As with any redesign or update you decide to make in your home, choosing a style that you like now and can see yourself still liking five or 10 years from now is usually a consideration. With so many design options available for the different rooms in your home, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. If you have recently decided that you want to get rid of your existing shower door but haven’t quite decided on a replacement yet, then Robby Smith of Superior Shower Doors LLC, a Marietta, Georgia company that specializes in shower doors, offers some suggestions based on what his past clients have found to be helpful.
A number of websites, including a page on Superior Shower Doors LLC’s site, have examples of bathroom designs and different ideas for new shower doors. Additionally, clients are encouraged to use the knowledge and experience that Smith and his team have to their advantage. By taking into consideration the layout of your bathroom, the type of shower or tub that you have, and your budget, Smith is able to offer clients recommendations whenever they ask for his opinion. One of his biggest pieces of advice is to show off the work you have already completed in the bathroom. If you have already spent the money having beautiful tiles placed in the shower, he says, then opt for a clear glass instead of hiding the tiles behind an opaque door.
Current trends also play a part in the style of the shower door that a homeowner will ultimately choose. Because a modern, simple look is popular in many areas of design, Smith has seen an increase in the number of requests he receives for frameless doors. Though the option has been around for years, the popularity has certainly spiked.
While frameless doors have become more standard in homes, there are other styles that are declining in popularity. On tubs, Smith says, sliding glass doors are almost always installed. However, now, very few homes have multiple tubs, if any at all. If there is a tub in the house, he explains, it isn’t in the master bathroom—with the exception of soaking tubs which don’t usually have doors or curtains at all. There you will predominantly see stand-up showers.
Once you have decided on the shower door you would like to see installed in your bathroom, a replacement won’t be needed for many years to come. However, when tastes and style preferences change, you may want to update your shower door as well to coincide with the remodel of your entire bathroom. Other times, the glaze of the door starts to get grimy because of soap scum, water stains, and cleaning chemicals that may cause homeowners to change their doors. With regular cleanings, however, most buildup can be prevented.
Regardless of why you are choosing a new shower door, it is always smart to do a little research beforehand. Whether you just take note of the different bathroom styles your friends and relatives have chosen or you pour through design magazines, having an idea of the direction you would like to go in will make narrowing down your options a lot easier. Any lingering questions or concerns you have about the style and durability of certain shower doors should then be directed towards the experts at the installation company you choose for your project.