Glass shower enclosures should be designed and installed to suit their purpose. They should provide a stylish and practical showering solution that will freshen up your space and increase relaxation.
With so many options available in the market today, choosing the right shower enclosure is not that easy. Like any other decisions you make involving investments for your home improvement, careful planning and research must be done so you end up with the best solution that will give you the most benefits.
There are many factors you should consider such as your renovation budget, types of shower glass, and finish. The cost of your glass shower will depend a great deal on the style, size, and shape of the enclosure. A custom design tub-and-shower combo and walk-in shower will be more costly than a small en suite. The quality of the glass for showers, the complexity of the shower design, and the cost of installation can impact your budget significantly.
Guide to Choosing the Perfect Glass Shower for Your Bathroom
There are six important factors to consider when choosing the perfect shower enclosure suited for your bathroom.
1. Renovation Budget
The first major consideration in any remodeling or renovation in your home is your budget. No matter what your style preferences are and how grand your plan is, you will be limited by your budget. Align your plan to your budget. This means you need to choose from among the types of shower glass with the price range that suits the amount you are willing to spend. Many glass shower styles fit in your current space. Selecting one of them is cost-effective. You need to consider in your plans not just the cost of the glass shower but also installation, which can depend on the complexity of the job and your location.
You can opt to spend a little more if your shower glass upgrade can bring dramatic transformation to your bathroom and can add value. You can consider glass with a unique texture or pattern or a custom design.
2. Bathroom Space
It is best to maintain a static footprint in your bathroom especially if you are satisfied with your bathroom configuration. You can determine the type of shower enclosure to use in your upgrade by deciding to follow your existing bathroom layout and footprint. You avoid spending more on a different shower enclosure configuration, relocating other fixtures, and extra project completion time.
Depending on your budget, you can renovate to convert your tub-and-shower combo into a walk-in glass enclosure while maintaining the existing footprint. With an added cost, you can improve your home’s value.
3. Shower Glass
There is a lot of variety to choose from when it comes to types of shower glass for your bathroom. Safety glazing should be the foremost consideration when choosing glass for showers, especially for doors. Tempered glass, the most common shower glass used in bathrooms, shatters into small pellets rather than shards when it breaks, avoiding significant injury to people.
Though not common in door glass for showers, laminated glass is a much stronger glass. It is made from at least two pieces of glass and one plastic interlayer forming a glass sandwich. The interlayer material holds the glass in place when it breaks, keeping it from falling out. The disadvantage with a glass shower that utilizes laminated glass is it is prone to lamination over time when exposed to moisture. This makes tempered glass the most preferred choice.
4. Your Decorating Style
You can have your style preference show in your choice of the perfect enclosure. You can adopt different shapes such as boxy rectangles and curved semicircles for your enclosures to highlight your bathroom’s design scheme and your aesthetic taste. If you want to bring moiré light to your bathroom, an upgrade of your existing shower by adding a glass shower enclosure can help you with your objective.
Among the options you can have include sliding, hinged, and pivot doors, bypass shower doors, and framed door options with glass thickness, typically 3/16 or ¼ inch. The common frame material is aluminum that can be painted, coated, or finished in a range of different colours. Frameless doors do not have supporting frames and are therefore made thicker like 3/8 or ½ inch, making them among the most expensive types of shower glass.
5. Shower Hardware
It is best to match hardware for your showers such as cabinet handles, towel bars, and faucets to your shower door for a more inviting space.
6. Your Bathroom’s Functionality and the Foot Traffic
If it is frequently used by many people, your shower must be designed in a way that it can withstand everyday knocks, bangs, and slams. The materials used should be able to resist wear and tear. The shower should also be easily accessible by its intended users, including older people and children.
New Town Glass is the expert that can help you toward a selection of the perfect glass shower enclosure for your style and budget. Call us for a free consultation.
Glass installation may seem simple enough to be a DIY project. However, glass is a fragile and sensitive material to work with. Unlike steel, aluminum, wood, and other materials, glass requires extreme care in handling and processing. Minor mistakes can cost you dearly.
Whether installing glass for the replacement of your windows, doors, or other glass structures, you should consider some important factors that can help you make your glass installation successful and hassle-free.
Make the most of your important investment by following these helpful tips when installing glass for your home improvement.
What You Should Do When Installing Glass
1. Explore your options.
Explore the design and material options for your home glass structures. Take advantage of the opportunity to improve your existing windows, doors, and other enclosures at home. The technology has come a long way since your last installations. There are several styles available today that can enhance your home’s aesthetics and add significant financial value to your home. For your windows for example, aside from the traditional casement windows you may have, more modern styles have developed such as slider windows, bay windows, and bow windows.
