The Utter Sophistication Of Etched Glass Shower Doors

Etched glass shower doors are usually available in various thicknesses and are the perfect way to take your modern enclosure to a whole new level.  Etching is not a new concept, in fact, the art has been performed for centuries but it wasn't until the 1920s that doors wearing this type of frosted design became popular.  Of course, back then, it was very expensive to do and few people could afford the luxury of surrounding their bathtub or shower with it.  However today, companies such as Deco Window Films and others excel at manufacturing art on film so that it can be installed quite easily at an affordable price.

Acid-Etched vs Sandblasted

Both sandblasted and acid-etched are going to cost a bit more than plain tempered glass but if you want to cut costs elsewhere so you can stick to your glass choice, consider installing a neo angle design.

The frosted look that is provided by sandblasting is done by bombarding a glass panel with a high speed machine using walnut husks, sand or other materials while acid-etched is created by using an acid treatment.

Neither one is considered better than the other but if you are trying to save yourself a little money, stick with the acid-etched.  On the other hand, if money is not really a concern and you just want your bath area to be a real showstopper, sandblasting provides more versatility and creativity.  You will find that these are available in different opaque levels of light, medium or dark and you can even find some with a privacy curve or geometric shapes frosted in strategic locations on the glass.

Should You Use A Film?

Another choice you can go with to save you a ton of money on your install is to add on etched glass decals yourself.  You can simply install tempered glass doors in any style you are looking for whether that be framed, framelss, neo, etc., and then buy the etched film separately.  You may be quite surprised at the designs you will find.  From decorative to privacy to extraordinary pieces of art, you are sure to find a design to quench your desire for creativity.  Another great quality about these films is they can be removed or replaced.  Whenever you're ready to give your bathroom a new facelift, you can try a different pattern.

Protecting From Clouding and Water Spots

Nothing takes away from the fabulous appearance of etched glass shower doors like clouding and water  spots so protecting your shower is crucial.  Find a company who will install Clear Shield or something similar to your doors.  This will discourage bacterial growth, prevent hard water damage, stains and allows for easy squeegee-dry cleaning.  Look for a product that is guaranteed and that doesn't need reapplying for at least 10 years.