topic Re: Shower stall help please in Home

Shower stall help please

godi — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 10:07:48 GMT

We are installing a 5 foot walk in shower and I don't know if I should install trackless glass doors or shower curtain. My guestion on the curtain,will it billow or blow into us when we shower? I can not stand that, lol. With the glass door never had these and I am not getting any younger so what scares me here is the cleanup. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for replying.

Re: Shower stall help please

Meezerpleezer — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 10:20:48 GMT

My brother had a shower stall like the one you describe put in when our elderly father moved into my brother's home. He decided to use shower curtains since my father isn't very stable and it would be easier for him to get in and out. I use the shower when I visit and there is a little bit of billowing on the shower curtains but nothing major. I think that the glass shower door would be a pain to clean especially having to either bend over or kneel to clean the bottom.

An especially nice feature that my brother had installed was a heater/light over the shower stall. My father likes that because it keeps him warm while he is drying off.

Re: Shower stall help please

godi — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 10:29:33 GMT

Thank you for your response, we have a big decision to make.

Re: Shower stall help please

nyc1 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 10:55:14 GMT

We're pulling out our tub and installing a large shower in it's place. I'm no youngster, but it's going to be GLASS all the way. Cleaning is not difficult. The expense will be huge, but the look will be amazing, which is our goal. I've taken the cleaning aspect into consideration as well and have experienced trackless showers and for us, that is the only way to go for what we want.

Re: Shower stall help please

godi — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 10:58:15 GMT

With the glass in your shower nyc1 are you going to squeegee it after each shower ? Are you going trackless, I would definitely get trackless. I just don't want to va a slave to it.

Re: Shower stall help please

nyc1 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:10:12 GMT

Absolutely trackless. We have a small shower now that we squeegee. It is so quick, and just becomes part of our routine. It takes SECONDS... we do it to the glass and the tile. When I'm in my middle bathroom with a curtain, I still squeegee the tile on the wall. What is your biggest concern?

Re: Shower stall help please

qualitygal — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:23:28 GMT

A shower curtain would allow no one crashing through glass if they had a balance problem. The glass might look better, but I had glass on a track once and to me, i just didn't feel as sanitary. Personal preference. You can always get a new shower curtain. If an older person would use it, I still say curtain. An older person might rely on leaning or holding onto the glass and end up getting hurt. An age consideration thing.

Re: Shower stall help please

nyc1 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:27:07 GMT

The glass is extremely thick and bolted to the wall. I would see that as more supportive than not since there is structure, whereas a shower curtain would let someone just fall through and onto the floor.

Re: Shower stall help please

Slainte — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:37:09 GMT

We just put in a glass pivot shower door that we love. So easy to clean.

Have you considered putting a grab bar either inside the shower near the entrance or right outside? Originally we put a slim grab bar next to the shower, just outsid the door, for my elderly mother, but I have used it for stability getting in and out of the shower and found it very helpful. They have some very decorative ones now.

Re: Shower stall help please

shaggygirl — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:37:13 GMT

You can buy shower curtain rods that curve slightly outwards so even if the curtain blew in a little it wouldn't interfere with your showering. They aren't the tension kind though, the plates (or whatever you call them) that they sit have to be installed into the tile with screws, at least the one I have needs to be. Which is why mine is still sitting down in the basement waiting to be put in, it's been waiting for 2 years now, LOL. One of these days!

Re: Shower stall help please

Twoaces — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:56:40 GMT

We did exactly what you are planning a year ago. We are thrilled with the results. As you anticipate, the look is wonderful as our beautiful tile work is always visible, and the clear glass helps to make the space feel large. We wanted to do a glass pivot door but had to do a track instead (constraints due to plumbing location and adjacent sliding door), and I am actually happy that we did because it allows free access to either end of the enclosure. (We are in drought ridden Southern California so have buckets in the shower collecting water. The track makes them easily accessible under the faucet). Regarding the upkeep nuisance....I am lazy and worried about it...but it is so quick to just squeegee the panels each time and so worth it. Good luck with your project!

Re: Shower stall help please

nyc1 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 12:16:12 GMT

We actually wanted to do the trackless, but are doing the pivot door. My husband is 6'6" and would have to duck way under to get in, as he does now. The pivot works best for us. Both are beautiful.

Re: Shower stall help please

Zita — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 12:42:24 GMT

My brother and his wife put in glass-doored showers in their home. I asked my SIL how she kept them so sparkly and she said that's it: Sparkle glass cleaner. I see they have it on Amazon but other places carry it, too. Their showers look amazing, and the water just seems to sheet up and roll off.

I'd vote for the glass doors - - if only because of the resale value. I surely would not want a big beautiful shower with curtains!

Re: Shower stall help please

chiclet — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 12:51:02 GMT

Shower scum and shower doors are my biggest cleaning problem. I have shower doors and my husband has a shower curtain, I have a hookless shower curtain (they sell them on Qvc and at Bed bath and beond) and it is so easy to wash and put back up as needed. My shower doors have to be squeegeed every day. I would never have shower doors again if I had a choice. I just tried a new product for shower scum and if it works will post a review.

Re: Shower stall help please

bonnielu — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 12:58:14 GMT

We have the glass doors. I think it is much more pleasing to the eye and much more "wanted" if we were to sell the house down the road. As for cleaning... the shower products on the market these days are marvelous. They come in a spray and I am amazed how well they do. One is called Clean Shower... spray upon leaving the shower. And I have hard water and it works.

Re: Shower stall help please

Slainte — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:07:00 GMT

I use a combination of white vinegar, water and a squirt of blue Dawn dish detergent in a large spray bottle, about 2/3 vinegar, 1/3 water and enough Dawn to turn the water a light aqua blue. Spray after every shower. Use more vinegar if you have very hard water. It really keeps the glass door and tile sparkling.

Re: Shower stall help please

AnikaBrodie — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:14:40 GMT

We have a glass engraved shower door in one bathroom and a shower curtain in another. I much prefer the glass door. As for cleaning we use Simple Green and it does wonders and we have hard water too. There are also products you can spray on the shower door right after your shower to keep it clean.

Re: Shower stall help please

Janey2 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:15:47 GMT

For a small added charge you can get a coating on the shower door. The water just drips off. Each time you take a shower use a microfiber towel to wipe off the excess water and you will never have a problem. Also, with the door your bathroom will appear larger as a curtain will close off the area where the shower is located.

Re: Shower stall help please

colliegirls — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:28:40 GMT

A seamless glass enclosure is the only way to go.

Re: Shower stall help please

tucsongal — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:25:55 GMT

I don't know your age, but shower doors can be problematic if you ever need to use a shower seat or bench. A shower curtain provides more room and options if mobility ever becomes an issue.