How To Custom Shower Door - Ultimate Guide

Dealers and wholesalers of custom glass shower doors are anticipated to be wise enough to respond to the preferences of the market. This is because over the years, majority of the industry are going beyond the conventional style of frameless glass shower doors, for instance. Learning how to fulfill the requests of shoppers can help tap additional sales for the company.

But to do so, there are quite some considerations that one must be aware of before successfully producing unique shower door items. And if you don't have an idea about this process, here is the ultimate guide to help you get the job done:

Table of Contents:

Ⅰ. Composition Of The Shower Door

Ⅱ. Choose A Suitable Shower Door Manufacturer To Do Customized Services For You

Ⅲ. Shower Door Customization Guide

1. 1. Choose Shower Shape
   2. Choose Frame Type
   3. Choose Open Style
   4. Customized Glass & Finish
   5. Customized Framed & Finish
   6. Choose Roller
   7. Customized Handle
   8. Choose Adhesive Strip
   9. Choose Waterstop Stone Bar
   10. Add Shelf
   11. Add Shower Tray

Final Thoughts

Ⅰ. Composition Of The Shower Door

The first thing that dealers and wholesalers must be aware of are the elements that make up glass shower doors in general, which will be instrumental in determining what must be prioritized in the entire outsourcing process.

1. Glass

   The glass surface of the shower door serves as the main structure of the furniture that supports the enclosure system provided by the said door.

2. Framed

   The frame of the shower doors provide support for its glass surface to prevent breakage once they become intact with an outward pressure.

3. Hardware Parts

   The following hardware parts serve as the tangible components that improve the functionality of different types of glass shower doors.

   • Roller

     Pivotal for sliding bathtub doors, rollers of glass shower doors help ease the sliding motion of the fixture when opening or closing the furniture.

   • Handle

     Handles are important both for typical and custom shower doors since they aid in the convenience of using the fixture and decreasing the risk of breaking its glass surface.

   • Pull Rod

     Pull rod is an attachment mainly for frameless shower doors that provide additional support for the main structure of the fixture. It is installed at the top of the glass shower panels to improve the stability of it.

   • Hinge

     Given the sensitivity of glass shower doors, a hinge may come in handy when it comes to keeping the shower enclosure in place while swinging in full motion when in use.

   • Guide Rails

     Guide rails secure the alignment of shower doors to maintain the functionality of the said fixture. These may come in handy especially in the case of sliding shower doors.

4. Adhesive Strip

   An adhesive strip helps in keeping the components of glass shower doors intact, which can be in adhesive or magnetic form.

   • Adhesive Strips

     Adhesive strips are used to prevent the bottom part of the custom glass shower doors from slamming and causing any leakage.

   • Magnetic Strips

     Magnetic strips are plastic seals which are high-tempered and deformation-resistant. It is made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is used to make water-resistant glass shower doors.

5. Waterstop Stone Bar

   Waterstop stone bar reinforces the waterproofing effect on the bottom part of the shower enclosure brought by adhesive strips.

6. Accessories

   Accessories are supplementary attachments used to enhance the design and functionality of the glass shower enclosure.

   • Shelf

     A shelf is used to elevate the functionality of the shower doors by providing an additional storage for toiletries and other supplies that can be placed inside the bathroom area.

7. Shower Tray

   The shower tray serves as an elevated flooring for the shower area where the water used will be accumulated and sent to the drainage pipe.

    

Ⅱ. Choose A Suitable Shower Door Manufacturer To Do Customized Services For You

After analyzing the fundamental anatomy of the traditional framed shower door, the next important thing to do is to identify the characteristics that make up a commendable manufacturer of custom shower doors:

1. Enterprise Strength

   A stable economic performance by a manufacturer of custom glass shower doors shows that the firm has already acquired the confidence of the market as translated into higher sales figure. Consequently, this means that producing glass shower doors according to end users' preferences will be a piece of cake for the company.

