties
Clear Glass
These doors are among the most famous types everywhere. A salient feature of this glass is that it's transparent and offers an unhindered view of the inside and outside of the bathroom. Clear glasses have a certain sophistication to them because they look clean, neat, and new. They work effectively to create the illusion of openness in your bathroom. Another huge advantage is that it allows light to pass through, which makes the bathroom look spacious, appealing, and bright. These doors work best if you have a small bathroom because it will create the spacious without actually doing so.
Frosted Glass
If you share a room with another person, are insecure about someone randomly walking in on you taking a shower, then this is the perfect shower door glass for you. Its level of frosting determines the transparency, and you can choose the amount of frosting you want on the door as some of them can be more see-through than others. They do allow some light to entre in but equally offer protection from anyone outside the door. Frosted doors are beneficial in several applications but are darker than other options.
Patterned Glass
Patterned Glass provides a unique artistic glam to your regular shower door and comes in a vast range of designs and colours to satisfy your taste. You will find patterns like trees, plants, aquatic animals, birds, flowers, abstract art, or even others that have a framework incorporated with clear glass panels running through the door. These structures are easy to maintain. When selecting a colour, it is suggested to use neutral tones, so it preserves the aesthetic aspect of the glass.
Obscure Glass
Obscure glass offers an amalgamation of brightness as well as obstruction of sight! If you want a bathroom with the enhanced lighten of clear glass with the coverage of frosted glass, then this one will be your ultimate choice. These panes are designed to make it highly problematic, if not impossible, to see a person inside the shower. Again this would be a correct choice if you live in a busy home or want some privacy as it will do a marvellous job at keeping prying eyes from watching you while you shower.
Rain Glass
The name says it all! Rain glass is made to give off a rain-like appearance to offer protection while someone is using the stall. This glass type offers a modern vibe with a graceful appearance. They are well-suited to any bathroom and will surely turn around the feel of your bathroom. Rain glass doors will blend into the bathroom effortlessly. They will not overpower the aesthetic of your bathroom, leaving enough room for you to readjust its décor as and when you like without worrying about making it look tacky.
Tempered Glass
If you are worried about the fragility of the glass, go for tempered glass. This glass type is specifically designed to withstand a great deal of impact keeps it from shattering. Even in the case of breakage, the shards crumble and are practically harmless. It doesn't matter if you live alone, with kids, or with animals, choosing a tempered glass for your shower is the safest option available out there.
Features of Tempered Glass Shower Doors
Heat-Resistance
The thought of your shower door glass shattering due to high water temperatures in the bathroom has probably crossed your mind. Well, you've got nothing to worry about because this glass takes care of that said problem due to its high heat and humidity resistance feature and also continues to maintain its finish for years on end. Now you know what makes glass shower enclosures completely safe.
Scratch-Proof
It is inevitable for the bathroom door to go through some wear and tear to excessive usage, but tempered glass has taken care of that issue for you too. This toughened glass will not succumb to scratches, blemishes, or any severe damage due to wear and tear.
Frame Types
Framed Enclosure
Shower doors with a frame running around the glass of each panel of the shower are considered framed enclosures. This frame is usually made of compound material or aluminium. Such doors also have a track that collects trickling water and vapour droplets and needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid the deposition of mildew or mould.
Semi-Framed Doors
The metal frame around the actual structure of the shower is absent in this frame type, and the door itself does not have a frame. The framing is present on each side of the larger panel piece, but not around the actual door. It’s suitable if you would like to include your finishing without blocking the view of your shower.
Frameless Doors
This frame has minimal coverage and is designed to provide a clear view of the bathroom and its accessories. The frame around the door is situated at the bottom to capture water. The glass is up to 3/4" thick, offering enough weight to make the door easy and comfortable to operate. These are perfect for bathrooms with a lot of intricate tile work, high-end bathroom fitting, or creative showers.
Now that you've acquired all this information about trend-setting Bathroom Door designs, it's time for you to buckle up for a beautiful shower experience with the bathroom you will most certainly enjoy having. But wait! Where will you source said shower doors from? Try AIS Glasxperts - India's leading glass lifestyle provider. We offer a host of glass solutions that are bound to suit your design sensibilities.
With aeons of experience in the glass architecture industry, our expert squad ensures end-to-end expertise along with a quick turn-around time. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today to know all about our gamut of products and services.
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