Author: GSM GLASS

A frameless shower door can bring long-term aesthetic balance to your bathroom space. But the integration process involves a number of important considerations. Without taking the time to discuss these with an expert, you may find that the door and the shower space don’t provide the level of luxury and design value you expect. Our team has many years of experience integrating frameless shower doors in homes across the country, and within this latest post, we’ll highlight what you need to know when adding a frameless shower door to your home.

1. Pivoting or sliding door?

The first consideration you’ll have to make when evaluating your frameless shower door is whether you want a pivoting door or a sliding door. Which style of door suits your property? The pivoting door will require more room within your bathroom while the sliding door might be ideal for a minimalist design approach.

2. What’s the budget?

When considering frameless shower doors, your budget will be a big consideration. Make sure you know exactly how much you’re willing to spend on the door and the installation of the door within your home. Generally, sliding doors will cost more than swing doors, driven largely by hardware costs.

3. How often is the shower used?

Consider how regularly you use the shower and whether the shower is part of a guest suite or for your use in the home. If the shower is for the guest suite, will it be used by children or elderly family members? Review how the shower will be used when considering the integration process as this can help you and your contractor to design the door effectively. Note that, changes are not always possible without incurring potentially significant additional costs.

4. Do you need towel bars?

Towel bars are a great addition within a luxury bathroom, for when you require quick access to a towel before or after a shower. For example, you might be coming back from the swimming pool or beach and require a location to place dirty towels before you head into the shower.

5. Can you turn on the water?

Oftentimes you’ll want to turn the water on before entering the shower. You may not be able to do this depending on the design of your frameless shower. You should consider the design and layout before making the investment. Review all the options to ensure that you don’t have to make a change later on.

6. Do you know the location of studs / in-wall supports?

Not knowing where the supports are within your walls can make the integration of a frameless shower door a difficult process. Make sure you know the location of all studding before you move forward. You may make the mistake of hanging the hinge of the door from areas that are structurally weak and this could lead to a number of issues with the initial installation or in the future.

7. What thickness of glass do you want?

The thickness of the glass is a leading consideration when choosing the latest shower doors. The thickness of the glass can impact the weight of the door and its safety for use within your home, as well as the aesthetic of the enclosure. Ensure that the glass is suitable for the hinge to minimize problems with weight-balancing that could lead to the glass being damaged over time.

8. Clear/Standard or low-iron glass?

When selecting glass for your frameless shower door, you have a number of great options. One of the most popular is the ultra-clear glass (sometimes referred to as low-iron, starphire or opti-white) option, which diminishes the green tint that you might see when you look through glass normally. The colour of the glass can be especially important based on the other colours in use in your bathroom. Work with your local bathroom renovation expert to ensure you’re choosing the optimum glass for your home.

9. Will the door be wall-mounted, sliding, or attached to the floor (pivoting)?

The style of mounting used for the door should be one of the first considerations you make when adding a new structure. WIll your new door be mounted to the wall or attached to the ceiling/floor? Which types of hinges/hardware will be required, and how much space will you require in your bathroom for these components? Working with a qualified installation team can help you ensure your costs are optimized, and sometimes reduced, during this process. They can review all of the components required and determine how much to integrate the door without impacting your other bathroom elements.

10. Will you have special showerheads?

Consider how you will be using the bathroom space within your home. Will you be working with multiple shower heads within the space? How about using rainfall showerheads that spread the flow of water during the shower? Identifying the source and angle of the water from the shower space can help dictate the design (location of doors, clearance required, etc.) and ensure a smooth installation.

What to Review When Choosing an Installation Specialist

Now you know a little more about what you need to consider when evaluating your shower door options, you should take the time to review the experts in the marketplace who can help install the perfect glass system. Make sure you consider the following:

1. The quality of the glass

Can the company prove the quality of the glass within their inventory? Where was the glass floated? Where is it tempered? Is it tempered? How do they make the glass and guarantee its quality ready for use in your home? Make sure you receive clear answers to these questions before moving forward.

2. Customization options

What level of customization can the company offer for your home? Will they visit the property and ensure the customization work is completed with precision? Take these elements into clear consideration before moving forward.

3. The experience of the installers

The process of installing a new glass door within your bathroom can take time. Ensure that whoever installs it has the experience and expertise to get the job completed effectively the first-time-around.

To learn more about the latest frameless bathroom options in the marketplace, call Glass Showers and More at 416-800-1156 or contact us here.

