Can we replace our existing bath enclosure with a frameless enclosure without remodeling our entire bathroom?
Absolutely! It is very common for homeowners to replace their old leaky shower door with a new frameless enclosure. It is quite the improvement. When installing a frameless door where an existing door was without redoing the wall surface and/ or pan, Bath Concepts cannot guarantee to cover old holes and/or silicone from the previous shower enclosure.
Do they leak?
No, all fixed panels are caulked with silicone to the tile or stone. The doors are sealed with a variety of siliconized vinyl seals that are almost invisible. They are as waterproof as any shower on the market used under normal showering conditions, however, they will not withstand any direct water spray.
Are they expensive?
Bath Concepts enclosures are custom fit and range from $500.00 to $3000.00, with an average of $1600.00 installed. There is a lot of value for a shower enclosure that is easy to maintain and will stay beautiful forever.
What is the difference between 3/8" and 1/2" thickness of glass?
1/8" of an inch is the only difference. 90% of our enclosures are 3/8" glass door and 1/2" glass fixed panel for strength and stability. We recommend using a combination of 3/8" on the door, so it will not over weight the hinges from the manufactured specifications, and 1/2" on the panel for stability.
Will a frameless door last as long or longer than the framed units?
With proper care, yes, due to the fact that framed structures, even though constructed of aluminum, will oxidize and break down over time. With Bath Concepts frameless doors all metal hardware used is non-corrosive and solid brass plated and in most cases clear coated, leaving no room for break down.
How often do the vinyls and drip deflectors need to be replaced/changed?
There is no set time for replacement of the vinyl substances. The longevity of the vinyl substances will be determined by the proper maintenance and cleaning regimen of the homeowner.
Are frameless doors safe?
Under normal and recommended operating conditions a Bath Concepts frameless door is just as safe as a framed door.
Why would I want to use clips as opposed to tracking (channel) on a frameless shower ?
An installation using frameless shower door clips can be much more versatile in design and can achieve a cleaner and more open look, while maintaining the same structural stability as tracking. In most circumstances where tracking is used on frameless door applications it is necessary for the tracking to be continuous in most areas whether horizontal or vertical. In doing so, this type of application defeats the desired frameless design and clean-cut look of a fully frameless shower door.
FYI: Most companies using tracking for their frameless shower doors are doing so for two reasons:
1) The company is trying to cut costs and are only able to use 3/8" thick glass as opposed to Bath Concepts 1/2" stationary panels and 2) It gives them more adjustment space in the ordering of the glass resulting in a less precise installation.
Are shower doors better than shower curtains?
Yes, water leaking from gaps between the shower curtain and the shower wall can result in significant water damage over time, especially for bathrooms located on a second story. Water damage is the most common trigger for growth of stachybotrys, a toxic mold that can cause allergies, asthma and skin rashes. In some strains, stachybotrys can even cause damage to the lungs and nervous system-and even death.
Shower Doors are Not 100% Watertight
Bath Concepts enclosures, when properly installed, are designed to prevent leaks under normal shower conditions. Excessive water pressures or direct shower spray at the door do not represent normal shower conditions and can result in leaks.
For example, if you have children in the bathtub and they are throwing buckets of water at each other, shooting each other with squirt guns, or playing with the shower nozzle, water will likely get out. You should not clean your shower enclosure with your shower nozzle as it can cause excessive water pressure resulting in leaks. If you notice puddles of water outside your shower after such activities, you should clean it up as soon as possible and stop the activity that caused the water to leak out of the tub or shower. Continual splashing of water outside your shower can lead to numerous problems.
Towel Bar and Handle
Towel bars and handles are not to be used as grab bars.
Many people use grab bars in showers as an aid for getting into and out of the tub or shower. If your Bath Concepts enclosure is equipped with a towel bar, you should not use it as a grab bar. It will not support your weight. Do not hang from it or stand on it. If you use excessive force it could snap off, shatter your door, pull the panel down off its tracking, or break the silicone seal depending on your enclosure. If you have small children who love to hang on things, it's a good idea to instruct them not to hang from the towel bar or handle. However, your towels and washcloths will be fine hanging from the towel bar.
Abrasive Cleaners
Do not use abrasive or acid-based cleaners when cleaning your Bath Concepts shower enclosure.