2. R & D Capabilities

   As far as custom glass shower doors are concerned, a rigid research and development (R&D) ability is beneficial since it enables the manufacturer to produce variation on the style of shower glass units that will be offered to the market.

   • R&D Team

     The manufacturer's R&D team must be fully aware and engaged on the preferred styles of frameless glass shower doors that are deemed to be marketable to help the firm get more orders and generate sales from their potential consumers.

   • R&D System

     There must be a sense of organization and efficiency on the R&D function's system to allow the manufacturer to determine the type of changes that they must implement to improve their current designs for custom glass shower doors.

   • Frequency of product launching

     A manufacturer of frameless glass shower doors that launches different products on a more regular basis implies that its R&D function is capable of performing under a fast-paced environment with adaptability and ingenuity.

3. Customization Process

   The manufacturer's degree of customization process must also be assessed to determine if the new product launches offered to end users bring a whole new level of functionality for frameless glass shower doors or just mere revisions of their older product versions.

4. Reputation

   Finally, the general reputation of the manufacturer must be taken note of since it will be reflective of the perception by the public of their brand and product quality as a producer of frameless glass shower doors.

    

Ⅲ. Shower Door Customization Guide

With the help of the said considerations in choosing the right supplier, the next step is the actual customization process to come up with the best glass shower doors that can be offered to the market.

1. Choose Shower Shape

   The first step in producing custom glass shower doors is identifying the shape of the glass shower so that it can match with the form and motion mechanism of the fixture concerned.

   1. Return

   Return shower enclosures feature a 90-degree angle which works perfectly on spaces where there is only a small space allotted for the opening of the frameless shower enclosure.
   2. Arc

   From the name itself, arc shower enclosures come into a bent shape for the glass shower doors that is perfect for a shower space positioned on the corner side of the bathroom like a neo angle shower.
   3. Corner

   Similar to an arc style, corner shower enclosures are suitable for shower space designed at the edge of the bathroom. But compared with the former, the latter has sharp edges to fit on the main structure of the glass panels.
   4. Inline

   From the name itself, arc shower enclosures come into a bent shape for the glass shower doors that is perfect for a shower space positioned on the corner side of the bathroom like a neo angle shower.

2. Choose Frame Type

   After choosing the shape of the shower glass, the next thing to consider is the type of the frame that will be used for the fixture.

   1. Framed

   A framed shower door makes use of a thin glass shower material and an aluminum that will serve as the frame of the furniture. Available in a smooth or textured finish, this type of frame secures the panel shower doors to be fully sealed and free from easy breakage or leakage.

   2. Semi-Frameless

   A semi-frameless glass shower door, from the name itself, is the right balance between framed panel shower doors and frameless shower doors. It makes use of a metal header to provide stability of the fixture without surrounding the entire door itself.

   3. Frameless

   A frameless shower door makes use of thicker glass panels since there will be no frames that will be used for the sides of the fixture. Compared to a traditional framed shower door, frameless shower doors can be easier to maintain since there is no metal component that can be corroded in the long run.

3. Choose Open Style

   After determining the frame type to be used for the glass shower doors, the next thing to consider is the opening style of the fixture upon use, which is critical to the floor space allotted for the shower area.

   1. Swing

   Swing shower glass doors have the typical mechanism of any door which provides a larger opening for its end user. This open style can help save time in cleaning and maintaining the glass material of the fixture since there is enough space to wipe the surface of the mirror.

   2. Sliding

   Sliding shower doors provide efficiency on smaller bathrooms since they don't consume large floor space when being used. They also elevate the aesthetic value of shower doors with unique designs.

   3. Fold

   Folding shower doors are easy to install and can be more functional compared to swing and sliding shower doors since they can be fully opened. Also, this type of shower door allows a higher level of natural light to penetrate the bathroom space which can be beneficial for the end user.

4. Customized Glass & Finish

   Now that the technical mechanisms of the shower doors are determined, dealers and wholesalers must be keen on the details of the color and finish of the glass shower panels.

