If a bathroom remodel is in order and you still haven’t found a design inspiration, would you consider a doorless shower that’s so on trend right now? A quick search online and you’ll find a variety of those renovated bathrooms that have incorporated this concept. Not only does it give the bathroom a more spacious look but it also means one less surface to scrub for you. 

But is this the right style for you? Before Miconi shares with you the pros and cons of doorless showers so you can decide if this is what you want to do when you remodel your bathroom, let’s have a quick look at how the modern bathroom has evolved in the last few decades:

The Bathroom Evolution

A few decades back, you wouldn’t see the luxurious bathrooms that we have today. They were quite simple; just a simple tub, a commode, and a cabinet with a mirror in a space that typically was no more than 5×8 in size. It wasn’t until the ‘70s that homeowners started adding extra bathrooms to their homes. In the ‘80s, ensuite master bedrooms became the trend and the owners of the house enjoyed their private bathrooms that they didn’t have to share with the rest of the family.

As the house got bigger, so did the bathrooms that then included walk-in closets, elaborate tubs and showers, and more. And now that the trend leans towards modern yet minimalist, doorless showers have found their way in both luxury homes and mid-range custom homes as well. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Doorless Shower

Before saying goodbye to your old bathtub and adopting this ultra modern doorless style, it’s wise to know the pros and cons of this design.

Advantages

  1. Glass is notoriously known to be difficult to clean. It is prone to hard water spots so it needs to be cleaned constantly. Having a doorless shower means you won’t have to worry about cleaning a door at all. 
  2. A doorless shower is more accessible to family members that have mobility problems, especially that there’s no step-over curb at the shower entrance. 
  3. Doorless showers can be customized to fit any style and space. Although it was first introduced in spacious bathrooms, architects have found a way to incorporate this design in mid-sized bathrooms as well. You can have the fixtures and toiletry holders, even seats built in, too. 

Disadvantages

  1. Despite the adjustments that architects can make, doorless showers still need more space than your traditional shower stall, so those bathrooms that are really limited in space won’t be able to accommodate this style.
  2. Doorless showers can cause draftiness in the room because there’s no door trapping in the steam. It can be addressed with an infrared heating light or heated flooring, though. 
  3. There’s an obvious lack of privacy which you might be comfortable with. 
  4. Bathtubs can add to your home’s resale value, so if you only have that one bathroom in the house, it might not be practical to remove the bathtub.
  5. Doorless showers can be pricier than your standard shower or bath because they often require more premium materials and need to be customized.
  6. It can be a big project that you can’t DIY. It requires grading the floor, installing drains, replacing tiles, and more. Like most home remodels, it may require a permit from your local building authority as well. 

Conclusion

So, are doorless showers worth your investment? Make no mistake, a doorless shower can be very stylish and functional. Whether it’s the right choice for you or not depends on your preference, the size of your bathroom, and other factors like your budget. Whatever you decide, make sure that you choose only the best materials for your bathroom upgrade, be it natural marble or some modern tiles to match your home’s aesthetic.

Miconi Marble & Tile can provide you with the highest quality materials for your bathroom remodel. You can visit our San Rafael showroom and be inspired by our designs and find the best options for your bathroom. Contact us today for any questions about our products!