There are some powerful cleaners on the market today. Abrasive or acid-based cleaners can scar the metal or glass of your Bath Concepts shower enclosure. It most likely won't happen with a single application but it's best to use appropriate types of cleaners all the time. See recommendations from
http://www.bathenclosures.org/basics/cleaning.htm
Maintaining Your Glass
For best results, Bath Concepts enclosures should be cleaned with a squeegee or towel after exposure to water.
Some individuals wait a long time to clean their enclosures (weeks, months, etc.), and then express concern that they can't get water spots, mold, or other things off their enclosure. It all depends on how clean you want your enclosure. For best results, we recommend that your Bath Concepts enclosure be cleaned with a squeegee or towel after being exposed to water.
Opening & Closing Your Shower Door
Do not use excessive force when opening or closing your shower door
Some people are physically strong or naturally aggressive. If you use excessive force when opening or closing your shower door, you could shatter the glass or damage the vinyl and/or the silicone seal. Your hand should not leave the door handle until your door is fully open or closed at any time.
Shower Enclosure Structure
Do not ever hang from or stand on your shower enclosure
It's not designed to support your weight, and you could get seriously injured. Don't do it.
Glass Breakage
A shattering experience about a shower enclosure.
(This story was forwarded to us by George of Sunnyvale, CA)
"I had a frameless enclosure installed over my tub. The shower is rarely used as it is our second bathroom. I went into the bathroom a day or so after a smaller earthquake, and found my shower door had exploded into millions of small pieces of glass. I immediately started looking for the cause of this damage, but found none. The fixed panel and hardware were still in place with no damage. My only conclusion was that the earthquake from days prior had resulted in my house shifting, pushing the glass against the tile on the wall and breaking."
George's enclosure was not a Bath Concepts enclosure. This is a very unlikely occurrence and is probably one in a million, and unfortunately it happened to George. This is why shower door manufacturers use tempered glass. In the event that the glass does break, you'll have millions of small pieces of glass rather then the sharp edged shards of glass.
Glass Obscurity
Make sure to consider all the important factors when selecting the obscurity level of your glass.
It's expensive to change your glass after your enclosure is installed, so we recommend that you consider all the factors that could be important to you. Do you have a lovely view through the enclosure out the window, or beautiful tile/marble you don't want to hide? In this case you might consider clear or Starfire glass to be your best option. Do you prefer more privacy when showering? Then possibly an obscure pattern would be right for you. Is your shower enclosure the showpiece of your master bedroom? Then you might want to use art glass.
Bi-Pass Door
Make sure to consider all important factors when selecting additional parts.
If you have ever wondered why your bi-pass doors only have minimal plates on the reverse side of any knob or towel bar, it is designed so that either panel will bi-pass the opposite panel for ease of cleaning.
Decorative Hardware Options
Make sure to consider all important factors when selecting decorative parts.
For best results and to maximize the performance of Clearshield protected shower glass, rinse with water and squeegee dry after each use. Clean your shower glass every 3-4 weeks using Clearshield Aftercare for shower glass. Aftercare offers optimum cleaning benefits, maximizes the long life protection of Clearshield, includes an anti-bacterial formula and leaves a clean, fresh scent. Aftercare is also safe to use on all shower framework and hardware.
In hard water areas, it is recommended that Clearshield Aftercare for shower glass be used bi weekly or as required.
Do Not Use any abrasive scouring powders or pads, highly acidic/ alkaline cleaners or sharp instruments to clean your Clearshield protected shower glass. These can permanently damage your glass.
Glass cleaners like Windex and Glass Plus, will not harm Clearshield glass although they are unnecessarily strong. Never use commercial strength cleaners or products like Lime Away on Clearshield glass.
In addition to Aftercare, an effective and inexpensive glass cleaner that will not harm Clearshield glass is a simple mixture of 80% water 20% vinegar. Place mixture in a spray bottle, apply to glass and wipe clean.
For additional Clearshield Aftercare kits please call
(925) 676-6696 or Click Here.
For more information, please contact us at (925) 676-6696 or Click Here.
Serving the greater Bay Area in the building and construction market, Bath Concepts Shower Enclosures, Inc. provides fabrication and installation of bath and shower enclosures. In addition to our totally custom frameless doors we also offer a full line of traditional shower door products including frameless sliding doors, framed structured enclosures, and single pivot doors. Residential and commercial customers have been using our products for years.
