shower bench Archives - Shower Door Experts

Heavenly Steam Unit in Harpers Ferry, WV

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Steam Unit in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Did somebody say STEAM? This floor-to-ceiling steam unit is looking better and better to us as the nights are getting colder. Imagine slipping inside to chillax with a cold beverage. Ahhhhhh.

This unit is fairly simple to describe: steam unit with a stationary panel and additional clips on the wall. But the experts can tell you that a lot of design work and craftspersonship went into making this slice of heaven a reality. It was, I quote: “a beast.” And that’s exactly what we’re here for. The projects that are not coming off a big box store shelf.

We’re always up for a design challenge so get in touch if you want a free quote for your shower space! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration – and occasional hijinks. You’re also more than welcome to visit our showroom in Jefferson, Maryland. Good idea to make an appointment so we can give you the undivided attention your shower door deserves. OR feel free to invite us over to discuss plans in your home spa. Kidding! (Kidding?)

Special Panels in DC

Posted on September 9, 2022September 12, 2022 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Panel Door Panel Door in Washington, D.C.

No, not political panels! Shower door panels! Though this compact corner unit could run for office on charm alone. We love the chrome square pull handle for this style – sleek and modern.

Our only style tip would be to consider upgrading to low iron glass against lighter tile. It’s not a “must” by any means, and we will never try to upsell you on anything! But you can see that this standard glass has a slight blue-green tint. That hue comes from the iron content in the glass. Low iron glass is more optically clear. Something to think about…

Something else to think about? IT’S FRIDAY! And our Experts are here for it. Especially this one:

Follow his / our shenanigans in the usual spots: the Facebook, the Instagram, the Jefferson, Maryland!

Corner Upgrade in Fairfax

Posted on July 19, 2021July 19, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Frameless Corner Unit in Fairfax, Virginia

This week we are taking you on a journey from meh to fab! So many homes in our area built between the 1980s and 2000s have similar master bathroom layouts: a soaking tub adjacent to a shower stall. Often the corner shower has an ugly metallic frame. (Sorry, not sorry.) It’s a functional but outdated look. And that’s why this is our best-selling layout!

We put in a lot of frameless corner units like these when homeowners decide to refresh or remodel. It’s a solid investment, something you can enjoy every day and know will retain its value. Unless your clunky metal shower is actually made of gold, I guess. Then maybe keep the metal. Otherwise, frameless* is the future!

*Within the shower industry, “frameless” refers to any shower enclosure that doesn’t have metal adhered to the edge of the glass. Some people think frameless means no metal whatsoever. This is not the case. Frameless units can be virtually metal-free, except for clips on any stationary panels, hinges, and handle. But frameless also covers units that may have a header atop the unit and u-channel on the stationary panels.

For more upgrade inspiration, follow us over on Facebook and Instagram! If you’re ready to get started on our refresh journey, you can start a quote here on the website or get in touch for a chat. We are always, always down for a shower chat.

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!

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.

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…

Swing Into the Shower Cave

Posted on October 11, 2020October 11, 2020 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Swing Door to Wet Room in Middleburg, Virginia

Sometimes all you need is one simple swing door to make all your shower dreams come true. As shower door experts, we’re known for our technical custom work. We geek out about challenges like last month’s custom 4-sided shower door of the week. But sometimes the beauty of design is in its simplicity.

This single panel door opens to an enclosed wet room. The dark tile and minimal lighting reinforce the feel of a cozy shower cave, a retreat from the rest of the house/world!

What do you think about the shower cave? We share our Shower Door of the Week on Facebook and Instagram, so you can let us know.

Feeling Fancy in Alexandria

Posted on September 12, 2020May 25, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Symphony Hardware in Alexandria, Virginia

There are so many ways to make a shower truly your own. For our shower door of the week, you can see the eye-catching tile, always fun to shop for. On the practical side, there’s bench seating and a handheld shower head. Nice! But hardware is an often unsung hero of shower design. Not here in Alexandria! These clients are singing loud and proud with their Symphony hardware upgrade. Handles, hooks, and towel bars can really add that extra something to your bathroom design. Hardware can take almost any look toward more modern and sleek – or here something a little more classic. Shower door expert Emmarose calls this one “fancy”!

Corner shower unit in Alexandria Virginia with Symphony hardware — Shower Door of the Week

You can let us know on Facebook or Instagram what you think about this style. Are you more of a ladder pull lady? Coda guy? Stay tuned for our upcoming quiz to finally find out “Which Shower Door Are You?” We also have a new expert / model in the showroom who you’ll definitely want to meet. He doesn’t say much, but he has a fantastic t-shirt collection…

Tag: shower bench