Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling your bathroom, the options you face when selecting your shower enclosure can be daunting. Pre-fab and economy showers are available but often result in disappointment or future remodels. When homeowners want the best shower enclosures, they inevitably turn to glass for the elegant touch. Whether framed or frameless glass shower designs, there is an option out there that will suit your needs and your budget. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top glass showers to help you choose the right one for you.
Euroglide Shower Enclosures
Euroglide Shower Enclosures are extremely popular due to their modern, stylish appearance and smooth operation. These enclosures go by many names, whether Euroglide, Euroslide, Euro Frameless Shower Enclosures, or even Sliding Barn Door Shower Enclosures. No matter what you call it, a Euroglide enclosure will bring both beauty and function to your bathroom.
Typically characterized by one stationary panel and one sliding door, the Euroglide uses a “barn door” style roller and track for a smoothly opening door without the need for a frame.
In-Line Shower Enclosures
In-Line Shower Enclosures feature a swinging door for entry, rather than sliding glass. The glass door is connected either to another pane of glass or the wall with a hinge at a 180-degree angle. It is installed “in-line” with another pane of glass if the shower is wider than the door, hence the name. The clean lines and ease of use make it a popular choice for many homeowners.
Neo-Angle Shower Enclosures
Neo-Angle Shower Enclosures are a beautiful solution for showers that must be installed in small and unique spaces, but they also have a place in larger bathrooms for an incredibly contemporary and sophisticated look. As the name implies, these enclosures are characterized by having one or more angles. Oftentimes these enclosures are found in corner showers with two stationary glass panels attached at a 90-degree angle to each wall, with an angled door bridging the gap between the two panes, forming a diamond shape.
Neo-Angle Enclosures are great options for bathrooms with challenging layouts and are often used next to garden tubs to make the best use of limited space.
Semi-Frameless
Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosures are perfect for homeowners who want beauty on a budget. These enclosures are sometimes called Semi-Framed Enclosures and may even be confused for Framed Enclosures but the distinction is simple: Framing exists for the stationary walls of the enclosure. This type of structure allows 1/4th inch glass and no frame is needed on the door, each of which saves money while still providing the elegance of glass.
½” Glass
For the ultimate in luxury, ½” Glass Shower Enclosures are sure to impress. There’s no denying the look and feel of ½” glass, and if your budget can accommodate the additional cost it might seem like a no brainer to spring for this beautiful glass. There are additional considerations when desiring a ½” glass shower enclosure though. First, can your walls support the additional weight of this ultra-thick glass? Installing without sufficient support can cause major damage, so our professional installers will examine your bathroom to ensure a proper installation can be done. Also, not every glass option or design is available with ½” glass, so if you want something specific that isn’t available with thicker glass, you’ll be faced with a tough choice.
On the other hand, some frameless shower glass designs are best suited for ½” glass. A larger shower will often have bigger glass panes that have more flex. While thinner panes at this size should still be structurally sound and safe, the sturdiness of the thicker glass is very appealing.
Summary
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what type of glass shower enclosure design is right for you and your home. Even if this is helped you narrow down your options, there are plenty of additional options to discuss, such as hardware materials, glass finishes, handle styles, and more. At Discount Glass, we help homeowners select the best shower enclosures for their needs every day and install over 350 glass shower enclosures a year. You can choose from over 18 styles of glass shower enclosures or customize your own glass shower. To get started, contact us today!
