Ringing in the New Year

Happy 2012! Barring a Mayan doomsday, we're looking forward to a fun, productive year, and we've got some exciting products and promotions in the pipeline. Expect to see some new shower hinge systems, adjustable frameless shower doors for fiberglass surrounds, and an increased selection of mirrors and glass shelves. There will also be some new displays in our shower door showroom at 3712 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD 21755. We introduced the showroom in 2011 - launching with the most full-size shower displays in the DC Metro region - and there will be a slight pivot this year towards products like sinks, vanities, shower heads, etc. to complement our shower enclosures. Come out and see us at the showroom! Visitors receive $100 off of their shower purchase, so the trip is well worth it.

Thanks for all the support in 2011! We'll endeavor to make 2012 even better.

Happy showering!

Hydroslide Modern Sliding Shower Video

via youtube.com

We're creeping into new territory with some in-house videos, and this Hydroslide video builds on last week's post. We have a whole slew of topics in development, but give us some early feedback as to what would be most helpful to have reviewed in-depth via video. Things like proper measurement and installation will be posted in due course.

Happy showering!

Modern Sliding Showers

Not all bathrooms are enormous and luxurious, especially in homes built pre-1990. You don't need a huge bathroom to have a stylish bathroom, but shower enclosure options do dwindle as the size of the bathroom goes down. Many spaces can't accommodate a shower door that swings outward, leaving homeowners with a choice between bifold units and sliding shower systems. Now, bifold units are almost universally garbage. There just aren't many bifold systems that are both attractive and well-conceived, leaving sliding showers as the only viable options. Many people who prefer more minimal, modern decor are offput by the sliding shower options on the market though. Fortunately, there have been great strides in this area over the last few years, and homeowners with small bathrooms have two great options for modern sliding shower systems.

The picture above is the Skyline system from Cardinal. Available in 3/8" or 1/2 glass, these units have a very mechanical, almost industrial vibe. They consist of one fixed panel and one sliding panel, with the sliding panel usually positioned closest to the shower head. Two closeup pictures of the hardware system can be seen below:

Giving homeowners the option between 3/8" and 1/2" was a stroke of genius on Cardinal's part, as it's one of the select few sliding shower systems available in the coveted 1/2" thickness. The other stroke of genius can be found in the handle, which is a recessed disk. This opens up options when these units get engineered and provides another space-saving feature. Cardinal Shower's Skyline system is available in Polished Stainless or Brushed Stainless finishes.

Competing with the Skyline is the Hydroslide system from C.R. Laurence. The Hydroslide was first to market, and while it's similarly designed (one sliding panel, one fixed panel), the hardware system has a bit of a softer vibe than the Skyline. It's still very sleek and modern, but it definitely has a less mechanical look to it:

The Hydroslide costs slightly less than the Skyline, and it's available in more finishes: chrome, brass, brushed nickel, and oil rubbed bronze. It's only available in 3/8" thickness. Either system makes a great alternative to sliding bypass systems, which are what most people think of when they think "sliding shower". These two modern sliding systems are redefining the options people have when they're working with limited space. Contact us to explore your options, and we'll be happy to give you a quote for either or both.

Happy showering!

Spray Panels

We've heard the following statement too many times to count: "I just got back from a European vacation, and my hotel room had a single piece of glass on the tub. What's that called, and can you do it?!" There are various names for this shower system, including:

• Spray Panel
• Splash Panel
• Splash Guard
• Bath Screen
• European Spray Panel
• European Splash Guard

Whatever you call them (and we do call them "spray panels" for the record), they're handsome, relatively economical systems. What makes them unique is that there aren't many truly frameless systems for bath tubs, as even "frameless" sliding bypass systems have a metal header, metal wall jambs, and a metal sill. Usually, spray panels for tubs are 30" x 60" and have a rounded 10 degree radius edge on the top outer corner. They're typically hinged with two solid brass hinges plated in whatever finish matches the other bathroom fixtures (i.e., chrome, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, etc.). A small knob is usually present as well to eliminate excessive fingerprints when the unit is opened and closed. At an installed price of around $900-$1200, they're comparably priced to sliding bypass systems, oftentimes coming in slightly lower.

Now, spray panels aren't viable options for every bathroom. Sometimes powerful shower heads will cause excessive water to spray outside of the tub when showering, or there could be a swing conflict with a toilet or vanity. How they fit in layout-wise should be the the very first consideration. Aesthetically though, they're very attractive systems, keeping water in while putting the tile on full display. It's an inexpensive way to go frameless without completely redoing a bathroom. So if you're tired of your boring shower curtain, it may be time for a bathroom facelift through installation of a spray panel.

Customers in the DC Metro region can get a quote or set up a measurement appointment by calling Shower Door Experts or dropping us a line via our website. Customers outside of our service area can order spray panels for self-installation via the following link:

https://www.showersmirrorsandmore.com/products/shower-enclosures/38-hinged-spray-panel

Happy Showering!