Backpainted glass has been widely used in Europe for many years and has now become trendy in North America. Thanks to its colourful, modern look and the fact it is easy to care for, glass backsplashes has more advantages over tile elements for your bathroom or kitchen.

There are several reasons to consider installing backpainted glass as your backsplash over tiles, including its clean, bright appearance — particularly in a smaller rooms — and the variety of colors or designs that you can find. Glass is also a material that does not stain or burn, can resist hot temperatures (if tempered) as well as mold or mildew. It is also less likely to wear out when compared to other materials. Glass Backsplashes are also uniform with no grout lines, making cleaning a breeze.

What you don’t need to worry about is colour availability for your backpainted glass. Backpainted glass is available in custom colours and, with a manufacturer’s colour code, any colour can be matched. (TIP: if you’re trying to match a colour, ask for a sample first to make sure you’re getting what you want).

Why install backsplash?

Basically, a backsplash is a unique protective feature that you can install in areas where water or other liquid may damage your wall. This includes behind stoves and ovens, sinks and even showers.

As with many elements in your home, you’ll want to give your backsplash look some thought. There are two major types that are used most often, they are glass or tile. However, depending what style of home you have created, you will need to consider which material will work best for you.

Tile or Glass?

When it comes to making a decision about glass or tile for your backsplash, there are many things to consider including care and durability as well as aesthetics. While tile has traditionally been the most common choice, it may not be the best one for your home.

Drawbacks of Tile

Tile backsplash is a pattern that is made by using several smaller pieces of material. They can be made of glass, stone and even metal. While they offer a diversity of design, there are some serious drawbacks to using tile as a backsplash.

One of the major problems that homeowners have found with tile backsplashes is the use of grout. This is the glue-like material that is used between the tiles to keep them together. It can cause a couple of issues. Grout often means you will have more trouble cleaning the surface as things can get stuck in it. As well, if installed incorrectly, the grout will give the backsplash an ugly appearance.

Another major issue with tile backsplashes is how prone the tile pieces are to cracking. Once this happens you may find you are in a position where you need to replace the entire backsplash.

Opting for Glass

Unlike tile, glass backsplash is made up of a single piece of material (or a few large pieces). The glass is often made durable enough to withstand everyday use and because it is a single piece, it is easier to clean.

Backpainted glass is a large sheet of glass that has been painted in a colour of your choice on the side of the material that connects with the wall. It is often used behind stoves and sinks to protect the wall and keep a clean feeling to the room. Glass backsplash can also come in various sizes ranging from entire panels to cover the whole wall to smaller, six-inch panels.

Thanks to the low-maintenance care of glass, coupled with its clean and modern appearance, it has become a popular go-to for homeowners looking for a stylish backsplash. You can use a variety of cleaning products on glass without much trouble, which makes it a breeze to keep clean.

With glass backsplash there are a diversity of colours to allow homeowners to match the overall look of a room. Its glossy surface helps to add light to the room, making it appear bigger. Glass can also give a room a more modern feeling.

Another benefit is that glass is a strong material and can resist damage caused by water or other hot liquids in the kitchen or bathroom. In addition, glass is very eco-friendly, which can appeal to homeowners looking for a smaller, green footprint.

Types of Glass

It is important to understand the different types of glass that you can use for a backsplash. These are clear and low-iron.

• Clear glass: this is typical glass used in most household applications. Despite its name, this type of glass can have a green hue due to its iron content (TIP: If you have exposed glass edges in your house, look at them from the edge to see if you notice the green hue).
• Low-iron glass: this will be the type of glass with the least amount of colour distortion to it. This is the best type to use for backpainted glass backsplash as it will give you the most accurate colour. As its name suggests, this glass has less iron in it, which gives it a clear / light blue hue.

Most renovation projects or new homes will opt for the modern and trendy look of backpainted glass backsplash. Given how easy glass is to care for, the stylish, radiant look of backpainted glass backsplash, its strength and durability it is easy to see why more and more homeowners in North America are adopting the trend.

However, it is important to note that although glass backsplash is easy to care for, you’ll need to budget for professional installation. This will help insure that your backpainted glass backsplash looks lovely for a long time.

For more information about backpainted glass backsplash, call Glass Showers and More at 416-800-1156 or contact us here.

Creating that ideal bathroom space includes getting the details right, including selecting a shower enclosure that fits into the atmosphere you have created.