   • Choose Glass Finish

     The glass finish of the shower doors to be used can make or break the satisfaction of the end user and the resulting design of the unit.

     1. Clear

     A clear glass shower door is a perfect fit for end users who prioritize visibility for their shower area, since the tub doors are not coated by any material to make the surface opaque.
     2. Acid Etched Glass

     From the term itself, an acid etched glass shower door presents an etching to the glass surface by means of scratching prior to installation. As a result, this type of glass finish can have a rough texture which can add a regal touch to the furniture.
     3. Frosted Glass

     Frosted glass adds a layer of the window film to the shower door elevate a level of security and privacy for the furniture. The end user can easily replace the current design of the shower glass pane since the film can be peeled off with ease.
     4. Silk Screen Glass

     A silk screen glass design can embed the chosen pattern or design for the shower door by means of using a ceramic ink on the surface of the fixed panels through a screen mesh.
     5. Filmed Glass

     Filmed glass doors are a perfect finish for end users who want utmost privacy for their fixed panels. This comes in the form of a window film applied to the shower glass surface to protect the inside space for the shower enclosure.
     6. Easy-Clean Glass

     An easy-clean glass shower door makes use of a special non-stick coating that prevents the build-up of soap scums around the surface of the glass material. Similar to a clear glass shower door, it provides a transparent view of the shower space of the end user.
     7. Wired Glass

     A wired glass door makes use of metal wires as an attachment to the shower glass surface. This finish is primarily attained to prevent the easy breakage of shower enclosures especially in the case of frameless shower doors.
     8. Coated Glass

     A coated glass shower door takes on a semi-transparent finish with the use of a protective coating to increase the privacy of the shower glass while maintaining its luminous glow once struck by natural light.
     9. Laminated Glass

     Compared to cheap shower doors, a laminated glass shower door is made by fusing two layers of glass shower panes with the aid of resin. Hence, this is a perfect finish for end users who prioritize the stability of the material used for the furniture.

   • Choose Color of Glass

     Moreover, there are a variety of tones or colors by the glass shower door that can be offered by dealers to end users.

     1. Clear

        A glass shower door with a clear color allows a higher amount of natural light to penetrate the shower area. Perfect for both framed and frameless shower doors, this is the go-to option of end users who want clarity for the ambiance of the shower enclosure.

     2. Grey

        Perfect for end users who prefer quite a dim appearance for the shower area, glass shower doors with a grey color add up a sense of privacy and security on the inside space of the shower enclosure like shower screens.

     3. Dark Brown

        A dark brown color for the custom shower door is a commendable option since it helps provide a better UV protection during peak hours as suggested by best technicians in glass making.

     4. Blue

        Best paired with white-colored window frames, a blue shade for glass panels is great for UV protection as well as for allowing natural light on the shower area inside the enclosure.

5. Customized Framed & Finish

   Once the color and the finish of the glass shower door has been decided, dealers and wholesalers must also take into account the material and the finish of the frame to be used on the glass panels.

   • Material Options

     There are three main materials considered when dealing with the shower door hardware: stainless steel, aluminum, and cooper.

     1. Stainless Steel

        A right shower door with a stainless steel frame is deemed to be durable since it can withstand almost all elements that can interact with it. As a result, the glass surface of the shower door can also avoid the risk of breaking off.

     2. Aluminum

        Aluminum material for shower door frames is another suggested one because the right shower door will have a great thermal performance if it will be used in the main frame of the fixture. Also, it is low maintenance since it will not require frequent re-finishing to maintain its look.

     3. Copper

        Being another metal material with strength as its core property, copper frame is a great choice for shower door frames as well since it can withstand daily use of end users and can also add up to the aesthetic value of the fixture with its color.

   • Finish Options

     Shower door frames can also have different finishes, including the following:

     1. Chrome

        A chrome finish for shower door frames gives off a pristine look to the fixture and help give the entire shower enclosure a neat finish even from afar.