There have been great advancements in the glass as well. Glass products with Energy Star seal can make them achieve the highest energy efficiency. They can likewise have energy-saving features such as argon gas, krypton gas, low e-glazing, and more. You can ask an experienced glass installer for the best options for your type of home.
Your glass selection can also include clear glass, tempered, and tinted or obscure glass, which are generally available in bronze or grey.
2. Consider the benefits of dual or triple pane technology.
38% of heat loss is through windows and doors in average homes. This may increase to 50% if your home has drafty single-pane windows. Upgrading to a dual-pane or triple-pane design can’t just increase energy efficiency, it can also provide sound-blocking benefits, that can help you sleep more soundly. It is especially useful when your home is located on a busy street or with loud neighbors.
3. Consider the impact of resistant glass.
If you live in an area prone to severe storms or on a golf course, impact-resistant laminated glass is a smart investment. Stronger than tempered glass, It is extremely difficult to penetrate.
4. Handle with care and be gentle.
The sides or edges of the glass are where it is most vulnerable. Avoid impacting them. Cleaning the glass with a mixture of ordinary dish soap and water with a sponge will suffice, followed by a soft, non-abrasive cleaning cloth to buff it dry. Stubborn dirt and stains may be removed with a glass cleaner and damp cloth.
5. Observe safety during glass installation.
Consider installing a film on glass windows that can hold a broken glass.
6. Adjust with shims.
Adjustments can be made with shims installed at all anchor points and anywhere necessary to keep the unit correctly in place.
7. Seal all joints.
Seal all joints with caulk or sealant on the interior and exterior.
8. Hire a reputable contractor.
Glass windows and glass doors are only as good as their installation. When you have chosen the best-suited style for your need and requirements, you’ll need a professional glass installer for a high-quality and proper glass installation. Choosing just any glass service provider cannot guarantee you flawless workmanship. You may not achieve better functionality and improved energy efficiency, the reason for your new glass installation or replacement to begin with.
Seek out manufacturers with warranties that cover the frame, sash, and insulating glass units of your window. Likewise, if hiring a window installer, make sure to request paperwork that assures you that the entire installation team is bonded and insured.
What You Should NOT Do When Installing Glass
1. Don’t use abrasive solutions.
Using washing powder or cleaning solutions containing abrasives can scratch and damage the glass surface.
2. Don’t assume correct measurements.
Most manufacturers offer standard size windows and doors to closely match existing units. Before removing the existing unit for replacement, double-check the measurements for fit. Make sure the replacement unit fits into the opening level, plumb, and square, on both sides.
3. Don’t ignore chips and small cracks.
Mind even small chips and cracks that appear on the glass surface. They can weaken the glass that can subsequently cause the entire piece to shatter.
4. Don’t do the job yourself.
Some people are tempted to do glass installation themselves even when they do not have the experience and the right tools to perform proper glass installation. In their desire to save a little by doing the glass installation job themselves, they end up spending much more than they expect because of poor quality workmanship that usually entails reworking. What’s worse is when their lack of experience results in serious structural integrity or safety issues. Unless you have advanced carpentry skills, have done similar home improvement projects before, and have the right tools for the job, leave major technical activities such as glass installation and replacement to the expert glass installer certified to do the job.
Contact New Town Glass for professional, high-quality glass services. With us, you are guaranteed proper glass installation so your money doesn’t go to waste.
While windows are built to last for a long time, they are not exempted from being broken, shattered, or dilapidated. No matter how well you maintain your windows at home, they will naturally deteriorate over time due to wear and tear. Don’t wait for serious damages before you undergo necessary window repair or replacement. If you notice signs that your glass windows are starting to break or disintegrate, you should take action right away.
Reasons for Window Repair
Some damages to your home windows are very obvious that you can easily decide to get glass repair services. These include shattered windows, cracks on the glass, broken window locks, and rusty frames. However, if you’re not completely sure when to have your windows checked, replaced, or repaired, this following list should help you make a quick decision.
If your window sills are old and they started rotting or rust, they need to be taken out and replaced with new ones immediately.
Broken or shattered window glass is a clear sign that an immediate window repair is needed. However, don’t wait for a serious or major break. When you notice small cracks, you need to have them filled right away to avoid more serious damage in the future.
When your windows aren’t closing properly or the locks are broken, have these repaired quickly. These can cause security concerns, and you and your family’s safety can be jeopardized.
Check if your windows are not sealed properly, as this can let a lot of air, rain, dust, dirt, insects, and unwanted objects to get inside your house. If your glass windows are not sealed well, you will have to call a glass fixer right away.
Additionally, when a crack is not sealed well enough, permanent condensation may also occur inside your window panes and this can unsightly.
DIY home repairs and projects will not only help you save money but challenge your creativity and skills, too. However, while there may be benefits to doing home fixes by yourself, you should always be careful in choosing which projects to DIY and which ones to hire professionals for. Sometimes, when something goes wrong with your DIY repairs, you may actually end up spending more instead of saving what you thought are unnecessary costs.
