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Design

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Please discuss these guidelines with your contractor in the early stages of development to ensure trouble free installation of your frameless enclosure. By doing this you can avoid many of the common installation problems before they occur. This will ensure that the focus is on the safety, integrity, function and beauty of your new enclosure.

Frameless Enclosure Design Tips

1. BACKING REQUIREMENTS
Studs should be doubled up behind walls where glass will be anchored. They should be laid flat on the wide side, to allow a wider surface for mounting hardware and for structural support. The studs should also run to the full height of the shower unit. Curbs should meet walls at a 90-degree angle.

2. PITCH OF CURBS, FLOORS AND SEATS
Leaks and standing water are caused by improperly pitched surfaces. All floors, curbs and seats should be pitched away from glass and toward the drainage area to eliminate leaks or standing water. 1/4″ – 1/2″ on bench seats, and 3/16″ – 1/4″ on curbs is ideal for proper shedding of water.

3. CURB AND BUTTRESS INTERFACES
Always design curbs so that they approach buttresses at a 90-degree angle. This will ensure proper door swing clearances and avoid binding of hinges.

4. NEO-ANGLE CONFIGURATIONS
Glass is measured centerline on the curb. A standard neo-angled configuration uses 135-degree angles. Any other is considered custom. Keeping with the standard angles may avoid additional cost and complexity.

5. STEP-DOWN or WALK-IN SHOWERS
Pitch floor away from door inside the shower. Curbless designs should have a metal threshold for proper bottom sweep function and seal.

6. DOOR AND PANEL SIZE RESTRICTIONS
Minimum door width/opening is 24″ tile-to-tile.
Minimum panel width is recommended to be no less than 4″. Panels narrower than 3-1/2″ are prone to bowing and twisting during the tempering process.

7. OVERHANGS
Overhangs near door closings create problem gaps and may require ugly fillers – or worse – a return visit from your tileman.

8. GLASS/PORCELAIN TILES
Glass or porcelain tiles are extremely brittle and prone to break or chip when drilled into or when pressure is applied. If possible, do not use either of these in areas that require drilling to mount hardware. Find a tile or marble that compliments the glass tiles as a preferred alternate. There is no guarantee against breakage when glass tiles are used.

9. DECORATIVE TILES
Decorative tiles and borders that sit higher than the field tile can create issues when placed near the shower door. It is best to end the detailed pattern prior to the door swing area, however we can notch the glass around these tiles for both doors and stationary panels.

10. BODY SPRAYS
Proper placement of shower heads and body sprays is critical to ensure against leaking. Aim shower sprays away from the door opening and similar gaps. There is no guarantee against leaking if sprays are improperly located.

11. STEAM SHOWERS AND OVERSIZED ENCLOSURES
Door heights which exceed 84″ will typically require a fixed or movable transom, or we suggest that you build down a soffit. In doing so make sure that it is perfectly plumb and square down to the curb footprint. In addition, the interior ceiling should be sloped to allow condensation to run off rather than ‘drip’.

12. VENTILATION
Exhaust fans are recommended in all steam enclosures, even with an operable transom, to ensure proper ventilation.

13. GLASS PROTECTION
We highly recommend protecting your glass with a sealant. Glass is a porous material and over time can collect a build up of minerals from your soap and water. EnduroShield is our sealant of choice. It will seal the tiny pores, strengthen the glass, and make your life much easier when it comes to maintaining the beauty of your new enclosure.

Mirror Design Tips

CB Showers provides the highest quality of customized mirrors for your home or business.  Our experienced crews specialize in creating detailed mirrors while keeping safety as a top priority.  From entire wall of mirrors to a small bathroom mirror you can feel confident that you are getting mirrors that reflect our high quality. 

We can fabricate holes for lights and plumbing, light switches and custom shape notches and patterns. 

Custom Glass Design Tips
There are many variables that will affect the frequency at which you will need to clean your shower glass and the effort involved. Humidity, water temperature, degree of water hardness, and even the type of soap you use, all contribute to the build-up of mineral deposits on your glass. The best way to keep the sparkle is to clean your glass daily.

Untreated glass should be maintained by wiping down, or using a squeegee daily to reduce the potential for damaging water spots. Unless you are meticulous in the use of the squeegee, however, you will find over time, a build-up where the squeegee missed – usually a band at the bottom of the enclosure, or around the door hardware. When using a spray glass cleaner, make sure that it does not contain ammonia, as this can damage the finish on your hardware. If you can find Comet Heavy Duty Bathroom Cleaner in your store, it is a cleaning product recommended by the Bath Enclosure Manufacturers Association based on its cleaning effectiveness and gentleness on metal. If you neglect your shower glass for an extended period of time, the mineral deposits will eventually build up and etch the glass. At this point, no amount of cleaning will improve the appearance.

Sealed Glass that has been treated with EnduroShield, needs only a quick rinse with cool water after each shower to facilitate most of the water running off. The drops that remain can be removed and dried easily with a soft towel. It is a minimal investment of time, and the need for chemical cleansers is drastically reduced, saving the environment and your pocketbook. If you wait a long time to clean your enclosure, or have particularly hard water, you will see a build-up of soap scum and mineral deposits. Don’t worry, EnduroShield is preventing them from seeping into the glass and will make it easier to clean, than if the glass were unprotected. The use of a wet nylon body scrubber on the wet glass can be used to loosen any sticky spots. Then rinse and dry.

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