Is the ‘glass all the time greener’ at the thicker facet? OK – I do know this can be a play on phrases for the often-used word we’ll inform our children after we say the ‘grass isn’t all the time greener at the different facet’ once they let us know all of the amusing issues the ones ‘different oldsters’ let their children do. Alternatively, this text IS NOT about elevating children, however it’s concerning the a lot, a lot, a lot more effective process of choosing the proper glass bathe door.
And in case you’re learn any of my articles about bathe doorways sooner than you recognize by way of now luxurious glass bathe doorways are frameless doorways and use thicker glass (which levels from 5/16” to ½” thick). And whilst all of us need the ‘highest of the whole lot’ right through a rest room transform– our ‘champagne tastes’ hardly ever fit our beer budgets.
The true query turns into when will have to you select thicker glass bathe doorways – which can be dearer, and when thinner framed glass bathe doorways (which use 1/8” to ¼” thick glass) will probably be ‘excellent sufficient?’
Whilst thinner and thicker doorways will ‘outlive’ (and be extra hygienic) than bathe curtains, opting for between thick and skinny glass is probably not the ‘slam dunk’ resolution you was hoping it might be.
And that is precisely what this article will take on. Beneath I’ll provide an explanation for the benefits and downsides of thicker glass bathe doorways so you’ll be able to determine in the event that they’re highest on your undertaking. On the finish I’d love to listen to which door feels best for you (and would additionally happy that will help you if you wish to have pricing or technical knowledge sooner than making your selection)!
Smartly with out additional lengthen, let’s take a look at the benefits and downsides of thicker glass bathe doorways.
Benefits of Thicker Frameless Glass Bathe Doorways
Merit #1 – You’ll get a greater view of the interior of your bathe
Take into consideration this. You invested (closely) within the Moroccan tile manufactured in Spain (how ironic used to be that?). Your internal fashion designer informed you this trend used to be HOT, HOT, HOT. Otherwise you discovered this cool line of grout unfastened (and cost-effective) white herringbone laminate wall panels which gave you a high-end take a look at the cheap pleasant worth. And the very last thing you need to do is ‘quilt those partitions’ with a clunky framed bathe door with difficult to understand glass.
And that is precisely the place a thicker frameless glass bathe door is a will have to. Don’t put money into an exquisite taking a look bathe encompass partitions solely to hide them up with cumbersome steel framed bathe doorways. It is unnecessary.
Merit #2 – With thicker glass your bathe door gained’t wobble ‘back and forth’
Framed bathe doorways use skinny glass surrounded by way of steel frames. Even though the framing supplies pressure to the glass throughout the door, they nonetheless wobble back and forth once they’re opened. And if we’re being actual, it’s now not arduous to know whilst you purchase a ‘bargain-basement’ $300 sliding bypass door off the shelf from a house heart retailer, you’re getting simply that …an affordable $300 door.
Thicker doorways really feel higher to open and shut. Final analysis – thicker is sturdier.
Merit #3 – Your resale price will probably be upper with frameless glass doorways
You’ll be arduous pressed to search out ANY high-end customized showers the usage of framed glass bathe doorways. This is able to be like the usage of a plastic knife to chop your steak at Ruth Chris steakhouse. The 2 merely don’t move in combination.
If you need your rest room to have higher resale price, affordable framed bathe doorways WILL NOT galvanize possible patrons! It doesn’t take a development genius (or a normal house owner) to understand an affordable bathe door once they see (and really feel) one.
Merit #4 – Thicker bathe doorways get rid of the nasty bathe door observe on the backside of the door
If you happen to’ve lived in the course of the drudgery of cleansing the ground of a framed bathe door – and will nonetheless inform the tale about your revel in – you recognize the very last thing you need to do is put your self via this ugly cleansing revel in once more.
Cleansing hair, scum, mould, and mould and ‘god-only-knows-what’ from the ground of a framed bathe door observe can solely be known as something….
D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G!
With a thicker frameless bathe door, there’s NO observe on the backside.
Repairs is infinitely more effective. This can be an important good thing about keen on opting for a thicker frameless bathe door over a framed door which has the ones ‘glorious’ (sarcasm supposed) tracks on the backside.
Merit #5 – You’ll order taller and wider bathe doorways and glass partitions
If you happen to nonetheless wish to use a door (to stay the bathe comfy and heat) however want a much wider opening (for any individual the usage of a wheelchair or for the ‘lengthy retired’ former offensive lineman residing in your home whose gotten ‘just a little larger’ over time) you’ll want thicker glass which will also be made in better sizes.
Or in case you’re designing an extended glass wall for a walk-in bathe – thicker glass will probably be a will have to.
Symbol Supply: www.glassdoor.com
Merit #6 – Much less framing to chop your worries about corrosion
Framed bathe doorways have steel EVERYWHERE! Across the bathe door. Across the aspects. Even on the best and on the backside with the evil observe mentioned previous. And whilst there are powder covered processes for steel doorways, with decrease high quality door with shorter promises, you’ll in finding metals do corrode for your damp rest room.
With frameless doorways there’s some distance much less steel to fret about.
In relation to steel round bathe doorways – that is one case the place ‘much less is extra!’
