If you think that your bathroom is ready for a change and want something with a stylish, trendy edge, you might consider a doorless walk-in shower.
If this innovative trend in cleansing technology is new to you, you may be wondering just how a shower can function without a door. After all, it probably seems like a bit counterintuitive; you don’t want the water splashing everywhere and making a mess.
Fortunately, we’re about to fill you in. Here’s what you need to know about the doorless walk-in shower and how to make it work in your home.
A Brief History of Showering
Over the decades, bathrooms have gone from the utilitarian room where you do your business to extravagant, luxurious affairs. From these humble origins has emerged the doorless shower. Once the milieu of high-end properties, these chic installations began to appear in middle-range construction and are now trendy throughout America and the world.
The Good, the Bad, and the Scrubby
Pros of doorless showers:
- Elegant, simple, modern, and aesthetically pleasing.
- No glass door to maintain! No more unsightly soap scum spots!
- Ideal design for those with mobility issues. The lack of a track to step over minimizes the risk of slips and falls when showering. Also, there is more room to install a shower seat and a grab bar for those who need additional support.
- Open concept design makes the bathroom seem spacious and airy.
- You can choose how and where to store your shower goodies, whether it’s inset niches in the walls, shelves, or a custom showerhead hanger.
Cons of the Doorless Shower: 
- Because of building requirements, a doorless shower needs a lot of room. Not ideal for small or cramped bathrooms.
- Not very private (although some people might not mind).
- Without a door to trap in steam and heat, doorless showers may tend to feel a bit draftier than your typical shower. However, this can be managed with special heated lights and floors inside the unit.
- This is not a DIY kind of project. Even with a professional on hand, it generally requires a permit or and related inspections.
- Since the nature of the doorless shower necessitates a custom design, this feature can be significantly more expensive than the average shower unit. Whereas a professionally installed standard shower will run between $1,000-$3,000, a doorless shower can cost upwards of $5,000, depending on the design you choose.
Next Steps
Once you’ve decided that a doorless walk-in shower is right for you, it’s time to touch base with your local design-build contractor. Be sure to work closely with them throughout the process to make your doorless shower fit your needs, both in fashion and function.
Top Tips for Constructing Your Doorless Shower
- Since these showers have no door, the stall needs additional length to keep the rest of your bathroom from getting hosed down daily. While a standard shower might require 36 by 36 inches, expect to add at least an additional 24 inches of length for the entryway, and this is just the minimum; many doorless showers are even larger.
- Opt for non-slip flooring. While other types of flooring might be prettier to look at, there’s no substitute for safety. If you’re choosing a tile that will cover the entirety of the shower, elect for a matte substance like slate, limestone, or unglazed travertine.
- Drainage is key. While every shower is graded slightly down towards the drain, adding an extra drain to your walk-in shower can help reduce water runoff into your bathroom.
- A rainfall showerhead has a gentler spray that can reduce aggressive splashing and keep your bathroom as dry as possible. Plus, it’s a luxe feature you will love!
- An additional six feet around the entryway of the shower, despite your best efforts, may still get a little bit damp. Expect this area to get well-misted.
- You’ll need a good ventilation fan to prevent moisture and humidity from affecting the rest of the bathroom. The steam that escapes from the shower can accumulate and grow mold if not ventilated properly.
- For optimal space usage, place your doorless shower in a corner along the wall. Because they need so much additional length, putting it in the center of the bathroom would completely cut off traffic flow, making navigation awkward and difficult.
- For mobility purposes, anticipate that the design will need at least 5 feet by 5 feet of room, the typical amount necessary for universal design.
If you think a walk-in shower is in your future, contact J.T. McDermott Remodeling today to learn more. Let’s get started!
