Archive for May 2023

Glass and Mirrors

“Installed Right!”

At Accent Shower Door and Mirror, we have a limitless selection of  glass styles and designs, our knowledgable staff will help you select the glass that will complement any decor.

Need more home decorating ideas with mirrors & Glass?

Call Accent Shower Doors and Mirror,  we will set up an appointment for you with our glass and mirror design specialist who will take the time to educate you on the on glass and mirror design and installation  while  creating just the right custom look for your home.

Sliding Shower Doors

“Installed Right!”

Sliding shower doors typically have a small handle or knob on the inside slider panel and a towel bar on the outside panel. For a less obstructed look, you may option to use only two handles or knobs.

ŸTowel bars, handles or knobs have a low profile face or fastener. This allows the glass panels to completely bypass one another for easier squeegeeing and cleaning.

ŸTraditional style typically uses 3/16” glass, handles and double run towel bars that are clamped to the edge of glass. Top track/headers are a square/contoured profile.

Euro style typically uses 1/ 4” clear glass with knobs and towel bars mounted through the glass. They use a much heavier top track/header that has a rounded, or Euro Profile.

*Note that some manufactures make both a heavier gauge and lighter gauge top track/header. Be sure to know what you have been quoted.

Steam Shower Design

“Installed Right!”

So you want a steam shower? When you clicked Accent Shower Doors, you came to the right place, from Design to Delivery to Installation we have the answers. If you are planning to convert your existing shower for steam we can provide all the information you need.

Converting Your Shower for Steam

Although this task may seem overwhelming, once you have all the information and all your questions answered your envisioned steam sanctuary will be much easier to swallow. There are basically two areas that will need to be addressed, the first is making your shower vapor proof. 

This can be done by covering all exposed dry-wall with some type of wall material; this can be ceramic tile, marble, travertine, glass or any other similar material. Next will be getting your steam equipment, there are three pieces that will need to be acquired,

1. Your Steam Generator,
2. Your Control package, and
3. Your Steam Tight Shower enclosure.

More on steam shower design can be found here (link to steam shower layout).

Purchasing a Modular Steam Shower, What You Should Know First!

Modular Steam Showers came onto the market many years ago but have only recently begun to flood the market. Why? Well integrated audio systems, mood lighting, tubs, and body sprays sound very appealing especially when this amazing package can be yours for a fraction of what it costs to convert your shower. I bet your asking yourself, why are these units so inexpensive? Well here is the answer

• A. The majority of these units are made in China, which not always a bad thing but . . .,
• B. They are not UL or even CUL certified, this means you’ll have a very hard time finding a contractor to install these units,
• C. Since these units are made in China parts are of limited availability, and
• D. Purchasing these untis do not support the United States economy.

The answer? Accent Shower Doors. Our Steam Showers are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. and installed right the first time. Accent Shower Doors is all you need to know.

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Semi-Frameless Shower Doors & Enclosures

“Installed Right!”

Tempered safety glass is typically 3/16″ to 1/4″ with some exposed polished or mitered edges. A semi-frameless design is very customizable providing clean lines using glass-to-glass corners with handle and towel bar options. Both 3/16″ and 1/4″ clear glass provides rigidity and clean lines.
 Semi-frameless design minimizes the use of metal and allows easier maintenance. Stall showers rŸequire top aluminum header support and sliding shower enclosure top tracks. Semi-frameless shower doors and enclosures are available in most common finishes.

Semi-Frameless Swing Doors:
Typically has no frame on two or three edges. There is no frame across top door, down handle side of door, and in some cases across bottom of door. Some doors may use a removable polycarbonate bottom splash deflector making it very maintenance friendly. Hinge side of door requires aluminum continuous hinge rail for strength and water retention.

Traditional Style:
Typically 3/16” glass handle is clamped to the edge of glass and door is magnetically held closed by the aluminum latch jambs vinyl seal near the handle. Support headers for stall showers/enclosures typically use square/contoured profile.

Euro Style:
Typically 1/4” glass. Handle is mounted through the glass with a back-to-back through the glass handle. Door is magnetically held closed to the aluminum latch jambs vinyl seal by a latch bracket mounted to the edge of the glass. Support headers for stall showers/enclosures typically have a rounded or Euro Profile.

Stall Showers/Enclosures:
Swinging, or Sliding Door System, with One or More Stationary Glass Panels:When two stationary panels join together you may have the option of eliminating a corner post to create a glass-to-glass silicone corner joint, this gives your new shower a more open, cleaner and refined look.

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 You may be able to eliminate other portions of framework on your semi-frameless shower enclosure as long as guidelines are followed as to not effect the structural integrity of the enclosure. These methods not only offer a clean look, but are easier to maintain and help create a hygienic shower.