When it comes to picking the right shower stall that is best for you there are four things to keep in mind:

1. Whether or not the enclosure will fit in the area you have
2. Does it match the look you already have in the room
3. What are the functions of the enclosure and are they what you want
4. Ultimately, a shower stall should add to the overall design of the room

What is a shower enclosure?

Essentially, a shower enclosure includes all the elements you need for a shower. That includes the doors, walls, and drain.

However, it can get more complicated for homeowners as there are many, many different styles of shower enclosure elements.

Types of Shower Stalls

There are several different styles of shower stalls. These include ones that are square, rectangle or quadrant shaped; ones that have the door handle on the left and others that have it on the right; as well as ones that have a tray at the bottom and others that do not.

Manufacturers have created a variety wide enough to fit any homeowner’s desires. The quadrant shape can give a room a modern look as it has been designed to fit into the corner of the room. The front is curved so it is best for tight spaces. In contrast, a square shower stall can offer you more options when it comes to selecting a door style, but you need to be sure you have the space for it.

For those who do not have any concern about space, a rectangle shape is a viable option.

Deciding on a Door

When it comes to picking a shower door for your enclosure, you will need to know what shape of stall you are going with. Style options for a quadrant shape will be limited because of its curved front, but if you have a square shape, you will have a better door selection.

A hinged shower door gives the space a more open feel and is ideal for those with accessibility issues. Alternatively, if space is a concern, you can opt for a sliding door. This style can be adjusted to fit any shower stall shape. A more modern look can be glass blocks for your shower enclosure. Basically, there is no door and the shower space is blocked off with panels of glass with an open space as the entrance.

There are three basic types of shower stalls, including frameless, framed and prefabricated box doors.

Frameless – these are most often custom made shower doors / enclosures, which allows homeowners the opportunity to find a unique style for their bathroom. Contrary to framed shower doors, frameless shower doors offer a smoother look and allow for a more “open” appearance relative to other options. Frameless shower enclosures offer a more streamlined appearance, and use small clamps, where required, to support the glass instead of channel. The glass must be measured precisely in order to provide a finished product that is acceptable to a client and, as a result, a significant amount of skill and attention to detail is required for a truly frameless glass shower enclosure.

Framed – framed shower doors / enclosures use channel or a “Frame” to provide mechanical support. Doors can be with or without a frame, depending on the customer’s design specifications. Because the framing material can hide mistakes, these enclosures require less skill and attention to detail to install. That said, they close off a space and, over time, the channel can fill with water, leading to other issues for a homeowner. That being said, sometimes a homeowner wants channel to achieve a certain design aesthetic (i.e., black framed industrial “look”) which can only be achieved using framing / channel material.

Prefabricated box doors – Often seen as the simplest way to get a shower enclosure, a prefabricated or prefab one is created in a factory and is usually adjustable to be easily installed in the bathroom. These require the least skill to install and no design customization, but are an economical solution to enclose your shower stall.

Tips to Find the Right Fit

A good way to get to know your shower enclosure needs is to step into the space with your back to the corner. From here you should be able to see the whole room. As you look around, take note of windows, doors and other obstacles, such as a sink or toilet. It will be important when you go to select your shower stall to visualize how you need the door to open (left or right) and other accommodations you need to make.

When you are shopping, try the same visualization in the store. Step into the shower enclosure and imagine how it will fit into your bathroom. Does the door open left or right? Are there windows that you will need to adjust to get the stall to fit?

Pick your glass style

A major decision when it comes to getting the right shower enclosure is to use the right material. While most shower stalls are made of glass, there are a few different types of glass that you can select from, these include:

Safety Features:

Tempered glass: this type of glass is made stronger by the application of chemicals or heat treatments. It is said to be four times stronger than regular glass.

Laminated glass: is layered glass that can hold together if shattered. This makes it a smart safety choice.

Design Features:

Clear – is the most common type of glass used for shower enclosures. Clear glass doors have a greenish tint and are easy to maintain.

Frosted glass – has a smooth, opaque appearance, which is the result of one side being etched while the other is smooth. TIP: ensure the frosting is installed on the outside of the enclosure, so the inside (which will require more cleaning due to exposure to water) is smooth and easy to clean.

Rain glass – a decorative looking glass inspired by dripping rain. One side of the glass is smooth while the other side is patterned. Many claim that the pattern on the glass helps to hide fingerprints, stains and watermarks.

