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Exploring Privacy Glass Options for Shower Design

Many homeowners choose clear glass for their custom frameless shower enclosures, failing to realize that privacy glass can offer more benefits, in terms of style, custom designs, and a modern look. While clear glass can make a cramped bathroom feel more open and airy, it also requires daily maintenance, making it the wrong choice for the homeowner searching for a low-maintenance design, and one that offers the type of privacy they need at home. If you're looking for shower door options that will work for you and your high-traffic bathroom, privacy glass can be the perfect solution. 

Exploring Privacy Glass Options for Shower Design 

Privacy glass is a great choice for any type of frameless glass shower door in a high-traffic bathroom, making the space more functional. While clear glass is often the go-to choice for master bedrooms, privacy glass is preferred for restrooms shared by siblings or for guest bathrooms.

These types of glass provide a classic, timeless look that works well with most existing bathroom designs, whether your bathroom is traditional or modern. It’s also low maintenance and highly customizable, with many design options to choose from.

How Much Privacy Do You Want? 

Privacy glass provides subtle elegance to frameless shower enclosures and is available in many design options.

  • Textured or patterned glass can be a great way to upgrade your outdated bathroom. There are several patterned glass options available, each with various levels of opacity. Lower-opacity glass is clearer, while high-opacity glass has a less light transmission and provides more privacy.
  • Rain glass is a popular option, one that features higher opacity, with more privacy.
  • Etched and frosted glass is perfect if you want maximum privacy. Frosted glass can incorporate patterns or feature a solid effect. Acid-etched glass offers a more modern look and is easier to clean.
  • Obscure glass is a type of semi-private glass that features a slightly blurred effect, making it ideal for homeowners who want frameless doors that offer a little privacy, but glass that also provides a more airy, open look.

At GCS Glass we offer many glass design options that will work with your budget. With our premium glass services, we can install a custom frameless glass door with privacy glass for your high-traffic bathroom, providing the perfect level of privacy based on your family's needs. 

Treated vs. Untreated Privacy Glass 

When you're searching for the right type of glass to use for your custom frameless shower enclosure, another decision you’ll need to make is whether to purchase treated or untreated glass. There are several benefits to choosing treated shower glass. This type of protective coated glass provides a smoother finish and protects the frameless glass doors from soap residue, hard water stains, and other types of contaminants. It also makes it easier to clean glass shower doors, requiring less maintenance, while repelling more water. An untreated enclosure with glass doors can fog and pit more readily compared to treated privacy glass.

Pros and Cons of Privacy vs. Clear Shower Glass 

Clear glass is a popular option for many homeowners who want a custom glass shower door and enclosure, but it’s more commonly used for master bathrooms or in homes where privacy isn’t in high demand.

Privacy glass does not have to be wiped down after each shower to hide streaks and spots. Unfortunately, clear glass does, making it higher maintenance. Without daily wipe-downs, clear glass tends to showcase every water spot, streak, and other types of imperfections. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance glass that requires only weekly cleaning, privacy glass is the best option.

Making the Right Design Choice 

Choosing the right type of glass for your custom frameless glass enclosure can depend on many factors, including style preferences, budget, bathroom size, shower layout, and privacy needs. While in the past, clear and ultra-clear glass were the more popular options, homeowners are now opting for privacy glass, since it allows them to choose from a wide range of designs, adding an extra level of customization. Additionally, busy families may not have time to wipe down their glass shower enclosure after each use, which is why privacy glass, with its low maintenance design, is a better option in homes with large families and small children.

Depending on the opacity of the glass, some types of privacy glass can make a room feel closed off, making it a better choice for larger bathrooms. However, lower-opacity glass can still allow light in, while also concealing the shower enclosure’s interior.

Privacy glass adds an opulent, classy vibe to any bathroom space, and a more versatile design with a variety of styles to choose from, allowing it to blend in well with a bathroom's existing decor or stand out as an eye-catching focal point.

Contact GCS Glass & Mirror to Get a Quote! 

