We all know that selecting the perfect custom glass shower doors is critical to constructing a shower enclosure; however, choosing the proper shower enclosure hardware is just as important.

Every day, bathrooms get more modern, decorative, and personalized to the homeowner’s tastes and preferences. These changes, as well as the inclusion of your preferences and trends, can extend to your shower door hardware and blend in with the rest of your bathroom décor.

Framed vs. Frameless Glass Showers

You’ve chosen to renovate your bathroom structure, and one of the first decisions is whether to go with a frameless or framed glass shower enclosure. Most shower door handles and towel bars are designed to work with framed and frameless enclosures.

Frameless glass shower designs use heavier glass, meaning no metal supports are needed. This saves on labor and makes for a more aesthetically pleasing design. They look seamless and minimalistic and help your bathroom feel more open. Frameless-style showers are a lot easier to clean. A shower door frame tends to be an excellent place for mold to grow. Plus, the structure can be a considerable nuisance to clean.

Shower doors with frames are less expensive. The glass is thinner, and the support is provided by a metal frame, making this a far more cost-effective option. This also makes installation much easier for the DIY enthusiast.

Framed doors are less likely to leak than frameless doors. They’re also more durable and come in a variety of ornamental alternatives. A well-decorated shower enclosure style will make your bathroom stand out!

Types of Shower Door Hinges

Shower door hinges help your custom glass shower enclosure to operate smoothly and efficiently. They make your shower look more professional and high-quality. Glass shower doors can be mounted with different hinges and installation methods to meet your needs.

The type of hinge you choose for your shower door affects other installation requirements for building and designing your shower, as well as cost. Hinges are suitable for use with glass thicknesses of 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm, ensuring you can find a hinge that fits your specific shower setup.

The most common types of door hinges include:

Butt Hinges
Concealed Hinges
Wall to Glass Hinges
Offset Wall to Glass Hinges
Strap Hinges
Pivot Hinges
360-Degree Pivot Hinges
Continuous Hinges

Deciding on the Right Type of Hinge

There are infinite ways to customize your shower glass, and if you’re planning a bathroom renovation, you’ve probably explored hundreds of styles and ideas. Once you’ve narrowed down your design, one question remains: What kind of glass shower hinges do you buy?

When selecting the correct type of hinge hardware options, several factors must be considered. For example, you must choose what design you want, how much space between the wall and the shower, and how much weight the doors must support.

There are many different types of shower hinges (as previously stated.) So, how should you choose the right, high-quality shower door hinge?

Material: The material of the shower hinge must be strong and durable. You must choose a material that won’t rust or corrode in wet environments.
Finishes and colors: Chrome is still popular because it is ageless, fashionable, and appealing. It looks lovely with the chrome-plated gloss and is appropriate for any bathroom style. Shower hinges come in a range of colors and finishes. Matte black, silver, gold, brushed nickel, and white are just a few variations.
Coating: The plating layer of the high-quality hinge is brilliant, with solid bonding force, compact structure, uniform coating, and sharp color surface. The low-quality door hinge electroplating layer uses cheap brighteners with loose structures, weak bonding, and dull and white surfaces.
Hinge style: Styles of shower door hinges come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs. Choose the type that suits your style to complete your lovely shower perfectly.

Measuring for New Hinges

When replacing door hinges, having the correct size is crucial. While measuring is simple, you must do it correctly so you don’t have to worry about whether the new one will fit appropriately into your door frame. You’ll need to know the existing hinge’s dimensions to ensure you get a replacement of the right size, thickness, and weight.

Hinges are sized according to thickness, corner measurement, and width when fully open. The height and width of most hinges are the same. Residential door hinges are typically 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches in dimension; however, sizes ranging from 2 to 6 inches are available.

When it comes to door hinges, one size does not fit all. Factors that you must consider before measuring for hinge sizes, as they will dictate what hardware components you must buy, include:

The dimensions of the door, including its height and width
What the door is made of, and how it is constructed
How frequently the door will be opened and closed.
The suspended weight of the door

Types of Shower Door Handles and Knobs

Shower handles are classified into three types: knob, lever, and cross. Here’s a basic rundown of these different styles:

Knob Handles: These are reminiscent of what you may find on a door. These handles are usually circular shaped and are spun in a circular motion to turn the shower on and off. Knob handles are also available in jewel, globe, oval, and even square shapes.
Lever Handles: Lever handles are exactly what they sound like bar-shaped handles on a pivot. As with knob handles, you’ll have an option for on/off and hot/cold.
Lever handles, like knob handles, are available in several styles, various finishes, colors, and textures to complement any bathroom décor.
Cross Handles: Cross handles are named for their cross-like, or X, shape. In their operation, they are incredibly similar to knobs. However, you have an X instead of a globe or circular shape. The shape of the cross handle is often easier to grasp. They also have a more vintage feel, so they are a great style if you’re looking for a retro look.

Glass Shower Hardware Finishes

Beautiful bathrooms are becoming increasingly modern, decorative, and personalized to the homeowner’s tastes and preferences. These customizations may extend to your shower door hardware and blend into the rest of your bathroom décor.

When choosing from various options, make sure you consider everything in your bathroom to create a unified look. For example, the cabinet handles, shower, towel bars, and shower faucet finishes can all match your shower door hardware and create an inviting space for your beautiful shower environment.

Most shower doors can also be customized with various door track and handle finishes. This includes everything from nickel, bronze, chrome, or other options.

If your shower is made of clear glass, which allows you to see all of the interior possibilities at all times, make sure you consider all of the finishes and the tile color on the inside of the shower when making improvements. Make sure that all components work together and match the finishes of your shower door.

How to Clean Your Shower Hardware

A clean shower is a healthy shower. When cleaning your shower enclosures, don’t just focus on the glass panels; also clean the entire shower, including the bathroom shower system, door handles, metal components, tile walls, etc. Knowing how to clean your shower entirely is a fundamental part of housekeeping.

In most circumstances, we recommend using a microfiber cloth, a non-abrasive bathroom cleaning spray, or a simple DIY mixture of mild dish soap, distilled white vinegar, and warm water to clean your entire shower. Focus on cleaning your shower hardware and panels daily for a clean shower.

We have listed cleaning suggestions for the shower head and door tracks below:

A shower head is a common part of the shower that should be cleaned and maintained. If the water is shooting in different directions or water flow is low, this is a good indicator some of the holes are clogged with minerals. Place the shower head in a bowl of warm distilled white vinegar. Make sure the shower head is completely submerged in the vinegar. Use a needle or straightened paper clip to open the holes in the shower head that are still blocked by mineral deposits.
Door tracks are quite tricky parts of your shower door to clean. It is where all the dirt collects over time, especially soap scum and minerals from hard water. Most of us tend to neglect that part of our bathrooms. The problem is that these tracks become more disgusting the longer we delay necessary cleaning. White vinegar is a mold killer, given its acidic nature. Therefore, you can utilize that mold and mildew-fighting action on your shower door tracks.

Contact a Top-Rated Shower Door Company to Get a Free Estimate & Schedule a Consultation

We are the best shower door company in the industry! Our experts are here to help you redesign or modify the look of your bathroom. Contact us today for a free quote and to learn how we can help you transform your bathroom at a low cost.

We specialize in shower glass doors, provide 24-hour quotes, and provide quick and professional installation.