tile Archives - Shower Door Experts

Expert Advice: Matte Black Trend

Posted on September 25, 2021September 26, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Matte black is a bathroom design trend that’s here to stay! We get quite a few questions and comments about matte black options, so here are some ideas to consider when you’re considering a new shower look…

Black and Light

One of the most popular – and show-stopping! – iterations of the trend is black against white or light-colored walls and tile. This beige space, which could have been dull on its own, is completely transformed by the black hardware.

Mix and Match

Matte black can stand alone, but it also plays well with other metallics and colors. Here the black shower frame is paired with silver-tones, marble, and stone for a unique but entirely cohesive look. Grid showers are also having quite a moment, and these two trends are a match made in shower door heaven!

Be Bold

Chrome is the standard choice for bathroom hardware, but it can fade into the background. Totally fine if a neutral is what you’re after. We love how these folks in Frederick paired a more neutral handle with a bold black faucet and painted panels. And that tile! This unit definitely makes a statement!

Or Start Small

If you want just a bit of black in your bathroom, it’s easy to switch up your cabinet pulls or faucet. For the shower or tub that could mean just a black shower head or handle. Who knows, you might get carried away by the trend!

Get In Touch!

We’d love to know what you think about this design – really! Matte black: yea? nay? We are quite active on Facebook, and you can also get in touch the old fashioned ways – well, not carrier pigeons but, you know, phones and email! We’re also on Instagram where we share even more shower door pics for design inspiration.

Or if you’re ready to dive in, you can get a free quote anytime!

Waldorf’s Phantom Shower

Posted on July 26, 2021July 26, 2021 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Phantom Unit in Waldorf, Maryland

The Phantom strikes again!

Me: Hey, Schuyler, what do you think of the Waldorf photo for Shower Door of the Week?

Schuyler: I don’t see it… nvm 🤦‍♂️ that bar is dang near invisible!

Noah: this may be the most phantom-y pic I’ve seen

Me: Did they even door??

Noah: 👻

With its extreme clarity and metallic silver tile, this shower unit is pure magic. So how did they achieve this gleaming sorcery?

The Phantom

This unit is a dual-sliding shower door with an innovative all-glass header system and clear acrylic stoppers. And these clients took minimalism to the next level by forgoing the standard towel bar. Instead, they opted for two chrome disc knobs that hardly show up against the silver tile.

The Glass

We never push for upgrades you don’t want, but these clients wisely invested in sealed low-iron glass. What does that mean? Low iron glass is more optically clear than regular glass. It doesn’t have that slight green tinge from the iron content. We usually recommend it for light-colored tile, especially, but you can see here how it preserves the pure silver tones too. And sealant? It helps reduce residue that leaves spots and streaks on your glass. It also makes routine maintenance easier – almost as if you have a phantom maid…?

Shower Singing

You know you want to…

Need to sing us a snippet? Or want to talk shower door design? Get in touch – we love a chat! Or follow along on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration and behind-the-scenes shenanigans…

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…

Hagerstown Neo Angle in Aquamarine

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Neo Angle in Hagerstown, Maryland

Our pick for this week’s shower door was unanimous – that tile is stunning! This neo angle unit is clearly (ahem) an example of why you would go with frameless glass if you’ve invested in eye-catching tile. Heavy metallic frames would detract from what’s unique about this shower space.

Technical details for our fellow shower door geeks! Of if you just want to know what to ask us about. (Please do get in touch! We looove to talk all things shower doors.) This is a neo angle unit with an additional in-line panel. The extra panel supports the weight of the door without adding any extra hardware. For hardware, you’re seeing prima pivot hinges and beveled clips for a smooth look that complements the frameless design.

Another design note: we often counsel that optically clear low iron glass works best against light-colored tile. Here it’s the opposite! Regular glass, which has a slight green tint, actually brings out the blues and greens in this aquamarine tile. (We’ve been debating – is “aquamariner” a word!?) The frameless design + glass choice really come together to make this tile POP!

Let us know what you think – and check out our fun Halloween pics! – on Facebook and Instagram. And stay tuned for our Second Annual Hand Turkey contest! You heard it here first…

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.

