Frameless Glass Bathtub Doors – Redefining Your Bathtub Space

It was not very long after the frameless glass bathtub doors were introduced that people started having them installed in their bathrooms. You have to admit, the bathtub area in your bathroom has never looked that beautiful without these simple glass panels. When not installed, they are just glass panels, but these frameless glass bathtub doors can completely transform the overall look and feel of your bathroom after installation. There are many ways in which you can beautify your bathtub and make your bathing time a special time for yourself. However, before you make your decision to install glass doors around on your bathtub, there is a lot of stuff to consider.

The first thing you have to think about is the type of door you want. The choice has to be made between fixed glass panels and moving frameless glass bathtub doors. Here is some information about both the options for you to make the right choice.

Fixed Glass Bathtub Panels

As the name suggests, these are fixed panels where one side is supported against the wall and the bottom side rests on your bathtub. These fixed panels also serve as shower guards when you don’t want the splashes from your shower to ruin your bathroom tiles. They are a perfect replacement for shower curtains and have made their way in most American bathrooms for the visual attraction and appeal they offer. When you choose a professional company for installation, they can install these glass panels in many different ways. If there is enough space, they can even use two fixed glass panels to add more appeal to the design.

Advantages

Most people will prefer fixed glass panels on shower curtains any day. They have a much better visual appeal than any shower curtains available in the market. Shower curtains can get a lot of germs and dirt in them with time. Washing them can be quite a hassle too, but that’s not the case with fixed glass panels. When you think they need cleaning, you just scrub them with a piece of cloth while using a suitable detergent. They are also a perfect choice for bathrooms where there is not enough space available to install moving doors. A small glass panel on the side of your bathtub can also block water from falling on your bathroom floor tiles. The best advantage they offer is affordability. They are an affordable option when compared to frameless glass bathtub doors that move.

Disadvantages

Depending on the type of panel and glass design, glass panels can be really beautiful. However, they cannot offer the beauty appeal and the attention grabbing aspect of moving bathtub doors. Compared to shower curtains, they can be expensive when you look at the upfront cost of their installation. While there are many different patterns, designs and shapes available in fixed glass panels, your options are still quite limited when compared to moving doors.

 

Moving Glass Bathtub Doors

Moving glass doors are not just fixed panels but doors that can move, swing, pivot or slide. You will have to consider many factors before you make your choice. Space available in your bathroom is the most important factor that decides the type of door you want to install on your bathtub enclosure. Among all other options, sliding glass doors prove to be the most functional, practical and appealing. They are an amazing addition to any bathroom with small space. A swinging door will open outwards taking up space as it opens. With frameless glass bathtub doors that slide to open and close, you don’t even feel that there is a door installed.

Advantages

As mentioned above, the biggest advantage of sliding glass doors is that they occupy no space in your bathroom. They are attached to your glass panel and slide along the panel as you open and close them. In addition to being the best fit for small bathrooms, they are known for their beauty and appeal. They can really make your bathroom look special. With sliding doors, your entry into the bathtub is special every time you go in. There are many other advantages in addition to beauty and appeal. Sliding frameless glass bathtub doors are a perfect protection for any children in the house. You can avoid some serious accidents with a door that completely seals your bathtub. The ease of going into the bathtub is real with sliding doors as there is enough space available for you to step in without any hassle.

Disadvantages

There is not much that you can say against frameless glass bathtub doors. The only thing that you have to be concerned about when installing them is the cost. Of course, they are more expensive than not only the shower curtains but fixed glass panels too. However, the value they offer after installation can easily make you forget about the costs. You can come across the issue of rough sliding doors but only when your door was not installed by professionals. If you have picked the right professionals, you will never come across this issue and your sliding doors will always be buttery smooth.

 

Types of Glasses to Choose From

Now, after you have made your choice whether you want to install a fixed panel or sliding doors, you will have to think about the material of your panels. There are many different types of materials available for frameless glass bathtub doors. As time passes and technology gets better, these options will only increase. Here are some of the common glass types available:

Clear Glass Bathtub Doors

This is the most basic type of glass that is often used for not only bathtub enclosures but shower enclosures as well. This glass is clear and you can see through it without any hindrance. Clear frameless glass bathtub doors are a preference for people who love and promote simplicity. Clear glass might look simple but it can add great elegance to any bathroom style when installed properly.