When it comes to glass repair, it is always a safe decision to seek the help and expertise of professional glass specialists. Window repairs are not are as simple as they sound. Often, when the damage happens on the glass panels, such as cracks or holes, it’s very unlikely to be fixed with a DIY solution; but rather, it requires complete replacement of the glass panels. Unless you have the right skills, knowledge, and experience on window glass replacement, then, by all means, do the glass repair by yourself.
Otherwise, to ensure that your window repair will go as smoothly and seamlessly as you’d like it to be and to maintain the perfect look of your home, make sure to hire an expert glass fixer or window repair specialist.
Why Hire Professional Kelowna Window Specialists
Window installation, repair, and replacement are services that professional glass fixer can perform without blunders or mistakes. Especially if you choose to hire top-notch window repair specialists in Kelowna, you can have confidence and peace of mind that your windows are in good hands.
Here are some of the reasons why New Town Glass is your best choice for glass window repairs and replacements.
We are a fully licensed and insured renovation company serving residential and commercial clients within Okanagan Valley. Our passion for windows and glazing and our 25+ years experience in the industry makes us one of the leading renovation specialists in the local community.
We are experts in anything glass. We are masters of our crafts and we specialize in high-quality, top-notch glass services, including window installation, repair, and replacement.
We are committed to delivering the highest standard in glass repair and installation the Okanagan has to offer. Our team of highly skilled and experienced windows repair experts will work with you closely to ensure that your glass concerns and problems are resolved on time.
We use state-of-the-art tools and techniques in performing window glass repairs and installations.
We serve and work with a variety of clients, including homeowners, home builders, renovation contractors, architectural engineers, commercial designers, interior designers, and residential and commercial developers.
If your glass windows require a maintenance check-up, repair, or replacement, contact our window specialists at New Town Glass, and we’ll be happy to address your concerns and fix your glass window problems.
If you are fond of drinking wine, whether regularly or occasionally, then you should already know how important a wine cellar or wine room is. A wine cellar plays an important role in storing your favorite wines to be able to age them to perfection and make them ready for consumption during a special occasion with special guests or just on a random day to enjoy it for your own pleasure.
Whether you’re collecting hundreds of bottles of wine or you have a few dozens, the question you may be asking yourself is if you need to have a dedicated wine room for your favorite drink and how would it look like. If you can’t decide how to build your wine cellar, let this article guide you in building your custom wine cellar.
Do You Need to Have a Wine Cellar?
If you have at least a few bottles of wine lying around the house which you wouldn’t consume all at once in the next few days or weeks, and if you are planning to add more bottles to what you already have, then yes, it is a good decision to have your own wine room where you can properly store your wines.
Having an exclusive wine room at home comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some:
1. It prevents spoilage.
While wines can last for a long time, remember that they are still made of fruit, which makes them perishable goods. By having a wine cellar, you can prevent the spoilage of wine and allow it to age perfectly. When maintained properly, your wine room will protect your wine bottles from getting too much heat and light, which over time, may lead to changes in taste and complexion, as well as spoilage.
2. Ideal for collection and display.
Any wine connoisseur or collector will be proud to display their extensive selection of wine bottles that come from different years and places. With a wine cellar, especially if it’s a glass wine room, wine enthusiasts will have a perfect place that will allow them to not only show off their wine collection but also arrange their bottles of wine in a particular order for easy choosing and identification.
3. It improves the quality of wine.
Under the right conditions, including temperature, light, and humidity, a well-built wine cellar can help improve the quality of wines stored in it and ensure that they mature the way they should. Proper storage can have a massive impact on the flavor, aroma, and overall complexion of a bottle of wine.
Having said these, it is indeed beneficial to have a wine cellar in your home, especially if you intend to keep several bottles, grow your collection, and/or have them age for years.
Benefits of Getting a Custom Built Wine Cellar Glass
There are many types of wine storage you can choose from, but getting a wine cellar glass has many advantages. If you are planning to have your wine room built and customized, consider the following reasons for getting a glass wine room.
1. Glass exudes beauty and elegance.
A glass wine storage looks amazing, especially since it can fully and clearly display your wine collection. It is built to work with your home and your home’s interior, plus it will definitely add to your home’s resale value.
2. A custom glass cellar allows you to organize your collection better.
Don’t you find it annoying when you’re looking for a particular brand or bottle of wine, but it takes you too much time to locate it? With a custom glass storage, you can find that special bottle quickly and easily.
3. Custom wine cellar glass comes with great features.
By having a custom-built glass cellar, you can instruct your contractors to add features that you like, such as multi-temperature zones that can be individually controlled and insulated glass doors that reduce heat transfer. These features will t will allow each bottle of your wines to reach its true potential.
