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Frameless and Framed in Frederick

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Frameless Swing Door with Knee Wall Panel in Frederick, Maryland

This week we’re going back to basics: what is a frameless shower door? We’re fluent in showerdoor-ese, of course, but we don’t expect our clients to know all the industry jargon. So let’s start with this frameless swing door we installed in Frederick, Maryland last week. Within the shower industry, “frameless” refers to any shower enclosure that doesn’t have metal adhered to the edge of the glass. That’s pretty “clear” (hah hah) in the photo below. The only metal in sight is the hardware. It’s a design that’s increasingly popular but not the only way to go…

You might think that “frameless” = no metal at all. But not so! A door can be frameless even if it has a metallic header on top and a channel on the bottom. In that case the metal still isn’t adhered to the edge of the glass.

For contrast, here’s another installation we did in Frederick last week. It is a fully framed bypass unit in matte black. You can see that the glass has metal on every side. In general, framed shower doors are less expensive than fully frameless doors. (That said, a non-standard layout could cost more, so definitely check with us or start a free quote to get all your options.) It’s a traditional – even retro! – layout. In this case, trendy matte black modernizes the look.

We are always happy to nerd out about design and lingo! Get in touch if you have any questions at all. You can also pick up more ideas over on our Facebook and Instagram. Or stop by our showroom in Jefferson, Maryland!

Angled Cape Cod Shower in Adamstown

Posted on June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Angled Cape Cod Unit in Adamstown, Maryland

Angled bathroom ceiling? No worries! Unique angles need custom solutions, and that’s what your local experts are here for! If you’re just starting out on your renovation journey, this kind of angled ceiling is also known as a Cape Cod. For our purposes, any shower door that needs a corner sliced off to make it work is also considered a Cape Cod unit. So while doing your research you might see the terms angled, sloped, slanted, or Cape Cod. Whatever you call it, after the initial free quote, we will come to your home or business to take an exact measurement of your enclosure. That’s the part where we get to use lasers! We ❤️ our jobs.

Other design notes? We supplied and installed the 10″ corner shelf. Glass shelves are great for extra storage that doesn’t clutter up the clean lines of your enclosure. These clients also upgraded their pull handle to our ornate Symphony style. The hardware is all chrome, which pairs well with the light hues of the tile and paint. In general, this unit hits a really sweet spot between vintage and modern design.

What do YOU think about this design? We live for feedback, so let us know on Facebook and/or Instagram. Or stop on by the showroom for a chat! We’re in Jefferson, Maryland and enjoy meeting new people. Tell them Expert Emily sent you and ask for a free rubber ducky!

Bronze Shower in Silver Spring Wins Gold!

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Shower Bench & Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware in Silver Spring, Maryland

Bronze isn’t third place this week! This stylish and functional shower unit is #1 in our hearts. Why? It not only turned out great, but it’s a testament to good design. In 30 years, we’ve seen a lot of shower layouts! And we highly recommend investing some time up front to think through your options before any remodeling work starts. It can open up design options you might not have thought about – or thought possible! That’s the beauty of custom work.

So what do we have here? First, the shower and bath tub are playing very well together. The off-center spigot of the tub shows that somebody really thought this one through. We helped that corner along with a 1/4″ grind/cut out in the top of the bench so the panel fits seamlessly. So you might want to re-think any “unusable” nooks in your bathroom!

The oil-rubbed bronze hardware also ties the space together. We do offer robe hooks (and towel bars), but in this case the client already had one installed. So the order in which you buy your hardware is also something to think about. There’s nothing wrong with some mix and match hardware if that’s your vision. (Brushed nickel and matte black, yes please.) But it can save you time, frustration, and money to bring us in early in the process. We’re also just really fun and love to chat about shower design!

If you’re still in the lookin’ around stage or just really love well-designed bathrooms (you’re not alone!), you can find us over on Facebook and Instagram.

Full Height & Full Heart in Rockville, Maryland

Posted on May 14, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Full Height Door-and-Panel in Rockville, Maryland

We went to great lengths to get this door installed. Eh? Eh? 😂 Well, technically, we went to great heights. This full height corner door-and-panel unit is a perfect match for the rain shower head. It won’t let any water escape, but there’s still plenty of space at the top for ventilation. How do we keep so much glass sturdy? Full height corner units require two clamps, one toward the top and another near the bottom. It really is amazing what you can do with frameless glass and clamps!

