4 Bathroom Woes Made Better by Adding a Glass Shower
Those who watch home remodeling shows or follow home decorating blogs know that bathroom remodels are popular in all price ranges and areas of the country. For some homeowners, remodeling the bathroom is necessary to improve the overall functionality of the room, while others are more interested in making the room larger or changing the layout of the fixtures.
The bad news, however, is even a mid-range bathroom remodel can cost upwards of $10k, and nearly three times that much for an upscale remodel that includes major renovations like gutting the space or moving walls and fixtures. Homeowners who want to make their bathrooms look more attractive and feel more comfortable to use without the cost of a complete remodel can often solve common bathroom woes with one simple upgrade - a glass shower enclosure.
1. Add a spacious feel to small bathrooms
Glass shower enclosures, especially those that are designed as frameless showers provide a more open feeling in small spaces. This is because the eye is able to travel through the clear glass enclosures of these units to the perimeter wall behind. Depending on the dimensions of the glass shower and its position in the room, this can add three or more feet to the overall perceived size of the room, giving it a much more spacious and open feel.
2. Maximize lighting in dark spaces
Another common flaw in small bathrooms, or those positioned in the interior of the home, is insufficient natural light or inadequate artificial lighting fixtures. This problem is made even worse when the original shower stall is made of fiberglass or tile and unable to allow light to pass through the enclosure or shower curtain. In many cases, even very bright lights outside the shower cannot penetrate the interior, leaving the occupants of the home to shower in a shadowy, dimly lit space. When a glass shower enclosure replaces the old one, however, light is able to travel more easily throughout the shower and the room around it, dispelling shadows and noticeably brightening the interior.
3. Create a safer bathing experience for mobility-challenged users
Replacing an old shower stall or tub unit with a modern glass shower enclosure is an excellent way to update a bathroom and make it safer and more user-friendly for aging or mobility-challenged users. Instead of bathers having to step over the side of a tub or up into a shower stall, those on walkers or in wheelchairs can opt for a glass shower enclosure outfitted with an opening that can be easily traversed on foot or when using mobility devices.
When choosing a glass shower enclosure with aging or mobility issues in mind, homeowners should also take time to measure any mobility devices that will be used, such as wheelchairs and walkers, before making their selection. These measurements can be used to ensure that any glass shower enclosure being considered can be designed with a door large enough to accommodate the device easily. In many cases, glass shower enclosures can be completely customized and fitted for bathrooms that have unique floor plans or other issues that must be addressed.
4. Add resale value to the home
Real estate agents know that kitchens and bathrooms are very important to home buyers and often counsel their sellers to allocate home improvement dollars to these rooms when preparing a home for sale. While most home sellers will be unable to spend the time or money to completely remodel their bathroom before listing their home, replacing an ugly pre-fabricated shower stall or awkward bathtub with a glass shower enclosure can be done quickly and for far less money. In many cases, the wow factor of a glass shower enclosure can help to neutralize the drawbacks of a bathroom that might otherwise be seen as too small or gloomy.
For more information about upgrading a bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, homeowners should discuss their situation with a local glass installer like Superior Frameless Showers.