4. Glass can easily be integrated into any environment.
Whether you choose to build your wine cellar in your home, at work, or in a commercial setting, glass provides an aesthetic appeal that levels up your interior design.
5. Finally, you have the final say on its look and feel.
By having your wine cellar custom-built with glass storage, cabinets, and doors, you have a wide variety to choose from. From compact storage to under-counter units to huge glass cabinetry, you can customize your wine room according to your preferences, requirements, and personal taste.
If you are ready to build your wine cellar glass, we can help you custom create the perfect storage for your wine collection. Contact our renovation specialists at New Town Glass and let’s discuss your ideas about how we can build the perfect glass wine room for your home.
Renovating your home to increase the value and elegance is a great investment. One of the rooms that will surely benefit from renovation is your kitchen. Not only will you get most of your investment back in resale value, but it can also increase the chances of finding someone interested in your home, as the kitchen is one of the most important areas for prospective buyers.
Why Renovate Your Kitchen
If you’re thinking you don’t need a renovation because you’re not planning on selling your house, here are even more reasons why you should try to make your kitchen more elegant.
A more elegant kitchen can encourage more family time, as members of the household are drawn to the kitchen.
With an upgraded kitchen counter, it will be more comfortable and easy to prepare home-cooked meals, which will keep you and your family eating healthier, compared to ordering takeout.
An elegant, modern kitchen uses energy-efficient materials, which can save you on maintenance and energy costs.
A beautiful kitchen will make you feel more at ease when hosting a party or dinner
Choosing the right materials for your kitchen counters, like glass tile backsplash, can keep your cooking area more sanitary, which can protect against diseases
Affordable and Easy Tips on Renovating Your Kitchen
If the cost of remodeling is throwing you off, keep in mind that you don’t have to overhaul the entire kitchen to increase its visual appeal and elegance. Simply upgrading your kitchen counters and other simple affordable changes can make a whole lot of difference
1. Use light wisely.
You’ll be surprised what a little well-placed lighting can do for your kitchen. Light sets the ambiance of the kitchen, so choose lighting fixtures that complement your kitchen design and gives you enough illumination when you’re working. A well-illuminated kitchen looks instantly more elegant than a dimly lit one.
For more energy-efficient lighting, you can renovate to add bigger windows that let natural ambient light in. Soft natural light will look marvelous when it hits a painted glass backsplash, which will instantly escalate your kitchen’s elegance.
2. Do not use synthetic materials.
Nothing ruins the elegance of your space than artificial materials, such as plastic adhesive sheets imitating a glass tile backsplash. They may look nice now, but given the high heat and humidity situation in the kitchen, they will soon show signs of wear and accumulate dirt and grime, which will make your kitchen look worse than when you started.
Since the counters and backsplash are the high-pressure areas in the kitchen, why not invest in authentic glass tile backsplash? They may be pricier but they last for years or even decades which can save you more in the long run.
3. Your kitchen countertop doesn’t have to be expensive.
Expensive does not automatically mean elegant. Although marble and granite countertops are the standard of elegance in the kitchen, they can be quite expensive. It may be wiser to opt for cheaper, yet elegant looking alternatives. Customized ceramic, laminate, or wood tiles or solid wood can look just as classy when styled effectively. Pair mid-range countertops with glass tile backsplash and you’ll get a kitchen that looks expensive without burning through your budget.
4. Play with colors.
Try to add a dash of color that will make your kitchen more visually appealing. Colored cabinets can go out in and out of style but painted glass backsplash below a neutral-colored cabinet is timeless. It can draw the eyes and make your design pop, giving your kitchen a modern elegant look.
Glass backsplash is robust, hygienic and they go well with any theme you are going for in your kitchen. You can choose from a plethora of colors with different shades to create your own masterpiece in the kitchen that expresses your personality.
5. Choose sanitary materials that can withstand the heat.
Your kitchen counter and its surroundings are where you prepare and cook food to serve your family, so choose materials that are elegant and practical at the same time. Painted glass backsplash does not need to be sealed or removed, hence it does not stain or get any mold or bacteria stuck in between seams and grout, unlike regular tiles, hence it is easier to keep clean. The material is also durable and it can withstand high heat and pressure without wearing out.
Get Your Painted Glass Backsplash Professionally Installed
Glass backsplash can be expensive, but it is well worth the investment given its durability and practical and aesthetic benefits. Make sure it is installed professionally by experts who can go around obstacles, prevent breakage, and handle delicate materials, so your kitchen can last for decades. Visit New Town Glass for more information on kitchen glass backsplash installation.
The design and functionality of a bathroom can make or break a person’s opinion and mood about the whole house. A properly designed bathroom has the power to make the inhabitants feel relaxed and pampered after every shower or bath. If you’re not currently happy with the way your bathroom looks, maybe it’s time for a much-needed renovation.
