A shower budget goes further when you settle the layout before ordering glass. Keeping a usable tub or avoiding changes to the opening may save more than choosing cheaper hardware. Get a quote for the complete job so you can see where the money goes.
Once you’ve decided your home could use a shower upgrade, next, you must determine whether a shower tub combo or a walk-in shower will work for your needs and the needs of your family. When you work with a professional glass company, you’ll get expert, practical advice and have a team in your corner that has a reputation for creating beautiful shower enclosures that can instantly transform a bathroom, even if you’re on a tight budget.
When you’re considering a bathroom shower remodel, careful planning is in order. You must determine how much money, time, and energy you want to invest in this type of important upgrade and which type of shower will suit the needs of you and your family. Walk-in showers and shower tub combos both have pros and cons. Which type will work for you can depend on bathroom size, your budget, shower layout, and your family’s daily routine and preferences.
Walk-in showers vs. Tub shower combo
Choosing between a walk-in shower and a shower and tub combo for your budget shower remodel may not seem like a hard decision for some, but making the right decision can have a lasting impact. If you’re having a hard time choosing between these two major designs, below, you’ll find some things you should consider before you make your final decision.
Tub shower combo
A tub and shower combo can be essential if you have family members in the home who love to relax in a nice hot bath. If you currently have an existing model and simply want an upgrade, then you’ll find that upgrading is a fairly easy process and one that won’t require much in terms of construction, since most tubs are roughly the same size.
Upgrading a shower and tub combo can be a more affordable option, especially if no major renovations are needed to accommodate the new tub.
However, if no one in your home takes baths and you're tired of cleaning around a tub and framed shower doors, it may be time to switch to a frameless shower enclosure. It gives the bathroom a clean, open look, but don't count on the glass alone to change what a home sells for.
Walk-in shower
Walk in showers, combined with frameless shower doorscan give a bathroom a more open, bright, spacious feel. Walk-in showers are more accessible to seniors, compared to a shower tub combo, are easier to clean than shower and tub combos, and can create the type of comfortable setting that many homeowners love.
What is a frameless glass shower enclosure?
Instead of a frame, the glass panels in a frameless shower enclosure are held together with special clips. Some frameless glass shower doors and enclosures come equipped with a top rail that can help to hold things together. Since the frameless shower enclosure offers a more flexible design, compared to a framed shower enclosure, you’ll have many options to customize your new shower setup, based on your preferences, style, budget, and available bathroom space.
Frameless glass shower benefits
Aside from its flexible design, frameless glass shower doors and enclosures come with a wide range of benefits, including:
- The lack of a frame will allow more light to flow throughout the space, making the room look bigger
- The lack of a frame will allow you to show off the tile work in your shower
- No frame means you’re left with a shower that’s much easier to clean and maintain. Framed glass shower doors are magnets for mold, mildew, and bacteria, requiring extensive upkeep.
- Frameless shower doors and premium glass shower enclosures make a shower space more accessible to senior family members
- Custom luxury shower enclosures allow you to choose the shower style that works for your budget, available bathroom space, and personal preference
Hiring a shower glass professional
Some people may be tempted to take on a frameless glass enclosure installation, but with this type of complex installation, many things can go wrong, especially if you purchase a frameless shower enclosure kit from your local home improvement store. When you purchase a mass produced glass shower enclosure you run the risk of buying one that won’t work for the available shower space in your bathroom, the glass may become damaged during installation, or you won’t be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to make important renovations to prepare your bathroom and walls to support and accommodate heavy glass shower panels.
If you end up with a shower enclosure and shower doors that won’t work for your bathroom space, it could end up costing you hundreds of dollars. A dedicated glass shower expert can design a custom frameless glass shower enclosure that works with your bathroom needs, style, and budget. With a custom fit, you can choose from a variety of styles, glass types, hardware, and more, so you’ll end up with a shower that’s stunning, elegant, and designed to last.