Deluxe Shower Doors and Enclosures
Deluxe Shower Doors and Enclosures - Copyright 2018 Tim Carter
DEAR TIM: I have decided to pamper myself with the bathroom of my dreams. I am struggling with the shower enclosure. For years I had a shower door that was a nightmare to keep clean. What in the world can I do? I have selected a magnificent tile that will be in the shower and I want it to become part of the room, not hidden behind a scum-covered panel. Help me, you are my only hope. Brenda H., High Point, NC
DEAR BRENDA: You are spending your money in one of the best rooms of your home. Investing money in high-quality products for a bathroom is a sure way to get a high rate of return. This is positively true if you select timeless designs and fixtures that will look as good 25 years from now as the day they are installed.
Shower doors and enclosures have undergone a tremendous change in the past several years. You can still get traditional bypass doors that hang from a track. But anyone who has had one quickly learns this style is very hard to keep clean. The framed doors and channels in the tracks are the galactic black holes of bathroom maintenance. Sleek frameless shower doors and enclosures are the rage. Taking a relaxing shower in one of these gorgeous easy-to-clean shower enclosures is like finding an oasis in the middle of a scorching desert.
Installing do-it-yourself acrylic shower walls can be easy so long as you select the right acrylic shower set! (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
The newest luxury shower doors and enclosures offer you exactly what you want. Not only are they easy to clean as the glass on the inside of the shower is smooth, but they also can be purchased with crystal clear glass. The fancy tile you have planned for the shower will be visible to all who enter the bathroom.
An added benefit of these see-through shower enclosures is they create a positive illusion of more space. Your bathroom will seem larger than it is. The payback for this extra space requires just 15 to 30 seconds of effort on your part moments after you turn off the valve after each shower. Use a professional quality squeegee to rid the glass of each and every water droplet. As an extra incentive to do this, you will have a much lower likelihood of mold in your new bathroom. Mold needs water to grow. If you quickly squeegee the shower glass and tile, you stop mold growth before it can start.
For those who have a higher modesty setting, the new shower enclosures are available with patterned glass, molded glass and glass that has been sandblasted with countless designs to suit anyone's tastes and decorating flair. In addition, the glass is available in shades of blue, green, gray, and bronze. If you are a glutton for making decisions, you can consider silvering the glass and several other artistic colorations. The abundant choices and options insure that you will find something to make your bathroom that paradise of personal pleasure.
Be sure to pay attention to the hardware. Brushed nickel and satin chrome will compliment just about any glass selection. Brass, gold plating, traditional chrome and acrylic are all available as well. After you towel dry your body, take just a few seconds and wipe off the hardware to maintain its brilliant finish.
Perhaps the best feature of the new shower enclosures is the flexibility of design. Many manufacturers offer custom sizing and design features. The glass can be cut to almost any size, shape and layout. If you contact the manufacturer before you complete the design of your new bathroom, they can often give you advice that will allow you to maximize the shape and size of your enclosure. It will immediately become the crown jewel of your new bathroom. The manufacturer can also tell you what works and more importantly what can be done during construction to insure the enclosure is installed with ease. Tips such as these will also insure long-term trouble-free performance.
Once your new shower enclosure is completed, be sure to obtain written care instructions. Pay close attention to the approved cleaners that are recommended by the manufacturer. A good-intentioned person can ruin hardware or even scratch the custom glass if they use the wrong cleaner. Avoid all cleaners that contain any abrasive ingredients whatsoever.
Column 461