Why Upgrade Your Bathroom
Sure, a glass shower and a corner bath may look elegant but do you really need them? Why should you consider renovating your bathroom now, when the old one has been perfectly functional and usable?
Upgrading your bathroom is not just about aesthetics; it also improves the functionality and comfort of your bathroom, not to mention it can greatly increase your house’s value. Your new bathroom can be more energy-efficient, which saves you on energy expenses. It’s more hygienic and easier to clean which saves your family from dangerous diseases. You can also make it more accessible to allow aging family members to use it with ease. Furthermore, depending on how you renovate it, you can have more space to use and have more relaxing and pleasurable time in your bathroom, which improves overall well-being.
Smart and Practical Bathroom Renovation Tips
You don’t have to spend a fortune on renovating your bathroom. Consider these smart and inexpensive tips on how to make your bathroom feel glamorous and luxurious:
1. Invest in good fixtures.
Nothing defines the theme of your bathroom as well as a good tapware, shower, and toilet. Choose a shower that is energy efficient and has good water pressure. Depending on the theme you want for your bathroom, choose fixtures that provide high functionality, energy and water efficiency, and modern style.
2. Upgrade the lighting.
Lighting is essential in creating a relaxing atmosphere. If circumstances would allow it, opt for big glass windows or frosted glass walls if you don’t think your privacy will be compromised. Otherwise, modern artificial lighting can do wonders in creating a bright and luxurious feel in your bathroom.
If you’re only using a ceiling light, you may notice that it creates shadows on your face when you’re looking in the mirror, so add some overhead light above the mirror or modern sconces on both sides of the vanity.
3. Improve ventilation.
Depending on the size of your bathroom, you should have sufficient ventilation to keep the room from fogging up. Keeping the moisture inside the house can be dangerous as it can damage the property and cause the growth of molds that are unsanitary and unsightly.
Make sure your bathroom has adequate airflow by installing bigger windows. Choose modern designs that are also functional and energy-efficient. If this is not doable, you can install a passive vent or a fan to allow free movement of air.
4. Paint it up.
Never underestimate the power of color. Just adding a lick of paint over your old tub can instantly make it look new and modern. Choose a light and neutral color for your walls, preferably a color that matches your floor, especially if the space is small. This creates a brighter space by eliminating the corners.
If you want to add more personality to your bathroom, try painting your cabinets and doors a bolder color which can make your bathroom more charming.
5. Use frameless glass shower enclosure.
There are many advantages to installing a glass shower enclosure or a glass shower door. Buy shower glass that is frameless so you can instantly elevate your bathrooms’ elegance and sophistication. You can opt for a sliding shower glass door or one that opens out depending on how much space you have.
The advantages of frameless shower glass are not limited to beauty, it is also hygienic and a lot easier to clean. Unlike shower curtains and framed shower glass, you can easily keep the frameless glass clean and free from mildew and mold, because of the absence of crevices. Furthermore, you can easily preserve the integrity of your bathroom floor by keeping them dry. Glass shower enclosures are designed not to let any water out of the shower area, thus making it easier for you to tidy up.
Frameless shower enclosures also make your bathroom more accessible for people with limited movement abilities as it allows you to forgo the step or ledge that separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom.
Where to Buy Shower Glass for Your Bathroom Renovation
To achieve the classy look you want for your bathroom, getting the right professionals to install your glass shower doors and enclosure is crucial. You’ll need experts who can handle the delicate job of putting fragile glass firmly in place with the utmost care and perfect craftsmanship.
At New Town Glass and Window Renovations, we value safety and quality. We can help you improve your bathroom by installing bigger windows or floor to ceiling glass shower enclosures and doors or walk-in glass showers, depending on how you like to design your new bathroom. For more information on how to buy shower glass, visit our website.
Frameless shower glass doors can be either bypass or pivot. Bypass doors are just sliding sheets of glass that permit entryway into a shower/tub.
A pivot door is a factor of you reading this short article in the very first place. These are hinged pieces of thick glass that pivot open/closed, much like a door.
Neo Frameless Shower Glass
Among the most significant setbacks when it comes to buying a frameless shower glass door is the lack of criteria.
One seller will define a frameless shower glass door in various methods from another, and a third one will choose yet another meaning. Truthfully, it can be pretty puzzling to many homeowners. Two terms a person will stumble upon are fully frameless and semi-frameless showers
Some glass shower doors use the channels at the bottom or sides of the door to secure it. While some sellers will still say, this is a frameless shower glass door, the more precise term settled on by many in the industry is semi-frameless.
Other frameless shower glass doors use clamps to secure the glass door to the wall or a set glass panel, which is what many refer to as a fully frameless glass shower door.
Another critical problem is the type of hardware used on the door. That describes the product utilized in U channel (for semi-frameless glass shower doors) and the clamps (for fully frameless shower glass doors) along with any other component consisting of the hinges.