Design notes: these clients opted for a standard handle and chrome hardware. That makes sense for a design where the shower, not the hardware, is making the statement. (We dig that eastern blue tile!) They also wanted a 10″ shelf in the corner. Yes, we do shelves! And, as you can see, the shelf passed our rigorous durability test. It easily withstands the massive weight of our complimentary rubber ducky. Yes, you will get a ducky if you purchase a shower! And next week you can get a free rubber ducky just for starting a free quote! Just email Emmarose at office@showerdoorexperts with the rough dimensions of your shower and the code LIFEQUACKS. (We will NOT put you on a mailing list, promise.) For now here’s a free coloring sheet:

For more fun and bonus shower pics, head on over to Facebook or Instagram! And even if you’re not ready for a free quote, you can always get in touch with questions. We love to chat.

A Tale of Two Maryland Showers

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door(s) of the Week: Minimalist v. Cozy in Maryland

We couldn’t decide which of these custom showers to feature this week, so why not both? About the only thing they have in common is that they’re both in Maryland and keep water off the bathroom floor…

Spray Panel

In corner one we have a spray panel straight from Kensington, Maryland with clean minimalist lines. Expert Schuyler notes that it almost looks like a fancy hotel shower. The spray panel has just two wall clips and a channel along the bottom that secure the glass in place. The bench completes the almost industrial look. Does this design speak to you? Or are you more of a…

Panel-Door-Panel

In the other corner we have a cozy panel-door-panel from New Market, Maryland. The door hinges are glass-to-glass, placed at the very top and bottom of the door so the customers doesn’t get a face full of hinge first thing in the morning. And don’t let the pink and flowers fool you: this isn’t your grandma’s shower. (Or else it is, and your grandma is super hip!) Older showers might have a lot of metal around the edges. Also known as “framed,” in the biz. Frameless showers are more modern, stylish, and let in lots of light.

Also of note: the duel benches are a nice touch. It’s always handy to have space for your bottles and a spot to shave your legs. (This observation brought to you by Expert Emily.) Or just sit and ponder for awhile. You can see that the benches are angled so water doesn’t accumulate on them. This kind of design feature is why it’s so darn cool to get a custom shower door. You can design your dream shower, and we’ll make the glass work!

We’d love to hear your take on either or both of these shower designs! We’re always hanging out on Facebook and posting showers and fun pics on Instagram. (Send us a message in either place with the code SHOWERTHOUGHTS for a free rubber ducky!) Also waiting by the computer and phone to answer your questions or start a free quote.

Steamy Riddles in Rockville

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Steam Unit with a Unique Transom in Rockville, Maryland

Two words: Steam unit. Check your shoulders. Are they tense? Steam unit. We install the floor-to-ceiling glass to keep all that warm goodness inside, where it melts your tension away. Steam is also great for your skin and sinuses. See that yellow pollen on your car? Steam unit. It’s like having a spa in your own house. We especially like this stylish bench – you’ll want to settle in and take full advantage of your relaxation session.

You might notice something unusual about this unit. Well, for one, the floor tile is stunning, but we’re not the Tile Experts! We’re the Shower Door Experts! See that bit of rectangular glass with hinges in the upper right corner of the photo? It is not, I’m assured, the world’s most useless cat door. It’s an inset operable transom. Quick lesson:

A stationary transom is a piece of glass above a shower door or header that brings the unit to the ceiling for a fully enclosed shower. It’s usually required for steam units with an overall height too tall (84”+) for a full-height door.
An operable transom swivels to regulate the volume of steam and can attach to walls, headers, or stationary glass. They can be completely inset into a door or stationary panel – and that’s what we’re looking at this week.

Why inset? With the angle of this customer’s ceiling, we had to find another spot for the transom. The inset design was an elegant and functional solution. So unless you want to invest time into training your cat to navigate bizarre obstacle courses, probably best to use the transom for letting out steam.

Bonus Puzzle

What else is there to say? Well, when I asked our new Expert Schuyler about the details for this particular unit in Rockville, Maryland, he put on a green onesie with questions marks all over and riddled me this…

The finish is so special, as memorable as the Fonz.

The finish in question might be oil rubbed _____.

If you’ve read this far and can guess the metallic finish, post the answer on our Facebook page for a chance to win a rubber ducky! You can also find custom showers and behind-the-scenes pics over on Instagram. And do get in touch if you have any questions about steam unit design, cat training, or where Schuyler got his onesie. While you’re at it, you are welcome to ask us for a free quote – or start one right here on the website. Have a relaxing day!

