Are you finally ready to upgrade to a Frameless Shower Door?
Before we start, there are some important items to consider:
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Safety
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Security
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Aesthetics
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Functionality
Now we need to think who?
There are many places you could purchase a frameless shower door but consulting with a true professional, who has done thousands of these, could be the best decision you can make…
We have seen and experienced EVERYTHING you could imagine from styles and hardness of what tile it is being mounted to and which is the best direction to have a door swing.
To give you a better perspective, I have compiled this Top Ten List of “Things You Need to Know When Looking for A Frameless Shower Door.”
1.) First, how big is the opening that you need glass for? Do you want a hinged style door or a sliding style?
This is important because it depends upon the amount of room you have AND the type of look that you want.
2.) What are you willing to spend?
Frameless shower doors have a very wide range of products…all are considered “frameless.”
Generally speaking, the sliding doors cost less than most swing style doors, although there are some exceptions.
3.) How often do you use this particular shower? Is this a spare bathroom or the Master? Will this be for guests, children, someone elderly?
Each answer could help you make a different decision.
4.) Does your new enclosure need towel bars attached through the glass?
These are ideal for the hospitality industry as well as showers that people use when coming back from the beach or swimming at a pool.
Having a place to hang a wet bathing suit INSIDE the shower is very appealing to many buyers.
5.) How convenient is it to turn on your water before entering the shower?
This common activity is often overlooked when consumers purchase their units online.
Generally, that is not a question asked by online merchants. Beware….
6.) Do you know where the studding is in the walls?
On frameless shower doors that use “wall mounted hinges,” this could pose a real problem.
Most companies offer 3/8″ tempered glass for their units which means that the hinge side of the door will be secured to the side wall and if you don’t know what “blocking” is in the wall, you may be hanging a lot of weight off the tile and durarock only.
This is not a safe scenario as this is a heavy unit and the constant pressure will likely have the door pull away from the wall causing an unsafe situation.
7.) What thickness glass do you want?
Most frameless shower door companies only offer 3/8″ thick glass even though 1/2″ thick is also available. How the glass is hinged and how it is supported makes all the difference in the world.
8.) Do you want “generic clear” glass or “ultra clear” glass?
Most companies don’t offer the “ultra clear” glass because it comes at a higher price, but it diminishes the amount of greenish tint that you see when you use “generic clear” glass.
If you have light color tiles, the greenish tint is more pronounced…Most decorators and designers prefer the “ultra clear” option.
9.) Are you using multiple shower heads or overhead rain heads?
The angle of where the water source is coming from is extremely important to identify early.
If the shower is spraying at unusual angles, the location of the door opening is very important. A frameless shower door professional will always discuss this with you when selecting your solution.
10.) Will the door be mounted on a curb or directly on the floor?
This is a MAJOR item to consider and it makes a difference as to what type of hinge is used and where the door should be mounted.
