Design Considerations for a Shower Enclosure

CONCORD — One of the most critical parts of remodeling a bathroom is designing the shower enclosure. Due to the importance of both aesthetic and functional aspects, it’s important to choose a visually appealing design that also serves your specific needs. Fortunately, in today’s market, there are many shower design options to choose from.

One crucial aesthetic choice is whether to go with a framed or frameless enclosure. While a framed enclosure is a more conventional option, a frameless enclosure is a good choice for a modern and/or minimalist design. Going frameless is also optimal for a shower that features ornate tile or stonework, since there are no frames or channels to detract from the view.

Another important consideration is door design and orientation. If you have small children who need assistance with bathing, a swinging door situated midway of the tub’s length is a good option, as it will permit full access to the tub. In smaller bathrooms where toilets or vanities present obstacles, a swinging door may not work, in which case a sliding door may be best. Fortunately, sliders can also be custom-designed. They can even be curved to accommodate a round bathing area.

One increasingly popular design option is to fully enclose the shower for the purpose of steam encapsulation, which creates a spa-like atmosphere. A common feature of these shower enclosures is an operative transom above the door, which can either be kept closed to hold in the steam or opened to let it escape. By providing ventilation when desired, this feature allows for a fully customizable bathing experience.