Glass truly takes center stage on frameless showers, as hinges, caulk joints, and small clamps replace bulky aluminum frames. This means that your choice of glass will significantly impact the design and is worthy of thoughtful selection. We’ll look at the features, pros, and cons of the top three glass style picks for frameless shower designs and also touch on how the hardware finish can contribute to your desired look for the completed installation.

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Clear Shower Glass

 

Today’s top pick is undeniably clear glass. Bathroom remodels often include impressive shower wall coverings like large format stone tiles, hand-painted tiles, or a mix of porcelain and specialty glass tiles. Once a homeowner has created a gorgeous interior for their shower, they are often unenthused about hiding this behind obscure glass. Also, having a transparent barrier between the shower area and the rest of the room makes the space feel larger and the shower area brighter. There are a couple of variations when clear glass is preferred.

• Standard Clear Glass: Normal clear glass is transparent, but the iron present in glass gives it a green tinge that is especially noticeable around the edges. For many homeowners, this level of clarity is acceptable, and the fact that it’s less expensive than the alternative is appealing.
• Low Iron Glass: On the other hand many homeowners want premium clarity that will give the best possible view of the shower tile and maximize the impression of spaciousness within the bathroom. Since low iron glass has much less of the green tinge mentioned above, it is the preferred choice for many renovators.

 

Regardless of which type of clear glass is chosen, is offers a neutral and versatile look, which means that the hardware finish will have a big impact on the style of a clear glass enclosure. If you want the hardware to be as unobtrusive as possible and are seeking a cool, sleek vibe, chrome and brushed nickel will be appealing. On the other hand, if you want hardware that really doubles as an ornament and gives the clear glass a pop of luxury, something in gold family – like satin brass – will be best. Finally, the pairing of clear glass and matte black hardware has gained a lot of traction. This dark finish will really stand out against the clear glass and draw the eye to the hardware. It can also contrast pleasantly with the white and cream elements so frequently present in bathrooms.

 

Acid-Etched Shower Glass

 

In spite of its manifold attractions, clear glass is not the right choice for every shower enclosure. Although it’s often a go-to for ensuites and other primary bathrooms, some prefer a more private shower area even in this situation. Likewise, many homes include high-traffic family bathrooms in which a child might want to brush his teeth while his brother is showering, for example. Obviously, obscure glass is the appropriate choice here and even in many guest bathrooms. When glass is treated with acid and then washed, it is left with a uniform “frostiness” across its surface. As such, acid-etched glass has a neutral and versatile appearance. Because this glass has a whitish hue, your hardware finish will stand out more strongly against the background on which it is installed, and matte black in particular will really pop.

 

Patterned Shower Glass

 

When privacy is a consideration, the other popular choice is patterned glass. The precise options will depend on the glass company or supplier that you use but may include:

• fluted
• rain
• reed
• aquatex

 

Like acid-etched glass, patterned glass will give the shower user some privacy. It also adds character and texture, so it can liven up a boring space.  If you want your chosen pattern to be a focal point, you might want simple hardware, such as a tubular pull handle.

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We invite you to choose Glass Simple for your hardware, stock glass panels, and more! Contact our team at (571) 707-7760.