Shower doors are not only there to keep the rest of your bathing area dry, for example, an adjustable swing and pivot shower door can also add elegance and create a sense of modernism to your bathroom decor. Whether you want a standard shower or tub door, there are two categories of bathroom shower doors: frameless and standard framed shower doors. Frameless shower doors are normally prefabricated to fit almost any size of shower enclosure. Frameless glass shower entry systems create an open atmosphere in your bathroom that is upscale in look and feel. The glass used for framless shower doors is thicker and traditionally tempered for better safety and the edges are notched and drilled to house your handles and hinges. These shower door handles and hinges come in a variety of styles and finishes to fit any shower enclosure design. From frosted glass pivot doors to continious hinge shower doors, like their frameless counterparts for glass shower stalls, standard framed shower doors can be made to fit most opening sizes on your tub or shower stall and can be installed to open to the right or left. The only difference is that standard shower doors are usually enclosed in a sturdy anodized aluminum frame with clear or frosted tempered safety glass inside the door frame or you can request a variety of custom shower door glass options to tailor your shower to meet your bath design specifications.

"Summary: Shower doors are not only there to keep the rest of your bathroom dry, they can also add elegance to your bathroom’s shower stall. There are two primary categories for shower doors: frameless and standard framed shower doors. From these come a wide selection of affordable shower doors including sliding shower doors and shower doors that swing and pivot. From sandblasted pattern glass to solid brass hinges with stainless steel springs, folding shower doors gives you the option of how you want to enter your shower enclosure whether it be a standard shower or tub enclosure."

When designing your custom glass shower stall, a good rule of thumb is to plan the design of your plumbing layout early in the remodelling process to determine the best place for your shower enclosure. Another suggestion would be to avoid sliding showerdoors or shower doors with side panels. Cleaning sliding shower doors can be next to impossible as the soap gunk that builds up in the sliding track requires constant attention and is often hard to reach without removing the door(s). The good thing about sliding shower doors is that they are perfect for modest-size bath enclosures, and give you a smooth, quiet sliding action. A better solution though would be to purchase an adjustable swing and pivot shower door. If you are really tight for space a corner shower enclosure with a corner sliding door will complement your round and neo-angle showers, corner shower doors can also have a left or right door swing to better fit your bathroom space.

Solon Glass Centre

The good thing about shower doors as compared to shower curtains is that they rarely have to be replaced and with custom glass shower doors, you can pretty much match any lavatory style out there. Framed shower doors are sturdy and reasonably priced; the other plus is that they usually use glass that is lighter in weight than their frameless sisters. The con is that they have a tendency to look dated and bulky because of the frame but that would all depend on whether or not the shower stall finish blends in with the rest of your bath design, mainly your fixtures and faucets. A good way to insure continuity of design elements is to make sure the style of the shower door handle also matches the design of your faucets. Also there are aluminum cleaning products on the market for cleaning anodized aluminum corrosion from shower doors such as Copper-Glo and Bar Keeper’s Friend that can help maintain your shower doors frame sparkling lustre.

Frameless shower doors have in recent years become increasingly popular. The main reason being, their relative lack of hardware which creates clean, elegant design lines that has a tendency of visually opening up your washroom space. Also cleaning a shower door is easier with the frameless shower doors than their standard counterparts. The con of purchasing a frameless shower door is that they are normally more expensive than the framed models due to the increased thickness of the glass for longevities sake and they may also require special clips and hinges. The other con is that they are slightly more difficult to install than a framed shower door, this may require you to hire an installer which translates into an added cost factor.

When selecting the glass for your shower door and in essence your whole shower enclosure, make sure the pattern (texture) is on the outside of the glass, this will ensure easy clean up with a squeegee on the smooth interior of your shower door, allowing you to keep it spotless and clean. Also if your glass is clear, take into consideration that every little spot or streak will show up. Frosted or patterned glass not only provides a semblance of privacy but also is easier to maintain because the water spots don’t show up as readily. If you are looking for a reputable shower door manufacturer, the Basco Shower Door Company has been around for a very long time and offers a quality product line that is sturdy and economical. Another thing you may want to consider is make sure you shower door has CleanCoat Technology, this glass surface treatment helps protect against unsightly residue and makes glass easier to clean.

As a final note, to ensure that your shower door panel does not leak, there are two ways you can solve this problem for your showers and tubs. The first solution is to ensure your shower door is on a lip or behind a raised lip (curb) above the shower pan floor. Avoid using ceramic tile for this lip as water could possibly leak through the grout lines. The other alternative to stop your shower door from leaking if your shower door extends all the way down to the shower pan floor is to slope the curb back towards the shower interior. This is done to make sure that water doesn’t pool where the shower door meets the lip of your shower enclosure and will instead run down towards the drain. Also as a preventive measure; make sure your showerhead spray does not point directly at your shower door seams just in case there is a hairline gap between the glass where water may be able to seep through.

Frameless shower doors provide the most versatile shower enclosure options for both small and large bath solutions alike and are more becoming a standard feature in bath design when remodeling your bathroom . Privacy, safety and universal design are all issues that can be addressed by your choice of the proper shower door in your bathroom.

Choosing the right showerhead is paramount to the quality of a good shower experience. Planning for an accessible bathroom here are some universal design ideas that you may find useful. Bath Solutions has a wide selection of  bathtub/shower surround enclosures to meet your specific needs. If you are looking to create a home-spa then Bodo infra-red saunas is a good place to start. Is it really possible to find the fountain of youth in your shower read this to find out. Showerpanels are fast becoming a new trend in shower design that not only adds convenience but dramatic style as well. Have you ever wondered how to create a shower witth style? This article explains the benefits of having a seperate shower stall. And this one looks at prefabricated shower stalls. Have you ever wanted to know how to install a shower pan, its easy once you know how. Spa Berry jetted tubs are portable and can be used all year round.  Everyone should know about the pros of installing a washroom exhaust fan such as reducing the chance of mold growing in your loo. L&K Plumbing has some great ideas for ventilating your home and ultimately your bathroom.  Ask the EPA if indoor air quality is important in your restroom. Hansen Plumbing and Heating believe that tankless water heaters are the wave of the future for heating your home. Who doesn’t want to wake up feeling energized with these invigorating scents in your bathroom. Indulging yourself in a home-spa can help you feel like you again. It’s easy to create a spa at home once you know the basics.

Learn how-to with these categories that teach you how to temper your bathroom renovation skills, standard bathroom design does not have to be boring, versatile bathroom remodelling concepts and plans, customize these bathroom trends to suit your needs and re-frame your thinking about bathroom decor with these bathroom product reviews so you get the most out of your bath design.

BGR is the place to learn about shower doors