Shower enclosures can transform a small bathroom in many ways. Custom shower enclosures can give a bathroom a sophisticated, luxurious look without breaking the bank. Other than using a standard shower curtain, a glass door is the next most-popular option for enclosing a shower.
Here’s a quick crash course on shower enclosures to help you create your own spa-like retreat. Shower enclosures come in three shapes: quadrant, square and rectangle. … Although a shower enclosure is defined as one or more panels enclosing a shower area, some models do not have doors. Nothing opens up a bathroom, especially a small one, like a glass shower enclosure. These types of enclosures are available in a variety of tints and textures. Glass enclosures allow more light to enter, are easy to keep clean, and make your bathroom feel more spacious. The two main types of glass enclosures available are framed or frameless. So if you’re looking for the best shower doors for small spaces, we’ve found some nice ideas for you below:
10 Amazing Small Shower Enclosures
DreamLine Aqua Fold Frameless Bi-Fold Shower Door in Chrome
The DreamLine AquaFold is a Bi-Fold shower or tub screen that has a modern design with a European flare. The AquaFold features a trackless style and a continuous self-centering pivot that will add style and create an open, inviting shower space. The DreamLine AquaFold model will transform your bathroom with charm and style to match its functionality. Professional installation recommended. Base sold seperately.Click here for more info.
DreamLine Flex Semi-Frameless Pivot Shower Door, Chrome
The FLEX pivot shower door from DreamLine has an accommodating classic design to enhance your shower space. Choose the FLEX shower door to complete your bathroom with a modern and innovative design at a fraction of the custom glass price. Reversible for right or left door opening installation. Click here for more info.
SUNNY SHOWER Sliding Shower Door， Neo-Round Corner Frameless Shower Enclosure
Sunny Shower’s frameless enclosure attractively featured a curved design double sliding glass shower enclosure with rustproof and waterproof function. You can choose this shower door and install in corner to save space. 2 stainless steel vertical handle is easier for you to hold. Shower base is not included. SUNNY SHOWER want to give you a clear and tidy shower experience by decorating a comfortable private bathroom space. Click here for more info.
ELEGANT Double Opening Sliding Shower Enclosure
Elegant brings you an elegant modern design. With clear tempered glass- ANSI Z97.1 certified. No shatter and easy to maintain. Full length magnetic door strips and clear vinyl door seals make up a great water barrier, no leakage and keep your bathroom always in tidy and clean. Click here for more info.
DreamLine Enigma-X Frameless Sliding Shower Enclosure
The DreamLine Enigma-X shower enclosure brings an air of sophistication and luxury with its modern and fully frameless design. The striking stainless steel hardware delivers a perfect mix of exceptional quality and cool urban style. Glass is treated with DreamLine exclusive ClearMax water repellant and stain resistant coating for superior protection and easy maintenance. Fully Frameless design for an open and spacious feeling. Shower base sold separately). Click here for more info.
Aston Avalux GS Completely Frameless Shower Enclosure
The Avalon gs completely frameless square/rectangular hinged shower enclosure with glass Shelving series provides a contemporary, upscale showering experience in your existing shower space. Available in a number of sizes, the Avalon comes ready to install, complete with 10Mm ansi-certified clear or frosted tempered glass, choice of chrome, brushed stainless steel or chrome finish. Base not included. Click here for more info.
VIGO Frameless Rectangular Sliding Shower Door Enclosure
This VIGO Enclosure adds a touch of elegance and luxury to any bathroom. This contemporary shower door combines a sleek frameless design, with superior quality clear tempered glass. Wall mount brackets adjust to accommodate out-of-plumb walls, making it possible to have a seemless installation. Stainless steel construction hardware ensures superior quality and durability, VIGO lifetime guarantee to never rust. This enclosure includes VIGO shower base. Click here for more info.