     2. Sand Finish

        Deemed as a strategic choice, a sand finish for the shower door frames is great since it can conceal the sand and dust which may accumulate into the corners of the fixture.

     3. Brush Finish

        When the shower door jamb has a brush finish, it gives off a modern look for the frame since the coating, which is commonly applied with the use of angled bristles, is evenly spread throughout the surface of the shower base.

     4. Hairline Finish

        Also known as a long grit finish, a hairline finish often suits shower door frames with a stainless steel frame since it adds texture to the appearance of the hardware used.

     5. Electroplated Black

        Electroplated black is among the cool hardware finishes being adored by the market to date since it is formed by chemically altering a chromium coating to achieve the shade of black.

     6. Matte Black

        Matte black is one of the hardware finishes that most end users prefer since they are effective in hiding dust and dirt within the shower door and its attachments.

     7. Rose Gold

        With its striking registry in the eyes, rose gold finish is among the highly commendable hardware finishes for shower doors since they can serve as an additional pop of color for the shower enclosure.

6. Choose Roller

   After settling on the design of the glass surface of the shower door and its corresponding frame, the next thing to look after is the size of the roller to be used.

   1. Big Roller

      Big rollers are highly recommended for use when the fixture design involves large-scale glass surface like that of sliding shower doors. This is because it will help improve the opening motion of the said shower door for the benefit of the end user.

   2. Small Roller

      Small rollers, on the other hand, may suit the need of end users who are looking forward into using doors with smaller range like that of arc or corner shower doors.

      Generally, the size of the roller will be selected by the team that dealers or wholesalers will contact with. Moreover, the overall quality of the said hardware will depend on the materials used and the cost of producing the same.

      But if the design of the shower door concerned has a swing type, then using a roller is not necessary since it doesn't need to be opened on a specific linear direction.

7. Customized Handle

   Handles can also be installed to further improve the functionality of the shower door being designed.

   1. Design

      Dealers and wholesalers may look for suppliers that can offer back to back pull or classic handles to satisfy the possible demands of end users.

   2. Materials

      Most handles designed for a shower door make use of either a stainless steel, brass, or chromium material with a variety of finishes.

8. Choose Adhesive Strip

   May it be for a framed or frameless door in the bathroom space, choosing the adhesive strips to be used is critical to prevent the leakage of water from the corners of the shower door over time.

   1. Adhesive Strips

      Adhesive strips are the typical strips used to conceal the narrow spaces between the tile work and the shower doors. They can be in the form of acrylic, adhesive, and the like.

   2. Magnetic Strips

      Magnetic strips are another type of adhesive material used even for frameless shower doors without the need to be mounted on the wall. But since it can only be available for tempered glass surfaces, the cost of using this can be quite higher.

9. Choose Waterstop Stone Bar

   Now that the entire structure of the shower doors are being accomplished, the next thing that dealers and wholesalers must worry about is the installation of a waterstop stone bar.

   Ideally, its function is to prevent the spillage of water from the bathroom space by securing the bottom part of the shower enclosure with an elevated material. Thus, securing this component for the shower door is critical for the convenience of end users.

10. Add Shelf

    As the design of the shower doors becomes complete, dealers and wholesalers must also consider the installation of shelf. It will bring further convenience to end users who would like to place other items adjacent to the said fixture.

11. Add Shower Tray

    Lastly, shower trays must be considered for installation since they can help the water being used to go directly down the drain. A part of the shower base, they help in trapping the water within the bathroom space for the benefit of the end users.

     

Final Thoughts

When trying to formulate a new shower door unit that will be custom-made, what needs to be understood is the fact that it involves several processes. Prior to deciding about the color and finish of the glass surface, dealers and wholesalers must identify the elements to be installed and the supplier to be contacted to make the pursuit possible.

By conforming to this ultimate guide, rest assured that the best custom shower enclosures can be made that will surely be a hit for end users. Thus, make sure not to miss even a point of consideration from this list to generate large volumes of sales in the market!