Shower Door Design

Over recent years, the trend of creating a spa-bathroom has skyrocketed. Bathrooms have transformed from serving as a purely functional space into a space that homeowners enjoy and want to spend their time in. Thus, bathroom design has changed immensely, which includes everything from the layout, square footage, materials, fixtures, and more.

Up until now, one of the most popular shower configurations was the standard shower/tub combo since it promoted functionality and "did the job." Currently, the big trend in bathroom design is to either convert the shower/tub combo into a walk-in shower, or adding square footage into the bathroom for a separate shower and bathtub. (Feel free to check out this blog post on Creating an Efficient Shower Design For Your Bathroom Reno). Since separate shower spaces are rising in popularity, the design of the shower becomes a high priority in bathroom renovation planning. One design aspect of the shower to be considered is the shower door.

Shower Door Design

Previously, shower doors had a simple function to keep water off of the floor to prevent any water damage to the space. Now, shower doors are no longer an afterthought of the room; they can even be a focal point.

Since homeowners aren't confined to the standard shower/tub combinations (and standard shower doors), there is much more opportunity for creativity in the design of the shower door. With so many options to choose from when choosing a shower door, you might be wondering "what are some popular designs?" Well, let's take a look at a couple of the current trends in shower door designs.

Design Trends

The minimalist design trend has become popular for the home, including the bathroom (and shower door). A minimalist shower door typically has less (or nonexistent) hardware and framing.  This design tactic is perfect for intricate shower tile designs as this allows you to show off the shower design. It also makes the bathroom appear lighter and more open.

On the other hand, this is an increase in popularity in having the shower door as a strong focal point. This includes choosing bolder finishes such as dark bronze and warm brass for the door's hardware and framing.

Concerning the glass on the shower door, current style trends tend to favor clear glass. While the traditional frosted glass provides privacy, clear glass creates an open feel and can give the illusion of a larger space.

Choosing the Shower Door

When choosing a shower door, it is important to look at the types of doors offered. There are several types of shower doors to choose from, including sliding, pivoting, and hinged doors. Typically, sliding doors are good for shower/tub combos, while pivoting doors are a good choice for a narrow shower. Ultimately, the type of door you choose will be the one that suits your shower configuration and space the best.

Once the door type is chosen, the glass, hardware, and framing should be picked out. Choosing the right finishes on the shower door can help tie the shower design with the rest of the bathroom. If you have any questions on getting started with your bathroom remodel, feel free to reach out to us to schedule a free in-home consultation.

Design Ideas for Aging in Place

Aging in place can be an extremely attractive option for many homeowners. Continuing to live in your own home often means more freedom in decision making and keeping ties with close neighbors and relatives. More often than not, many homes require several home improvement projects to accommodate homes for aging in place.

Like any other home improvement project, there is no one size fits all plan for aging in place accommodations. A good place to start is with universal design, which is the approach to design that aims to satisfy the widest range of people. A couple of universal design principles for aging in place include widened doorways and a no step entry.

Designing a bathroom to age in place can be dreadful. Many homeowners may feel as though they have to choose between an efficient design and an aesthetically pleasing design.

Photo: Homedit

Zero-threshold, or curb-less showers, are great for accessibility and have a simple, elegant design. They are especially perfect for those of you who prefer a shower over a bath and want to age in place. In addition, curb-less showers incorporate linear drains, which requires the floor to be pitched in one direction. This means that homeowners can choose to use the same floor tile throughout the whole space.

Going with a curb-less shower requires a continuous water barrier past the shower area. How far the water barrier extends will depend on whether there's gasketing on the bottom of the shower door and the direction of the water. An alternative to a curb-less shower is a roll-in curb, which looks like a small speed bump. This can help to keep water from spreading throughout.

Photo: Consumerreports.org

With bathroom safety being a concern for many homeowners, the addition of grab bars into the bathroom design is a good idea. For those not ready to commit, blocking for grab bars is a great way to think ahead and to avoid any future headaches of installing them.

Planning a bathroom for aging in place does not have to be dreadful. With simple and elegant designs, along with some pre-planning, an aging in place bathroom can be relaxing and enjoyable. For more aging in place remodeling ideas, visit the National Association of Home Builders' Checklist or contact us.