DreamLine Cornerview Framed Sliding Shower Enclosure in Chrome
The DreamLine Cornerview sliding shower enclosure provides a modern solution to maximize space with a corner installation and center opening design. The Cornerview has a straight edged style that provides a comfortable showering space. The Cornerview can fit into virtually any corner, making it perfect for smaller bathrooms. Instantly upgrade the look and feel of your bath space with the Cornerview sliding shower enclosure (not included). Click here for more info.
The DreamLine Enigma-Z is a fully frameless shower enclosure is the epitome of sophistication, elegance and modern innovation, with a design that rivals custom glass. The Enigma-Z shines with stainless steel hardware for luxurious style and exceptional quality. DreamLine exclusive ClearMax water and stain resistant glass coating adds superior protection from stains and is nearly maintenance-free. Model is reversible for a right or left door opening installation. Optional SlimLine shower base available (sold separately). Click here for more info.
Mecor Frameless Hinged Shower Door Chrome Finish
This design from Mecor is not an enclosure but with this frameless glass door design and a standard 48″ shower base (not included) it is an amazing package. The door, with a walk-in opening can be installed one the left or right with simple installation. High quality materials are used including 1/4″(6MM) Thick safety clear tempered glass. Stationary panel requires a Support Arm for additional stability. Click here for more info.
Finding The Best Small Shower Enclosures
When designing bathrooms, there is one major challenge that most owners of small bathrooms face; the decision on what to include and what not to include in the bathroom. Of course, bathroom toilets and basins are must inclusions in the bathroom. This challenge comes in when decisions, of whether to include a bath or a shower, have to be made.
There are so many varieties of showers and baths available in the market. However, most owners of small bathrooms are now ditching the shower baths in their bathrooms. Rather, they are opting for stylish shower enclosures in the shower rooms. But, just what is a shower enclosure?
What Is A Shower Enclosure?
A shower enclosure refers to the particular area of a bathroom that consists of only a shower. The shower enclosures are, at most times, enclosed using panels. The traditionally designed shower enclosures were quite smaller and simpler. However, modern shower enclosures are designed with quite big and comfortable spaces. Some shower enclosures are so big, as to accommodate even multiple bathroom users and multiple shower heads as well as body sprays.
Shower enclosures can be designed around bathroom windows. Such a design allows for natural light to penetrate into the shower enclosure. Benches can also be included in the shower enclosures, where a bathroom user can unwind in the steam, or even soak as well.
The most common shower enclosures are designed in three shapes. These shapes are quadrant shapes, square shapes, and rectangular shapes. They can be designed with or without doors. When doors are present in the shower enclosures, these can either be left-handed doors or right-handed doors. Some shower enclosures are designed to sit on trays built at the bottom of the shower closures while others are designed to sit on bathroom floor tiles.
Installing shower enclosures comes with so many benefits. For instance, shower enclosures save time. They also use less water compared to the baths. This makes them very eco-friendly. The biggest advantage of shower enclosures is that they do not take up much of the bathroom space. Therefore, they can even be fitted in small bathrooms, and still, leave more space which can be maximized in these bathrooms.
Three Types Of Shower Enclosures
When you go out shopping, you will find a wide range of shower enclosure choices available in the market. Shower enclosures come in so many sizes, colors, shapes, and styles. The many varieties of shower enclosures available make the decision on which shower enclosure to choose even harder. However, be assured that, with adequate research and searching, you will always find that perfect shower enclosure for your small bathroom.
The following are the three most common shower enclosures that are available in the market today;
1.) Quadrant Shower Enclosures
The quadrant shower enclosure is designed in such a way that it fits specifically into the corner of the bathroom space. The front part of this shower enclosure is curved, so as to fit even in tight spaces and corners. This is a modernly designed shower enclosure.
Quadrant shower enclosures are ideal for small bathrooms. They do not take up much space in the bathroom. They utilize the corner parts of small bathrooms, which are at most times left unused.
