Tips for Buying High-Quality Glass Shower Enclosures

Today’s homeowners are looking for a balance of aesthetics and functionality in their bathrooms.

Modern bathrooms are no longer just basic, cramped spaces with only a toilet and sink. They have become sleek design statements that offer more than just bathing functions. They also serve as a relaxation area in your home.

Below, we bring you the characteristics that you need to pay attention to when buying a new glass shower enclosure.

Glass shower enclosure – which one to buy?

The most important thing is that the glass is of good quality. Attention should be paid to the quality of glass and the construction profile. The cheapest models can often have a questionable quality.

If you want to make a smart investment, go with a shower enclosure that has thicker glass. You will pay more money for it but also get a higher quality product that will last you longer.

Pros of glass shower enclosures

A glass shower enclosure is easy to clean and maintain, which is a really a big ‘plus’. Another advantage is that it is in trend. When we browse catalogs or search the internet to get an idea for bathroom decoration, we see that it is more and more present. Its compactness and elegance make the bathroom a perfect and intimate space.

Cleaning and maintenance

Unfortunately, too many people don’t realize that ordinary glass is porous. When you combine hard water, soap, and household cleaners with the heat of a shower environment it causes corrosion to your glass which will result in staining. It is impossible to remove it with scrubbing or cleaning. 

In addition to causing an aesthetic problem, limescale can also cause health problems. Various bacteria and microbes can form in the parts where limescale accumulates. This can have a detrimental effect on your health. Therefore, anti-limescale coating is a great investment.

To save as much time as possible on maintenance and cleaning, the shower glass is often coated beforehand with an anti-limescale coating. If this is not the case, you can buy the coating in stores and apply it yourself.

The importance of the glass

The thickness of the glass is mostly 6 and 8 mm. When buying, you should pay attention to whether it is tempered, laminated glass or plastic. The most common heights are 185, 190, 195, 200 and 210 cm. Regarding the profiles, they are metal, aluminum or plastic, and depending on that, the price is defined.

High quality seals to prevent water penetration

Glass shower enclosures should have quality seals on their joints that will prevent water leaking into the bathroom. This will solve your problem with wet floors in the bathroom. The seals should have magnetic properties so that the door closes automatically after entering and exiting the shower.

The factory-installed seals can prevent water from penetrating the door joints. It is also important to seal all other parts where the enclosure will be connected to the shower or wall. 

Various ways to protect your shower glass

What is the best way to protect your shower glass? One option is spray-on or wipe on treatments. When these coatings wear off, staining and streaking may still occur. 

If you are in the market for a shower enclosure, here are some tips on what to ask when shopping around or hiring professionals:

-Is the shower glass protected? If you are wondering, it depends on what type of sealant or protective treatment is applied. Standard can become streaked and stained quickly if it doesn’t have an anti-stain coating like fluoride varnish. The varnish helps prevent water spots from ruining your shower glass.

-When and how is your sealant applied? If you have a protective coating on the surface of shower glass, find out what type it is. That way, the seller can recommend an appropriate one for protection against water damage. Some coatings are applied at manufacturing time, which may result in their wearing off relatively quickly. Others require more maintenance, such as applying them annually or every two years.

-What kind of cleaner is best for my glass shower enclosure? Glass showers often require a special cleaner. It’s recommended that you use an enclosure-specific glass cleaner and technique when caring for these surfaces, in order not damage them.

-How long will the protection last? The protection offered by some spray-on or wipe on glass treatments can last up to three years before needing another application.

Custom-made shower glass

If you want a completely personalized glass shower enclosure, you can order a custom-made one. It is best to send design inquiries to several manufacturers. This way, you can get the best possible idea of ​​the prices and choose the best offer accordingly.

The price of shower glass enclosures

The stand-alone shower enclosure is one of the most popular trends in design right now. This type of home bath can be made from materials like marble, soapstone or granite that are rich and luxurious.

The market supply is large, and prices vary. Prices depend on the design, thickness and type of glass, height, and construction profiles. Modern design that includes high quality glass and construction profiles also has a higher price.

Still, high quality glass shower enclosures can be found on the market at an affordable price. It is important to ask about previous customer experiences if the price of a product seems too low.

Conclusion: More expensive equals better quality

FramIt should be emphasized that the rule “more expensive equals higher quality” generally applies in this case. Shower enclosures with thinner glass are slightly cheaper, but also have lower quality. Thicker glass will cost you more money, but it also has better quality and will probably last you longer. Ultimately, decide for yourself which glass shower enclosure is best for you – depending on your budget, desired dimensions, extra features, and the design.