Bathroom remodels these days typically include a glass shower installation. Frameless shower doors and enclosures are highly popular, and clear glass with black framing and gridwork is also gaining traction in the design world. When making the move from a shower curtain to shower doors, the focus is often on the glass and its impact on the space. Clear glass makes the room look bigger; glass adds sparkle and brightens up the ambiance: glass can be wiped clean and sanitized; and so forth. These are all good points, and there’s no doubt that switching to a shower enclosure made primarily of glass is a positive move. However, the choice of hardware is just as important, and we’ll look at three reasons why.

 

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1. Metal components are vital to glass shower construction and stability.

On framed showers of old, aluminum framing was an integral part of the design, keeping the glass in place and providing stability and rigidity. However, this is either eliminated – frameless – or reduced – semi-frameless – on many showers today. Instead, the glass panels are held in position by:

Clamps that secure glass to adjoining walls or glass panels

Hinges that attach a glass door and allow it to swing open

U-channels which can also be used for holding stationary glass pieces in place

Caulk joints connecting glass to glass

As you can see, frameless glass showers still require metal, but now small hardware components are used instead of the more prominent aluminum framework.

 

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2. Hardware defines the style of a glass enclosure.

Clear glass is the most popular choice for shower enclosures, and this is a neutral material. While this allows it to match various bathroom themes and color schemes, it does not impart a specific style to the stall. Here are some of the possibilities from which you’ll choose.

Clamps and hinges can have square edges like this or beveled edges like this.

Pull handles are available in many simple and more decorative designs, as you can see here,

Optional hardware like towel bars or robe hooks that provide extra storage can further contribute to your chosen style.

Let’s take a closer look at different possible vibes that you can create through your choice of hardware. For starters, square edges are more contemporary and beveled edges are more traditional. Choosing a simple geometric pull handle tends toward a modern style. A handle with a bit more character, like a this, is very suitable for styles like contemporary farmhouse, Scandinavian, and Japandi. Finally, an ornate handle is perfect for quiet luxury or formal designs.

 

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3. The hardware finish further completes the style and impacts the room’s color temperature.

Generally speaking, hardware finishes fall into four categories: silver tones, golden tones, neutral tones, and painted colors. Today, hardware with a paint finish in red or white is not very on trend. However, the other three categories are in full force. Silver based hardware finishes like chrome and brushed nickel are classics that increase and decrease in trendiness, but they remain tasteful and acceptable at all times. For a number of years now, matte black – a neutral – has been trending. It can be used alone as the only finish in a room or combined with one or two other metallic shades. Golden hues, satin brass and brushed bronze specifically, have recently seen a serious uptick.

Silvery finishes cool the room’s color temperature and create a calm, sophisticated vibe. Matte black can be a grounding element that gives the room timeless charm. On the other hand, hardware with a gold-based finish will give your glass shower a posh and luxuriant vibe.

 

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Work with Glass Simple to achieve your bathroom goals.

Glass Simple takes the hassle out of sourcing the frameless glass shower hardware you need. Our team is committed to customer care, and everything on our website is in stock. We prioritize quick turn around times so that your order is promptly shipped out or readied for local pickup. We serve both homeowners and construction professionals. To sign up for a B2B account and receive pricing discounted by 25% or more, contact us online or call (571)707-7760.