Whether you’re helping a client design a frameless glass shower or starting a DIY bathroom renovation, it’s important to keep up with the latest in glass shower hardware trends and possibilities. While choosing from among options you like, it’s nice to pick looks that are on trend and may even boost resale appeal. We’ll take a look at popular glass shower designs, key pieces of hardware needed for each, and extra items you can add.

 

---

 

Glass Enclosures with One or More Swinging Doors

Many glass showers consist of a swinging door panel and one or more fixed panels, which is known as an in-line door and panel setup. On this type of enclosure, you will likely need:

Clamps for fastening fixed glass

Wall mount, glass to glass, or pivot hinges for the door panel

A pull handle, towel bar, or knob for the door

U-channel may also be used on this configuration. In some cases a tub or shower area is already enclosed on three sides and is finished off with double swinging doors. Here, no clamps or U-channel are needed, just hinges and door handles.

 

---

 

Shower Screen On Tub or Shower

A shower screen is a single piece of glass used for water containment. This works as long as the area around the shower is properly waterproofed, the shower floor slope and drain placement are correct, and the shower spray location is appropriate. Shower screens can be fixed or hinged. Clamps and/or U-channel are used for fixed screens, while wall mount hinges are typically used for operable hinges. Shower screens offer simplicity, keep continuity between the bathing area and the rest of the room, and can lower costs due to requiring less materials.

 

---

 

Frameless Sliding Shower Door System

Frameless sliders often consist of a door that glides along a header and past a fixed panel. Additional fixed panels are installed as needed to close off the shower area. Key metal components on these units include:

Metal header

Rollers

Clamps

Finger pull or door knob

The hardware for a frameless shower is generally sold as a kit – see example here. Glass in the appropriate dimensions is purchased separately, and the necessary holes are drilled in it. Frameless sliders are valued for bringing together frameless glass and the space efficient door operation once only available from bypass doors.

 

---

 

Extra Hardware Possibilities and Special Considerations

Through-glass or sleeve over robe hooks can be installed on shower glass, giving you another option for robe or towel storage. Extra towel bars can also be installed on the outside of fixed glass panels, as long as they won’t interfere with door operation. Sometimes particular designs suggest specific types of hardware:

When the focus is on the glass, small finger pulls may be preferred to larger handles.

Square edge clamps and hinges fit in well with modern design.

Fancy pull handles can help tie the shower enclosure in with the rest of the bathroom in a historic home.

Simple geometric pull handles and towel bars are at home in bathrooms of many styles.

 

---

 

Don’t Forget the Finish

We’ve looked at practical requirements for shower enclosure hardware as well as some of the possible styles. However, the choice of hardware finish is also an important one. Some of today’s hottest looks are:

Brushed Nickel

Matte Black

Satin Brass

Make each choice carefully so that the style and functionality of the hardware contribute to the success of your glass shower project. Shop Glass Simple for glass shower hardware, accessories and more!