At GCS Glass, the installers at our professional glass company understand the delicate balance of choosing the type of glass shower door that offers both privacy and style. Privacy glass offers some unique benefits that make it the preferred choice among homeowners in search of a glass shower enclosure that’s more customizable and versatile. If you’re considering remodeling your shower space and would like to learn more about custom frameless shower doors with privacy glass, contact the pros at GCS Glass today to schedule an appointment and get a free quote. We offer custom glass installation for any type of bathroom space and can install the perfect frosted glass shower door that will complement your bathroom and add the functionality and privacy you need. 




If you enjoyed this article, check out these other articles about Glass Showers:
Common DIY Fixes for Frameless Shower Doors & When to Call the Pros

What People Are Saying About Us

I did everything from my iPhone! Easy peasy!

The team at GCS was so easy to do business with. I did everything from my iPhone. I received quotes for my project with options to choose from. We scheduled appointments by text. Measurements were precise and the glass install looks great. When it was all done I made payments through an app on my phone. Easy peasy.

– Philip Capizzi

Very Accommodating!

Just had our new shower glass and frame installed and we are very pleased. Brendan and Tyler did a great job and we really appreciated them working around the other flooring project we had going on at same time. Very accommodating. The glass and framework looks great. I'm looking forward to using the shower tomorrow with the new look. VERY pleased. The company is very responsive, quick to come out and measure, and got the job done. Thanks!

– Steve Gerhart

A Great Experience!

A great experience from the first estimate, measuring and install. Really well priced and was surprised at how quickly the shower doors were delivered and installed an entire week early. Was very pleased with the entire experience from start to finish.

– Kathleen Ruhl

Super Fast Turnaround Time!

I found this company after looking at many top-rate glass companies in Denver and seeing that I had to fill out forms and wait for them to get back to me. Some took days, and others have yet to call or email back. GCS was easy to text in from the website and talk to someone and get a quote rather quickly with examples over the text message. Within a few mins, I had a quote and an appointment set! That's how you earn the business! Make the initial request EASY and prove what the client is looking for! They were on time for every appointment and were professional. The glass took a few weeks to arrive, but the team kept us in the loop via text and never missed a detail. We are so happy with our choice, and the glass looks fantastic! They even added a complimentary glass coating to keep the soap scum at bay for two years. I'm starting a new project and will use them again in the next few weeks! Highly recommend.

– Alex Tooke

Look No Further!

No need to search any further for a new shower door. Not only is GCS very fair on pricing (believe me, I did my due diligence) but their customer service is out of this world (so rare these days). From working with Chance on pricing, Austin on installing, and Tom on measuring and follow through, everyone was extremely professional. Tom is a perfectionist in the best of ways. His attention to detail is reflective in the quality of work. Thanks team!

– Caitlin Kinnett

Best Experience Ever!

We had the best experience work with GCS Glass! We knew going in some of our product was on back order and would take awhile. We were so impressed with GCS Glasses communication! They always communicated what was going on every time they got an update. We never felt like they “forgot about us” because they were in constant contact. Their workers were great and professional. Price wise they were slightly cheaper than competing companies. We could not be happier with this company.

– Jessica Laue-Flint

Highly Recommend Company

I would highly recommend this company for your shower door. Brandon was quick to respond to my request for quote. He provided excellent details about the options and prices including pictures, all in text so was very convenient.

– Teresa Hastings

Professional staff, Outstanding installers

GCS Glass is the premier company in AZ. Professional staff, outstanding installers. I ordered 3/8" Starphire clear tempered glass, brushed nickel hinges and hardware to match my bathroom fixtures. Emily sent me a detailed invoice with photos of the hardware. This was the finishing touch to the custom bathroom I built. If you want the absolute best GCS will deliver.

– Mark Plennes

Smooth Process, Amazing Quality

We absolutely Love our Glass from GCS Glass Supply. The whole process went so smoothly and the quality is Amazing. Joe and Tim were very responsive each step in the process. The install by Junior and Camden was above our expectations. They were very polite, clean and provided quality craftsmanship. Many thanks GCS Glass. Best regards, Jim & Susan M.

– Jim Mohrig

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