If you’re adding a glass shower to your bathroom, your picks for the glass type and the style and finish of the hardware will give the enclosure its unique character. One of the biggest decision you’ll tackle is whether to use clear or obscure glass. We’ll take a look at the features, pros, and cons of these two options to help you make informed picks for each bathroom in your home.

---

 

Why do so many people choose clear glass?

 

First off, it’s noteworthy that clear glass is the most common choice among homeowners and designers today. Why?

• A clear barrier keeps the shower area sight from other parts of the room, which in turn makes the whole space look larger.
• When homeowners remodel, they often spend lots of time and money choosing new tile for the shower walls, and they don’t want to hide this investment behind obscure glass.
• Clear glass helps make the inside of the shower stall bright and cheery.
• The smooth exterior of clear glass means that it’s easier to get truly clean, even though it doesn’t camouflage water spots like acid-etched (frosted) glass can.
• Clear glass is fully neutral and will look just as good with any hardware finish from chrome to matte black.

 

In which type of bathrooms is clear glass most often used?

 

It can also be helpful to look at where in a home these transparent barriers are most frequently used. Clear glass shower doors and enclosures are a top pick for primary bathrooms. Often shared by spouses, this space is one where privacy between different parts of the bathroom is not necessarily a concern. Also, many couples want their ensuite bathroom to be a spa-inspired and luxurious retreat. They will add elements like fancy hardware with a satin brass finish, a chandelier over the sink, or a soaker tub. In a setting like this, stylish clear shower glass seems like the logical pick for lots of homeowners. At the same time, some people just prefer a private shower area, no matter which bathroom it is, and this leads into our next topic.

 

In what settings is obscure glass more appropriate?

 

As noted above, sometimes obscure glass is preferred even in a primary bathroom. In this case, the homeowners can still keep the wall tile somewhat visible by opting for a custom sand-blasted or acid-etched privacy strip around the middle of the glass panels, with the upper and lower sections left clear. A more common location for obscure glass, though, is in a bathroom shared by siblings. On busy school mornings, a child might want to use the sink while her sister is using the shower, and having a private shower area just makes sense. Guest bathrooms can go either way. Some homeowners choose to create the feel of an upscale hotel and opt for clear glass, while others choose obscure to make the bathroom more versatile.

---

 

If your shower project calls for stock glass panels or frameless shower hardware, we invite you to give Glass Simple a try. We offer a wide range of products in various styles, finishes, and brands – including our own Glass Simple brand! Call our Virginia-based team with any questions or to register a B2B account and save site-wide – (571)707-7760.