Is your bathroom ready for an upgrade? The shower space is boring or blah, and doesn't add anything to the aesthetics of the space. But you're not sure how to improve the area. Before you plan a major overhaul, take a look at what you need to know about glass shower enclosures and your options.
Are All Glass Shower Doors the Same?
No, all glass shower doors are not the same. But this doesn't mean all shower glass won't have some similarities. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Federal standards require the use of tempered safety glass in all shower doors. This glass must meet established industry requirements and pass specific testing methods. Unlike annealed (or plain, untempered) glass, tempered safety glass has added strength and breaks into pellets. This reduces the injury risk if your shower should crack or shatter. It also means that every glass shower door, panel, or another type of enclosure should include the same (or similar) type of safety product.
What Are the Differences In Glass Shower Doors?
Even though all shower doors or enclosures are made from tempered safety glass, you will find plenty of differences. These shower glass and panel differences may include:
The size. A custom-created glass shower door doesn't have to fit a standard opening or area. If your bathroom is narrow, wide, tall, or short, you can choose a piece of glass (or a few panes) that fits perfectly.
The shape. Shower glass isn't always rectangular. While many basic shower doors have a traditional vertical rectangle shape, a custom creation may slant or slope at the top or feature a square design.
The style. You don't have to choose clear (translucent) glass. Talk to your glass contractor about frosted, etched, or other designer styles. You can also use an opaque frosted pane to create a sense of privacy.
The quality. While all shower glass has to meet specific safety standards, it may vary in overall quality. Avoid suspiciously inexpensive stock glass panels. Instead, choose higher quality custom or professionally-made creations.
Along with these differences, you can choose between frameless enclosures, framed doors, sliding doors, tub/glass door combinations, stall showers, and hinged doors. If you're not sure which type of door is the best choice for your bathroom renovation, talk to a pro. A custom glass contractor can introduce you to the glass shower enclosure options and walk you through the steps of the project.
Share28 November 2022
Over the years, the materials that people use to make buildings and decor have changed. We rarely build homes from stone or brick anymore. They're made from wood, concrete, and drywall. But one material has not changed much over the past few hundred years, and that material is glass. Since glass windows were invented in the 17th century, they've become ubiquitous in homes. It's hard to imagine a home without glass windows! Glass is here to stay. That's one of the reasons we are happy to present this blog. Since glass is here to stay, we are going to discuss it here, in depth.