Shower Installation in DC, MD, PA, VA, and WV

Whenever customers ask if they can just purchase materials (glass, hardware, gaskets, etc.) from us and do the installation themselves, we're happy to oblige. But first, we give them a boilerplate spiel about some of the issues we've run into over the years. A great installation starts with precise measurements, so it's critical that customers provide us with accurate dimensions and out of plumb and level conditions. When we quote a job, we lump measurement, delivery, installation, and warranty into one figure, but we can separate these items to tailor a package that makes sense for our customers. We can just measure, and then have customers pick up the unit and install it, or we can measure and deliver, and then have customers just do the installation. This reduces the total cost, but frequently customers run into issues with installation, and any cost savings get offset by us having to make a trip to salvage the install. That being said, our fees for measurement only and measurement/delivery are as follows:

• $125 - Measurement Only
• $175 - Measurement + Delivery

Now, our preference for doing the measurement, delivery, and installation ourselves is not at all about the money. First, we prefer to have the responsibility be on our shoulders so there's no ambiguity as to whose responsibility it is if something goes wrong. If a client provides us with measurements and they make a mistake, there can be finger-pointing at the time of installation. This benefits no one, so we prefer to have control of all phases of the project. Second, we provide a warranty on the labor when we measure and install (different from the manufacturer's warranty on the materials), and this coverage against leaks and minor adjustments is not available when we don't measure and/or install. The manufacturer's warranty remains intact, but our labor warranty can be indispensable. Third, the installation itself can be a delicate, tedious procedure, and the difference between an A+ installation and a B- is razor thin. We don't try to put the fear of God in people by making it out to be rocket science, but there's definitely some nuance involved in a high quality shower installation. We have over 20 years of experience, so we can efficiently pinpoint and troubleshoot installation issues that would take homeowners and general contractors much longer to address. There's just no substitute for hands-on experience, period.

Please find a map of our service area below, and know that we'll sell a shower door to anyone who needs one, whether we do the installation or not. We genuinely believe that the slight additional cost of having us take care of the labor is well worth the cost though. When we measure and install a custom shower enclosure, it guarantees that we "own" the project so to speak, which means that we'll be there to take care of any problems that arise thereafter. As we always say, custom shower doors should be a once-in-a-generation project when done correctly, and this includes accurate measurement and expert installation. Saving a few bucks in the short-term just isn't worth it in most cases, because if something - anything - goes wrong, you'll be paying more money to have it fixed then you would've paid originally to have us just do the installation. For shower doors in Washington, DC, Western Maryland to Annapolis, Southern Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, we're your guys!

Happy showering!

Shower Glass Sealant: The Chemistry

Building on the introduction as to what glass sealant "is", it's important to understand how it works. On a microscopic level, glass is a relatively porous material. If you've ever been in the unfortunate position of having to scrub mineral deposits (hard water stains) off of glass, you can attest to the fact that once the stains are there, it's a bear of a project getting them off. Sometimes it proves to be impossible, depending on how long the stains have been present. As any acne-encrusted teen can tell you, it's all about the pores! A protective glass coating, or sealant, makes the surface uniform and somewhat Teflon-like, causing water to bead up and eliminating the microscopic nooks and crannies where mineral deposits and soap scum accumulate. For the chemist's view on how this works, see below:

At roughly $5/square foot, a protective glass coating with an explicit warranty is a wise investment. Since shower enclosures range from $750 to $3,000, it adds up to pennies on the dollar in most cases, and it'll save you time and money. Time is saved through not having to squeegee after every use and less scrubbing of mineral deposits and hard water stains. Money is saved through not having to buy expensive, abrasive, often toxic chemicals for the life of the unit. As we always say, a well-made glass shower enclosure should be a once-in-a-generation project. As such, 20+ years of money saved through not buying Windex adds up. More importantly, the aggregate amount of time saved on maintenance over 20+ years equals an extra two weeks or more of free time. Perhaps that should be the new sales pitch...

"Buy Shower Glass Sealant, Get an Extra Two Weeks of Life FREE!!"

All kidding aside, we apply Vindico 10 year glass sealant to our shower installations in DC, MD, VA, PA, and WV. Please find a link to their website below, followed by a self-applied glass sealant we recommend for clients outside of our service area. And as always...

Happy Showering!

http://vindico.info/home_eng.html

https://www.showersmirrorsandmore.com/products/shower-maintenance/tpc-surface-protection

 

Shower Glass Sealant: An Introduction

We've used a number of these products over the years, and we've refined what we look for in a glass sealant as a result. First, the product obviously has to work. Does it seal the pores of the glass and reduce the buildup of mineral deposits (the dreaded "hard water" effect) and soap scum? Second, it has to be convenient to use. Does it have the sort of longevity that precludes having to reapply it regularly? Does it have an explicit warranty regarding how long it lasts?

We use Vindico glass sealant since it more fully meets these criteria than any other product we've used. First, the stuff works! We have it on our home shower enclosures, our car windshields - basically, anywhere it can be used, we use it. Second, it's a one-time application at the time of installation, and the company guarantees it for a minimum of 10 years thereafter. A glass sealant with a 10 year warranty?! Yes, please. Without an explicit warranty, glass sealant has sort of a "magic beans" quality to it, making it as difficult to sell as it is to purchase. Vindico's 10 year warranty has been a game-changer, and since the one-time cost of glass sealant works out to about $5/square foot, it's usually a no-brainer. Our philosophy is: if it cumulatively keeps you out of the bathroom one weekend a year through reduced cleaning time, it's worth its weight in gold!

Lastly, glass sealant, aside from the way it improves shower enclosure ownership through a reduction in maintenance, is a fairly easy way to go "green". Sealed glass doesn't need to be cleaned with glass sprays or harsh chemicals of any kind, keeping these chemicals out of the watershed and out of your home. This will save you money, but it'll also save the planet in a small, but important, way.

More to come on the benefits of glass sealant, but consider this your crash course in what it does and why it's useful.

Happy showering!