You will find terms like brass construction, aluminum construction, and anodized construction. If possible, always choose brass hardware.
Framless shower glass doors are rather heavy, often weighing up to 200 pounds. The hardware utilized should have the ability to bear all that weight securely and ensure structural stability.
Brass is far better at this than aluminum and numerous other materials in your experience.
Benefits/disadvantages of Frameless Shower Glass Doors
Looking to resolve the problem of messy wrap around shower curtains or concerned about hazardous chemicals found in many shower curtains?
Here, at New Town Glass, Kelowna, we offer Agalite frameless glass shower doors and frameless tub enclosure that significantly reduces health risks associated with vinyl shower curtains.
Easy to clean and practically maintenance-free, you will never have to handle a musty shower curtain again.
Readily available in an infinite variety of shapes and textures, now you can experience the clean looks that only the appearance of pure glass can provide.
Traditional framed glass shower doors utilize metal, rubber, or some other product to secure the glass along the edges. The result is a bulky look that can become an eyesore specifically for small restrooms.
A frameless shower glass door eliminates the framing, creating a cleaner and less cluttered look. Many homeowners will likewise concur that a frameless shower glass door is less of an inconvenience to clean and maintain. A quick wipe suffices to get it looking gleaming clean.
However, the charm and airiness of our Agalite frameless glass shower doors include a few disadvantages.
For one, the cost of a frameless shower glass door is much higher than that of framed doors. That is due to the increased complexity of designing and install frameless shower glass doors.
Secondly, these doors feature a greater danger of leaking water into other areas of the bathroom. Correct design is vital in preventing this.
With quality installation and proper maintenance, a frameless shower glass door is one of the best bathroom upgrades you can make. It leaves your bathroom sensation airier, brighter, and more substantial.
While frameless glass shower doors are getting steam throughout the country, many homeowners still utilize ordinary framed shower doors.
The Difference in Cost
To no surprise, framed glass shower doors cost less than their frameless counterparts. According to our estimator, you can save between $200 and $500 on your total project.
Frameless shower glass doors are much more expensive because the glass is way thicker, and they also require unique hardware
Seamless shower doors require extremely tough nuts and bolts to hold up. Given that security is always a concern, producers do not only take extra time determining the door but also picking out the ideal hardware for your shower remodel.
As you may anticipate, frameless glass shower doors cost more than your typical glass shower door. In truth, the average cost of a frameless glass shower door installation is $1,000. However, we have seen frameless glass shower door sets up cost as low as $900 or as high as $1,300.
You can save money on your frameless shower glass doors cost by installing the doors yourself (roughly $300), however, provided what you spend on the door, we recommend letting professional shower specialists mount these expensive and heavy doors.
Thicker glass – frameless shower glass doors do not have the structural advantage of metal framing; the glass must be thicker.
Glass is generally about a quarter-inch thick.
Massive – a 72″ x 36″ frameless door might weigh as much as 70 pounds. Compare to a framed glass shower door, which might weigh about 45-50 pounds.
Shower door hinge combination shower doors are notched where hinges attach for added security, strength, and safety.
There are several hardware styles a wide range of materials and finishes are offered to complement taste or to match the existing bathroom fixtures.
Our Kelowna frameless glass shower doors are 100% glass. They do not require frames and supply a modern and sleek addition to an existing shower enclosure. Frameless glass shower doors can swing open or shut.
Strong hinges are attached to the nearby wall with specialty hardware made to hold more massive doors. Frameless shower glass doors require little maintenance, look much better, and last longer than conventional shower curtains.
Glass Shower Doors & Enclosures
While they do cost more than typical shower enclosures, frameless shower glass doors create a more open and seamless bathroom. They are easy to maintain, and potential buyers love them.
Agalite glass shower and bath enclosures fabricate custom heavy frameless shower glass enclosures, the intricacy involved in frameless shower glass doors and enclosures.
Browse through New Town Glass, Kelowna’s website under Services-Glass Showers for frameless shower options
Expensive – costs range from the $400s to the thousands. Framed shower doors easily will cost 40% less. Much easier to clean – a strong sheet of glass has no framing to hinder cleaning.
Complex to install – because of the frameless door’s excessive weight, care needs to be required to ensure that it is safely installed– a task frequently best left to experts.
When choosing a glass shower enclosure, the decision on whether to install frameless glass shower doors or a framed ensemble will be required.
Each has its benefits, and it is a matter of aesthetics and performance that will aid in deciding in which kind of shower enclosure to install depending upon the existing space readily available and style desires.
Frameless Shower Glass Enclosure Maintenance
You go to the shower to cleanse your body, so it just makes good sense that your shower and frameless shower glass doors are as clean as can be. Fortunately, when it comes to glass shower door maintenance, cleaning is 90% of the work. If you clean and do the other maintenance product pointed out below, the frameless shower glass door ought to last for a minimum of a decade.