Advantages
Quadrant shower enclosures save up bathroom space. They provide enough and comfortable bathing space, at the same time, leaving adequate bathroom space outside the cubicle enclosure.
The quadrant shower enclosure is designed with a much softer shape, as compared to the angular shapes of other shower enclosures. The softer shape of this shower enclosure enhances the cost design and stylish look of small bathrooms.
Most types of shower enclosures are hard to clean, having large glass surface areas to cover and more angular corners to scrub. On the contrary, quadrant shower enclosures are easy to clean and maintain. This is because these shower enclosures have curved corners, hence lack right-angle corners where dirt may accumulate. They, also, have a small glass surface area, which can be cleaned quite fast.
For those who love customizing their possessions, this shower enclosure would be the most ideal for them. This is because these shower enclosures are designed with sliding doors that can be customized according to the owner’s preferences and tastes. The sliding doors, also, have an added advantage in that they help to save the bathroom space.
Disadvantages
Quadrant shower cubicles are not best suited for bigger bathrooms. This is due to their small size, which is most fit for smaller bathrooms with premium spaces. Also, laying new pipes for the installation of these shower enclosures can prove to be quite a hard task, making the entire installation process quite difficult.
2.) Frameless Shower Enclosures
These shower enclosures are frameless. This means that they lack any hardware and frames around the glass enclosure. The glass sheet is held in position by several clipping systems. Compared to the framed shower enclosure, the frameless shower enclosure has a thicker glass.
Advantages
Frameless shower enclosures enhance the stylish designs in a bathroom. The fact that they do not include any hardware around the glass, means that a bathroom owner can decorate and customize the remaining space of the bathroom.
The frameless shower cubicle’s doors can fit every bathroom size. Even when you don’t find the right door for your bathroom size, you have the option of cutting the frameless glass into the right size. In other words, frameless shower enclosure doors are very flexible.
Since these shower enclosures lack hardware, they do not corrode. Hence, you do not need to replace the frameless shower enclosures, as most replacements are brought about by corroding of metal hardware. They last for longer and maintain their good appearances for longer time durations.
Disadvantages
The frameless shower enclosure is very expensive and not really budget-friendly. This shower enclosure, also, lacks a metal hardware insulation. This increases the chances of leaks of shower water.
A rare disadvantage of frameless shower enclosures is that, at times, too much heat can lead to the shattering of the glass. This is because the shower enclosure is made using tempered glass.
3.) Walk-in Shower Enclosures
These are unique types of shower enclosures. Walk-in shower enclosures lack doors separating them from the remaining bathroom space. They appear to be just a continuous part of the bathroom spaces. This shower enclosure is a modern design and has been gaining a lot of popularity among bathroom owners in the recent past.
Advantages
Walk-in shower enclosures do not require that a person install full shower stalls. Their continuous nature with the rest of the bathroom makes small bathrooms appear larger and spacious.
These shower enclosures don’t take up much of the bathroom space. They don’t require any walls or curbs; all they require is a space for the body sprays and a shield. Walk-in showers, hence, certainly save up a lot of bathroom space.
Disadvantages
Walk-in showers cause water pooling on the bathroom floor. This happens since the shower enclosure floor is designed to be continuous with the rest of the bathroom floor. Even when the shower enclosure floor is sloped so that water can flow into the drains, this might lead to the bathroom space appearing tilted.
Walk-in shower enclosures are also very cold. This is because they lack actual enclosure systems that can capture the steam produced. Longer showers in these shower enclosures can, therefore, prove to be too chilly and uncomfortable.
How To Clean A Shower Enclosure
It is highly recommended that shower enclosures be cleaned weekly so as to prevent the building up of soap scums and dirt deposits, as well as maintain the glass’ sparkle look. When this debris builds up in the shower enclosures, it could lead to permanent damage to the shower enclosure systems. Actually, to minimize the dirt which accumulates on the shower enclosure, you can try wiping the glass down using a microfiber cloth or a squeegee. This you can be doing after each bath.