ŸInline and corner posts are generally required when a semi-frameless swinging or sliding door meet a stationary glass panel.

Semi-Frameless Sliding Tub & Shower Enclosures

“Installed Right!”

Most common application, Tub Enclosure:

Used where a swing shower door would not be practical because of limited swing space or where access is required at both ends of the shower.

ŸTypically available in 3/16″ and 1/4″ glass. Also available in 5/16” and 3/8″ thick glass for added heaviness and rigidity. ŸNot all glass Patterns are Available in all Thicknesses.

• Polished Glass Edges
• Very Customizable
• Most Common Finishes Available
• Header Profile, Towel Bar/Knob, and Glass Options
• Now  Available in New Hi-Tec Track Systems, With Minimalist Designs

Semi-frameless sliding enclosures typically consist of a top track/header suspended by two vertical wall jambs. Also an easy clean bottom track and/or center guide that retains and stabilizes the bottom of the slider glass panels. The sliding door panels themselves are frameless and are suspended from the top track by a set of roller brackets that are siliconed, clamped or studded through the slider glass panels.

Sliding shower doors typically have a small handle or knob on the inside slider panel, and a towell bar on the outside panel.  For a less obstructed look you may option to use only 2 handles or knobs.

Towel bars, handles or knobs, have a low profile face or fastener, this allows the glass panels to completely bypass one another for easier cleaning.

Traditional Style:
Typically 3/16” glass, handles and double run towel bars are clamped to the edge of glass. Top track/ headers are a square/contoured profile. 

Euro Style:
Typically 1/4” clear glass, knobs and towel bars mounted through the glass and use a much heavier top track/header that have a rounded Euro.

*Note that some manufactures make both a heavier gauge and lighter gauge top track/header. Be sure to know what you have been quoted.

Fully Framed/Framed shower doors,: Typlcally 1/8 to 3/16′” tempered safety glass, no exposed glass edges. Usually an entry level shower door. Not always the most cost effective. Limited options, more framework, more difficult to maintain.

Frameless/Heavy Glass Shower Doors Enclosures

“Installed Right!“

Over the past years, Frameless Shower Doors & Enclosures have become the Preferred Style that many Home Owners are seeking when shopping for a New Glass Shower Enclosure.

Typically they have Experienced these Elegant Upgraded Designs at a Hotel, family member, or friends home, or even in a magazine.

As Frameless Shower doors can look quite simple, It is important to know ,Our Customer Service approach is to Inform, and Educate about the varied Design Characteristics, Limitations, and Installation Procedures. This Information will help you make your decisions.

Although in some applications, Frameless Shower Doors are not always as water tight as Traditional Shower Systems, in most cases if they are Designed correctly, and proper procedures are followed they, are a Very Good Choice when Simplicity, Cleaner Lines, and Easier Maintenance is desired.

Arming you with the most important facts will help guide you through the process, and with your selections.

Frameless Shower Doors are Typically Completely Custom, so even Small Details can be accommodated during the Design and Measure Process.

Frameless Shower Doors are Measured Very Accurately to within 1/16” of

Plumb, Level, and Dimension. Therefore all the Showers surfaces that the glass will attach to, needs to be Completed Prior to Final Measurements.

Unit Heights should be Measured considering, appropriate Site Lines, User, and Shower Head Height, Criteria etc.

Choose your Hardware Wisely, follow Hinge Weight, & Width Criteria, and their placement on the Wall and Glass. This offers Visual Balance, and added Stability and Durability.

Extra attention spent on the Stationary Glass Clamp Selection, and their Locations, will also offer Visual Balance, and a more Stable Shower Enclosure.

To ensure the Maximum Water Retention of your Frameless Shower Door, the use, selection, and application of Low Profile, Translucent Polycarbonate ”Door Jamb Seals” will help ensure your Frameless Shower Enclosure is as Water Tight as Possible.

We also recommend the use of a Translucent Polycarbonate Bottom Splash Deflectors. This Deflector will minimize the water that might try to migrate under the door, and is easily Removable for Cleaning.

Now that your installation is complete, all you need to do is apply a water resistant coating such as Invisible Shield to the glass once a year, this is applied after the silicone is cured, see care and maintenance.

Accent Shower Door and Mirror now offers Grab Bar Installation

Grab bar installation is one way to ensure safe accessibility while in the shower or bath. This easy bathroom modification makes entering and exiting the bath and shower area much easier and safer.

At Accent Shower Door and Mirror we have the expertise to perform grab bar placement even in areas with tile or porcelain walls. We will professionally install grab bars wherever they may be needed. Grab bar installation in the shower, or even the toilet area makes having access in the bathroom much safer, and when we do the job, you know your grab bar installation is Done Right!