Daily cleaning: ensure to buy a squeegee and keep it in the shower. Attempt to clean down the inside of the frameless door as frequently as possible.
Deep cleans: buy glass cleaner. However, using white vinegar is appropriate, also. It is excellent for removing scum and preventing mold. Use it to the inside of the door and spray it down with water to rinse.
Still not sure if frameless glass shower doors are best for you?
Beyond cost, all potential buyers should weigh the other pros and cons of such a remodel. Considered that frameless shower glass doors can cost upwards of $500 more than standard glass shower doors, the benefits need to deserve it.
Very first, as we have stated, 2 of the best features of frameless shower glass doors are the sleek and trendy appearance. Homeowners who choose glass shower doors have a lot more freedom in regards to designing and decorating the bathroom rather than having to work around a shower curtain.
In truth, frameless shower doors draw the eye towards your beautiful floor and shower tile. If you spent additional money on bathroom tile, frameless shower glass doors would improve their look.
Furthermore, Kelowna frameless shower glass doors can be custom made so that they can fit any shower or bathroom layout. The very same cannot be stated of shower curtains or pre-made shower stall doors.
Beyond design, frameless shower glass doors are much easier to keep clean. The only thing homeowners have to stress over is soap scum, which can build up on glass with time and end up being difficult to remove. Luckily, all it takes is a weekly spray with white vinegar or first glass cleaner to avoid this from happening.
Glass doors are also really resistant to mold and mildew, which can become a common problem in damp restrooms. As such, frameless glass shower doors are an ideal alternative for bathroom spaces that are not well aerated and may experience mold or mildew problems otherwise.
A frameless shower glass door finishes a luxurious bathroom like a Viking range perfects a kitchen. Consider how much of your life you spend in the bathroom; between brushing, bathing, showering, shaving, and doing makeup/hair.
You deserve a room you can genuinely relax in. It’s not surprising that the ancient Romans thought about the bathroom among the essential rooms in the house!
Frameless glass shower enclosures from our Kelowna supplier Agalite, can create a focal point that changes a bathroom into a spacious place of respite.
In the past, shower doors required metal frames around the edges to hold the glass in place. With such framed glass shower doors, metal surrounded the entire glass door, leaving no exposed edges.
Because these doors were built of thin, relatively inexpensive glass ranging from 1/8″ to 3/16″ density, they needed a metal frame to maintain their structural integrity.
Sturdiness was restricted, however, and water and soap scum could quickly gather in the metal crevices, resulting in mildew and deterioration.
For more information or any questions you may have, I’ll be happy to answer them or check out our website.
You do need to know basic terminology about windows and how many kinds are available, all the while you need not be an expert.
Picture windows
Picture windows are stationary windows that add views and value. They are flanked by units or narrow casements.
Hopper windows
Tilt-in hopper windows are installed in crawlspaces and basements. The sash locks when unlatched and the top tips in toward the interior.
Float Glass
The name Float glass is the process of forming molten glass. It floats molten glass on the molten tin, creating a possible thin glass panel. This is a simple sheet of glass before it is cut, treated, upgraded, and set into a frame. A starting material for your own window.
Safety Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is an extra-strong, security-enhanced glass created by fusing at least two panes around an interior layer of PVB (polyvinyl butyral). This process utilizes a pressure fusion procedure and high heat to create a super-strong panel. If you require glass to remain put in the frame if it is broken, for safety or security reasons, this would be among your best choices.
Obscured Glass
You cannot see through an Obscured glass, although it is clear. Obscured glass patterns might be frosted, etched, coated, or otherwise designed so you can’t look through or see further than vague outlines or shadows of what’s behind it. That is why this is the most popular type of glass for bathroom windows, shower doors, and entry door areas.
Annealed Glass
Annealing is the controlled, meticulous, and slow process of cooling a panel of float glass. By reducing the stress caused to it by quick cooling, the objective of this process is to strengthen the glass, which is the next step for float glass, and further upgrades can be accomplished.
Heat Strengthened Glass
Heat Strengthened Glass To create annealed glass panels twice as hard, it is reheated above 1200 degrees and then cooled. It’s not cooled quite as fast as tempered glass, so it’s not as powerful.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is added. This can be done for many reasons, including design aesthetic, privacy, and reducing heat from sunlight. Tinted glass may be a form of protection against harmful UV rays.
You usually see tinted glass on vehicles, skylights and decorative panels, but you can also use it for outside windows to bump your privacy factor and reduce harmful UV rays on a particular side of the house.
Tempered glass
The tempering process takes place only after the glass is finished and is cut into size. Tempered glass cannot be trimmed. The glass is heated to over 1200 degrees and then cooled. And to make heat-soaked tempered glass, the panes are baked at 550 degrees.
