Blog Post

Choosing The Right Glass Shower Enclosure For Your Bathroom

  • By Admin
  • •
  • 18 Dec, 2017
  • •
In the mid-1900s, tub and shower combinations became all the rage. Now, bathroom designs are trending in a different direction. An increasing number of homeowners are choosing to have walk-in showers installed.

When you settle on a walk-in shower, you must decide on an enclosure style as well. One option is to have a surround installed into a wall and enclose it with a glass door. The other option is to convert a corner of the bathroom into your walk-in shower by enclosing it almost entirely in glass. If a glass shower enclosure is your preference, here's a look at your options.

Framed Glass Enclosure

The most popular method for enclosing a walk-in shower space is with framed glass. Contractors start with lightweight tempered glass. They use a framework of metal along with seals and sweeps to construct the enclosure - the metal framework gives the structure durability.

You can choose a discreet metal frame that recedes into the background. However, some homeowners choose to create interest in their bathroom by installing a bold frame. This can show off the geometry of the enclosure, which is attractive in contemporary bathrooms. Frames come in a variety of finishes including bronze, nickel, gold and chrome.

Considerations for Choosing Framed Glass Enclosures

No matter how discreet the metal frame is, it does impede the sightline. Therefore, it may not be the best choice if you want a seamless transition between your enclosure and the rest of your bathroom. The framework can also make cleanup a little more difficult because you have seams to deal with. Those seams can trap water, which promotes the growth of mold and mildew.

Framed enclosures are the less expensive option of the two. One reason for this is that the contractors are using a lighter-weight glass. Plus, it's not quite as tricky - or time-consuming - to install a framed enclosure.

Another benefit of a framed enclosure is it can be watertight. Naturally, this prevents shower spray from entering the bathroom. However, it also allows you to transform your shower into a steam bath by adding a steam generator. That option isn't available with frameless enclosures.

Frameless Glass Enclosure

A frameless glass enclosure is a luxurious option. For this installation, contractors start with heavy-duty tempered glass. They use a system of discreet hardware, including special pivots for the door, to hold the structure together. The need for heavy-duty glass comes from the fact that there's no metal framework to give the enclosure stability.

With frameless glass enclosures, your main choice is which type of glass you want. Traditional tempered glass shows with a slight greenish tinge because of the presence of iron. Low-iron tempered glass, often called high-definition glass, is crystal clear.

Considerations for Choosing Frameless Glass Enclosures

The need for heavy-duty glass makes frameless glass more expensive. If you choose high-definition glass, this can further increase the cost. Additionally, frameless glass enclosures don't seal up the way framed ones do. This means some shower spray may enter the rest of the bathroom. You'll need to either ensure your shower stall is large enough or that the spray is positioned in a way that doesn't splash.

The biggest benefit of frameless glass enclosures is the lack of visible seams. The enclosure disappears almost completely - it doesn't impede the sightline in any way. This is especially true if you choose high-definition glass.

A frameless glass enclosure also allows you to transform your stall into a no-threshold style by choosing a curbless shower pan. A no-threshold shower conforms to universal design principals because it offers ease of access to people regardless of age and ability. This type of design makes showering more comfortable, and it can become an eventual selling point for your home.

As you approach a remodel or new build for your master bathroom, consider practicalities such as cost and use. Then, weigh those practical considerations against your aesthetic preferences. When you're ready, talk to the experts at Kenny Glass Inc. to get the shower enclosure that will best work with your bathroom décor and lifestyle.

ProVia- Superior Door Selections

By Kenny Glass Inc • 15 Sep, 2023
ProVia doors are designed by professionals who understand the importance of meeting quality and design expectations. Learn about the three materials of doors ProVia offers for your home: Steel, Fiber Glass and Vinyl.

Satin Brass Hardware Making its Way Back

By Eric Humes • 18 May, 2023

 The shower scene usually moves trends slowly throughout the year, and one of those that stands out is Satin Brass. This finish is available in many different layouts from a single shower door, to shower door and panel(s), all the way to barn style sliding models. Larger companies like C.R. Laurence Company and Frameless Hardware Company have always offered Satin Brass, but smaller companies are now adding the finish to their products.

 Residential Service Manager for Kenny Glass, Tricia Brand, has noticed Satin Brass becoming more of a regular.  “Black has still remained popular along with Brushed Nickel” she said, and while it isn’t in the top choices, this finish has shown to be slowly climbing to those top spots.

 Satin Brass provides the warmth of brass but has a softer muted hue, with a golden yellow brushed look. Its subtle matte finish helps with keeping fingerprints from showing as well.

 This finish is flexible. It can stay retro, but also become elegant and modern if needed. Satin Brass can easily be mixed with the bright tone of Chrome for a complementing contrast, or by itself to create distinctively noticeable fixtures. Pair it with white or light grey for a soft, clean look. Also adding in a black or deep blue vanity or dark floor tile can make it really stand out and become noticed.

 Satin Brass and many other finishes are available in our framed, semi-frameless, sliding, and fully frameless shower enclosures. Stop in at our Columbus or Seymour location today, to let us help achieve the look you’re after.

Kenny Glass featured in The Business Connection

By Eric Humes • 28 Mar, 2023
Find the full article here >>>  https://www.therepublic.com/2023/02/17/business-connection-spring-2023/

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