Shower Enclosures: Everything You Need to Know for Your Shower Remodel

Does your shower need an upgrade? Installing a new glass shower enclosure offers many benefits, such as separating your wet space while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. Plus, because shower enclosures are typically installed with high-quality tempered glass, they’ll maintain their quality for years to come. Explore our shower enclosure design guide to learn more about available designs and varieties.

Questions to Consider Before You Shop

Sort out the basics for a more streamlined shopping experience. By exploring your options, you can narrow your search to find exactly what you’re looking for in your new shower design. Some questions to keep in mind might include:

1. What are my shower’s dimensions?
2. Where is the shower drain located?
3. What kind of shower door do I want?
4. What is my budget?

Shower Enclosure Designs

The design of your shower enclosure will largely depend on your bathroom’s space. Some shower enclosures are a better fit for large bathrooms, while others will do just fine on a smaller scale.

Half-Wall Shower Enclosure

A half-wall shower enclosure only uses half of a glass panel. This enclosure usually has a door, but some designs can open up the enclosure to the rest of the bathroom. The half-wall panel provides your enclosure with privacy and may be a less expensive option. However, a half-wall panel without a door may not contain all the shower spray inside the enclosure.

Walk-In Shower Enclosure

Walk-in shower enclosures boast plenty of features. With a large showering space, you can incorporate additional elements like body sprays or a moveable shower seat. These enclosures fit in bathrooms of all sizes and have sliding and pivot door options for a polished finish to your shower.

Corner Shower Enclosure

For bathrooms with space constraints, a corner enclosure is a great option. This enclosure is highly adaptable, especially for bathroom layouts with irregular shapes or corners. Corner shower enclosures can be square or angular, depending on the size and shape of your bathroom.

Frameless Shower Enclosure

While other enclosures are built with a metal frame, frameless enclosures have no frame encasing the glass panels. Secured by your shower walls and floor, this option has little hardware. As one of the more minimalist enclosure styles, frameless glass showers blend seamlessly with any bathroom design.

Shower Bases

A shower base is critical for capturing water and protecting your floor and subfloor from water damage. A low-threshold shower base has the added benefit of granting easy access to your shower enclosure. Bases are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, so it’s easy to find one that suits your style preferences.

Drain Location

When choosing a shower base, note the location of your shower drain. The three most common locations for shower drains are:

1. Left-side drain
2. Right-side drain
3. Center drain

Shower Door Types

In addition to appearance, accessibility plays an important role in your shower enclosure’s design. Shower doors may not work well with every type of enclosure, so be sure to research your options.

Pivot Doors

Pivot doors have hinges on the glass panel, enabling a swinging motion that can open out or in. These are the most common shower doors for walk-in and corner enclosures. Pivot doors are a great option for smaller bathrooms because they take up less space than a sliding shower door.

Sliding Glass Barn Doors

Sliding glass barn doors open with a smooth, gliding action—perfect for larger walk-in shower enclosures. A sliding glass shower door consists of two glass panels that slide on a track. While regular sliding shower doors glide on a concealed track, barn shower doors have an exposed track. Allowing a silent entry and exit, these shower doors give a lustrous upgrade to your bathroom.

Frameless Sliding Glass Doors

Frameless sliding glass doors have less exposed hardware than a barn door, allowing the interior design of your shower enclosure to stand out. Some designs have a single fixed panel, while others enable both panels to slide open and closed. You can also choose a sliding door with a handle that doubles as a towel bar for extra storage.

Other Considerations

To enhance your showering experience, consider additional features that can help keep you organized and comfortable from start to finish.

Shelving

In-shower shelving provides a space for organizing all of your products. Removable shelves make your shower easy to clean, keeping your shower enclosure tidy.

Showerheads

Showerheads come in various styles and finishes, giving endless opportunities to customize your shower experience. For extra convenience, consider installing a handshower for rinsing in hard-to-reach areas.

Digital Shower System

With a digital shower system, you can fully control your shower’s temperature and duration at the touch of a button. With pause and warm-up capabilities, you can step into your shower enclosure when the temperature is perfectly set.

Build Your Dream Shower with KOHLER_® LuxStone_®

Ready to build the ultimate walk-in shower enclosure? Contact us today to schedule your free in-home consultation with a KOHLER Expert.