Having glass tempered makes it break in a particular manner that is safer than annealed glass. You are most likely to have tempered safety glass in your vehicle so that you can break the window out in case of a crisis.
Insulated Glass
Insulated glass windows come in a unit that is optimized for energy efficiency. There are two or three panes of glass, with argon gases in the spaces between the panes. An insulated glass unit also has a desiccant component, ensuring that condensation won’t form in between the panes in which you can not wash off.
Insulated glass windows are an excellent choice for exterior glass that’ll help you keep your heating and cooling costs down.
This coat is sealed with an additional coating, creating a mirror effect. You usually find mirrored glass being used in a decorative capacity, like on walls, furniture, and doors. Low-E Glass, Low emissivity glass is coated to reflect thermal radiation.
Why is this so beneficial for homes during the summer?
Heat is directed away from your property; in winter, your indoor temperature reflects back into the house without escaping through the windows. That translates to reduced heating and cooling expenses. Low-E glass may be a costly investment, but the savings, in the long run, can make it worthwhile.
Wired Glass Cable
Wired glass isn’t always considered a security glass. However, it is a fire-resistant glass. That is why it’s most widely utilized in schools, hospitals, and other industrial buildings. The grid of wires built into the panes will hold the glass in the frame if it shatters under high heat, such as a building fire.
Aluminum, this material is the basis for the kind of window frame as a result of its ability to support a great deal of glass with a little bit of aluminum.
However, aluminum frames conduct a lot of heat, which makes them a wrong selection for Kelowna window frames where heat has to be retained in/out of the house. It is suspect to condensation, meaning that it may not be the best option for wet weather climates.
However, the weather may cause the wood to shrink or swell and can be more expensive than other types of frames.
New Town Glass & Window Renovations U PVC Window Frames.
Otherwise known as vinyl windows are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with ultraviolet light stabilizers to prevent sunlight from breaking it down.
The advantages of vinyl window frames are they also have a high level of moisture resistance and that they don’t need to be painted.
New Town Glass Fibreglass frames are thermally efficient and considered all weather windows.
These windows are unique because not only are they powerful, but undergo shrinkage or expansion due to the weather. Fiberglass can get expensive, and there might be limited availability in some regions and for some colors.
Types Of Window Glass And Seals
The glass doesn’t shatter as in the event of force it will become stuck into the interlayer creating a spider web effect.
Glass is difficult to break and is frequently employed as a security measure to stop break-ins, or even restrict damage in places with extreme weather conditions.
Here are some of the most common kinds of glass that are available:
Laminated glass is composed of 2 pieces of glass with a coating of material in-between, usually polyvinyl butyral.
Low E glass is very efficient, and can also reduce the glare from the sun. To maximize thermal efficiency, which is very handy in the weather, Kelowna Windows are exposed to.
Low E Glass may be combined with other types such as glass.
However, it should be noted that Low-E Glass is not suitable for cold weather climates which depend on the winter sun for natural heating.
New Town Glass & Window Renovations will select the proper glass types based on your feedback.
Window Seals
Insulate the window with glass panes hermetically sealed, leaving an insulated air space that separates.
Since the insulation restricts the transfer of cold air, this sort of glass is excellent at energy efficiency.
Also, the noise entering your building is significantly reduced by the insulated glass. These seals usually contain an insulating gas like argon or krypton.
Choosing the perfect size for your windows
Window size is crucial because it will determine the amount of lighting and ventilation within the room or building, as well as how the area that is cold or hot will be.
Picking windows’ idea is to go with regular sizes, where there will be a range of kinds of windows to select from.
The climate for your window’s size is also vital.
Especially in hotter climates, you’ll want smaller windows on the west to minimize the afternoon sun entering the room.
The shape of your windows is also essential, as the light is let in by rectangular or big windows.
Proper Window And Door installation
When storing your windows before they’re installed, they need to be put in a clean and dry place away from building materials.
Frames should be stood upright in their sills on pieces of wood or brick.
Don’t remove the bands or corner braces that might be attached until after your window installation.
Make sure to consider these three points, when having windows installed in Kelowna:
Leave titles, rating numbers, and identifying information on windows for reference.
Eliminate cement and plaster from windows immediately.
Ensure that all cleaning acid is removed to prevent it from causing damage.
Windows should be installed by a professional window company using proper window installation guidelines and procedures.
Don’t trust just any contractor to do the job as they may not have had dedicated experience when it comes to window installation.
Windows and doors have to be installed with precision for proper operation.
Any deviation from this can void the manufacturer’s warranty.
So be sure to get a window store to do the job for you if you don’t think you have the proper window renovation experience.
If you are fond of drinking wine, whether regularly or occasionally, then you should already know 