Times are Changing in Middletown

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Chrome Hardware in Middletown, Maryland

As we spring forward this weekend, let’s lighten things up! Recent picks for shower door of the week have been dominated by dark hardware. And there’s no doubt that matte black, in particular, is a trend that’s going to stick around. But shower door design isn’t just about following the latest trend. Your bathroom should reflect your style. We enjoy geeking out about design and helping make your vision come to life!

So, behold: the chrome hardware on this panel-door-panel corner unit is completely in keeping with the overall neutral and light look of the shower space. The ladder pull handle adds a modern touch and pairs well with that elongated handheld shower head. Also note the corner bench for storage and, ladies, somewhere to rest your leg while shaving. This shower is stylish and functional… we love it!

Please do feel free to stop by our showroom in Jefferson, Maryland to get an idea of the different units and hardware you could choose to upgrade your shower space. We’re open! You can just stop by, but we do encourage you to call ahead to schedule a time when we know we can give you our undivided attention.

In other Shower Door Expert news, stay tuned for the epic interview with our fearless leader, Tom Huck. He started this family business 30 years ago and has made some memories along the way…

Almost Heaven West Virginia Shower

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Panel Door Panel in Kearneysville, West Virginia

This West Virginia shower sure does look heavenly to us! Okay, that might be the photo flash, but that’s not the point… We truly love how this project turned out. It’s a perfect example of how you can mix darker hardware like matte black or, here, oil rubbed bronze with both greys and browns. Matte black was the superstar of 2020, but we’re also seeing an uptick in oil rubbed bronze hardware recently. Mixing and matching patterns like the grey rectangular tile with brown pebble floor is a fun way to add visual interest to your shower space.

These Kearneysville clients also went with low iron glass. If you’ve been following along with the blog, you’ll know that low iron glass is more optically clear than regular glass. We recommend it for light-colored tile, especially. If you haven’t been following along, welcome! You can also find us over on Facebook and Instagram, where we post lots of design inspiration and also fun content like our own comics series.

Enjoy! And do say howdy if you spot our van anywhere in Berkeley or Jefferson county, West Virginia! We’re often out that way and love it when people say hello.

Serenity & Privacy in Middletown

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Serenity Unit with Sandblasting in Middletown, Maryland

The Serenity shower door is a single slider with a low-profile design. It’s a smooth and sturdy door with anti-derailing fittings on the bottom rail to ensure stability. It’s minimal hardware makes the glass appear as if it’s almost floating. What we’re saying is that it’s already kind of a magical shower door. But the custom touches on this shower door of the week go past serenity straight to nirvana:

Sandblasting

Our friends at Rowland Glass Studios never disappoint! This is another great example of custom sandblasting in the middle section of the door for style and privacy. As we’ve said before: an entirely textured door limits the amount of light that gets into your shower space. When you opt for sandblasting you can enjoy both privacy and light. Genius!

Low Iron Glass

Low iron glass is more optically clear than regular glass, which has a slight greenish tint. For these Middletown clients, we recommended low iron against that lovely white tile and paint. It gives the shower space a kind of brilliance that goes perfectly with the lightness of the Serenity unit.

Custom Design

It’s happens in every blog post: now we get to the shower door geekery! For this custom unit we installed a notched return panel to accomodate that partial knee wall beside the vanity. Sounds a bit technical, but the takeaway is that we always measure carefully and create custom solutions for every single shower space. No angle too acute for us!

In other shower news, last Wednesday was National Rubber Ducky Day! There’s still time to name this ducky for a chance to win a rubber ducky and one of our collectable tee shirts! Just head on over to our Facebook page and let the creativity flow.

Expert Advice: Custom Finishes

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Door and Panel with Custom Brushed Bronze Finish

Custom finishes were a big topic of conversation in 2020, with matte black reigning supreme! Bathroom fixtures with custom finishes can be maddening to match with shower door hardware. Fortunately, this wasn’t our first rodeo. These Silver Spring, Maryland clients were looking for a custom brushed bronze to match their bathroom, and we made it happen!

Shower door with custom brushed bronze hardware

The most common custom finishes we use to match your bathroom:

matte black
brushed bronze
satin or polished brass
satin or polished nickel

Matte black and polished nickel are still somewhat uncommon, but they’re becoming more easily accessible. We will usually have them in stock already. Which is a good time to note: custom hardware can add a week or more to your lead time, but trust us – it’s worth it! We will be super-clear in the early stages of the installation process how custom parts and finishes could affect the production phase and the overall timeline of the project.

Get in touch if you have any questions about custom finishes or anything else. We’re on Facebook and Instagram too, where we share comics, coloring pages, and all kinds of weird…I mean… fun stuff! See you over there.

Tag: custom