You don’t have to go about buying those supermarket chemicals for cleaning your shower enclosures. Even with simple kitchen products, vinegar, and baking soda, you can perfectly clean your shower enclosure. The following are tips on how you can use such products to clean the shower glass;
- Use soft sheets and sponges to remove any soap scums and limescale deposits.
- Mix half a cupful of baking soda with water to form a paste. Then, using a non-abrasive sponge wash the glass. Finish up by rinsing the glass with vinegar.
- Heat white vinegar that is not diluted. Then, soaks a microfiber cloth, or alternatively a sponge, in the vinegar and scrub the shower glass. This helps to remove stained soap scums.
These tips will provide you with a sparkling clean and hygienic bathroom shower enclosure.
What Are Shower Stall Kits?
Shower stall kits refer to any prefabricated shower enclosures, whether closed or semi-closed. Most of the shower stall kits are designed using fiberglass or acrylic materials. They are easily installed in the bathrooms. Also, they are most suited for use in smaller bathroom spaces.
Depending on the space available in the bathroom, shower stall kits can be installed on either one piece or multiple pieces of continuous construction. One-piece shower stall kits are most ideal for new houses while multiple piece shower stall kits are best for remodeled and renovated houses.
Shower kits consist of every shower essential that a bathroom user may require. They consist of shower bases, panels for the enclosure as well as doors or even bathtubs. These three features may be provided in separate pieces, so as to provide more flexibility and customization opportunities to the bathroom users. Also, shower stall kits may or may not include showerhead and tap-wares.
There are different types of shower stall kits in the market. However, the most popular shower stall kits are the corner shower kits. Corner shower kits are designed with a tray or alternatively, a base. They are installed beneath the showers, such that shower water drops on them. They are attached to the bathroom walls, with the enclosures and stalls located at the front side. These are the most sold-out shower stall kits, following the many advantages that these have to offer.
Advantages Of Corner Shower Kits
The following are the advantages of corner shower kits;
1.) Easy To Clean
Corner shower kits are designed with fewer seals. They, also, lack tile grouts, which can be very hard to clean. This makes the corner shower kits very easy to clean, which also saves time.
2.) Less Time For Fitting
Fitting the corner shower kits takes very little time. This is because corner shower kits lack tile grouts. Lack of grouts means a lack of grout work and lesser mess made. It also means that there would neither be any cutting of tiles nor setting of tile glue. These are activities that can take up much of the installation time. Their absence, therefore, helps to save time for the installation of the corner shower kits.
3.) Easy To Install
Corner shower kits are easy to install. This makes the installation process both quicker and very cost-effective.
4.) Affordable Prices
Unlike most shower kits, corner shower kits are relatively cheaper. Actually, these shower kits cost even lesser, compared to tiling. This is because tiling is a tough task, hence requires additional costs. On the other hand, installing a corner shower stall kit is very simple, calling for lesser costs incurred.
5.) Easy To Customize
Corner shower stall kits are very easy to customize. You can install kits of varying sizes, shapes, colors and designs. These you can customize to fit your tastes and preferences and bring to life your dream shower stalls.
6.) Lesser Chances of Cracks
Unlike tiles, which easily crack when exposed to harsh weather conditions, corner shower stalls have lesser chances for cracking. This is because they are built with fiberglass. Fiberglass is known for its high resistance to leaks and cracks, even under harsh environmental conditions.
7.) Can Fit Small Bathrooms
Corner shower stall kits are the most preferred for small bathrooms. This is because they take up lesser space in the bathrooms. They, also, can fit well into the bathroom corners, saving up more bathroom space.
Conclusion
Having a small bathroom does not mean that you limit yourself to experiencing the relaxing feel of upgraded bathrooms. All you need to do is include a shower enclosure in your small bathroom, with a fully stocked shower stall kit, and you will experience this feeling to the fullest.