Building a walk-in shower in your bathroom can be a complex and arduous process. From researching to designing your glass shower enclosure, to installation, to upkeep; it can seem like a daunting project.
That’s why we put together this comprehensive guide from the experts– to help you through the entire process, from start to finish. You’ll be a walk-in shower pro in no time.
How to Use this Article
This article was created by experts to help you with your walk-in shower upgrade, no matter where you are in the process. If you haven’t started yet, we recommend you read the whole article through and bookmark it to come back to throughout your renovation.
However, if you’ve already started upgrading, go ahead and click through to the section that best describes the stage you’re in. Even if you’ve finished your glass shower door remodel, we have maintenance tips to keep your walk-in shower looking new for years.
Content Overview
- Stage 1: Research and Plan Your Walk-in Shower Upgrade
- Stage 2: Design and Choose Your Glass Shower Door
- Stage 3: Maintain Your Shower Enclosure
Pro Tip: We can help you through this whole process. Give us a call at (214) 821-2886 or fill out this contact form to get a free quote today.
Stage 1: Research and Plan Your Walk-in Shower Upgrade
You’ve just decided to upgrade your walk-in shower. But before you contact any glass experts, you need to do your research and prepare. Below is everything you need to know when researching and planning.
What to Research Before You Install Glass Shower Doors
Before you get started with your walk-in shower upgrade, you need to make a few decisions. The first step is to start thinking about what kind of glass shower door you want. You don’t have to make any design decisions yet but have some idea of what you like. Do you want a standalone shower, tub, or combination? What features are most important to you? Save pictures of walk-in showers you like (see styles and options in Stage 2: Designing and Choosing Your Glass Shower Door).
Related: 7 Questions to Ask Before You Install Glass Shower Doors
The next step is to organize your thoughts.
You need to figure out a couple of things:
- Your budget
- The styles you like
Make sure that you understand what this type of upgrade will cost you because you may need to hire more than a glass company (i.e., a plumber). You’ll also want to plan for any unexpected surprises that often accompany any renovation. Thinking these things through and staying organized will keep you on track to have the shower of your dreams.
Related: 5 Secrets to a Successful Glass Shower Door Remodel
Once you do those two things, you will be ready to contact a few glass experts. But make sure that you ask them a few questions about the process. Is the price estimate final? How long will it take them to measure and install?
When you have these details down, you can then move on to stage 2.
Related: How to Make Your Glass Shower Door the Focal Point in Your Bathroom
Stage 2: Design and Choose Your Glass Shower Door
Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to get serious about the design and style you want for your walk-in shower. Below we’ve listed a few of the steps you’ll need to take to design your shower enclosure, plus some different styles you may want to take into consideration.
The Step-by-Step Process for Choosing Your New Glass Shower Door
When you’re ready to start designing and choosing which glass shower door you want, there are several steps you’ll want to take.
You need to:
- Know your space
- Select your style
- Choose your glass
- Match your finishes
The most important aspects of choosing a design are thinking about your budget, the space, and the overall style you want in your bathroom. Do you want a framed shower door to match your other finishes? Are you going for a minimalist style instead?
It all depends on your needs and your bathroom. Don’t design your shower enclosure in a vacuum. Take other things into consideration, like the layout, the finishes, the style, etc.
Related: 4 Tips to Help You Choose a New Glass Shower Door
Your Glass Shower Door Options
When you’re considering what styles you like best, you might want to take current trends into consideration. For instance, a lot of people enjoy frameless clear glass shower doors and partial enclosures. The most important thing is to be true to your personal style though.
If you do that, your design will be timeless, and you’ll be much happier with your upgrade.
Related: Top 7 Glass Shower Door Trends
Now that you’re thinking of all the nitty-gritty details, it’s time to go over your options. For walk-in showers, there are endless selections and styles.
You could go with:
- Framed Shower Doors
- Frameless Shower Doors
- Semi-framed Shower Doors
- Swinging Doors
- Bifold Doors
- Sliding Shower Doors
Ultimately, you’ll make your choice based on your personal style and taste. Framed shower doors are great if you want to match the finishes in your bathroom to tie the whole look together. Alternatively, frameless shower doors are a modern, minimalist option.
However, you won’t just need to decide what frames you want. You have to choose how the door opens (sliding, swinging, bifold). Again, this will mainly depend on the space you have. And lastly, you need to decide if you want clear or frosted glass.
One of the biggest factors in getting new glass shower doors is understanding the total cost and budget. The good news is that, on average, shower doors cost around $1,200-1,800. On the lower end, you could still upgrade your shower enclosure for $500-1,000.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Glass Shower Doors
Stage 3: Maintain Your Shower Enclosure
Now that your walk-in shower is built, you want to keep it looking new for many years. However, in order to do that, you’ll need to clean it regularly, and you might even have to do repairs if there’s a scratch.
How To Clean Your Glass Shower Doors
A lot of people have the misconception that cleaning your shower enclosure isn’t easy to do. However, if you clean it daily, or at least weekly, you shouldn’t have any issues. After each shower, you should take a minute or two to wipe it down with a squeegee.
Also, consider leaving your shower door open, so it can air out to avoid mold and mildew.
Related: How to Clean Your Glass Shower Doors
Glass Shower Door Repairs
If you’ve had your walk-in shower for years, then things are bound to need some attention or repairs. However, most problems occur because of buildup and a lack of cleaning.
If you don’t regularly clean your glass shower doors and buildup accrues, the door could stick, or maybe it won’t stay closed. In these cases, try wiping it down and doing a deep clean.
However, not all issues will be that simple to fix. Sometimes you’ll need a professional. If the door drags, or there are scratches, or perhaps a leak, then you may need to hire someone. It’s best to have someone who is an expert working with the door to fix these issues, as you don’t want to ruin your enclosure.
Related: 5 Common Glass Shower Door Repairs
Upgrading your walk-in shower is a process. Whether you’re still in the research phase or if you’re knee-deep in the design phase, at the end you’ll have the shower of your dreams.
Do you live in the Dallas, TX area? If so, we would love to help you find the right glass shower door for you! Call us at (214) 821-2886 to get started.
Alamo Glass and Mirror is a full service residential and commercial glass company. We have an extensive inventory of glass and glass-related products.
© Alamo Glass & Mirror Company
Residential & Commercial Glass Products & Services in Dallas, TX
Award-Winning Service Since 1943. Call for a Free Quote Today – (214) 821-2886