Important Considerations For Selecting New Shower Doors

Are you installing a new shower? Or perhaps you're simply looking to upgrade your existing shower. Regardless, you've probably found yourself in a situation where you need to purchase new shower doors. When you realize how many options you have available, you might feel a bit overwhelmed; by taking a few important factors into consideration, however, you can make the decision that's right for you:

Method of Opening

Start by considering the method of opening that's appropriate for your space. Generally, shower doors either slide open or swing open. If you have a smaller bathroom space or other plumbing fixtures close to your shower, then a sliding glass shower door is probably your best option in terms of saving space.

On the other hand, with a swinging glass shower door, it'll take up more to open, but you'll probably have an easier time when it comes to cleaning and maintaining it, since it won't be on tracks that can easily accumulate mildew, soap scum, and hard water stains.

Framed or Frameless?

Another consideration to keep in mind as you shop for new glass shower doors is whether you want framed or frameless doors. With a framed door, you'll have a frame (typically made of metal) around the perimeter of the door as well as reinforcement down the middle of each door.

The nice thing about framed doors is that you can select a frame finish to suit your design needs, such as brass, silver, or even stainless steel. On the other hand, some people opt for frameless doors to achieve a more modern and sophisticated look (though frameless doors are often more expensive).

Texture of Glass

Finally, don't overlook the importance of choosing the right texture for your shower door glass, as you'll have many options to choose from. For a more sleek and modern look, you may want to go with either clear glass or a rain texture. For added privacy, it may be more appropriate to choose a pebbled, hammered, or even a frosted texture (though these are sometimes more difficult to keep clean, due to their texture). The glass texture and finish you choose will have a major impact on the appearance of your bathroom.

As you can see, there's a lot hat goes into choosing a set of new shower doors. By keeping these factors in mind, you'll be sure to choose the doors that are right for you. To learn more, contact a company like St. Charles Glass with any questions you have.