How to Choose the Right Shower Enclosure

If you’re thinking of upgrading your shower enclosure, there’s plenty of great options available to you. From contemporary frameless walk-ins to more decorative designs, there’s a shower enclosure for every style and size of bathroom. You can put the shower just about anywhere in the space, as long as your plumbing permits it. With all these opportunities, how do you choose the right shower enclosure for you? We’ll talk you through it.
Whether you’d prefer a small and effective alcove enclosure or a stylish and spacious walk-through shower, there are a few different aspects to consider. To avoid buying and installing a shower that’s not up to your standards, let us guide you through the essentials of choosing the right shower enclosure for your space.

WHAT IS A SHOWER ENCLOSURE?
Enclosures or cubicles for showers protect the rest of the bathroom from being drenched in water. Additionally, you’ll need a shower tray to provide good drainage for the enclosure, and a door or entryway for access.
You can choose from a number of options for enclosing your shower, including glass panels, pivoting or folding doors, or even walk-in options. The enclosure you choose for your shower can work wonders for influencing the feel and style of your bathroom. A good one will provide a focal point that’s both useful and beautiful.
A shower enclosure comes in many sizes, shapes, and colours, just like a bathroom. The possibilities are endless.
WHAT KIND OF ENCLOSURE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The type of bathroom should determine the type of shower enclosure.
Will it be the family’s main bathroom or an en-suite? Do you want an elegant, spa-inspired luxury space or a cosy and comforting vintage feel?
It’s always worth it to pay that bit extra to ensure quality and durability in a family bathroom, where they’re likely to receive more wear and tear through high usage. If you’re after an en-suite or smaller shower, it’s best to consider some space-saving designs that make the most of your area.
Compared to a bathtub, a shower enclosure is an excellent investment for your bathroom because it offers both a stylish and practical showering solution. A shower will also reduce the amount of water you use in comparison to a bath.
TYPES OF SHOWER ENCLOSURE

SHOWER ENCLOSURES FOR RECESSES
In small bathrooms, a recessed shower enclosure that fits between two walls is a good choice, since the remaining floor space is free for other bathroom furniture.
An enclosed recessed shower enclosure is available with many door options including hinged, pivotal, bi-fold, and sliding doors. A sliding door is the ideal choice when there is limited floor space.
A carefully designed recessed enclosure that fits to uniquely shaped walls can be an eye-catching and beautiful feature in a bathroom.
QUADRANT SHOWER ENCLOSURES
You might have noticed with an increasing demand for housing, particularly in cities, bathrooms are being squeezed into even smaller spaces. If you have one of these smaller bathrooms, a quadrant shower enclosure may be a good choice.
A quarter circle enclosure has two sides of the same length and a rounded outer edge, making it a great alternative to rectangular or square corner enclosures. The loss of a corner of your shower will not make a significant difference to how big it feels from inside, but will provide you with some valuable floor space.
OTHER CORNER SHOWER OPTIONS
Offset quadrant enclosures fit neatly into corners as well, like quadrant enclosures. There is a difference from quadrant enclosures, however. The wall dimensions on each side can be varied when these are used, so they can be adapted to your space.
Alternatively, if space is limited, consider a space-saving pentagon shower enclosure. Similar to a square with one corner off, it’s another space-maximising corner solution.
WALK-IN AND WALK-THROUGH SHOWERS
If you’re after the luxurious and spacious look of a wet-room without the hefty expense of tanking the floor and walls, walk-ins are a great shower option. They provide you with a shower space that’s open access, without the boundaries of a shut-off glass enclosure.
The shower tray is open on one corner so you can ‘walk-in’, or both ends are open so you can ‘walk-through’. The glass panel is simple and the tray is low-profile or concealed under the floor.
A walk-in or walk-through shower requires little maintenance, since it consists of a glass panel which sits on a tiled surface or a waterproofed floor.
Combined with a flush-to-floor shower tray, a simple shower panel can be used by anyone of any age, as there are no awkward steps up to the shower. Future-proofing and multigenerational households are a hot topic, and easy-access showers fit the bill.
CHOOSE YOUR DOOR
The options are endless! Your choice of door can go a long way to deciding the overall feel of the shower space. Here are a few of the ways that shower doors can open.
HINGED DOORS
When planning your bathroom layout, a hinged shower door is always a good option, When you have a spacious bathroom, hinged doors offer wide access to the shower area.
PIVOT DOORS
Unlike hinged doors, pivot doors often require less clearance in the shower because the far edge swings backwards into the shower when the door is opened. They pivot outwards into the bathroom, but their pivot mechanism is hidden beneath the door frame.
BI-FOLD DOORS
The bi-fold, or bi fold, is like it sounds: two or more hinged folding doors. These shower doors consist of a pair of panels that lift up and fold back into the enclosure on hinges. This feature makes them ideal for a limited space since they fold into the enclosure, and don’t take up much bathroom space.
SLIDING DOORS
Sliding doors come in both rectangular and curved forms, including a door and optional side panels. They are excellent space-savers since there is no need to allow clearance space in front of the shower. You should measure the actual opening carefully before ordering a sliding door as some have smaller openings.
FRAMED OR FRAMELESS?
With stretches of clear glass creating a sense of spaciousness as well as sleek, polished edges, frameless shower enclosures and screens look great. Additionally, they’re easy to clean as there are less cracks and ledges for grime to get trapped in. The elegant design combines clean lines with chrome polished edges, creating a style that doesn’t overpower the space.
Their minimalistic appeal is the reason why frameless glass will match the aesthetic of any bathroom.
MORE CONSIDERATIONS
When you’re planning a shower enclosure installation, it’s worth taking into account the way you use it. Do you like a lot of space to move? What else do you keep inside your shower?
For example, you may also want to install a shower rail or bar to provide some added stability and assistance. A seat in your shower is also great if you have trouble standing or want a little extra comfort. If you’re the type to use a lot of shower products, you’ll also want a good storage area such as a shelf or rack.
Finally, deciding on the shower enclosure’s fixtures is important. A shower enclosure designed with modern fixtures can transform a bathroom into a work of art. A shower enclosure designer can help you choose the best fixture for your shower.
Now that you know more about your shower enclosure options, you can make an informed choice. If you’re considering frameless glass enclosure installation, Bespoke Frameless Glass provides the best service.
LET BESPOKE FRAMELESS GLASS HELP YOU CREATE YOUR DREAM SHOWER
Frameless glass is incredibly versatile when designing a home, and can suit any space and style. Any bathroom will benefit from the simplicity and elegance of frameless glass enclosures. With other materials, it is hard to achieve an aesthetic that is as unique and modern as theirs. Getting the job right, however, can be challenging without extensive experience.
We provide high-quality custom frameless glass enclosures at Bespoke Frameless Glass. At competitive rates, we create a concept tailor-made to fit your needs and space without sacrificing quality or style. The way a custom-made glass feature can transform your decor will surprise you!
With over 10 years of experience providing custom glazing solutions for both residential and commercial projects, Bespoke Frameless Glass is a leading provider in the UK.
Our company offers high-quality products and services, such as shower enclosures, glass floors, glass balustrades and more. We are a family-owned business that offers timeless frameless glass installations that provide a luxurious look.
Contact Bespoke Frameless Glass today at 0117 961 2709 or connect with us online to get started designing the glass features of your dreams.