The glass can be treated by the glass company but it still needs to be maintained.

You can frost the exterior of the glass, and if you only do it up to 5', leaving the top clear, you'll at least be able to see part of the tile.

Personally I also prefer frosted shower glass door for some privacy and they won't show water sports as much.

I'm totally with you on this, Dytecture. While I think all the clear glass showers look fabulous, open up the bathroom, and show off the tile, I have absolutely no desire to shower in them. I'd feel uncomfortably exposed (even with doors locked in an empty house--it's an irrational psychological effect) and annoyed by the need for constant upkeep with squeegies.

Be careful. The frosted glass gets just as dirty and will discolor and etch just like the clear glass if not maintained on a daily basis. The difference is that it doesn't show up until it's too late to do anything about it.

Oh dear, I am loving my vintage enclosed tile shower more and more with every new piece of information about glass upkeep.

Fear not! That's why you frost the outside of the shower glass and not the inside. The inside will be perfectly smooth and easy to clean, just like a window.

Frosting the outside of the glass enhances privacy - it does not reduce the spotting on the interior or the need or frequency of cleaning the inside glass. I would never tell a client that frosting the glass is going to reduce the need to clean - they are going to believe it and be disappointed in the end. We take showers out and replace them all the time- there are coatings that can help to reduce the spotting and cleaning but there is no silver bullet that is going to replace the need to maintain the glass in a responsible way.

Thanks for all of the input. I agree with Deborah in that sometimes clients can think you can eliminate any maintenance by getting a different kind of glass and that is misleading. Even if "you don't do windows" you have to sometimes :-)

I think from looking at bathrooms on houzz and elsewhere and seeing that pristine glass in the new bathroom that hasn't been used yet, clients end up wanting their cake and eat it too. I think the options have been discussed here, frost the outside, treat the inside, it's not original but the old rain-x trick, but nothing is for sure. That's why as a professional you have to educate the client on what is a reasonable expectation and present options.

I agree with the comments above. The product requires some upkeep, the new framless higher quality doors as simple. I have many clients that I have sold Dreamline shower doors to and all have been VERY happy with the quality, ease of upkeep, and semi-custom vs full custom makes for 30-60% lower cost of a shower door. http://www.poshhaus.com/store/Search.aspx?ps=140&searchterms=dreamline%20shower%20door

There are products that can be applied, but they aren't fool proof. there is an ideabook on houzz about how to clean your doors https://www.houzz.com/magazine/get-glass-windows-and-doors-gleaming-clean-stsetivw-vs~2239417

Have you considered Showerguard glass? http://na.en.showerguardglass.com/

I've not used it but my glazier has recommended it to me for clients who've expressed a similar concern

Steve

Hello - my name is Heather Lupu. I work for Guardian, the manufacturer of ShowerGuard.

When looking at products which reduce water spots, it's important to note that any product which repels water is derived from organic chemicals to some extent. It's these organic chemicals which cause water to repel off the glass. However, as with anything organic, they will break down over time. To be fully permanent, ShowerGuard is derived from solely inorganic chemicals. This means your client's enclosure will maintain its corrosion resistant qualities with zero reapplications.

So, it's important to ask your clients what type of glass coating they would like - one that will repel water or one that will permanently protect your glass from corrosion and be easier to clean?

Another important thing is to cross reference what each product offers. Check into the warranty offered, how your customer will be serviced if they have a warranty claim as well as care and cleaning guidelines.

Homeowners who value quality will appreciate how ShowerGuard looks better longer - between cleanings and throughout its lifespan. ShowerGuard's consumer lifetime warranty increases credibility and peace of mind.

If there are any other questions I can answer please send me an email at hlupu@guardian.com.
www.ShowerGuardGlass.com

Daily maintenance -- yes I know -- is necessary, regardless. It only takes a few minutes to squeegee the glass and run an absorbent cloth over it and wipe dry, and once you get in the habit of doing this, your glass will stay looking great.

I do this every time (to the entire shower) and I find that I only have to really clean the glass maybe once a month and then I just use windex.

Glass showers are beautiful, but they take a bit of effort. There is no magical product that's going to keep it clean for you.

You are absolutely right! - and I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say that (many people are looking for the miracle product that will make their glass maintenance free). The key with ShowerGuard is that it will protect your glass from elements that embed down into the glass regardless if you squeegee. Depending on where you live in and what type of water you have, it can protect the investment you've made on your shower enclosure.

I know this is old but, Feeny, I completely agree! Everyone thinks I'm nuts but I hate showering with a glass door even though the door is locked!

less than 2 minutes to squeegee the glass.. I love my shower in glass.. That gross buildup is there no matter what you do to the glass.. You can use a product like Rain-ex to help water bead up