Know Your Options for Shower Screens
Clear is classic, but coloured or textured glass offers more privacy. See the options to find out what's right for you
tidgboutique
7 March 2017
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design... More
Glass shower enclosures are clearly a designer favourite, but is the choice of glass always so … clear? There are many options for glass finishes, so it’s worth considering the wide variety of looks and functions you can achieve to get the best fit for your bathroom style and your comfort level.
Clear
The ultimate classic, simple clear glass is a safe bet for nearly any bathroom because it can suit both traditional and modern styles. It’s an especially good choice if your space already includes a bit of colour elsewhere or a feature tile that you want to show off unfiltered.
Hardware will stand out on clear glass, so be sure to pick something simple and sleek to keep the look crisp.
The ultimate classic, simple clear glass is a safe bet for nearly any bathroom because it can suit both traditional and modern styles. It’s an especially good choice if your space already includes a bit of colour elsewhere or a feature tile that you want to show off unfiltered.
Hardware will stand out on clear glass, so be sure to pick something simple and sleek to keep the look crisp.
Mint
Subtle blue-green glass feels fresh and spa-like, reminding you of pleasant plants like cucumber, mint and eucalyptus – all the scents of your favourite shampoo brought to life.
Pair it with wood to complete the natural scheme and to add a little warmth.
Subtle blue-green glass feels fresh and spa-like, reminding you of pleasant plants like cucumber, mint and eucalyptus – all the scents of your favourite shampoo brought to life.
Pair it with wood to complete the natural scheme and to add a little warmth.
Beachy blue
A vibrant, beachy blue glass inspired by the jaw-dropping shores and skies of resort towns makes your bathroom feel as if it’s part of a modern holiday hotel.
Pair it with lots of clean white and other blue accents for a tone-on-tone effect.
A vibrant, beachy blue glass inspired by the jaw-dropping shores and skies of resort towns makes your bathroom feel as if it’s part of a modern holiday hotel.
Pair it with lots of clean white and other blue accents for a tone-on-tone effect.
Demure dark grey
For a sultry look that also adds a better sense of privacy, use a sophisticated dark grey glass. It brings depth to the scheme, and it pairs well with dramatic stone tiles with rich grey veining.
Shower doors or shower curtains?
For a sultry look that also adds a better sense of privacy, use a sophisticated dark grey glass. It brings depth to the scheme, and it pairs well with dramatic stone tiles with rich grey veining.
Shower doors or shower curtains?
Electric blue
Want a truly electrifying colour? Blue is the best choice for a bold, super-saturated hue because it can be very pure without seeming garish.
Set it against a subtly textural tile mosaic to balance out its laser-like vibrancy.
Want a truly electrifying colour? Blue is the best choice for a bold, super-saturated hue because it can be very pure without seeming garish.
Set it against a subtly textural tile mosaic to balance out its laser-like vibrancy.
Navy
Find the previous hue a little too blue? A classic navy feels contemporary and unique in glass yet timeless at the same time.
At this point, you may be noticing a theme: blues and blue-greens are definitely popular choices for tinted glass, and for good reason. Cool colours appear fresh and clean, which tends to suit bathrooms. They also don’t date as quickly as hot hues and aren’t as controversial, so they are generally more market-friendly for later resale than, say, a bold orange or a vibrant red.
Find the previous hue a little too blue? A classic navy feels contemporary and unique in glass yet timeless at the same time.
At this point, you may be noticing a theme: blues and blue-greens are definitely popular choices for tinted glass, and for good reason. Cool colours appear fresh and clean, which tends to suit bathrooms. They also don’t date as quickly as hot hues and aren’t as controversial, so they are generally more market-friendly for later resale than, say, a bold orange or a vibrant red.
Warm amber grey
If you prefer a warmer look, try an amber-grey glass that has subdued yellow tones. It will work well with stone or wood, or a mix of both, adding warmth to the palette without going too far.
If you prefer a warmer look, try an amber-grey glass that has subdued yellow tones. It will work well with stone or wood, or a mix of both, adding warmth to the palette without going too far.