Coloured glass – for a creative look that fits into any decor, coloured glass is another unique option for shower stalls. Bronze or grey glass can add an additional level of elegance to the enclosure, if paired with the right washroom design.

A final choice for your glass shower enclosure is how thick you want the material. Most homeowners will choose 10mm or 12mm for custom glass enclosures, depending on their preferences.

To learn more about how to choose a shower enclosure that’s right for you, call Glass Showers and More at 416-800-1156 or contact us here.

Whether looking to add beauty to your home, or add to its resale value, frameless double sliding doors are an amazing addition to your bathroom. They’re a premium fixture that sets a home apart, impressing anyone who appreciates elegant design.

A framed shower unit is the classier evolution of a simple curtain hanging on metal rings. Frameless units are the next stage in contemporary shower setups, providing a more sleek appearance. The frameless panels look like free-floating cubes of glass. Frameless glass shower systems run more expensively than their framed counterparts, but they are worth the investment.

Other benefits of a frameless double sliding barn door system include:

• An easier-to-clean shower. Shower frames can hide a lot of dirt and grime, but frameless showers expose everything and are a breeze to wipe down. This also discourages the presence of mould, which can be a persistent issue in bathrooms and produce an off-putting odour.
• A stunning presence in your bathroom. The illusion of floating glass surrounding a generous shower or bath shows that you’ve gone the extra mile to make every room a statement.
• Frameless double sliding barn doors maximize the space in your bathroom. Since bathrooms are most often the smallest room in the home, it’s desirable to use techniques that make the space seem larger than it really is. Frameless shower doors do just that.
• Easy to get in and out: WIth both glass panels moving, your ability to access your shower is never impeded by a fixed glass panel.

Most frameless bath and shower door models are custom created for each bathroom. This means you’re not confined to whatever measurements your local home supply store has in stock. This will, however, require that you take thorough measurements and have a professional assess your space.

Glass is generally not cut square for frameless shower doors. Taking precise measurements at the start of your project will prevent the need for costly adjustments partway through. Since most frameless doors are custom fabricated, it’s essential that every step in the process be double- and triple-checked.

Frameless showers can be much heavier than framed doors because they are solely comprised of glass. In aggregate, the glass and hardware for your custom frameless shower and sometimes weigh up to 1000 pounds, which is another reason to involve professionals. Dealing with glass of that weight can be dangerous, both during installation and afterward (if it’s not installed properly) when people are using the shower. A very ambitious handy person can attempt installing the frameless double sliding barn doors themselves, but it’s recommended to at least have your work verified by licensed professionals who are well accustomed to this type of work.

Another reason professional installation is important is potential leakage if the glass is not cut and fitted perfectly. If there is a gap between the doors, then water can escape from the shower enclosure while in use. This makes for quite a damp bathroom, not to mention being a waste of water and a slipping hazard. There should be only 1/6 to 1/32 of an inch gap between the doors and the rest of the structure.

Are you ready to take the plunge and go for double sliding barn doors for your bath or shower system? Here are the next steps:

• Look for a well-reputed company that specializes in glass home elements. A great way to start is to ask for referrals. If a friend or family member has a gorgeous bathroom in their home, ask who did their work. A word from a personal connection is worth more than any online review.
• Take pre-measurements so you can give a comprehensive explanation of the project you’re looking to do once you’ve settled on a company. Tell them the square footage of your bathroom as well as your current bath setup, and let them know what your desired square footage of the new enclosure is to be.
• Agree on a budget and timeframe. Both of these items may fluctuate during the course of the installation, but it’s important to produce ballpark numbers so that the client and installers both know what to aim for. Ask for a fixed-price contract for greater certainty in pricing.
• Get inspiration! Your bath area is about to look like a five-star spa. Look for ways to spruce up the rest of your bathroom to achieve a luxurious, cohesive look.

Double sliding barn doors are currently one of the most popular trends in home design. The absence of metal or rubber framing lends continuity and elegance to the entire room, and shows a true eye for progressive home modelling. If you have the time, budget, and enthusiasm, then certainly consider a frameless double sliding barn door shower system for your next renovation project.

If you’re looking for glass specialists for your next home update, contact the experts at Glass Showers And More. We can be reached by phone at (416) 491-8815 or via our contact page here. Proudly serving the Greater Toronto Area for over 35 years, we are a leading supplier of custom glass and mirror products. Tell us your requirements and we can help you get your next project underway.