Low-Iron Glass Bathtub Doors

Low iron glass is just like clear glass but it is even clearer. When you look through this glass, you will feel as if there is not glass before your eyes. You would want this type of glass when you don’t want to hide the beauty of your bathroom’s design. These types of frameless glass bathtub doors look beautiful but do not become a distraction in a beautifully designed bathroom.

Etched Glass Bathtub Doors

Glass etching is a technique used for creating many different designs on the glass. There are many different ways to prepare etched glass and you can literally choose from an unlimited number of designs. The most common techniques used for glass etching today are acid etching and abrasive blasting aka sandblasting. Both these techniques can be used to create different patterns on the glass wherein the length of the process decides the strength of the effect. From floral designs to abstract art, you can find any options in etched glasses.

Tempered Glass Bathtub Doors

Tempered glass is all about safety and a perfect choice for any homeowners who pay serious attention to safety. As the name tells, tempered glass goes through tempering process to make it so strong that common glass cannot stand a chance against it. In the tempering process, the glass is first heated at great temperatures and then immediately cooled down. This process makes the glass extremely strong and a shield against heavy blows and weights. One of the best things about tempered glass is that it does not break in the form of long pieces and shards of glass. If you are somehow able to break this glass accidentally, it will convert into really small pieces to lower the risk of damage. If you have seen a car’s windshield breaking, you know what tempered glass is.

Take a look at our glass options gallery – color, etching and much more.

Thickness of Glass

One more important thing to decide when you are looking to install frameless glass bathtub doors is the thickness of the glass. You have to be extremely careful about the thickness of glass when dealing with frameless glass bathtub doors. Since there is no frame to support the glass, you have to pick the thick one. How thick of a glass you will pick also depends on the size of glass panel that needs to be installed in your bathroom. The bigger the panel you want the thicker the glass will have to be to support its own weight. Frameless glass door glasses can be as thick as ½-inch. However, any glass that is at least 3/8-inch thick is perfect for bathtub enclosures, moving or fixed.

Other Things to Consider

There can be several other little things that you have to take into account when looking for frameless glass bathtub doors. First, make sure you decide the type of door for your enclosure based on its practicality and not only looks. You don’t want a swinging door in a small bathroom, as it will leave no space for you to stand when you open it. Furthermore, have strong handles installed on the doors. In addition to these handles being strong, they should also look great with your bathtub enclosure door. Chromed handles are the best but you can always decide the color and design based on the décor of your bathroom.

You have to think of many different aspects when deciding the type of glass you want for your frameless glass bathtub doors. For some people, the looks matter the most but others like to have some privacy. Frosted glass or etched glass with some other designs is perfect for people who want privacy. If you do not like the idea of cleaning the enclosure over and over, etched and patterned glass has to be your choice. Etched glass is perfect at hiding spots on it. While the tint of glass has to be purely your choice, it is best that you choose clear glass or any glass with light tinting on it. You don’t want to drown your bathtub in darkness by choosing some really dark color.

 

The Most Important Decision to Make

The most important decision you have to make to get your favorite frameless glass bathtub doors is to decide if you want to do the job yourself or let professionals help you. Experts of the industry will always recommend that use only professional help when dealing with glass. Any small mishap while working with glass can cause severe damage to human body. Not to mention, fitting these huge glass panels in place perfectly is something near to impossible for people at home. Not only are they not aware of the challenges of fitting these panels and putting them in their places, but they don’t have the tools to do the job.

The first reason for not doing it on your own is security.

You should hand over this project to professionals from day one. Let them start by taking measurements in your bathroom. It would be best if you go for custom frameless glass bathtub doors. This way the professionals will take measurements of your bathroom and propose a solution that is unique to your bathroom size, décor and theme. You can take this responsibility on your shoulders but you will not know from where you have to start. Since glass is not a flexible and soft material like foam, even a millimeter of mistake in your measurements will lead to complete disasters. You might end up spending double the amount you had originally allocated for the project.

There are several online tutorials and videos guiding you on how you can install shower curtains and plastic shower splashguards, but those jobs are nothing compared to installing glass bathtub doors. In addition to doing the job perfectly, professional installers of frameless glass bathtub doors can also help you with other decisions down the road. They can recommend the best glass material, thickness, design and color for your job based on their experience. Be sure to think several times before you make this most important decision of remodeling your bathroom. The wise way of going about it is to let the professionals do their job.