Modern Matte Black Shower in Maryland

Posted on September 28, 2020September 28, 2020 by Emily Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: Matte Black Panel-Door-Panel Corner Unit in Boyds, Maryland

Matte black is having a moment in bathroom design! Last week we shared a framed shower door in chrome, and our Facebook friend Monica commented, “Needs black instead of metal and it would look better.” Well, Monica, this one’s for you! The matte black hardware certainly takes center stage, but two other design elements play supporting roles. The first is white tile that contrasts with the black for a crisp modern look. The second is low iron glass, which is more optically clear then regular glass. That means the black and white palette isn’t dulled by a greenish tinge. We highly recommend low iron glass for clients who invest in eye-catching and/or light-colored tile.

On the practical side of this design, the single-sided towel bar on the panel over the bath tub adds valuable bath real estate for wash cloths and towels. The interior robe hook is great for a loofah. We’re guessing they’ll go for a black loofah?

Expert Advice: Our Trusted Tile Companies

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Emily Watkins

Choosing tile is the time for your inner interior designer to shine! There’s something special about making a unique interior space that’s all your own. But who do you turn to for options and advice? Who actually installs your dream tile? We often get asked for referrals, and with 30 years in the shower door business, we’ve made some excellent local contacts. Please do let them know that we referred you! But without further blogging ado, here are our most-trusted tile contractors:

Frederick County, Maryland

Epic Kitchen & Bath / Scott Phucas / 301-363-5531

HH Homes / Hank Parater / 240-870-2985

J Grubbs Construction / John Grubb / 301-748-7374

Lighthouse Craftsmen / Pete Ring / 240-315-832

Newell Property Services / Tom Newell / 301-371-0645

PKS Home Improvements / Paul Sager / 301-337-0134

Premier Contracting Services / Tyler Timberlake / 877- 928-7767

Quality First Home Improvement / Dave Farnum / 443-398-1100

Woodsboro Craftsmen / Jeff Crum / 301-304-0945

Carroll, Howard, & Washington Counties, Maryland

Woodsboro Craftsmen / Jeff Crum / 301-304-0945

Montgomery County, Maryland

PKS Home Improvements / Paul Sager / 301-337-0134

Washington, D.C.

Falcon Construction / Kaz Malachowski / 301-294 – 3100

Loudoun County, Virginia

Goode Guy Handyman / Ronnie Goode / 703-431-2754

Berkeley County, West Virginia

Miller’s Residential Creations / Travis Sprouse / 304- 918-0007

Tristate Home Improvements / Chris Hill / 304-240-0646

Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Innovative Kitchen & Flooring Supply / Ryan Stouffer / 717-263-2611

Note: We are not responsible for any mistakes, mix-ups, or mayhem caused by these contractors. Kidding: they’re good people. But please let us know if you have a negative experience that might cause us to retract our recommendation. And definitely get in touch when it’s time to plan for your perfect shower door! In the meantime, follow along on our social media (Facebook and Instagram) for tile and other design inspiration!

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…

Phantom of the Germantown Shower!?

Posted on August 9, 2020September 11, 2020 by Noah Watkins

Shower Door of the Week: All-Glass Phantom in Germantown, Maryland

Never fear, that’s just our all-glass Phantom shower door!

Reducing the number and prominence of metal parts has been an industry obsession for years. But 310 Tempering has taken things to a whole new level of frameless glass with Phantom shower doors. This unit debuts a game-changing glass header system that anchors high-end bathrooms without dominating them. When you invest money in eye-catching tile, you want to see it!

These happy customers also opted for low iron glass. That’s another way to make sure your tile isn’t obscured. Iron content gives clear glass a slight green tint. Low iron glass, also known as high definition glass, is more optically clear and gives the shower a noticeable luster.

In other Shower Door Experts news, did you know that we’re on Instagram? You can catch our shower door of the week there every Sunday, but there’s so much more! You can see our good-lookin’ experts (if we do say so ourselves), new coloring sheets to support our local food bank, shower-themed holiday wishes, and more! Yesterday was International Cat Day. We’d love to hear if your cat has any weird shower habits. If you send us a pic (emily@showerdoorexperts.com), we might feature it on our Instagram page! Oh, we also definitely want to know if your shower is actually haunted.

Cat bath. Wet cat. Girl washes cat in the bath

Your experts are also quite active on Facebook, and you can always get in touch by phone, text, and email too. We genuinely love to chat about shower design! If you’re keen to get started, you can even start a completely free quote from our website. Hope to hear from you sometime!

Tag: tile