The term "shower stall" can be misleading, as today's showers have come a long way from the dark and dingy 3-foot by 3-foot box in the corner of the bathroom.

 

They have evolved to become multi-sided enclosures with steam jets and hand held showers and tumbled marble floors and walls. Some can be the size of a typical guest bedroom and be contoured to meld with a large whirlpool tub.

 

As more and more consumers want separate showers to go with a whirlpool tub in their master bathrooms, the shower has become an important part of the bathroom design. There are many issues to consider when selecting the size and shape of a shower stall:

 

·        how a particular stall fits in the room layout

·        how it aligns with the home’s overall design

·        your lifestyle

·        constraints of the remodeling budget

"Years ago shower stalls were more of an item used to keep water off the floor," said David Herbert, vice president of marketing for Coastal Industries, Inc., a shower and bath enclosure manufacturer in Jacksonville, Fla. "Today, it's more of a decorator item."

What can you expect from today’s shower stalls?

·        larger sizes

·        unusual geometric shapes

·        designs that eliminate the door.

 

Larger Sizes

Many renovators are selecting large shower stalls, as they like the spacious look and the ability to add accessories, such as extra shower heads.  Stalls can be custom built to any size.  Richard Swiech, president of Polcon Builders, based in Illinois, built one “…12-feet by 8-feet -- a huge room the size of a bedroom -- but the majority are 6-feet by 4-feet."

 

Unusual Geometric Shapes

As shower stalls increase in overall size, they also are expanding into unusual geometric shapes. While many consumers used to be satisfied with a standard square or rectangular shower stall, they now often look for custom designs. They may want a half-moon shaped enclosure with decorative tile and two shower heads or a five-sided enclosure that blends with the architectural details of the room, for example.

 

Coastal Industries has a shower enclosure with eight panels that sits on top of a tile wall that is approximately 40 inches high. The glass extends from the tile base to the ceiling.

 

Elimination of the Door

Another trend in shower stall design is the elimination of the door. Many renovators choose to leave the doorway open to create added visual appeal.  The enclosure would have one or two openings and be designed in the center of the room. The intent is to create a dramatic space that will capture people's attention when they walk in the room.

 

While most upscale shower designs are guided by aesthetics, some decisions are made based on structural considerations.

 

A shower stall without a door should be at least 5-feet by 8-feet to provide enough room for adding a slope to the floor to move the water toward a drain.

 

While designs without a door may be interesting, they also can cast a chill in the air since there isn’t a way for the heat to be contained. Some renovators add additional heating elements in the bathroom to minimize draftiness.