As bathrooms become more contemporary, homeowners are taking an interest in sleeker, more functional shower doors. These 7 will fit into your next project.
Showers are increasingly the focal point of bathroom projects, both in new builds and remodels. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2019 Bathroom Design Trends report, showers and shower surrounds are the most interesting new product category that residential construction professionals are watching.
At the same time, they are growing more contemporary, with large expanses of frameless glass enclosures replacing clunkier door designs of the past. This fits into greater bath design trends: The NKBA found that transitional and contemporary styles are still the most popular for baths. Seventy-six percent of designer respondents reported using transitional style often or sometimes, and 58% reported designing a contemporary bath.
Sliding Glass Shower Doors are Trending
A variety of frameless glass door styles fit right into that trend, with their clear sight lines and minimal bulk. Classic pivoting doors can work if the bath has the space for a door swing. But in narrower baths, professionals are placing that same frameless glass on a sliding system. Much like barn door-style openings elsewhere in the home, sliding glass shower doors are trending, says Daniel Estrada, content specialist and senior copywriter for C.R. Laurence Co.
“One of the biggest trends at the moment are sliding shower door systems, particularly because of their versatility, modern looks, smooth operation, and their ability to save space in smaller bathrooms,” says Estrada. “They’re also easy to install because we sell them in kits that include all of the hardware needed.”
Large, elegant showers are replacing bathtubs as a focal point for the bathroom, especially for homeowners who are looking to age in place. A striking glass door paired with a zero-threshold shower can add both modern style and accessibility to a bath.
“Zero-threshold showers are huge with today's remodelers and builders,” says Richard Caplan, director of marketing at Aston. “Paired with a truly frameless design, it's a great way to visually enlarge the bathroom, because the shower seems to merge with the rest of the bathroom's interior layout. On the safety front, with a growing percentage of homeowners entering an independent living boom, zero-threshold formats are ideal for those with limited mobility.”
On the hardware side, Caplan is still seeing a lot of the typical brushed stainless, polished chrome, solid bronze, but he is also noticing the inclusion of newer finishes such as matte black, muted gold, and oil rubbed bronze. Estrada agrees that matte black is particularly popular with contemporary homes.
Beyond style, hardware serves a second purpose for frameless showers, which offer little flexibility when doors are out of plumb.
“It’s important to not only take exact measurements, but also research to see if your shower's hardware can provide adjustment even slightly,” Caplan says.
Whatever your bath configuration or shower door needs, these 7 will give you inspiration for your next project.
1. Kohler
The Levity sliding glass shower door features bypassable glass panels, which make installation easier by allowing the door to be adjusted while hanging. It is constructed from 1/4-inch-thick Crystal Clear tempered glass with CleanCoat® nanotechnology, helping prevent bacteria, mildew and water stains.
2. Chicago Glass and Mirror
This frameless door is constructed from 3/8-inch Clear Safety Tempered Glass and includes both top and bottom pivot hinges, allowing the door to swing in or out. The hinges also place the weight of the glass on the threshold, rather than on the wall. The company can also eliminate the need for plastic sweeps on either side of the door, making the appearance more elegant.
3. Delta
The 3-Piece Corner Hinged Frameless Shower Enclosure measures 36 by 36 by 76 inches and is available at Home Depot. The door opening is about 24 inches wide and can open on the right or left. Hardware comes in brushed nickel.
4. Aston
The Madox Frameless Alcove Pivot Shower Door is made from 3/8-inch tempered clear glass with the company’s StarCast easy-clean coating. The doors format can adapt within up to 6 inches of width difference, ensuring a water-tight fit in an existing shower alcove. It can be used with a low-threshold. Hardware is available in chrome, stainless steel, or oil rubbed bronze (shown) finishes.
5. Coastal Shower Doors
Eclipse is a semi-frameless shower door that uses overlapping panels and smooth-gliding rollers to create a barn door-style shower door that keeps out water. The anodized aluminum frame, stainless-steel handles, brackets, and fasteners are available in a black finish. Black grills can be added to create a grid look.
6. CR Laurence
Victoria Series hinges are designed for heavier, wider shower doors, and can be installed to a wall or in 180 degree glass-to-glass configurations. Six finishes are available, including polished chrome, brass, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, polished nickel, and satin chrome.
7. Krownlab
The Rorik sliding glass door hardware is compatible with a variety of glass sizes, including 1/2-inch and 3/8-inch thicknesses and widths of up to 6 feet, creating up to a 3-foot opening. It can be used with concrete or tile shower pans and is available in alcove and corner configurations. The ADA-compatible door is available in brushed or black stainless finishes.