Symbol Supply: www.myreallifeathome.com
Merit #7 – There’s a big selection of customized glass design possible choices with thicker frameless glass
Possibly you’ll want customized glass manufactured to suit round your bench seat. Otherwise you’d like two pivoting French doorways on your two-shower head walk-in glass bathe. With thicker glass, bathe design probabilities are never-ending. You’ll even get curved and bent glass in case you’ve were given a ‘skies-the-limit’ finances.
Mainly, when you have a sophisticated bathe design, I’ll guess a ‘greenback to donuts’ (and I swear that’s the most unearthly announcing ever …isn’t it?) you’ll want to use thicker frameless glass to make your design a truth.
Symbol Supply: www.kcprecisionglass.com
Merit #8 – You’ll revel in a trend-setting bathe design whether or not you like a modern or vintage farmhouse glance
Blank, fresh showers are the trend in internal design magazines. And, moderately frankly, their open glance doesn’t paintings with cumbersome steel framed bathe doorways. The clearer the glass –unfastened from visible, steel obstructions – the easier. Thicker frameless stroll in or pivoting bathe door techniques create this modern glance.
And in case you love, love, love the barn door taste, a thicker frameless sliding bathe door would be the price tag.
Final analysis – IF you need a modern bathe, you WILL be the usage of thicker frameless glass!
Disadvantages of Thicker Frameless Glass Bathe Doorways
Drawback #1 – As Red Floyd would say, “Cash, cash, cash…. MONEY!”
If you happen to grew up within the rock-n-roll technology (and sure, I’m relationship myself by way of admitting that will be me), you’ll relate to this track from Red Floyd underneath.
And whilst we’d all love to be ‘touring top quality’ in the whole lot we do (and each acquire we make), this isn’t our truth.
A merciless truth about thicker bathe doorways is you’ll must fork over more cash to shop for them (and to have them put in as you’ll see downside #2). You’ll purchase affordable framed bathe doorways from $250 to $550 when you have a small finances.
Alternatively, if you need thicker frameless bathe doorways, be expecting to pay from $750 to $1,900 relying at the measurement and form of your bathe. And when you wish to have a bigger bathe device with 2 glass partitions, you’ll pay much more than that.
Thick frameless bathe doorways aren’t affordable. You wish to have a larger finances. And that’s my ‘2 cents’ on that.
Drawback #2 – Thicker frameless bathe doorways are extra difficult and heavier to put in
No longer solely will you pay extra for the thicker frameless glass bathe door itself, however it’s additionally a extra difficult set up. Thinner doorways are lighter. They have got steel tracks at the aspects to lead the glass within. The thicker glass doorways have clips which want to be stage to forestall sagging through the years.
And in case you’re a DIY’er the framed bathe door will probably be more effective set up. Basically, a thicker frameless glass door takes two times as a lot set up time than a thinner framed bathe door.
Symbol Supply: www.thisoldhouse.com
Drawback #3 – Thicker doorways are extra liable to leaking
Even though rubber gaskets are used on the aspects of frameless bathe doorways, the perimeters will also be the supply of leaking if the rubber gaskets crack. And whilst gaskets will also be changed, leaking issues occur extra with frameless bathe doorways (ESPECIALLY frameless bathe door which weren’t put in appropriately).
So, does a thinner, or thicker, glass bathe door make extra sense for you?
There’s no ‘one proper resolution’ on whether or not a thicker (or thinner) glass bathe door is highest. And even supposing I hate being P.C. (politically right kind), your best option (framed or thicker frameless doorways) actually does rely on your cases. Alternatively, right here’s 3 issues to steer you to your best choice.
Level #1) In case your finances is uber-tight…you’ll want to use a inexpensive framed bathe door and reside with the effects (extra upkeep and a inexpensive feeling door).
Level #2) If you need STYLE AND HAVE THE BUDGET select the thicker frameless bathe doorways. They’re fashionable, strong and be offering unobstructed perspectives of your tile or grout unfastened wall panels.
Level #3) In case you have NO IDEA what to do and aren’t certain you IF you’ve gotten the finances or now not get ‘skilled lend a hand.’ And no, I don’t imply the kind of counseling the place you will have to lay down at the sofa! No, get enter from corporations who be offering a extensive vary of glass bathe doorways AND even those that can set up them for you.
And in case you don’t know of the sort of corporations – right here’s the place I’m gonna plug my trade (sorry about that). We now not solely set up glass bathe doorways in Cleveland Ohio, however we lend a hand buyer with design and promote glass bathe doorways (most commonly frameless and semi-frameless kinds) national. Name 877-668-5888 or click on for unfastened bathe design lend a hand.
And if you wish to have to do a Cleveland bathe transforming undertaking, name The Tub Physician at 216-531-6085.
We all know you’ve gotten a large number of alternatives in bathe and toilet merchandise. We’re dedicated to creating your adventure in the course of the sea of decisions more effective (and we will even be in a position that will help you discover a respected contractor via our broker community as smartly).
Thank you for studying.
Mike
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If you need extra recommendation (with much less wacky humor since you’ll see the ‘buttoned-up’ trade model of me) practice me on LinkedIn @MikeFoti.
And in case you’re a rest room transforming contractor considering being a broker of distinctive bathe wall panels, bathe pans and glass bathe door techniques, name 888-467-7488 and ask for Mike.