Unlike the “old” style shower and tub enclosures, today’s choices of glass and frame styles offer many design and price options as well as a more streamlined appearance and ease of cleaning. You must first look at how your bathroom is used and what type of enclosure will work best for you. You can choose from framed, semi-frameless or frameless styles in many configurations including sliding bypass, hinged doors and fixed panels. When it comes to frame and hardware color, there are many choices including brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze among others, or you may choose to have the metal coated in a custom color. When considering glass options, clear glass enclosures can show off beautiful tile work, but can also show the water spots that occur after each use. A better choice may be an obscure glass that will still allow light in but “forgive” a little of the water spots. There are also different glass thicknesses, ranging from 3/16” in a framed unit to ½” in a frameless unit. You may choose to customize your enclosure with handles and towel bars that are attached through the glass for a more seamless appearance. When considering a company to supply and install your enclosure, be sure to check their license, insurance and references along with a detailed estimate of the enclosure. It is always a good idea to meet with the installer prior to starting any construction so that they may work together with you and your contactor to provide the best finished product.
