I would not be happy with just a rain head in a shower. It's impossible to get out of the "rain" to shave legs, etc. Also, very difficult to rinse "everywhere" with water only coming straight down. I'd add a hand held shower head also, as Overland recommends. Putting up the tile half-wall...will the framing of that wall eat into the shower space, or will you be using existing floor space? If it's using up existing shower space, then your shower will be that much smaller (and not big enough, in my opinion). Make sure to have very good ventilation in the entire bathroom. Half the shower will be a big tile box, and you want to avoid mold in there. The glass wall in the picture above allows light in, which helps keep mold down. I'm not loving your idea, really. It makes me think of a locker room at the YMCA. (Sorry, you asked for opinions). Also, if it's hard to keep glass shower doors clean, it's only because you can see the build up on the glass. That same build up is probably on your tiles too, you just can't see it as easily. I know you don't like the look of shower curtains, but they're easy to clean (especially white ones that you can toss in the washing machine with bleach). Will you have any tubs in the house at all? How old are your children? Any possibility of more children and/or grandchildren? If you're not planning to stay in your house long term, it may hurt resale value to have no tubs in a "family-sized" house. Of course, if you're going to be there a long time, do whatever suits you and your family and enjoy it :)

There are some products that can be put onto the glass and I think some that are fused into the glass that are supposed to help with resisting water spotting. We have several clients that have purchased this as part of their custom shower enclosure, but they haven't been out there long enough for me to definitively say they work. The real secret, imo, to keeping glass clean is to clean it regularly from the start. Don't let it start to spot or glaze over - start with a regimen and stay with it.

Installing a piece of clear glass over a tiled wall would not be a good idea. Others have brought up the possibility of moisture getting into the space, but other things could as well. There are a host of issues with it. You could have glass installed as the wall covering, but granite or other stone surfaces will be more cost-effective (solid large-format glass can be well over $100/sq ft). I wouldn't recommend Corian or other such surfaces. After a while they look scratched and dull like cultured marble walls. You could also use large-format glass tiles or other large format tiles, just use a premium grout like TEC's Powergrout or Laticrete Spectralock. Or there's always epoxy grout. Hope that helps!

you can diy or buy all kinds of privacy screens, including wrapping fabric around like a snail shell so it has to go aways before they see anything. a bench to put things on and you can have anywhere. i mean your neighbors don't walk through your yard and walk in do they? if so, i would not have one. not til i moved from those neighbors.