Semi-transparent
A frosted or semi-transparent finish creates a different effect for bathroom glass. It lets in light but closes the sightline. The shower won’t look as large but will feel more private.
See more corner showers
A frosted or semi-transparent finish creates a different effect for bathroom glass. It lets in light but closes the sightline. The shower won’t look as large but will feel more private.
See more corner showers
You can find glass options in different levels of transparency, which will reveal more or less to the eye. Keep in mind that while semi-transparent glass will let in some light, it’s still usually best to include a light in the shower itself to achieve proper brightness.
Frosted panels
To get the best of both worlds, have your shower glass frosted to create a privacy panel, with fully transparent sections at the top and the bottom. This allows for longer sightlines that open the space, but it also keeps the majority of the enclosure hidden.
Glass panels like this also make a great divider around your toilet, creating a private space within a shared bathroom.
To get the best of both worlds, have your shower glass frosted to create a privacy panel, with fully transparent sections at the top and the bottom. This allows for longer sightlines that open the space, but it also keeps the majority of the enclosure hidden.
Glass panels like this also make a great divider around your toilet, creating a private space within a shared bathroom.
Striped
Here’s another great way to break up your glass to add privacy: a striped effect gives a peek to the other side but still obscures your view of any details. This way, bathers can feel enclosed, but the space still seems airy and open.
Here’s another great way to break up your glass to add privacy: a striped effect gives a peek to the other side but still obscures your view of any details. This way, bathers can feel enclosed, but the space still seems airy and open.
Textured
For another privacy approach, try a textured panel. The effect is very architectural, and it adds a lot of visual interest while gently obscuring the view through the glass. This works especially well in a palette of textural neutral materials like stone and wood.
For another privacy approach, try a textured panel. The effect is very architectural, and it adds a lot of visual interest while gently obscuring the view through the glass. This works especially well in a palette of textural neutral materials like stone and wood.
Multi-paned
Normally small panes of glass are seen on traditional windows, but as a shower enclosure, they bring a beautiful, sophisticated appeal to the interior.
Be sure to echo the dark glazing bars with blackened bronze fixtures and other charcoal accents. This will help the shower feel integrated into the space and not overwhelmingly dominant.
Embrace black-framed shower doors
Tell us
What’s your preference when it comes to shower screens? Tell us in the Comments below.
More
Read more bathroom stories
Normally small panes of glass are seen on traditional windows, but as a shower enclosure, they bring a beautiful, sophisticated appeal to the interior.
Be sure to echo the dark glazing bars with blackened bronze fixtures and other charcoal accents. This will help the shower feel integrated into the space and not overwhelmingly dominant.
Embrace black-framed shower doors
Tell us
What’s your preference when it comes to shower screens? Tell us in the Comments below.
More
Read more bathroom stories
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How to prevent spots?
I have an 82" x 65" sheet of glass in my walk in shower, I use Rain-X every year and we have an 18" squeegee we use after every shower.
It takes less than 30 seconds and your done.
After a year and a half we have ZERO water spots.
Who sells coloured glass screens in Australia?
Hi Julie
Regarding your question on coloured glass screens
You did not mention as to colour type or glass sizes you would like ; but you may find that ( depending on your needs to overall sizes and colour / patterns - clear see through or opaque etc ) ) your going to find the range and type is generally limited to glass used mainly for the lead lighters as from what I’ve seen via a Perth ( WA) supplier , mentioned in there ads that the largest sizes are 780x980 mm only and mostly those opaque / obscure types ( most sold in smaller sizes for the lead light art and craft industry.
For larger shower screens or balcony sized panels , you would find having clear glass panels installed then the glass tinted as a more cost effective way plus not as limited to the range of films available with both see through and opaque types available compared to glass
Another factor to consider as whether you can get the coloured glass supplied to the Australian safety standards that can limit what and where you can use the glass .
I run a window tinting business in Tasmania that you call me for further info if I can help via
0418140732 Protek window tinting