Choosing a custom glass shower door has a lot to do with how much space you’re working with. You may have a vision of expansive glass walls like you see in luxury hotels, but if you only have room for sliding doors or you don’t want to demolish an existing non-glass enclosure, you may need to look at different glass door options. Even with limited space, there are ways to make your glass enclosure vision a reality. During the design process, it helps to understand the options available to you. Here’s a brief rundown of the types of glass shower enclosures and doors you can choose from.   

Types of Glass Shower Enclosures

Glass shower enclosures can be framed or unframed. Frames are generally less expensive to purchase and install, but a lot of people like the aesthetics of unframed glass. As long as they’re properly installed, both styles are equally safe and durable.

You may be limited to working with an existing enclosure in your bathroom. Or, you may have a completely clean slate to that allows you the opportunity to create your own custom glass shower doors.  Either way, these are the four main glass enclosure styles to choose from:

• Single glass shower door enclosure – Small spaces can usually only accommodate a small shower enclosure with a single door. Single glass doors are used when you have an existing tiled enclosure that you don’t want to demolish.  
• Door and panel – A single glass door can be combined with a glass wall to create a door and panel enclosure. Think of this as a glass wall with a glass door on one end. If there’s enough space, you can even forgo a door altogether and install a glass splash guard for a more open, modern look.  
• 90-degree corner shower – This is when two glass panels come together at a 90-degree angle. These are usually nestled in a corner, but you could get creative and make a three-sided glass enclosure!   
• Neo angle shower – Larger corner showers can accommodate a neo angle enclosure. These have three glass sides that create a diamond enclosure shape in a corner. You’ll typically have two glass side walls that meet a front-facing glass door at a 135-degree angle.

Types of Glass Shower Doors

Even if you’re only adding glass shower doors to an existing enclosure, you have options. There are three main types of glass shower doors, and you can customize them by using different types of glass.

•   Single door – Just like the name implies, this is a single glass door that swings open and is mounted to a wall or with pivot hinges in the floor and ceiling.  
•   Slider door – Much like a barn door, these glass door panels are mounted on a slider across the top of the glass panels. These are ideal for bathrooms that don’t have enough space for a hinged door.  
•   In-line door – These are used in door and panel designs and are usually hinged glass doors paired with a pane of glass.
• Right angle or Neo Angle Doors – These shower doors are used in corners of bathroom, optimizing the bathroom space.

Glass Shower Door and Enclosure Materials

Finally, you can choose different types of glass for glass shower enclosures. Most people will choose a clear glass, but that’s not the only option. Consider these glass types when conceptualizing your design:

• Clear glass – This timeless option is perfect for showcasing beautiful tile work on the interior of the enclosure or creating a bright, modern enclosure.   
• Painted Grid Glass – Painted grid glass is a glass type that brings a paned, grid-like style to your bathroom. This is a great option to give a big-city or modern industrial style to your home. The grid can vary in size and pattern shape.
• Frosted glass – While clear glass is a popular choice, frosted glass is preferred for people who share bathrooms or like more privacy when showering. It also hides fingerprints, smudges, and soap buildup, particularly in homes with large families where lots of people are in and out of the bathroom.   
• Textured, etched or rain glass – If frosted glass seems a little too plain, you can opt for patterned glass. Rain glass has been etched to look like rain is falling on the glass and provides privacy without creating an overpowering design. There are many options when it comes to textured glass, including custom etching by professionals.
• Low-iron glass – If you’ve ever seen photos of very clear glass without a hint of color, chances are it was low-iron glass. This style provides complete clarity because the greenish tint in regular glass is removed. You’ll pay a little more, but the crispness may be worth it. 

Protecting your Glass Choice

Protecting your investment is a great thing to consider when embarking on any project. ClearShield protection bonds with your glass to create a smooth, anti-microbial, and easy-to-clean surface to keep your glass looking brand new for years. To learn more about ClearShield, check out our blog!

Our team at UPG has installed thousands of glass shower enclosures, and we’re experts at making sure it’s installed correctly, no matter what style you’ve chosen. Give us a call for your next installation! We’ll help you get the job done right.